Summary
Nothing quite beats the exhilarating feeling of traveling at immensely high speeds in a racing game, but thanks to how muchvideo game systemshave improved over the years, there are now plenty of racing titles that can be enjoyed on handheld devices as well as home consoles. While Nintendo has been known in the past to primarily focus on their ownfirst-party games, during the lifespan of the Switch, they’ve gradually started allowing more developers to bring their titles over to this wonderful system, allowing far more people to experience them.
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This includes racing games, of which there are now plenty on the Switch that fans of high-speed action can jump into, but the truth is, there are some that play a lot better than others and are far more worth the time and money. Any Switch gamers who are eager to burn some rubber on the tracks should think about trying these games out for themselves.
Admittedly, the performance ofRoad Redemptioncan be a little choppy at times, but the game more than makes up for it with just how wild, outlandish, and fun the gameplay is. As racers speed through each of the 18 tracks, they will be able towhack their opponentsoff their bikes using a handful of different weapons, which makes for a very chaotic but extremely unique experience.
There are plenty of really small mechanics here that makeRoad Redemptioninvigorating to play. It’s just a shame there’s not a little more variety in terms of bikes and weapons as this would have elevated the game to even greater heights.
7Cruis’n Blast
When it comes to over-the-top racing titles, it’s hard to find one that’s more outlandish thanCruis’n Blast, a game that manages to combine race cars, dinosaurs, and bright neon lights all into onevibrant package.Cruis’n Blastis the very definition of pick-up and play, with the simple mechanics and straightforward customization options making it accessible to just about anyone who wants a thrilling racing game that doesn’t require any prior experience.
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The reasonably standard gameplay canfeel a little repetitiveafter a while, but the unique stages and infectious upbeat music make it a blast to play through in small doses. Anyone who is looking to sink their teeth into a chaotic thrill ride on the Nintendo Switch should consider picking up this whacky and wonderful game.
6Team Sonic Racing
While theSonic All-Stars Racinggamesdid not end up making their way to the Switch, fans were still treated to a pleasant surprise when it was announced thatTeam Sonic Racingwas going to be launching on the system in 2019. While the game’s visuals hold up incredibly well on the Switch, it really is the team-based gameplay mechanics that help this thrilling racer stand out from its competition.
For example, players can leave behind a slipstream while driving, which will boost their companion’s speed, and there are even small dialogue prompts between each character letting the team know where they currently are positioned in the race. When it comes toco-op racing games, there aren’t many games out there that can compete withTeam Sonic Racing, and with 21 tracks to explore, it’s a fairly lengthy ride that is enjoyable from start to finish.
5GRID Autosport
Despite there being plenty of racing games on the Switch, only a small few of them are actually racing simulators, but whenGRID Autosportwas eventually ported to the Switch, it proved that these more realistic titles could still run exceptionally well on the handheld device. The tracks featured in this game look absolutely jaw-dropping, primarily because of the lighting, which helps bring each area to life, making them a pure joy to race through.
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Petrolheads will also have a field day with the sheer amount of customization options on offer here, allowing players to modify a car exactly to their liking so that they can show off their sense of style on the tracks. As far as racing simulators go,GRID Autosportis still one of the best even after all these years, to the point where it’s surprising that the Switch can even handle such a sleek and beautiful game.
4Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled
This faithful remaster of the fan-favoriteCrash Team Racingwas received extremely well by fans and critics upon its release, primarily because of how well the game retained that chaotic nature of the original and memorable characters while still adding plenty of new features to keep the experience fresh. Customizable karts, an extended Adventure Mode, and a brand new Ring Rally Challenge Mode are all welcome additions that will keep the player occupied for many hours.
It also needs to be mentioned thatCrash Team Racing Nitro-Fueledis nowhere near as generous in terms of its items compared toother kart racers, meaning that players won’t be bailed out for falling behind in a race. While this ramps up the difficulty, it also makes the game feel much more skill-based and extremely rewarding when players manage to secure that first-place position.
3Need For Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered
Need for Speed Hot Pursuithas already earned its title as one of the most iconic arcade racers in gaming history, so all the remaster had to do was give it a fresh coat of paint to make this well-known gem even better than it already was. Even after all these years,Hot Pursuitstill has some of the most responsive and enjoyable controls of any racing game, allowing the player to drift around corners while still maintaining their speed, leading to some truly exciting races.
Alongside the classic races, the game also features anentire overworldwhere players can choose to play as either a street racer or a cop in some nail-biting chase sequences. What also makes the game so enjoyable is that, while the simple customization and controls mean it’s easy to pick up, there are also plenty of challenges and a staggering 48 cop missions to complete.Need for Speed Hot Pursuitis still just as enjoyable as it was when it first came out in 2010, and being able to play it anywhere on the go makes it easy to jump into for a quick chase every now and again.
2Burnout Paradise Remastered
Another remaster of a classic racing game that has amassed somewhat of a cult following over the years, there isn’t much of anything bad to say aboutBurnout Paradise Remastered. Somehow, the folks over at Criterion Software managed to craft a game where players can travel at blistering speeds while still having enough time to react to any turns or cars that get in their way.
This not only means the game is easy to pick up, but it also makes every single race incredibly engaging as the player must focus on not only finishing the race in one piece but also destroying other cars along the way. This game oozes style, with the vibrant colors and stylish takedowns coming together to create an effortlessly cool and charismatic experience that all racing fans need to play, especially now that it’s available on the Switch.
1Mario Kart 8
It’s remarkable just how wellMario Kart 8has held up after more than five years of being released. The game feels like it took everything from the previous entries, including the customization, gliding mechanics, and unique tracks, and improved on everything in a way that makes each circuit so much fun to play, especially againsta few buddies.
Mario Kart 8features an abundance of weird and whacky items which can help anyone get back into the race, making the game very casual and easy-going. However, the deeper mechanics that come with the drifting still ensure there’s a good amount to learn too, for those who want to spend a good amount of time perfecting the game. This also goes for time trials which provide a grueling challenge for those players who are confident enough to take them on. Considering Nintendo are still committed to adding new maps to this game, it’s never a bad time to burn some rubber and enjoy the thrill of racing inMario Kart 8.
