A day after the App Store came out I picked up Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D for $9.99. I was a huge fan of this series on the Playstation and had high hopes for the game on the iPhone. Unlike other racing games on the iPhone you don’t have to hold down your finger on the screen to continue driving the game drives at top speed for you, which is quite nice. You obviously turn your kart by turning the iPhone from left to right, tapping the left or right side of the screen will make you jump, tapping the bottom of the screen will engage the break or put your kart into reverse, and tapping a weapon will use it.
The game has a total of 6 racers, 8 weapons, and 12 tracks. But, you won’t get bored very quickly because you can play different cups which is a set of 4 tracks back to back with a points system to determine the winner. You can also play in a story mode which puts you in races with specific missions such as collect 10 fruit and finish the race before your opponents, along with time trials and quick races.
The controls felt very natural and seemed to be much easier to pick up and play compared to other games in the App Store.
The races are very fun and there is a good number of racers to unlock (I’ve only have 4/6 right now), the missions are just challenging enough making them beatable but only with enough tries (usually 2-3 which surprisingly doesn’t get borring or too frustrating).
The only thing the game seems to be missing is a two player mode. Although I wouldn’t even be able to play a two player mode (since I don’t know anyone with an iPod Touch or iPhone) it would make the game feel much more complete.
The graphics were great and remind me of the Game Boy Advance (which in the grand scheme of things is pretty good for a device that didn’t even have games until a year after it’s release).
Overall Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D is a great game with several hours of fun. The game is a great value since a game with the same features could sell for $25 or more if made for the Nintendo DS or PSP.
Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D – $9.99
More game images after the jump
