A game based on the open-source version of Road Fighter, initially ported to Python 3/SDL2 using GPT-4.1 by my friend (thanks to my friend for porting it).

Features added after porting to Python

• Full-screen support
• Joystick support for 2 players (auto-detect)
• Configuration saved in INI format
• Add Horn sound effect
• Optimized graphics and convert from BMP to PNG
• Hidden cursor while playing
• Sparkles when crash
• Any player who starts a single game takes control
• Save screenshot Ctrl+P (C:\Users%username%.roadfighter)

Run install.cmd

This bundle is self-contained. It uses local copies of:

• source/ - Game source code
• graphics/ - Game graphics (PNG format)
• sound/ - Sound effects and music
• maps/ - Level maps
• fonts/ - Game fonts
• controller/ - Joystick buttons mappings
• sdl2/ - Where sdl2 dlls, if not exist python will take it from python library

Run the game from the project directory:

python main.py

or

py main.py

or

pythonw main.py

usage: main.py [-h] [--level {a,b,c}] [--record-replay] [--load-replay] [LEVEL]

Road Fighter - A retro remake of the classic Konami racing game

positional arguments:
  LEVEL                 Starting level number (1-6). Higher levels are more
                        difficult with more traffic. (default: 1)

options:
  -h, --help            Show this help message and exit
  --level {a,b,c}, -l {a,b,c}
                        Game mode/level type:
                          a = Normal mode
                          b = More traffic
                          c = Night driving
                        If not specified, you will select from the menu.
  --record-replay       Record all keyboard inputs to replay.txt for later
                        playback. The replay includes the random seed, so the
                        same game can be replayed exactly.
  --load-replay         Load and play back a previously recorded replay from
                        replay.txt. The game will run automatically using the
                        recorded inputs.
  --debug               Show some debug messages (like joysticks detected)

# Start at level 1, select mode from menu
python main.py

# Start at level 3
python main.py 3

# Start level 1 in mode B (more traffic)
python main.py -l b

# Start at level 5 in mode C (night driving)
python main.py --level c 5

# Record gameplay to replay.txt
python main.py --record-replay

# Play back replay from replay.txt
python main.py --load-replay

# Combine options: start at level 2, mode A, and record
python main.py --level a --record-replay 2

• Level Number (1-6): Selects the starting stage. Higher levels are more difficult with increased traffic.
• Level Type (A/B/C): These are the original game modes:
  • LEVEL A: Normal mode - standard gameplay
  • LEVEL B: More traffic - increased enemy vehicles
  • LEVEL C: Night driving - darker visuals with headlights

The level number and level type are independent settings. The in-game menu always shows LEVEL A/B/C, but you can skip directly to any stage (1-6) using the command line.

• Arrow Keys: Left or Right Steering
• Space: Accelerator

• WASD: Left or Right Steering
• Left Shift: Accelerator

Joysticks are automatically detected and mapped to player controls.

• Enter: Select
• Alt + Enter: Toggle full-screen mode
• F12: Quit the game
• Ctrl + P: Save a screenshot to the userdata screenshots folder

The replay system records all keyboard inputs along with the random seed, allowing you to replay the exact same game session.

1. Record a replay:

   python main.py --record-replay

   The replay is saved to replay.txt in the userdata directory.

2. Play back a replay:

   python main.py --load-replay

   The game will automatically play using the recorded inputs.

GNU General Public License (GPL)

This is a remake of the original Road Fighter by Konami. The original code was open-sourced and has been ported to modern Python/SDL.

• Joystick & GameController support (2 players, auto-detect, custom mappings via gamecontrollerdb.txt)
• Keyboard and joystick are active by default from the first run
• Configuration & key bindings saved in INI format (human-readable key names)
• Menu improvements: glowing selected item, arrow positioning, full-screen toggle, removed redundant Extras option
• Graphics optimizations: converted BMP to PNG, SDL2-based rotation/scaling, shader effects, glowing text, hidden cursor during race
• Sound effects: looping car engine with pitch shifting, optimized skid sounds, horn on Select button
• Visual effects: explosion particles (yellow, orange, red fire), skid wheel marks (lag-optimized)
• Replay system: record/load replays from command line (--record-replay, --load-replay)
• Command-line options: level number (1-6), level type (-l a/b/c), debug mode (--debug)
• Input fixes: proper Fire key mapping, Up/Down/Back navigation, hat motion support
• Configurable fuel factor via config file
• General performance improvements and bug fixes

Horn sound