Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled is set to hit store shelves this June 21st, just after the E3 madness has died down, but what are the reasons it’s worth picking up? It’s not too long before Crash and friends speeds his way back on PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, so here we’ll break down everything that warrants getting excited for the ongoing Crash-apocalypse.
A kart racing classic remastered for a new generation
We’ve already mentioned it, but the major selling point for Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled is the ability to enjoy this cult kart-racing classic in beautiful new 4K visuals. Every character model, track and circuit has been faithfully recreated to the exact design of the original game, now gloriously brought up to date in such a way that you’d never know this was a remaster.
Up to four players can play together in classic couch co-op split-screen, boosting and drifting around every chicane and hairpin turn in a bid to come out on top. There’s a staggering 26 characters to play as in total, making it the largest racing roster a Crash Bandicoot racing game has ever seen. You start with only 8 available, progressing through Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled single-player campaign to unlock other racers from the original game, Nitro Kart and Tag-Team Racing.
Online multiplayer for the first time in Crash Team Racing
Back in the early days of the PlayStation One, playing across the internet against other people located internationally was a mere glimmer in very few people’s eyes. It simply wasn’t possible, and so the original Crash Team Racing focussed on making a karting experience that was fun to play solo or with up to three others in the same room. Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled steps this up by including online multiplayer as well as local.
Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled makes it easy to jump into online tournaments and test your abilities with kart-racing veterans. Suddenly players can showcase their skills and earn reputation against those of equal measure, opening up the number of potential rivals exponentially when compared to the limits of the PlayStation One original. The racing action will be fast and frantic, but glory awaits in Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled’s online multiplayer.
The best kart racer you can play outside of a Nintendo console
While anyone who plays games on Nintendo Switch can turn to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for their character-based karting fix, players on PS4 and Xbox One usually have to look elsewhere. Luckily, Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled has now arrived to fill this gap, setting players off on various manic-filled courses that will test your ability to put pedal to the metal and cross the finish line.
PlayStation has always had Gran Turismo and Xbox shares great success in the Forza series, but both those racing franchises focus on providing a more series take on what it means to get behind the wheel. Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled suddenly changes this, giving people who primarily play games on these consoles enjoy a more colourful and arcadey take on the genre.
Numerous fun power-ups for colourful and competitive fun
It’s not just speed Crash Bandicoot and friends have to rely on in order to win the race – each circuit feature multiple boost pads littered throughout to help give you an edge – but there’s a series of cool power-ups and weapons to hurl at your enemies too. Tracking Missles act as the Crash Bandicoot universe’s take on Mario Kart’s Red Shell, being extremely handy for taking down racers just ahead of you.
In addition to power-ups like these, Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled introduces what’s known as Exclusive Weapons, named as such because they only appear in specific types of event. Whether you find yourself taking part in Arcade Races, Arcade Cups, CTR Challenges or the game’s Battle Mode, there’s every chance you’ll pick up a warp orb, super engine or N. trophy clock to stay on top.