Activision has released Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled developed by Beenox.
The latest release, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled takes players on an exhilarating kart racing adventure with beloved characters from the Crash Bandicoot series.
If you loved the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy then put on your helmets and get ready for some nitro-fueled racing action with Crash in Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled! This time around the loveable Crash is in the driver's seat and its packed to the rim with customization options!
As someone who built their real-life vehicle around Princess Peach's kart in Mario Kart, I can definitely get excited for a good kart racing game. Just like in Mario Kart, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled allows players to pick their character, customize their kart and race against their friends in action-packed raceways full of mischief and fun.
When you boot up Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, you will get a lovely message from Beenox about the game alongside some privacy statements to scroll through, but then its on to the racing! There are a couple of different modes to choose from, such as Adventure mode, which is basically your story driven, single-player option. And then you have Local Arcade and your Online multiplayer option. In Arcade mode, you have a few options to pick from that includes Single Race, Cup Race, Battle, Time Trial, Relic Race, CTR Challenge and Crystal Challenge. Every option comes with a few beautiful environments and raceways to choose from and vary in difficulty and gameplay. If you want to join others online, then you can create a private match to invite friends or use the game's matchmaking option to find some other kart racers. You will battle to climb the leaderboards, as well as, earn some coinage to unlock new content in the Pit Stop. It is here you can purchase new characters, karts, power-ups and more.
The remaster has done a fantastic job of capturing the essence and charm of the original while offering plenty of modern day enhancements. The main objective of the game is to avoid as many obstacles as you can, some are even thrown at you by other opponents, while making your way around the curvy tracks to reach the finish line. The game features some beautifully created cinematics this time around with an amazing soundtrack to keep you immersed in the gameplay as you battle for that top spot. The fun power-ups and the character dialogue during racing really adds that extra "oomph" to the racing action.
The storyline features an alien by the name of Nitros Oxide, as he challenges the Crash team to a racing challenge that involves the fate of their entire planet. In order to save their planet, and not become Nitros Oxide's minions, everyone must step up and join Crash on the track. With the help of Aku Aku, your tiki guide, you will be able to practice your driving skills and learn more about the game before jumping into each race. If you ever get side-tracked and need a hand, the game also has a helpful "hints" section to give you some pointers.
Your basic character lineup in Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled includes eight characters at the start that includes Crash Bandicoot, Dr. Neo Cortex, Tiny Tiger, Coco Bandicoot, Dr. N. Gin, Dingodile, Polar and Pura. Each character has different abilities that impact their kart racing in regards to speed, acceleration and turn. You can unlock new characters by completing objectives in adventure and time trial mode or through the pit stop. This method also applies to unlocking new kart bodies, wheels, paint jobs and stickers. If you take into consideration the amount of unlockable content, various game modes and interactive raceways available in Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled--then you really have a ton of replayability for your buck!
In the end, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is a fun return to the Crash Racing series and offers a ton of content for your money. The developers have made sure to capture every bit of charm and nostalgia from the original while making sure to add just the right amount of fresh, new content for today's gamer. Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled will race its way into your heart with its charming gameplay and colorful characters. To learn more, visit the official Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled website.
Reviewed for Xbox One