Street Rod 2

Street Rod 2, developed by P.Z. Karen Co. Development Group and Logical Design Works, is the 1991 follow-up to the original Street Rod. The game continues its faithful tribute to American hot rod culture. Initially released for MS-DOS, the game was developed specifically with EGA graphics in mind, limiting the color palette to 16 colors—a curious choice, especially considering that VGA had already become standard for many games by the early 1990s (the game supported also CGA and Hercules monochrome graphics).

The game places players in the shoes of a young car enthusiast in the summer of 1969, aiming to climb the local street racing hierarchy. You begin by purchasing a used car and working on it in your garage, replacing parts like the engine, tires, transmission, or even adjusting the gear ratios manually. Every decision affects how your car will perform in drag races or road competitions. The game is set in 1969, a few years after the predecessor, and it includes cars like Ford Torino, Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Ford Mustang and more.

Compared to its predecessor, Street Rod 2: The Next Generation introduces road racing as a major new feature, expanding the gameplay from one-dimensional sprints to curvy, hazardous tracks that demand skill and timing. These races retain the manual gear shifting and fine control of the original, blending simulation and arcade elements. Additionally, every Wednesday night the player can join a drag race competition called "Grudge Night".

However, one of the most disappointing aspects lies in the Amiga conversion. Despite the Amiga’s far superior graphics hardware, the game was essentially ported directly from the DOS EGA version without any graphical enhancements. The result is an underwhelming presentation on a platform known for its rich color depth and smooth scrolling. A missed opportunity, especially when compared to other Amiga racers like Lotus Turbo Challenge 2 or Crazy Cars III, which made much better use of the machine’s capabilities.

Still, the game’s mechanical depth and cultural setting continue to stand out. It’s not just about racing, but also about budgeting, buying parts, and building a car from scratch—an experience more reminiscent of a lifestyle simulator than a standard racing game. That holistic approach prefigures elements later seen in titles like Gran Turismo or the Street Legal series.

Street Rod 2 may not have been a technical showpiece, but its attention to detail and dedication to car culture gave it lasting appeal. For fans of classic American cars and hands-on gameplay, it remains a charming and engaging title despite its visual limitations.