Lotus II – R.E.C.S. is one of those Genesis racers that still holds up surprisingly well. You’re thrown right into the driver’s seat of a Lotus Esprit Turbo—no fuss, just pick your color and hit the road. The first thing you’ll notice is how fast it feels compared to other 16-bit racers, with scenery whipping by in that signature Mode 7-style scaling.

The tracks twist through deserts, cities, and coastal roads, and the sense of speed is legit. You’ll be weaving through traffic, barely missing oncoming cars (or not—I definitely clipped a few buses my first run). The handling’s slick but not punishing—tap the brakes before sharp turns or you’ll spin out, but it never feels unfair. And that soundtrack? Pure late-80s synth energy, like someone fused a racing game with a John Carpenter movie.

It’s simple, arcadey fun—no tuning or career mode, just you, the clock, and the open road. If you dig old-school racers that prioritize speed over realism, this one’s a blast. Just try not to flinch when a truck suddenly swerves into your lane.