Crash Team Racing

About Crash Team Racing

Crash Team Racing launched in 1999 as Naughty Dog's entry into the kart racing genre. Players jump into vehicles piloted by familiar faces from the Crash Bandicoot universe to race against aliens and their own friends. The game first appeared on the original PlayStation but later saw ports on PS3 and PSP. It pits you against seven AI racers or local human opponents in split screen sessions. The core premise involves a space alien named Nitrous Oxide who threatens to pave Earth over with concrete unless the bandicoots beat him in a series of high speed events. You race across diverse tracks while dodging hazards and throwing weapons at competitors to claim victory.

Gameplay

Sessions involve selecting one of several characters before hitting the track for lap-based races or boss battles. You steer through winding courses using analog controls that feel responsive rather than floaty. The core loop requires managing speed boosts from nitro cans while simultaneously targeting opponents with items like crates or bananas. Story mode forces you to race through a set list of events to unlock new characters and eventually face Nitrous Oxide in five dedicated boss races. Arcade modes support up to four players on a single screen for local competition. Each track features distinct obstacles that require precise handling to avoid crashing out of contention. Success depends on mastering drifts and timing item usage rather than just pressing the gas pedal.

What Players Think

PlayPile data shows an IGDB score of 83.9 out of 100 based on 431 user ratings. The community vibes lean toward intense competition with two votes recorded, while one vote suggests a more casual approach. Completion rates indicate players stick around to finish the full campaign including the boss fights. Average playtime data suggests most users invest several hours to unlock all characters and tracks. Review snippets highlight the tight controls as a major strength compared to other racers from that era. Users often mention the split screen multiplayer as a key reason for revisiting the title on PS3 or PSP ports. The score reflects strong critical reception while player numbers show sustained interest over two decades.

PlayPile's Take

This title works best for players who want tight handling and local multiplayer rather than online features. The $10 to $20 price point on modern storefronts makes it a solid value given the content length. You get roughly ten hours of story mode plus endless arcade races with unlockable characters. Achievements track your progress through every boss race and character collection. Avoid this if you expect modern graphics or online matchmaking since those features are absent. The game demands skill to master drifting on technical tracks. Finish it if you like classic kart racers that prioritize precision over chaos.

Storyline

An egotistical space alien by the name of Nitros Oxide comes to Earth and challenges Crash Bandicoot, his friends and foes to a racing competition before facing himself, threatening to turn the world into a concrete parking lot if he wins.