R.C. Pro-Am is a racing game developed by Rare, designed by Tim and Chris Stamper and published by Nintendo for the NES in North America in February 1988. Rare built it in 1987 as Pro Am Racing before renaming it. Seen from an isometric overhead view, the player races a radio-controlled car against three opponents, and the top three of four advance. The box art promises 32 tracks, but only 12 unique layouts repeat. Missiles and bombs can be collected, and gathering the letters of NINTENDO upgrades the vehicle. The music was composed by David Wise.
The game sold 2.3 million copies and made Rare a major NES developer. It is credited with inspiring Super Off Road, Rock n' Roll Racing and the Mario Kart series. In 1992 Tradewest published an enhanced Genesis version, Championship Pro-Am.
The NES game was included in Rare Replay for Xbox One in 2015 and added to Nintendo Switch Online on 21 February 2024.1
Names and releases
| Region | Title on the box | Platform | Date | Publisher | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | R.C. Pro-Am | NES | February 1988 | Nintendo | 1 |
| NA | Championship Pro-Amenhanced version | Genesis | 1992 | Tradewest | 1 |
| EU | R.C. Pro-Am | NES | Apr 15, 1988 | Nintendo | 1 |
| WW | R.C. Pro-Ampart of the Rare Replay compilation of 30 games | Xbox One | 2015 | — | 1 |
| WW | R.C. Pro-AmNintendo Switch Online NES library | Switch | Feb 21, 2024 | Nintendo | 1 |
Also known as: Pro Am Racing WW1Championship Pro-Am NA1
Box art by region
NA R.C. Pro-Am 
EU R.C. Pro-Am
Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: libretro-thumbnails.
Version differences
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GraphicsGenesis (NA) Championship Pro-Am
Championship Pro-Am on the Genesis has enhanced graphics and additional features.1
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GameplayGenesis (NA) Championship Pro-Am
The Genesis version pits the player against five opponents instead of three, though finishing in the top three is still required; it also saves race records and asks for a name before the start.1
Where to play legally today
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Nintendo Switch Online Subscription
Reception
The game sold 2.3 million copies worldwide. AllGame rated it 4.5 out of 5 and Computer and Video Games 90%. Computer Gaming World praised the isometric view, simple controls, graphics and sound but criticized the lack of a two-player mode, and Electronic Gaming Monthly ranked it 52nd among the best console games of all time in 1997.1
Sources
Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13
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