PC Racing Game - circa 2000 [Road Wars]

HurtMePlentyM8 · Post by **HurtMePlentyM8** » Sun Mar 05, 2023 4:21 pm

Hiya folks,

I know this is a bit after the days of DOS but I was hoping someone could help identify a game I'm trying to remember.

As far as I know it was a PC only game released around about the 2000s so would have been running on Windows 90/2000/ME/XP. I distinctly remember it having chunky 3D car models with slightly slippery handling and weapons. I am sure there were tracks where you drove through towns or urban areas, maybe the interior of a shopping mall at one point with obstacles but my memory is hazy? I also remember it having a career mode where you could buy weapons for your car and possibly upgrade the parts. I think you also had characters with personalities for the races. The weapons were definitely a big part of the game with stuff like machine guns, oil slicks and mines.

At first I was convinced it was NICE 2 (aka Breakneck) but going back and playing this it seems the focus on weapons isn't anywhere near as pronounced as I remember. The cars also were not affiliated to sponsors but had their own unique paint jobs from what I remember. You had difference styles like 4x4s, tuners, muscle cars etc.

Maybe my mind is muddled and it really is just NICE 2 I'm thinking about but honestly feel there is something I'm missing. Any help would be much appreciated.

Rwolf · Post by **Rwolf** » Sun Mar 05, 2023 5:08 pm

You could look through this list: https://www.mobygames.com/group/9635/ge ... le-combat/

HurtMePlentyM8 · Post by **HurtMePlentyM8** » Sun Mar 05, 2023 6:11 pm

Rwolf wrote: ↑Sun Mar 05, 2023 5:08 pm You could look through this list: https://www.mobygames.com/group/9635/ge ... le-combat/

Thank you so much! I didn't even know about MobyGames so apologies if it's in a sticky or pinned thread on here. I probably should have checked that first.

I had a look and the game I was thinking of is called Road Wars. Great to know I'm not going mad.

https://www.mobygames.com/game/7038/road-wars/

JamieRobles · Post by **JamieRobles** » Mon Jul 10, 2023 1:13 pm

I came across your post about trying to remember a PC racing game from around the 2000s, and it sounds like a fun challenge! It's always exciting to reminisce about games we enjoyed in the past.

JamieRobles · Post by **JamieRobles** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 6:43 am

JamieRobles wrote: ↑ I came across your post about trying to remember a PC racing game from around the 2000s, and it sounds like a fun challenge! It's always exciting to reminisce about games we enjoyed in the past.

By the way, if you're into gaming and looking for new adventures, have you ever tried 7 Days To Die? It's a thrilling survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world, where you have to scavenge, build, and fight off zombies. If you're interested, you can find dedicated servers and connect with fellow gamers at <snipped>.

Regarding the racing game you're trying to remember, it's fascinating how memories can sometimes be a bit muddled. The features you described, like chunky 3D car models, slippery handling, weapons, and a career mode with car upgrades, remind me of a few racing games from that era.

darkone777 · Post by **darkone777** » Fri Apr 11, 2025 10:22 am

I remember playing Road Wars back then, and I used to run it on my old Windows ME setup. The cars had that bulky 3D feel you mentioned. They were clunky but still had loads of fun. I liked that it leaned more into combat instead of just racing. Stuff like oil slicks and mounted guns made the matches more chaotic than tactical. It had more of that arcade-style vibe, unlike Breakneck, which I also tried but felt a bit sterile by comparison.