Death Rally (Classic)

Good old classic, works remarkably well on modern machines. I noticed that it pretty much sticks to 72Hz on my VRR monitor, which likely helps preserve the original experience. As Duke says : "Hail to the king, baby !"

Death Rally is an unapologetically chaotic top-down racing game from the mid-90s that combines speed, violence, and strategy into one pixelated joyride. Released by Remedy Entertainment back in 1996, this game feels like a mad scientist's experiment blending Twisted Metal and Micro Machines. It’s a great mix of skill-based racing and unhinged vehicular combat, and even decades later, it’s a blast to play.
Gameplay
The core of Death Rally is simple but addictive: race fast, blow stuff up, and try not to die. You start at the bottom of the rankings with a rusty old car barely worth its scrap metal price and work your way up by competing in races, earning cash, and upgrading your ride. Winning races isn't the only way to make money—destroying your opponents or completing side missions from shady characters will also fill your wallet.
The races are chaotic, with weapons like machine guns, mines, and spikes making survival just as important as speed. Positioning on the track matters, but so does knowing when to lay into someone with your guns or when to focus on avoiding damage. There's nothing more satisfying than blasting the leader to smithereens right before the finish line—or more infuriating than being the one on the receiving end.
Cars and Upgrades
You start small, but Death Rally rewards persistence. As you earn money, you can upgrade your car’s speed, handling, armor, and weapons—or ditch it altogether for something better. The progression feels rewarding without being grindy, and every upgrade feels like it makes a difference. By the time you’re driving one of the top-tier cars, you’ll be a racing god (or at least feel like one).
Story and Atmosphere
The story is basically non-existent, but honestly, it doesn’t matter. This game is all about the vibe. The races take place in grimy industrial zones, deserts, and urban sprawls—all drenched in a gritty, 90s aesthetic. You can almost smell the burning rubber and hear the chaotic screeches of tires even if the graphics are basic by today’s standards.
The cast of racers is full of memorable personalities, including Duke Nukem, who makes an over-the-top cameo. The game doesn’t take itself too seriously, leaning into its violent, rebellious tone with a wink and a grin.
Multiplayer and Replay Value
If you played this back in the day, multiplayer was where the real fun was. Trading insults with friends while blowing up their car or stealing a last-second victory made for endless laughs. Even in single-player, the AI is challenging enough to keep things interesting, and the dynamic of upgrading your car keeps you coming back for "just one more race."
Deeper Meaning?
Okay, let’s not pretend this game is Blade Runner. But if you squint, there’s something to be said about the anarchic spirit of Death Rally. It’s about survival, ambition, and embracing chaos—all wrapped in a junkyard aesthetic that feels anti-establishment in the best way. The lack of rules and constant danger reflect a world where success is about being faster, meaner, and more determined than everyone else.
Final Thoughts
Death Rally is the perfect mix of simple controls, fast action, and strategic decision-making. The gritty art style and unrelenting pace make it a product of its time—but in the best way. If you like games that don't hold your hand and let you figure out the balance between survival and domination, this one is a must-play.
Even better, it’s available for free on Steam, so there’s zero excuse not to take it for a spin. Grab it, blow up some cars, and let the chaos reign!

We spent a lot of time playing this back in the day, purchased a Steam copy just to have it again. Hard to see on new monitors unfortunately, but the wife and I loved this game back in the day.

If only I knew 30 years ago I was playing video game adaptation of fictional move from video game series that is part of multiverse series... cannot waith for VW Bettle to apear in Control 2 as Object of Power or Adversery in Alan Wake 3 or... next Death Rally common Remedy, DO IT.

"Death Rally" is a nostalgic gem. You're transported back to a simpler era of gaming with the pixelated graphics and straightforward gameplay. I keep coming back to it because it is simple downtime that I can zone out too and watch a move or show during. Somehow, despite the many years, it still has challenging moments. When you need a break from high tech games, this is a good one.

Great classic, played it when it was released, and always fun to revisit once in a while. A gem of DOS gaming.

I don't even know how many hours I spent playing this game back when it came out. I finished it multiple times. Replaying it so many years later I find myself still enjoying it and the top down racing. It has the feel of the old late 1980s and early 1990s arcade top down racing games that had steering wheels (I dropped more quarters than I'd like to admit into those games, too....). For those who haven't played old-school top-down racers I recommend you give this a go. Yes, you might have to use keyboard, but it's quite playable.