Summary

Crash Nitro Kart combines the excitement of kart racing with the charm of the Crash Bandicoot series. Featuring a wide variety of game modes, a rich character roster, and the addition of multiplayer battles, it offers a comprehensive and enjoyable racing experience.

Release Year: 2003
Genres: Racing
Platforms: N-Gage, Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox
Developers: Vicarious Visions
Publishers: Konami, Universal Interactive Studios

Introduction

Crash Nitro Kart thrusts players into an intergalactic challenge where racing skills will determine the fate of Earth. Featuring a roster of familiar faces from the Crash Bandicoot series, the game combines fast-paced kart racing with engaging multiplayer capabilities and diverse game modes for an unforgettable racing adventure.

Synopsis

“Crash Nitro Kart”, released in 2003, is a thrilling kart racing game that takes players on an intergalactic journey filled with high-speed races, intense competition, and a fight for survival.

The game’s plot revolves around the abduction of Crash Bandicoot and other characters from the series by the ruthless dictator, Emperor Velo XXVII. The emperor, who claims to be the fastest racer in the galaxy, threatens to destroy the Earth if they refuse to race. Left with no choice, the characters are forced to race in Velo’s gigantic coliseum for the entertainment of his subjects.

The game begins with the Bandicoots, Cortex, and his minions being transported to a strange alien planet by Emperor Velo the 27th. The emperor, who prides himself on being the fastest racer in the galaxy, challenges them to a series of races. To get back home, they must race across the galaxy, battling four champions from their respective worlds, and then race against Velo himself.

The gameplay of “Crash Nitro Kart” is as exciting as its plot. Players control characters from the Crash Bandicoot series, most of whom race in karts. While racing, the player can accelerate, steer, reverse, brake, hop, or use weapons and power-ups with the game controller’s analog stick and buttons.

The tracks are scattered with four distinct types of crates. “Item Crates” are marked with a question mark and usually come in sets of four. The player can obtain a weapon or power-up by driving through an Item Crate and breaking it apart. “Multiplier Crates” are marked with an “X” and are usually found in hard-to-reach spots on the tracks. These special crates contain three of a certain weapon or power-up. “Wumpa Crates” are unmarked and carry “Wumpa Fruit” that strengthens the player’s weapons and power-ups if ten of them are obtained. “Activation Crates” are marked with an exclamation point and activate either a boost pad or a trap that can slow down the other racers.

“Crash Nitro Kart” received mixed reviews, with many deeming it inferior to its predecessor “Crash Team Racing”. However, the game was praised for its presentation. The Game Boy Advance version saw slight improvement, while reviews for the N-Gage version were middling, with much of the criticism directed at the game’s “tunnel vision”.

Despite the mixed reviews, “Crash Nitro Kart” remains a beloved part of the Crash Bandicoot series. Its unique blend of high-speed racing, engaging plot, and colorful characters make it a memorable gaming experience. Whether you’re a fan of the series or a newcomer, “Crash Nitro Kart” offers an exciting journey through the galaxy that’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Characters

Playable characters include Crash Bandicoot, Coco Bandicoot, Dr. Neo Cortex, and many other series stalwarts. Each character has unique attributes and driving styles, affecting their performance on the various tracks.

Gameplay

Crash Nitro Kart offers a blend of high-speed racing and strategy, with power-ups, boosts, and customizable karts. Players can engage in different modes, including a story-driven Adventure mode, Arcade mode, Time Trial, and Versus for competitive racing. The game also supports multiplayer functionality, allowing for local split-screen races.

Conclusion

Crash Nitro Kart stands as a solid entry in the kart racing genre and a worthy successor to Crash Team Racing. Its engaging mix of modes, multiplayer capabilities, and the nostalgic return of beloved characters make it a must-play for fans of the series and racing enthusiasts alike.