ROUTE16 COLLECTION Review

Retro collections often serve as digital museums, preserving games that might otherwise disappear beneath the endless stream of modern releases. Some compilations simply package old titles together and leave players to appreciate them through nostalgia alone. Others go a step further, reminding us why these games mattered in the first place. ROUTE16 COLLECTION belongs firmly in the second category.

Bringing together three entries from SUNSOFT’s pioneering maze-based driving series, this collection offers a fascinating glimpse into a period when developers were experimenting with ideas that would shape arcade gaming for years to come. Before open worlds, racing simulators and massive action adventures dominated the landscape, games like ROUTE16 created excitement from simple concepts: a car, a maze, a dangerous enemy and a desperate race against time.

The collection includes the original ROUTE16 from 1981, the enhanced 1985 sequel ROUTE16TURBO and the brand-new ROUTE16R, which attempts to modernise the formula with customisation, combat and multiplayer. While the older games show their age in places, the package as a whole demonstrates just how creative SUNSOFT was during the early days of arcade design. It is not simply a trip back to the past. It is a reminder that great ideas can survive decades when built on strong foundations.

For a closer look at each chapter of MAD X’s journey, you can explore our dedicated reviews of the individual games included in the collection:

ROUTE16 Review
The original 1981 arcade classic that introduced the series’ innovative dual perspective gameplay and established MAD X as one of SUNSOFT’s earliest arcade icons.

ROUTE16TURBO Review
The enhanced 1985 sequel that expanded the formula with improved visuals, turbo mechanics, additional stages and a deeper sense of strategy.

ROUTE16R Review
The modern reinvention that transforms MAD X-R into a combat capable machine, adding upgrades, boss battles and multiplayer chaos to the classic chase formula.

Gameplay

At first glance, ROUTE16 appears almost deceptively simple. Players take control of MAD X, a small vehicle tasked with collecting items scattered throughout a network of maze sections while avoiding enemy cars determined to stop the mission. However, beneath that straightforward premise lies a clever gameplay structure that was genuinely innovative for its era.

The defining feature of the series is the seamless transition between two perspectives. Maze Mode places players directly inside individual maze sections, requiring careful navigation through tight corridors while avoiding incoming threats. Radar Mode then expands the view, showing the entire collection of sixteen maze areas and allowing players to plan their next move.

This combination creates an interesting balance between immediate danger and long-term strategy. Maze Mode demands quick reactions, while Radar Mode rewards patience and planning. Players constantly switch between these two mindsets, deciding whether to take risks for faster progress or play cautiously to survive.

That design still holds up surprisingly well today. Although the visuals and mechanics are unmistakably from another era, the tension created by navigating unknown territory while enemies close in remains effective.

ROUTE16 And ROUTE16TURBO

The original ROUTE16 is an important piece of arcade history, but it is also the entry where modern players will feel the age of the collection most clearly. Released in 1981, the game captures the raw simplicity of early arcade design. There are no complicated upgrade systems, lengthy tutorials or cinematic distractions. Everything revolves around movement, awareness and survival. The challenge comes from understanding the maze layouts and mastering enemy patterns rather than relying on additional mechanics.

For players interested in gaming history, this version is fascinating because it showcases the foundation of the entire franchise. It is easy to see how the ideas introduced here influenced later maze-based action games. However, newcomers may find the experience more demanding than expected, especially given the limited guidance and unforgiving enemy behaviour.

ROUTE16TURBO represents a significant improvement. The 1985 release expands the formula with improved presentation, more varied environments and the introduction of the turbo mechanic. By allowing MAD X to temporarily accelerate using fuel, the sequel adds another layer of decision-making. Speed becomes a valuable resource rather than something that can simply be used whenever needed.

The turbo system creates some of the collection’s best moments. Escaping a group of enemy vehicles while carefully managing your remaining fuel feels genuinely thrilling, especially when a well-timed boost saves a run that appeared lost.

ROUTE16R: Bringing The Series Into The Modern Era

The headline attraction of ROUTE16 COLLECTION is undoubtedly ROUTE16R. Rather than simply recreating the past, SUNSOFT has sought to evolve the concept. MAD X-R introduces customisation, transformation mechanics and combat abilities, giving players greater control over how they approach each challenge.

Collected money can be spent to upgrade fuel capacity, speed and combat performance before heading into battle. The biggest change is the ability to transform into a powerful robot form by colliding with enemies. This completely changes the rhythm of gameplay, turning the player from a vulnerable driver into an aggressive force capable of fighting back.

It is an interesting twist because it addresses one of the original games’ limitations. Previous entries focused entirely on escape, with survival depending on avoidance and clever movement. ROUTE16R introduces empowerment, allowing players to take the fight directly to their enemies.

The transformation system works well because it does not completely abandon the series’ identity. Speed, positioning and awareness remain essential, but now players have more options when situations become dangerous.

The addition of four-player local multiplayer is another welcome improvement. Competing against friends to capture flags turns the normally solitary experience into a chaotic party challenge. It is a simple addition, but one that gives ROUTE16R a fresh sense of energy.

A Treasure Trove For Retro Fans

One of the strongest aspects of ROUTE16 COLLECTION is its thoughtful preservation of these games. Modern features such as save states, display options and rewind functionality make the older titles far more approachable. These additions respect the original difficulty while reducing some of the frustration associated with playing decades-old arcade releases.

The inclusion of gallery materials is also appreciated. Original artwork, promotional materials and historical extras provide context for the games and help players better understand their place in SUNSOFT’s history.

This attention to preservation makes the collection feel like more than a simple re-release. It feels like an archive designed for both longtime fans and curious newcomers.

Presentation

The visual differences between the three games tell their own story. The original ROUTE16 has the unmistakable look of an early arcade title, with simple graphics focused entirely on function. ROUTE16TURBO builds on this with more detailed environments and clearer visual feedback, while ROUTE16R adopts a colourful modern retro aesthetic.

The newer entry captures the spirit of the originals without feeling constrained by them. MAD X-R’s transformations add personality, and the updated presentation gives the series a renewed sense of excitement.

The soundtrack follows a similar path. The classic games deliver charming arcade melodies that perfectly reflect their era, while ROUTE16R introduces more energetic compositions suited to its faster pace.

Final Verdict

ROUTE16 COLLECTION is a fascinating example of how a simple idea can evolve across generations. The original games may require patience from modern audiences, but their clever perspective-switching and strategic driving mechanics remain surprisingly compelling.

ROUTE16R is the collection’s standout title, expanding the formula while honouring the foundations that made the series special. The addition of customisation, combat and multiplayer gives the franchise a new identity without losing its arcade roots.

This is not a collection designed to replace modern racing or action games, nor does it attempt to compete with them. Instead, it celebrates a different era of game design, one built around experimentation, challenge and memorable mechanics.

For retro enthusiasts, ROUTE16 COLLECTION is an essential curiosity. For newcomers, it offers a chance to discover a forgotten piece of gaming history, presented in a way that feels welcoming rather than outdated. SUNSOFT’s MAD X may have begun its journey more than forty years ago, but this collection proves there is still plenty of fuel left in the tank.