Introduction

Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled (model number 88398EN) for the Nintendo Switch has finally arrived, promising a remastered experience of the classic kart racer. Having spent countless hours tearing around the tracks, I’m ready to share my thoughts on whether this nostalgic trip lives up to the hype.

Features

This isn’t just a simple port; Nitro-Fueled boasts a significant upgrade. The visuals are crisp and vibrant, making the characters and tracks pop. The inclusion of additional karts, tracks, and arenas from Crash Nitro Kart adds substantial replayability. The handling feels tight and responsive, mirroring the original’s satisfying arcade-style physics. Online multiplayer is a smooth experience, with quick matchmaking and competitive leaderboards. Customization options are plentiful, letting you personalize your racer and kart with a variety of skins and items. The original game modes are all here, along with the satisfying power-ups and weapons that defined the CTR experience. The addition of online leaderboards adds another layer of competitive fun.

Performance

On the Nintendo Switch, Nitro-Fueled runs remarkably well. While there are occasional minor frame rate dips during particularly hectic races with lots of visual effects, they are infrequent and don’t significantly detract from the overall experience. The game looks fantastic on the Switch’s handheld mode as well as docked, showcasing the vibrant colors and detailed environments. Loading times are generally quick, ensuring you spend more time racing and less time waiting.

The controls are responsive and intuitive, adapting well to both the Joy-Con controllers and the Pro Controller. Power sliding feels as satisfying as ever, providing a crucial edge in tight races. While the game is primarily focused on local and online multiplayer, the single-player Adventure mode offers a substantial amount of content to keep you engaged.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Remastered graphics, additional content, smooth online multiplayer, responsive controls, enjoyable arcade-style gameplay, plentiful customization options.
• Cons: Occasional minor frame rate drops in intense races, some might find the difficulty curve steep for newcomers unfamiliar with the original CTR.

Final Verdict

Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled (88398EN) is a fantastic remaster that successfully captures the essence of the original while adding significant improvements. The enhanced visuals, extra content, and smooth online multiplayer make it a must-have for fans of the original and newcomers alike. While minor frame rate issues exist, they are easily overlooked given the overall quality and enjoyment. If you’re looking for a fun, competitive kart racer with plenty of content, this is a fantastic choice for your Nintendo Switch.

Recommendation: Highly Recommended!