Rad Racer II NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Racing

Rad Racer II

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1990
GenreRacing
DeveloperSquare
PublisherSquare
Players1 player
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut

Developed by Square, Rad Racer II arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990 as a racing game.

It landed about 5 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1990 include Final Fantasy III, Dr. Mario and Mega Man 3.

Square also made Rad Racer, The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner and King's Knight for the NES.

Rad Racer II is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

Pick it if…

  • you want to race and compete
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you want a story or exploration rather than laps
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Rad Racer II is like

Racing games range from realistic driving to kart racers with weapons and shortcuts. Races are short, making them great for quick sessions and split-screen rivalries.

Tip for newcomers: Learn each track's racing line and braking points; in kart racers, item strategy matters as much as driving.

Rad Racer II gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Rad Racer II cheats & codes

27 codes on file (Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Emulator memory codes codes to start with:

Stage Select000A:00
Power Meter Always Full004B:0C
Instant Boost005F:FF
Instant Finish0039:FF
Never Wipeout When You Hit Anything005B:00
Always Play Song000B:00

See all Rad Racer II cheats

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Playing NES games today

NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.

Rad Racer II FAQ

When did Rad Racer II come out on the NES?

Rad Racer II was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990.

Who made Rad Racer II?

It was developed by Square.

Is Rad Racer II multiplayer?

No. Rad Racer II is a single-player game.

How long does Rad Racer II take to play?

As a racing game, Rad Racer II typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

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