Top Racer Collection Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 "Top Gear (no, not that one) is back!" 🏎️ @qubytegames #RetroGaming

Known outside of Japan as Top Gear upon its initial release, the Top Racer Collection collects 4 titles from the series (Top Racer, Top Racer 2, Top Racer 3000, and Top Racer Crossroads – which is a ROM mod of the first game and so not wholly original) into a single pack, and as with other QUByte titles, there are various extras and bonus information about the series included, always a boon!

These are all titles from the early-to-mid ‘90s and as such are 16-bit emulations that keep the original frame rates etc. so it’s best not to expect silky smooth 60fps here! These are as close to the original releases as possible in terms of vibe and gameplay, so your mileage will certainly vary dependent on how much nostalgia and enjoyment you get out of typical 16-bit racers. That said, one thing that is solid gold about these games are the soundtracks, which are pure fun and took me right back to the early days of my gaming, bloody lovely stuff.

Whilst there are online modes here, it’s the local split-screen multiplayer that really shines, and the on-screen pixel racing action holds up in that regard, although again – it does depend on your love of this genre at this time.

SUMMARY

The Top Racer Collection is a tasty package for fans that is well put together, and whilst it’s a bit of a shame that the Crossroads entry isn’t replaced by another fully-fledged game, the truth is that this is a great way to play these games on modern systems, and as with recent releases such as Outlaws, Blood and Strife – I make no secret of the fact that I am wholeheartedly behind retro titles getting a new lease of life. I look forward to seeing what comes next from QUByte!

7/10

🆒COOL🆒

(also available on PS 4/5, Xbox X/S, XBOX ONE, PC)

Publisher – QUByte Interactive