Two of Rare's Critically Acclaimed Games will Return to Home Consoles in 2025
The Californer/10307589

ONTARIO, Calif. - Californer -- Montclair, CA, March 11th, 2025 – Just in time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Rare, Retro-Bit® Publishing (https://retro-bit.com/retro-bit-publishing/) is excited to announce that they will be teaming up with the iconic developer to publish exclusive limited-edition collector's cartridges re-releases for two of their critically acclaimed games. Pre-orders are now open for both R.C. Pro-Am II (https://retro-bit.com/rcproam2/) on the Nintendo® Entertainment System for $59.99 in the United States ($89.99 in Canada) and  €69,99 in Europe, as well as Battletoads Double Dragon (https://retro-bit.com/btdd-gb/) on the Game Boy®, which is priced at $44.99 ($69.99 in Canada) and €49,99 in Europe. This will be a one-time production run only available through a pre-order which will run through April 13, 2025.

Founded in 1985 by Tim and Chris Stamper, Rare has spent the last four decades working with some of the biggest publishers in the industry and creating many of the most successful and influential games of all time on consoles as varied as the Nintendo Entertainment System, Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 5.

R.C. Pro-Am II (Nintendo® Entertainment System)

Originally released in 1992, four years after the debut of the smash-hit racing series, R.C. Pro-Am II pushed the Nintendo Entertainment System to its limits with fast-paced racing action, competitive four-player modes, upgradable vehicles, and dozens of levels featuring weapons, obstacles, and massive jumps. The faster cars and fiercer competition led Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine to name R.C. Pro-Am II the "Best Racing Game for the NES," while Nintendo Magazine System raved that "This is the perfect vehicle for fast, four-player video game excitement."

Re-released for the first time in thirty-three years, this collector's cartridge will offer two versions to support region compatibility for NTSC and PAL consoles, so customers should pre-order according to their preference and choose between the Asphalt Grey cartridge in North America (NTSC) or Raceway Grey cartridge in Europe (PAL). This release will also come with a numbered deluxe hardcover box, a detailed instruction manual, an exclusive acrylic cartridge display stand, and a set of holographic commemorative stickers.

More on The Californer

• Freedom Seder LA Brings Together Black, Jewish, and Black-Jewish Leaders for an Evening of Unity and Liberation
• Actor Arif Ali Khan from Documentary Toronto Wonderland, featured in Sundance, in recovery status
• Winners Announced For The 3rd Annual AHS Awards
• Damian Redd's "Caught in a Fantasy" Surpasses 100,000 Views on VEVO/YouTube Following Album Reissue
• California: Governor Newsom responds to DOGE's dismantling of AmeriCorps: 'Middle finger to volunteers. We will sue'

Battletoads Double Dragon (Game Boy)

Developed by Rare and published by Tradewest in 1993, this critically acclaimed beat 'em up brought together Jimmy and Billy Lee from Double Dragon and the three Battletoads -- Rash, Pimple, and Zitz – to form video gaming's ultimate team-up and battle the evil Dark Queen and Shadow Boss. Already a hit on consoles, this Game Boy edition surprised critics and fans by retaining all of the hard-hitting action and varied level designs, featuring fighting, racing, swinging, and even shoot 'em up elements. The whole thing is anchored by a fun and engaging story that brings back some of the best-known enemies from both the Battletoads and Double Dragon franchises.

This will mark the third time Retro-Bit Publishing has released Battletoads Double Dragon, with both the Nintendo Entertainment System® and Super NES® versions getting collector's editions in 2022. This upcoming Game Boy® release will feature the Ultimate Team Green cartridge, numbered deluxe hardcover cartridge packaging, and a detailed instruction manual.

"Over the last forty years, Rare has used the ever-evolving hardware to consistently create some of the most inventive and exciting games of all time," explains Andres Ordonez, Product Marketing Specialist at Retro-Bit. "We're excited to celebrate their anniversary with collector's editions of both R.C. Pro-Am II and Battletoads Double Dragon, two games that pushed the limits of what was possible on the Nintendo Entertainment System® and Game Boy®. These games are the best of their genre on either console and should not be held hostage behind exorbitant prices for those who wish to own a copy."

Today's announcement of Battletoads Double Dragon marks the third Game Boy® release for Retro-Bit Publishing, which previously published Avenging Spirit (https://retro-bit.com/avenging-spirit/) in 2022 and Rod Land (https://retro-bit.com/rodland/) in 2024. Other recent pre-order campaigns have included Schbibinman Zero - Shockman Zero (https://retro-bit.com/shockman-zero/) on the Super NES® and P-47 II MD (https://retro-bit.com/p47iimd/) on the SEGA Genesis®/Mega Drive.

More on The Californer

• 100 days after the fires: California and Los Angeles rebuild, recover, and rise together
• Retirement Community hosts Los Angeles Fashion Show
• California: Governor Newsom proclaims Arab American Heritage Month
• Long Beach Public Library Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Community Programs
• Ten Acres Pharmacy Leads Way in Sustainable Packaging with Pillumina's 100% Recyclable Pill Bottle

Pre-orders for both on-time production runs of R.C. Pro-Am II and Battletoads Double Dragon are available now, individually, and will run through April 13 at both Retro-Bit's website and participating retailers. United States R.C. Pro-Am II is priced at $59.99 in North America and €69,99 in Europe, and Canada direct customers can pre-order for $89.99. Battletoads Double Dragon on Game Boy® is priced at $44.99 in North America and €49,99 in Europe and available for Canada direct customers for $69.99.

For more information and a list of retailers for R.C. Pro-Am II visit: https://retro-bit.com/rcproam2/

For more information and a list of retailers for Battletoads Double Dragon visit: https://retro-bit.com/btdd-gb/

Press kit for R.C Pro-Am II can be found: HERE (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/s9oth6d8xqonucwk...)

Press Kit for Battletoads Double Dragon can be found: HERE (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/mbfaj3ui2ymd24bm...)

© 2025 MICROSOFT CORPORATION.

© ARC SYSTEM WORKS

About Arc System Works

Arc System Works is known for its 2D fighting games series like Guilty Gear and Blazblue, and is keeping the Double Dragon series alive since they acquired the IP in 2015.

About Retro-Bit

A leader in the retro-gaming community for more than a decade, Retro-Bit® brings new life to classic video game consoles with exciting accessories, controllers and games. From the Atari 2600® to the PlayStation 5® and almost everything in between, Retro-Bit offers the best new ways to play classic games.  Retro-Bit can be found online at retro-bit.com and across social media allmylinks.com/retro-bit.