NASCAR Arcade Rush Review (PS5): More Right Than Left

NASCAR video games are generally dismissed by those that don’t play them for being video games comprised of principally left turns. Whereas that’s appropriate, there’s numerous depth to simulation inventory automotive racing to discover, and prolonged races permit methods to be carried out. NASCAR Arcade Rush is a far totally different spin, because it’s an arcade-style sport that options loads of proper turns and doesn’t resemble the precise sport in any respect.

The best a part of Arcade Rush is that the levels are reimagined variations of 12 precise race tracks, akin to Daytona and Michigan Worldwide Speedway. These tracks usually take inspiration from the cities they’re primarily based on and aren’t afraid of getting ridiculous, like Homestead-Miami Speedway that includes a large ring of fireplace you leap via. The tracks are the one factor that basically elevates what’s in any other case a strong, but largely unspectacular, racing sport.

The issue with the precise racing is that there simply isn’t a lot to it. Certain, you may have a turbo meter that you should use to achieve pace, and there are enhance strips on the monitor that’ll reward you for driving on them. Nonetheless, there’s no drifting or one other gameplay system on supply that will’ve given the sport the additional layer of depth it may’ve used. For a sport that wishes to be an over-the-top model of NASCAR, it may’ve dreamed a bit larger with the precise gameplay.

The one distinctive gameplay system on show, and one I actually like because it takes inspiration from precise inventory automotive racing, is that it incorporates pitting. Since races are solely three or 4 laps lengthy, it’s purely non-compulsory to pit, and it’s to not gasoline up your automobile or tackle injury. As an alternative, slowing down briefly via the pit lane will see your nitro gauge utterly refilled. It’s a chance — as you too can discover enhance strips that offer you a tiny little bit of nitro — however one which provides some further technique that the sport undoubtedly wanted.

Finally, with solely 12 tracks, the sport doesn’t have a ton of endurance. You do stage up and unlock a bunch of customization choices (you will get a Tron-style automobile, which is cool), however there aren’t compelling causes to maintain coming again. Unlocking real-life NASCAR legends as racers or throwback automobiles may’ve been an excellent incentive, however as a substitute, there are solely generic drivers to go up in opposition to. Time trials and on-line play, along with the primary tournaments, add some replayability however aren’t overly compelling.

NASCAR Arcade Rush Evaluation: Closing Verdict

NASCAR Arcade Rush lives as much as its identify and delivers a enjoyable, non-simulation racing sport that options reimaginings of among the most iconic racing tracks within the USA. Nonetheless, it isn’t outlandish and thrilling sufficient to utterly win over a mean arcade racing sport fan, neither is it a love letter sufficient to NASCAR to make it a must-own sport for inventory automotive racing lovers. As an alternative, it’s within the center floor, the place in the event you dig each, you then’ll have an excellent time, however you’ll nonetheless end up shifting on to different video games sooner somewhat than later.