Hotshot Racing

Genre: Arcade Racing

Players: 1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2-8 Competitive (Local Wireless, Online), Online Leaderboards

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Review:

Hotshot Racing, released on multiple platforms including the Nintendo Switch in 2020, is an Arcade Racing game that is very clearly looking to capture nostalgia for the classic early 3D games of the genre like Virtua Racing, Daytona USA and Ridge Racer, with its unrealistic Arcade-style gameplay and its stylistic low-poly visuals. However, while it evokes the early days of the genre, that’s not to say it’s entirely stuck in the past, as it brings some more modern gameplay innovations along for the ride.

The presentation here is spot-on in what it aims for – the extremely low-poly visuals, colorful palette, and overall artistic design of this game absolutely scream out “mid-1990s Arcade Racer”, with Daytona USA in particular being a strong inspiration here. In fact, the look of the game is so perfect, I’m kinda’ disappointed they even bothered to add character voices and little story sequences – they not only seem superfluous and unnecessary, but they run counter to the otherwise pitch-perfect retro aesthetic the game otherwise absolutely nails.

I should note that on a technical level, the game maintains an smooth framerate for the most part, which shouldn’t be surprising given the low-fidelity visuals. However, I will note that I did see a bit of pop-in, and the framerates do drop a smidge in four-player split-screen mode. This doesn’t adversely affect the gameplay all that much, but I will admit that it’s still a bit disheartening to see the framerates affected even despite the low-quality visuals.

For the gameplay itself, this is pure arcadey goodness, not at all realistic, as it should be. Players drift around corners, building up boost they can use on straightaways, and the feel of the game is just right for this sort of thing, making races a joy to play. What’s more, the Nintendo Switch version of the game has optional motion controls that are surprisingly excellent, with players steering their Joy-Cons or Pro controller much like a steering wheel, and in a way that is wonderfully responsive. What’s more, the game has plenty of good multiplayer options, and even a few alternate game modes to enjoy if you’re looking for something slightly different, like a game of cops-and-robbers-themed tag, or a Speed-inspired “don’t slow down or you explode” mode.

This game gets so much right, but I’m sorry to say that in two areas it fails miserably. Firstly, there’s a lack of variety in the game’s courses – there are only sixteen courses here (plus mirrored versions of each), and those courses recycle elements like crazy, making even that limited number feel like it’s often just regurgitating what you’ve already seen.

However, my biggest problem with this game is its atrocious over-use of rubber-banding, some of the worst I’ve seen in a racing game in years. It’s so bad that it feels pointless to use your boost until you’re nearly at the end of the final lap of your race, because that boost would be wasted otherwise – the other drivers will inevitably speed up to close the distance, usually surpassing you and making all your great driving pointless. I get the desire of developers to want to keep races close and intense, but even Nintendo’s use of the mechanic in the Mario Kart series never made it feel pointless to, you know, drive well.

It’s a shame that this game comes so close to what it seeks to achieve without crossing the finish line, because in so many ways Hotshot Racing does a brilliant job of capturing the best qualities of a classic era in the Arcade Racing genre. And don’t get me wrong, it’s still loads of fun, especially if you’re playing it in multiplayer. It’s just fun that’s dampened by the frustration that the game is essentially cheating – both in its races as it punishes you for performing well, and in its game design, as lazy design makes for repetitive courses. As a result, this is a Racing game that had the potential to be a glorious trip through nostalgia, but it’s ultimately not quite what it could have been.

tl;dr – Hotshot Racing is a retro-styled Arcade Racer that’s designed to evoke classics like Daytona USA, and it largely succeeds, with excellent gameplay and wonderful multiplayer play. Unfortunately, this otherwise excellent nostalgia piece is harmed by a lack of variety in its tracks, as well as some atrocious rubber-banding. It’s still fun, but these flaws keep it from true retro greatness.

Grade: B

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This game has been nominated for one or more of eShopperReviews 2020 Game Awards:

Runner-Up: Best Driving/Racing Game

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