It’s the third biggest software launch of the year so far, but can Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled live up to the original game’s status as a classic kart racer? We put it to the test to find out.In 1999, Crash Team Racing hit PlayStation consoles across the world and cemented itself as a favourite amongst gamers of all ages. Developer Naughty Dog brought us fun, frolics and TNT crates aplenty. Fast forward two decades, and the game has been given the big-budget remaster treatment - we’re not mad about it.

Variety

Crash Team Racing is as close to a Mario Kart clone as they come, but we’d actually go as far as saying it’s objectively better. The tracks are varied and exciting, and Wumpa fruit power-ups can give your character the edge. The game modes are fun, too. All are present and accounted for in the Nitro-Fueled remaster, along with additional skins and enriched content.

Playable Characters

As far as characters go, players can race as any one of 8 from the very beginning, with a sizeable roster to unlock during gameplay.

Unlocked from the start of the game:

• Crash Bandcioot
• Dr. Neo Cortex
• Coco Bandicoot
• Dr. N. Gin
• Tiny Tiger
• Dingodile
• Polar
• Pura

Unlockable Crash characters:

• Ripper Roo
• Papu Papu
• Komodo Joe
• Pinstripe Potoroo
• Fake Crash
• Dr. Nefarious Tropy
• Nitros Oxide
• Penta Penguin

Unlockable Nitro Kart Characters:

• Crunch Bandicoot
• Krunk
• Small Norm
• Big Norm
• Nash
• N. Trance
• Emperor Velo XVII
• Zem
• Zam
• Geary

Unlockable Grand Prix Characters:

• Tawna Bandicoot
• Megumi
• Ami
• Liz
• Isabella
• Baby T.
• Baby Crash
• Baby Coco
• Spyro the Dragon

Skill

Racing in the Crash universe is definitely trickier than we remember it being as kids, but perhaps that’s because we often played in an easy arcade mode! Perhaps the most difficult game mechanic to master is the powerslide. Although fiddly and hard to time well, the turbo boost pay-off is well worth putting the effort into learning them.

Visuals

Perhaps the best thing about Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is the quality of the graphics. Playable in 4k, the game has been given the same detailed technicolour treatment recently enjoyed by Spyro and the N. Sane Triology. The result is a game that looks absolutely brilliant, especially when compared to the original.

The Venom Verdict

We weren’t worried when we heard about this remake, we were excited. Remasters are definitely an emerging trend of late, but we find it hard to be annoyed by it. After all, we get to enjoy our favourite kart racer all over again. Plus, the next generation of gamers is bound to love it.Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is as nostalgic as it is modern, with great graphics and fun (if a bit tricky to master at times) gameplay.Buy your copy here.

OUR SCORE: 4 out of 5