Motor Raid (モーターレイド) is a futuristic motorcycle racing video game developed by Sega AM1 and published by Sega in 1997 for the Sega Model 2A arcade system board. The title combines high‑speed racing with melee combat, allowing players to use various weapons while navigating tracks set on different planetary environments.
Gameplay
Motor Raid employs sit‑down arcade cabinets equipped with model motorcycles, a handle for acceleration, a lever for braking, and controls for leaning the bike left or right. Players accelerate by twisting the handle and can activate a three‑stage turbo boost gauge—blue (100 % gauge), green (200 % gauge), and orange (300 % gauge)—by twisting the handle twice when the desired boost level is reached.
Combat is integrated into the racing format: each rider starts with a primary weapon (e.g., a crescent sword or pike) and a secondary weapon (such as a claw or whip). Players may swing weapons to knock opponents off their bikes, throw weapons to steal opponents’ arms, or use punches and kicks for close‑quarters defense. Successful attacks can slow opponents and affect race positioning.
The game offers several modes:
- Championship – a single‑player campaign across three planetary tracks, with stage selection influenced by race results.
- Battle – up to four players compete simultaneously on a chosen planet.
- Practice – individual runs on any track.
A secret sixth planet, Segal, is accessible via a cheat code entered in Practice mode.
Stages
Motor Raid features five primary planets—Yendas (desert), Ido (mountainous), Reef 8 (oceanic), Junos (snowy), and Bowel (volcanic)—each with distinct terrain and obstacles. The secret Segal planet presents a futuristic cityscape with a Sonic the Hedgehog statue.
Development and Release
Developed by Sega AM1 and designed by SEGA AM R&D Dept.-1, the game’s composer was Makito Nomiya. Motor Raid was released in arcades worldwide in October 1997. The cabinets were sold as conversion kits for the earlier Manx TT Superbike arcade machine. Unlike many Model 2A titles, Motor Raid was never ported to home consoles or personal computers at the time of its initial release.
Soundtrack
An official soundtrack, featuring music from Motor Raid and the later Sega arcade title Sega Water Ski, was released by Marvelous Entertainment on 21 January 1998.
Reception
In Japan, Game Machine listed Motor Raid as the seventh most successful dedicated arcade game in its December 15 1997 issue. The title has since attained a cult following among arcade enthusiasts.
Later Availability
Motor Raid became playable on modern platforms for the first time as an in‑game arcade machine within Sega’s Judgment (2018) and its sequel Lost Judgment (2021), which are available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Google Stadia, Microsoft Windows, and Amazon Luna.
References
- Wikipedia contributors. “Motor Raid.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 2023.
- Sega AM1 development archives.
- Game Machine, December 15 1997 issue.
Note: All information is drawn from publicly available encyclopedic sources.