Crash Team Racing Remaster Debuts With Trailer

Coming off the heels of the recent PS1-era remakes Spyro Reignited Trilogy and Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, publisher Activision is prepping the comeback for another classic game from the 32-bit age. Making its debut at The Game Awards 2018, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is a remake of the original PS1 kart racer, originally developed by Naughty Dog. Now developed by Beenox and set for release on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled brings one of the more remarkable kart racing games that isn't called Mario Kart into the HD era, showing off more of the Crash series' brand of style and humor.

Launching on June 21, 2019, the developers wanted to give the original a modern look with the remake, while also keeping the core gameplay of drifting along tight tracks as you fire off powerful weapons against other racers intact. With all the tracks and characters from the original making a return, Nitro-Fueled also introduces some additional features including online gameplay, new character and kart customization options, and expanded co-op features. In an interview with Beenox' Co-Studio Head Thomas Wilson prior to the reveal, he talked about his respect for the Crash series, and how the developers sought to remain faithful for this remake.

"I was a big fan of the Crash series, so you can imagine that I thought it was super exciting to come back to this," said Wilson. "I would definitely say that Crash Team Racing deserved to be remastered, and I think that that's what makes it so exciting when you're thinking about it. It's been 20 years, so we'll be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Crash Team Racing when Nitro-Fueled comes out, which I think is the best moment to release it."

Built from the ground up, the remake plans to continue the same level of vibrancy and respect that's been a constant from the previous Activision remakes. Instead of platforming, the action moves to fast-paced and hectic races across several tracks modeled after different levels from the Crash Bandicoot series. Though the original CTR was undeniably influenced by Mario Kart, it also featured a full-fledged story mode, taking your chosen character to battle against other racers and bosses--including the big bad Nitrous Oxide--across several challenging tracks.

At launch, Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled will go for $40. However, there will also be a deluxe release with the Nitros Oxide Edition, going for $60. In addition to the full game, the Nitros Oxide Edition will unlock the titular boss character and his unusual kart at the beginning of the game--the standard version requires normal progression through the game to unlock. Moreover, there will be added character and kart skins for Crash, Coco, Cortex, and other characters to use.

"I can't wait for people to see it, play it, because it's a work of passion, right?" said Wilson. "We put our heart and soul into making these games. And for me, it's not just a remaster, it needs to be a true love letter to what Crash Team Racing was. What I mean by that is with so much improvement that's coming with the Nitro-Fueled, by having the upgraded graphics, upgraded animations, and upgraded visual fidelity, we'll also bring it online for everybody as well, and that's what makes me so excited."

There's much more to see from The Game Awards 2018. Be sure to keep track of all the latest news and trailers that have been revealed at the show by visiting our roundup.