OutRunners, the OutRun sequel with vehicle choice and multiplayer races. More generous and colourful, one of the console's best arcade racers.
Your verdict
Category
Racing4 players3+
Split screen
Description
The player pilots one of many OutRunners cars on branching coastal roads in this Sega game. Published by Sega, released in Japan in November 1993. OutRun sequel with several selectable vehicles, varied music and branching roads in third-person view.
OutRunners review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
The sequel opens its garage: several cars with distinct bodies and colours, each with a driver and passenger animated separately. The roads branch more and cross even more varied landscapes, with a split screen showing two simultaneous viewpoints without loss of sharpness.
The track selection widens and mixes registers: arranged revisits of the series' historic themes, newer and more rhythmic compositions, cruising moods. The timbres are richer than in the earlier instalments on the machine, with round bass and clearly detached percussion.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
The screen splits and the party kicks off: up to four drivers pick their ride, their route and even their soundtrack before launching off. Branching paths multiply the journeys and reshuffle every run, while the mood stays resolutely festive. Racing side by side with friends toward sun-drenched scenery is contagiously fun. A sociable arcade that hasn't lost an ounce of its zest.
The Japanese edition of OutRunners is the local pressing of the Sega port of the Y-Board arcade game, distributed by Sega Enterprises in Japan. Its collector value comes from the port's fidelity to the OutRunners arcade and from the fact that the JP version remains the original pressing.
Better with friends
A split-screen arcade race that channels the cruising spirit of the great classic, with its branching roads and sun-drenched scenery. The competition is savored side by side, squabbling over the racing line while enjoying the ride together. Forgiving and spectacular, it favors immediate fun over simulation, and the fork choices renew the rivalry with each new game.
Is OutRunners still worth playing in 2026?
An arcade sequel to the famous Sega series adapted to Mega Drive, OutRunners offers an arcade racing formula with split screen versus mode for up to two players and several selectable vehicles. The sunny art direction faithful to OutRun spirit, the speed sensation and the multiplayer mode make it an excellent arcade conversion. For anyone fond of OutRun or seeking a retro arcade race on Mega Drive with multiplayer, a valid recommendation today still without any hesitation for series fans truly indeed here for any newcomer.
