A Rare isometric miniature car racing game on NES. Collect upgrades, sabotage competitors. Addictive and fun. Overlooked but one of the best racing games on the console.
Your verdict
Category
Racing2 players3+
Description
Top-down racing game featuring miniature radio-controlled cars on varied circuits. Published by Rare, released in the USA in 1988. RC cars in top-down view with offensive and defensive weapon power-ups on varied tracks. A masterpiece of top-down racing on NES.
R.C. Pro-Am review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Driving a top-down radio-controlled car, grabbing weapons to hamper your rivals and upgrading your machine between races: this blend of racing and combat hooks at once. The rush of speed and the joy of sabotaging your opponent keep a gleeful rivalry alive. Snappy, clever and full of charm, an irresistible arcade classic.
R.C. Pro-Am marks Rare's early NES work under the Nintendo label, lending it real historical weight for fans of the studio. Loose and complete copies stay affordable, a sign of wide distribution, but sealed examples soar on the game's reputation and the appeal of Rare/Nintendo carts from this era. The collectible interest concentrates on the sealed copy rather than the common cartridge.
Is R.C. Pro-Am still worth playing in 2026?
A racing game from Rare published by Nintendo, R.C. Pro-Am launches radio controlled miniature cars on isometric top down tracks, where you grab weapon and upgrade bonuses to outpace rivals. The blend of snappy driving, shooting and equipment management gives an addictive, clever formula, backed by Rare's craft. The handling takes a little getting used to. For a retro arcade racing fan, someone curious about Rare productions or a collector, the title keeps an intact effectiveness and pleasure.
