Intro

Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart was one of the most first major games to come to the iPhone and became popular for its Mario Kart themed cart racing. So when I heard they had released a sequel I couldn’t wait to see what they had done to this amazing title.

Gameplay 10/10

Right from the start, I notice the amazing level design. The courses are impeccably detailed and vibrant. Each course has it’s own unique theme which differentiates the levels and makes each play-through different. Furthermore, each track has some

Use power-ups to fight your way to first position.

sort of shortcut or jump that could bolster you up to first place, but alternatively end you up in last if badly executed. You are also able to do power slides and jumps that add to your speed, but unfortunately I have not quite got the hang of the drift. It might just be me but I think it could be tweaked to make it more user friendly.

As you make your way round the track you come across a vast array of different power-ups that could either blast away or disadvantage your opponents or give you an advantage. These are great and makes the gameplay much more unpredictable as the odds can change at any second.

From the start of the game, you have Cup and Missions to play on, but as you progress through the game you can unlock all sorts of modes such as Eliminate, Collect and Skill. Even though each mode doesn’t completely transform the gameplay, they add a little extra just to keep the game varied. Other than modes and tracks, you can also unlock karts and characters through competing in online and playing other game modes. Each kart has its own stats which give you an advantage over other players.

However, no doubt the best feature of Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2 is the online multiplayer. After some connection issues, I was finally able to join a game, and boy was it good. The game ran smoothly, with a few minor frame-rate issues and I was actually able to have a fun multiplayer match without too much interruption. Joining and creating races are easy and it was a dream to play. Additionally, the more you play multiplayer, the higher your rank will get which helps you unlock extra characters and karts.

The graphics are splendid, with amazing level design.

Graphics 10/10

The graphics are excellent and this really shows in the level design. The amount of work that has gone into the levels is phenomenal and how they have managed to keep each track original and completely different from the last is a miracle.

I did come across a bit of lag, especially on new maps, but after a while these issues just seem to fade away. Other than that the game ran very smoothly and I didn’t come across any issues that took away from the game.

Controls 9/10

The game auto-accelerates for you which is handy, as you have a free thumb to activate power-ups. As for turning you can either have accelerometer controls or a slider. I personally prefer the slider, but both controls work well. To slide/brake/reverse you need to tap or hold onto the bottom half of the screen, and to jump you need to tap on the top half. I found jumping quite uncomfortable and sometimes my thumb would even block part of the screen.

One thing I do miss is a ‘reset on track’ button. There are some cases where you get stuck behind something and all you want to do is get back on the track.

Sound 10/10

The detailed sound effects, coupled with a catchy music makes for a great ambiance. Furthermore, there is a unique sound track for each map which creates an atmosphere distinctive to that level.

Menus 9/10

The menus are responsive, bold and easy to navigate. However, I was disappointed at the lack of a restart button from the race menu and instead you have to exit out of the race and then enter into the cup again to get the option to start from the map I was at.

Longevity 10/10

With all the game modes, unlockables and multiplayer, there is no doubt Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2 is packed to the brim with content.

You can also access your “Records” for the fastest time or score in either game modes: skill or time trial. Unfortunately, you can’t compare your score with others around the world, but I am not complaining.

Cost 9/10

$9.99/£6.99 is a lot in anyone’s book and will make even the most willing iPhone gamer hesitate, nevertheless, but for all the replayabilty and the online multiplayer thrown on top, this is a game worth it’s high price point.

Conclusion 67/70 — 5/5

Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2 it the best kart racer in the App Store, and a true sequel to the original. If you are prepared to pay the high price-point, you will not look back.

Score 5/5

Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2 on the App Store.