SUNSOFT’s ROUTE16R Revives 41-Year-Old Car Chase Series, Out Today
SUNSOFT has launched ROUTE16R, the first completely new entry in the ROUTE16 car chase series in 41 years, releasing today, August 6, 2026. The game is available on Nintendo Switch 2 and PC platforms, and it arrives alongside modern ports of the original arcade ROUTE16 and the Famicom title ROUTE16TURBO. A special ROUTE16 COLLECTION bundling all three games has also launched for Nintendo Switch. As in earlier entries, the core goal is to collect every piece of money in each stage while dodging enemy vehicles and monsters along the way.
In previous ROUTE16 games, players mostly fled from the enemy Kanharu army. In ROUTE16R, crashing into enemies transforms the player vehicle, Mad X R, into a robot, triggering battle against the opposition. Defeating enemies earns additional bonus rewards, so the game encourages players to actively take the fight to the Kanharu forces. The title also offers a Maze Mode, where players navigate stages filled with items and gimmicks, and a Radar Mode that displays the entire stage as 16 connected mazes. Dynamically switching between the two keeps the simple gameplay tense and exciting.
Between stages, players can spend collected money to customize Mad X R, boosting movement speed, expanding the fuel gauge that powers the Turbo ability, and equipping parts that provide an edge in combat. The Kanharu army, an evil organization that once stole money from around the world, now fights back: collecting all the money in a stage summons a boss, and the stage is not cleared until it is defeated. Players must exploit openings in the boss’s attacks and barrier deployment, charging in and transforming into robot form to deal damage. A one-button toggle also lets players switch between modern and classic visual styles at any scene.
ROUTE16R introduces the series’ first multiplayer mode — a flag-capture mini-game for up to four players — though it supports local play only, with no online multiplayer. Ports of the arcade ROUTE16 and ROUTE16TURBO are available digitally on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC for 814 yen (~$5) and 1,540 yen (~$10) respectively. ROUTE16R itself costs 3,300 yen (~$22 / ~¥159). The Switch-exclusive ROUTE16 COLLECTION sells for 5,478 yen (~$37 / ~¥265) physically or 4,730 yen (~$32 / ~¥230) digitally, while a limited Collectors Box (9,999 yen, ~$67 / ~¥483) includes a gold replica ROUTE16TURBO cartridge, an exclusive acrylic stand, and a mailable postcard. All titles carry a CERO A rating. For fans of the retro classic, this long-awaited revival is well worth a look.
