Rad Mobile

Rad Mobile (ラッドモビール) is a video game developed by Sega-AM2 and published by Sega. This game was first released in arcades in 1991, then it was ported to the Sega Saturn in 1994 under the name Gale Racer (ゲイルレーサー). Sega followed up on the success of Rad Mobile by making a sequel, Rad Rally for the arcades in 1991, which included several gameplay changes.

Gameplay
Rad Mobile takes place in a first person perspective and has the player engage into a non-stop road race across the USA while avoiding traffic and police cars under the time limit. The only player controlled car is a Ferrari 330 P4 type prototype racing against computer controlled opponents driving generic cars. The player races with fifteen other rivals across the track, all attempting to prevent the player from winning. During some of the courses the player has the opportunity to activate different controls, which include headlights for night driving and windshield wipers during rainstorms. If the player does not activate these controls when prompted, effects such as a restricted view of the road or a wet windshield will occur.

Reception
On release, Sega Saturn Tsūshin scored the Sega Saturn version of the game a 24 out of 40.

Cameos
The game featured a Sonic the Hedgehog air freshener hanging on the rear mirror. It was Sonic's first appearance in a game, predating even the first title of his own franchise.

In the 1992 film Encino Man, Link the caveman (played by Brendan Fraser) is shown playing a Rad Mobile arcade machine.

Port
In 1994 a port of Rad Mobile released in Japan known as Gale Racer for the Sega Saturn. It updated several things from its arcade counterpart, such as all sprite cars being polygon rendered, a new FMV intro when the player starts the game and an all new soundtrack. It featured a save system as well as new keychains based on Sonic characters depending on what mascots the player had in the game.