This 1992 sequel to R.C. Pro-Am was once again developed by Rare, but this time was published by Tradewest (not Nintendo), and is pretty much the same kind of game as before: a scrolling isometric racing game featuring small, remote-controlled cars.

R.C. Pro-Am II is a bit more varied than its predecessor, although it’s still a very simple game with the same aims as previously – to come within the top three finishers in each race.

As you drive around your position in relation to your opponents is shown above your car. You must avoid crash hazards (oil slicks, water puddles, barriers, and even bombs) and drive over as many booster pads as possible to stay ahead of the competition. Just like in the first game: booster pads are the key to winning races. If you miss too many of them you’ll no doubt be overtaken by your opponents.

New additions to the game include: elevated sections (allowing cars to jump, which they couldn’t do previously); new hazards (like planes that drop bombs, or rivers over the course that must be jumped); starting races in different directions; a shop that you visit in-between races, and a multiplayer mode (which the first game didn’t have).

In the shop you can buy motor upgrades, new tyres, weapons, or other extras such as shields, nitro, and even continues, and of course these cost money which you have to earn as you progress, by collecting it on the track and winning races. The downside is that many of the items cost a considerable amount and are out of reach for a number of races. Collecting extra money on-track will speed up access to them. Your opponents can also collect money and upgrade their cars too.

In my opinion R.C. Pro-Am II is more interesting to play than the first game because it’s more varied. It still suffers a bit from sprite tearing and the graphics do lack variety in colour, but overall it’s more fun to play than R.C. Pro-Am.

More: R.C. Pro-Am II on Wikipedia