Play Highway Star (Japan) Online

Floor it down pixelated highways, wrestling the wheel as those 8-bit turns try to spit you into the ditch. That synth soundtrack still slaps while you white-knuckle through neon canyons and desert straights.

Developer: Square

Genre: Racing

Released: 1987

File size: 128 bytes

Game Overview

Highway Star (or Rad Racer if you're outside Japan) was one of those early NES racers that made you feel like you were playing something futuristic. The 3D effect was a big deal back then—just don’t expect anything close to modern graphics. You’ve got eight tracks, from neon-lit cityscapes to desert highways, and the music’s got that classic 8-bit energy.

It’s simple: hold A to go, steer with the D-pad, and try not to spin out every time you hit a curve too fast. The tracks get brutal later on, especially when the road starts twisting like a snake. I still remember the first time I made it past the third course without crashing—felt like a real victory.

It’s barebones by today’s standards, but there’s something weirdly satisfying about how straightforward it is. You either love the challenge or rage-quit after five minutes.