Forgotten PlayStation Rally Racer Comes To PS5

Before Colin McRae Rally revolutionised console rally games in the late 1990s, Sony tried to take on Sega Rally with a rally game you’ve probably never heard of: Rally Cross. Over 25 years after its original release, Rally Cross has made a surprise comeback on PS5.

Forgotten PlayStation rally racer joins PS Plus Premium

Developed by Sony Interactive Studios America, Rally Cross originally skidded onto the original PlayStation in 1997. Now, Sony’s forgotten rally racer has returned to PS5 and PS4 as part of the PlayStation Plus Classics Catalogue.

Rally Cross sees you drive a mix of rally cars in head-to-head off-road races on mixed surfaces such as snow and sand. Its working suspension model, undulating tracks, water splash effects, and damage modelling were impressive for the time before it was overshadowed by Colin McRae Rally.

If you roll over, you can rock your car back onto its wheels at the press of a button to recover instead of using flashbacks like in modern games.

None of the 20 cars and trucks are licensed, so don’t expect to drive Subaru Imprezas and Mitsubishi Lancer Evos. Six game modes include Solo Race, Head-On and Unlimited Laps. Up to four players can also race in split-screen multiplayer.

Although the early 3D visuals haven’t aged well, the PS5 re-release is enhanced with an increased resolution, rewind functionality, quick saves, and custom video filters. Trophy support is also added, with 31 trophies to collect including a Platinum. Rally Cross also spawned a 1998 sequel on PlayStation.

Rally Cross PS5 price

Rally Cross is available for PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers at no extra charge or can be purchased separately on the PlayStation Store for £7.99/$9.99/€9.99.

It’s one of several retro racers you can revisit in Sony’s Classics Catalogue including Ridge Racer Type 4, Ridge Racer 2, Twisted Metal, and Twisted Metal World Tour.

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