Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled Review: A spectacular revival of a cherished PS1 classic (Pic: ACTIVISION)

The Crash N.Sane Trilogy sent players spiralling down memory lane in an unforgettable remaster of three of Naughty Dogs most iconic PS1 titles. It successfully showcased the series flamboyant, eccentric nature in a new and vibrant light whilst retaining all the charm of the original games.

Of course it was only a matter of time before beloved kart-racer, Crash Team Racing received the same attentive treatment.

CTR Nitro-fueled sees Crash and the gang flaunting a tasty visual upgrade mirroring the same style of the N.Sane Trilogy, cleverly capturing the trademark silliness the franchise is renowned for.

An almighty roster of characters from the Crash canon are now bursting with personality and CTRs once retro tracks have been transformed into lushous immersive environments that serve as a mean distraction in the heat of a race.

Although shiny and new, the Nitro-fueled remake is also a real showstopper in letting us fondly recall everything that made the original game a PS1 highlight for so many. For those who never bagged a copy of the Mario inspired kart-racer, its a racing game starring an ensemble of characters from the Crash universe.

Put pedal to the medal across a series of tracks featuring iconic locations from the franchise, each remarkably different to the next. You must steer through a manifold hazards and obstacles and cause mayhem amongst your competitors using a hearty arsenal of power-ups.

That's right. Not only will a well-timed powerslide or some hefty hangtime give you a much-needed speed boost and see your fellow racers eating your dust, but smash through a “?” box and youll be ready to wreak havoc. Procure a TNT crate to hinder drivers behind you as they frantically hop to throw it off. Snag a tracking missle to annihilate any players standing between you and first place.

Pocketing ten yummy wumpa fruit as you speed round tracks will also enhance your speed and the potency of your arsenal. With so many power-ups and possible counters, races constantly feel unpredictable and fresh, negating tedium and ensuring your competitive streak remains well intact throughout.

Racing itself feels silky smooth and undeniably joyous. Naturally, a retro control scheme is an option for the more authentic CTR feel. Holding “X” to accelerate is quite the throwback in itself.

A more modern scheme is also available though, reflecting the button-mapping of more recent racers and making it effortless for all manner of players to enjoy. Despite its do-over, CTR Nitro-Fueled does well to keep true to its roots with nods to the original game in abundance.

Take CTRs adventure mode for example. The games core and original formula is still very much the same, following the tale of alien antagonist Nitros Oxide as he challenges earths best racer in a gamble for the fate of the planet.

The player must choose a character and win a series of races and bosses in order to reach the final face-off. Venturing through the vastly different themed hub areas still offers the same sense of satisfaction with added nuance thanks to newfangled Nitro-Fueled areas.

When indulging in adventure mode, players may stick with the “classic” experience and play as one single character throughout or they may opt for the “Nitro-Fueled” approach in which theyre able to swap between characters as their leisure.

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Despite the heartwarming novelty of being able to play this classic as it was originally intended, the enhanced roster of characters including familiar faces from unofficial sequel Nitro-Kart makes it difficult to turn down the liberty the alternate mode offers.

Each character also handles very differently so its fun to sample a bit of everything. With speed-centric characters like Dingodile you can feel harsh resistance when traversing tight corners, whereas in the shoes of manical Ripper Roo, handling is a dream but you cant help but press your foot into the floor due to his slacking speed.

Outside of adventure mode the karting shenanigans continue in local arcade mode where up to four players can hRead More – Source

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