The last few years have seen an explosion of classic game remasters and remakes. Following the success of 2017’s Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, it became clear that more Crash Bandicoot remasters would follow. Released in June 2019, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is a remaster of Crash Team Racing from 1999. Developed by Beenox, it is available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. But how does the remaster hold up 20 years after the game’s debut?
Racing
The first thing people who played the original game will notice is that the karts behave differently. This time they feel lighter and require a much more thoughtful touch. The important thing, however, is that it works well. Despite the delicate nature of handling, the controls feel tight and responsive. You feel good with the kart under you and soon you will have no problem taking turns.
On the other hand, getting to grips with the Power Slide is not easy. If you are familiar with Mario Kart, you will be familiar with the Power Slide. Yet, in this pilot, it doesn’t work the same way. There seems to be less precision when it comes to gliding through corners, but also a greater boost in doing it right. It’s a compromise that I think works, as it rewards skill more. After all, most people can successfully run a Power Slide in Mario Kart, where it therefore offers few benefits.
The various upgrades and weapons you get from the crates are exactly what you would expect from a kart driver. For example, the Aku Aku mask is like the star in Mario Kart, giving you a temporary boost and invincibility. Boxes of TNT can blow up opponents, and the collectible Wumpa Fruit lets you upgrade your powers.
The main focus area in Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is the single player adventure. There is a huge spike in difficulty which means beating many of the bosses and the later stages require you to master the races. In particular, you need to be comfortable using the Power Slide and increasing the mechanics. Don’t do this and the races can quickly become frustrating.
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