Play Combat Cars Online

Combat Cars came out for the Sega Genesis in 1994, published by Accolade. It was part of that wave of early 90s games trying to capture the feel of vehicular combat, a genre that was finding its footing on consoles at the time. You would see it on the shelf alongside other action titles, a straightforward looking cartridge that promised some chaotic driving.

You control a small, armed vehicle from an overhead perspective, driving around single screen arenas. The main objective is simply to be the last car running; you eliminate other drivers by shooting them or forcing them into hazards while avoiding the same fate yourself. Signature mechanics include picking up different weapon power ups scattered around the map, like homing missiles and powerful blasts, and navigating environmental dangers that can destroy you as quickly as an opponent's shot. The pacing is fast and the difficulty can be unforgiving, with the computer controlled opponents often ganging up on you. It feels like a frantic, messy brawl where survival is a constant struggle.