Hotshot Racing (Nintendo Switch) Review

LOW-POLY DOES NOT MEAN LOW-SPEED

Racing games rarely keep my interest for long. Aside from sports simulations, racing is one of my least favorite genres. That said, I sometimes enjoy arcade-style racing games and Hotshot Racing fits into that subgenre nicely. While the visuals may invoke memories of classics like Ridge Racer or Outrun, Hotshot Racing brings just the right mix of modern flair and mechanical depth, all while not taking itself too seriously. 

Developed by Sumo Digital and Lucky Mountain Games, Hotshot Racing is exactly what it sounds like; it’s a racing game with a cast of ego-centric characters all vying for the spotlight. Players can race with one of eight characters across sixteen tracks in single-player, four-player split-screen, or eight-player online competitions; Time Trials can only be done in single-player. Each character has a choice of four vehicles and each of them can be altered through unlockable cosmetics. These modifications do not affect gameplay and they can be hard to see much of a change on the vehicle due to the low-poly graphical style but it is a fun system to tinker with, adding just enough of a personal touch to keep players engaged with the various challenges. 

The visual style is definitely the standout feature of Hotshot Racing. Colorful, low-poly locales are full of subtle details and the game’s camera options let racers soak it all in. Even though the action is fast and furious, I found myself occupied by the landscapes. Each track feels unique and I loved how some tracks had special moments on the final lap. 

To be frank, I am not skilled at racing games at all, and starting out on Hotshot Racing was tough enough for me that I really had to focus. In less than an hour though, I found myself zooming around the racetrack, weaving between cars, drifting around sharp turns, edging into the lead, and feeling awesome. Through a mix of visual flair and fun sound effects, Hotshot Racing feels exhilarating, and even on handheld mode on the Switch, I was impressed by how fast the game performed. I often play games ported to the Switch that struggle with maintaining a solid framerate but this plucky racer kept up with no problem. I did notice that my battery didn’t last as long when playing Hotshot Racing as other titles but I cannot definitively figure out if this was way more than usual or comparable to that of other higher-end games like Breath of the Wild. I’ve also had my Switch since the system launched. 

I mostly stuck to the Grand Prix mode but I actually found a lot of fun in the Time Trials, something I usually avoid. I actually wanted to get better at the game through practice and I feel like those who enjoy pushing racing games to the limits will have a ton of fun in Hotshot Racing. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much action to be found in the online modes and I imagine that’s mostly due to a lower player base on Switch but there are a couple of modes to keep things interesting. Most of them revolve around hitting the checkpoints before the time runs out but there is one that has players taking on the role of a police car and trying to knock out the other players which in turn transforms them into police as well until all of the racers have been converted. 

Those checkpoints, aside from the obviously retro visuals, make Hotshot Racing feel like a classic game for the modern age. I am usually against these timers but I had some fun with them in this title. When the timer hits zero, it seems like the cars will actually coast for a while, meaning there can be some close calls that are harrowing but extremely rewarding when one miraculously gets back into the race. In most races, even if I was in the back, I learned that having plenty of boost built up can really turn the tides. Drifting builds the boost meter and sometimes it's best to hang back or drift in straightaways to get that boost ready for the right moment. The AI in most modes has a tendency to fight dirty so don’t be afraid to ram into them or crowd into a space. The cars in Hotshot Racing cannot be damaged, only slowed down, in most modes. Getting to the checkpoint and being ahead is the main goal to strive for. 

Again, cutting between vehicles to slip into first place at the last second is one of the most rewarding moments in racing. I can only imagine how fun this game could be in a group. 

Really, the main criticism I have for Hotshot Racing is that the racers are a bit too egotistical for my tastes. I stuck mostly with Keiko but getting her one ending scene usually left me liking the character less than not knowing their personality at all. There are some vocal lines throughout the races but there’s just not as much character to these characters as I would have liked. If they are so self-centered it would be fun to see how they clash with one another but what’s here is mostly little vignettes of how they’re mostly terrible individuals. Thematically, it makes sense but I would have enjoyed seeing the game lean into that more. 

I also feel like the four cars drive pretty much the same for each character, though part of me thinks there may be subtle differences that I’m not noticing. Making those vehicles feel more unique would’ve kept me trying out different ones but I mostly stuck with Keiko and her Super F-90. 

All in all, I was surprised by how much I liked Hotshot Racing. It’s not normally my type of game but I had a lot of fun with it on the Nintendo Switch. I think that those that enjoy arcade racers should definitely check it out. Additionally, it does appear that the developers are preparing additional free content. 

SCORES

GAMEPLAY - 8/10

VISUALS - 9/10

SOUND - 8/10

CONTROLS - 8/10

REPLAY VALUE - 7/10

OVERALL - 8/10

Learn more about Hotshot Racing on the official website. The game is available on Nintendo Switch, Steam, Xbox One, and PS4 for $19.99 USD. A digital Switch copy was provided for the purpose of review.

For more racing action, read our thoughts about Team Sonic Racing, a fun twist on the cart-racing genre. For a game with satisfying mechanics, read our review of BPM: Bullets Per Minute, a shooter that forces players to stay on rhythm with every action.