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‘Crash Team Racing’ Returns with New Graphics & Online Play

The theories were true! What theories am I talking about? Well a few days ago multiple video game journalists (including myself) received a pair of orange furry dice from an anonymous source. Due to it seeming eerily similar to this past April when journalists received a Purple Dragon egg before the announcement of Spyro: Reignited Trilogy, we speculated that this could be foretelling an announcement of a new Crash Bandicoot remaster at the Game Awards. Well the Game Awards were last night and guess what happened: as expected/ hoped, Activision announced Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled.

This will be the HD Remaster of the original fan-loved Crash Team Racing (’99), a game that many called the PlayStation’s answer to the widely popular Mario Kart series. The game is set to release June 21stwhich we also predicted based on the mismatched dice – and will mark the 20th anniversary of the original game’s release. Unlike the last Crash remaster by Activision, Nitro-Fueled will be developed by Beenox instead of Vicarious Visions. Though if you’re wondering about the change, don’t fret! Beenox is from the same family of developers as Vicarious Visions and Toys For Bob. They’re all from the Skylanders family and Beenox was actually the developers who worked on the racing game for that series. So this is definitely the right call – and makes me wonder if Vicarious Visions and Toys For Bob are busy starting work on an additional title. But let’s leave theories for another article.

Like the original game, Nitro Fueled will feature 5 different modes – Adventure, Arcade, Battle, Time Trial and Versus – but will bring the game into current era with online play added. Though if you still want that classic feel, the game will also maintain the original split screen if you want to play with your friends on the couch. Though whether you race in the same room, half a world away or just want to go it solo, can we talk about those graphics!

‘Crash Team Racing’ Returns with New Graphics & Online Play
Credits: Activision

Much like Crash N Sane Trilogy before it and the Spyro: Reignited Trilogy, Nitro Fueled delivers stunning graphic updates to the original game. No more fog in the distance or odd polygonal mountains. Beenox has really nailed it with the graphics. The only downside is you might cruise around the map instead of race just to look at the scenery.

The game is available for Pre-Order now and will also feature a special ‘Nitros Oxide Edition’, which includes additional skins and the secret racer (Nitros Oxide) unlocked from the start. Those with the base game can unlock him too, but only after completing “some of the fiercest challenges in Adventure Mode”. Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled will cost $39.99 while the ‘Nitros Oxide Edition’ will cost $59.99.

‘Crash Team Racing’ Returns with New Graphics & Online Play
Credits: Activision