Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Radical Rex throws you headlong into a fast-paced platforming adventure where you control a fire-breathing Tyrannosaurus on a skateboard. The core mechanics are delightfully simple: skate or glide down prehistoric slopes, jump over obstacles, kick foes away, and unleash your fiery breath to clear a path. Each action feels responsive, thanks to tight controls that ensure Rex obeys your every command—even when you’re barreling downhill at full speed.

As you traverse the 10 vibrant levels, you’ll collect eggs to boost your score, health pickups to stay in the fight, and power-ups that supercharge your fire breath and refill your screen-clearing scream. Standard enemies like flies, turtles, and toads go down with a single hit, but bulkier dinosaurs demand a strategic approach: first burn them, then deliver a final kick or squeeze in an Earth-shaking scream attack to finish the job.

Checkpoints are cleverly represented by torches scattered throughout each stage. To activate one, you simply torch it with your fiery breath—ensuring you won’t have to replay battered early sections on a Casual or Hardcore playthrough. And once you clear a level, you’re treated to a surprise Bomberman-like bonus round that challenges you to outlast waves of bombs for an extra continue. This playful diversion adds variety and encourages you to refine both your platforming and tactical bomb-dodging skills.

Graphics

Radical Rex’s visuals embrace the colorful, cartoonish aesthetic of early ’90s console classics. Sprite art is bright and chunky, with Rex himself animated in smooth, exaggerated motions that convey both charm and power. His tail swings realistically when he skates, and the flame effects glow warmly against the prehistoric backdrops.

Levels are teeming with thematic variety: lush jungles, molten lava caverns, swampy wetlands and craggy mountaintops. Each environment feels distinct, thanks to parallax scrolling backgrounds and eye-catching details like erupting geysers or herds of distant dinosaurs. Enemies are equally well designed, with each species sporting unique color palettes and attack patterns that stand out clearly against the scenery.

While the hardware limitations of its era impose a modest resolution and occasional flicker, Radical Rex compensates with bold art direction and lively animations. The sound design complements the visuals well, offering crunchy stomp effects, sizzling fire sounds, and a catchy soundtrack that reinforces the game’s upbeat, adventurous vibe.

Story

At its core, Radical Rex delivers a simple yet effective narrative: an evil creature has put the entire dinosaur race under a sinister spell, and only our skateboarding T-Rex hero can break the enchantment. This setup provides a clear motivation for every leap, kick and fireball you launch across the 10 levels.

Although the plot doesn’t delve into deep character development, brief cutscenes and stage-completion screens sprinkle in enough humorous dialogue to keep things lively. Rex’s bravado and the occasional wisecrack from rescued dinos infuse a playful charm that complements the action without bogging down the experience.

The story culminates in a final showdown that, while not overly complex, delivers a satisfying payoff—complete with a dramatic reveal of the mastermind behind the spell. For players seeking a lightweight, tongue-in-cheek narrative wrapped in high-octane platforming, Radical Rex’s tale hits the mark perfectly.

Overall Experience

Radical Rex strikes a well-balanced blend of challenge and accessibility. Newcomers will appreciate the forgiving checkpoint system and the extra-life bonus rounds, while seasoned platformer fans can push for perfect runs, egg-collection completions, and speed-skating through levels. The difficulty curve ramps steadily, offering plenty of “aha” moments without ever feeling punishingly unfair.

The combination of skateboard mechanics, fire breathing and screen-clearing screams feels fresh—even decades after the game’s original release. Each level introduces new obstacles and enemy configurations that keep gameplay from growing stale, and the Bomberman-style interludes serve as welcome palate cleansers between intense platform segments.

In the end, Radical Rex delivers a joyous, nostalgia-tinged ride that’s easy to pick up but hard to master. Its colorful visuals, upbeat soundtrack and whimsical story give it lasting appeal, making it a standout title for anyone craving retro platforming fun with a prehistoric twist. Whether you’re a dinosaur enthusiast, a skateboard aficionado in search of pixelated thrills, or simply a fan of classic side-scrollers, Radical Rex provides ample reasons to jump on board.

Retro Replay Score

6.3/10