Hotshot Racing

 Switch
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 23
  3. Negative: 5 out of 23

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  1. StrikerXL
    Jun 30, 2021
    9
    I don't understand the reviews placed here by the users. This is very nice arcade racing game and with some nice mechanics skidding the corners/turns where you'll gain more nitroboost by doing this correctly and gaining extra speed by driving behind (slipstream) the other racers. The steering is good, not perfect but solid. Also the performance on the Switch is very good with quick loadI don't understand the reviews placed here by the users. This is very nice arcade racing game and with some nice mechanics skidding the corners/turns where you'll gain more nitroboost by doing this correctly and gaining extra speed by driving behind (slipstream) the other racers. The steering is good, not perfect but solid. Also the performance on the Switch is very good with quick load times and the overall sound is nice with some icon polygon retro gfx from yesteryear and super cool announcer. You win races in 4 GP (3 difficulty modes) or play single-player/multiplayer with different modes like arcade, cops & robbers, ... and also some classic time trails. With the winnings you can buy cosmetic upgrades for your drivers and cars. For the price you can't go wrong!… Expand
  2. Theobaer
    Feb 17, 2022
    4
    Rubberbanding-AI kills all the fun. The drifting takes some time to get used too and doesn't feel as rewarding as it should. Hard to enjoy. Really sad, because it has the potential to be a great game.
  3. Zentriefugal
    Nov 7, 2020
    0
    This game looks so great and even feels good but then comes the AI... never played a game that had such a terrible rubber band feeling.
  4. Toastytoast
    Sep 17, 2020
    9
    Blue-skies 90s racer-athon Hotshot Racing is a nice, much needed shot of retro-style racer in the Switch.

    + Bright, colourful retro polygonal graphics + Feels responsive - love drifting around multiple corners one after each other + Personality - your driver gives his thoughts when you overtake/get knocked around, the tracks look awesome (particularly like the Alpine-style ones) +    Blue-skies 90s racer-athon Hotshot Racing is a nice, much needed shot of retro-style racer in the Switch.

    + Bright, colourful retro polygonal graphics
    + Feels responsive - love drifting around multiple corners one after each other
    + Personality - your driver gives his thoughts when you overtake/get knocked around, the tracks look awesome (particularly like the Alpine-style ones)
    + Diverting other modes rather than the standard sort including a Cop Chase variant

    - Rubber-banding. I actually don't mind it in the standard races (it, again fits the 90s racer vibe), however it it somewhat more prominent with the Cop Chase mode
    - Customization - on the surface there's loads of unlocks.... though they're actually a little boring as they are often really tiny details on the car

    Apparently there's another mode on the way plus another track (or more?) so it's good to see that it will be updated as we go along.

    Solid racer!    … Expand
  5. cyruszuo
    Sep 16, 2020
    2
    I read the reviews, watched the videos, and was completely blind-sided by how not good this game is. The drifting is something between terrible and super touchy. Nothing like the arcade racers I own (including Virtua Racer and Daytona). At one point I had 10 races in a row end the same way - on the last lap a CPU collided with the back of my car sending it veering off to the side andI read the reviews, watched the videos, and was completely blind-sided by how not good this game is. The drifting is something between terrible and super touchy. Nothing like the arcade racers I own (including Virtua Racer and Daytona). At one point I had 10 races in a row end the same way - on the last lap a CPU collided with the back of my car sending it veering off to the side and T-boning the wall. Your car veers at the slightest tap from a CPU, requiring you to constantly regain control, but the touchy controls mean you are fighting fish-tailing constantly.
    Arcade racer = easy to pick up and play.
    THIS IS NOT AN ARCADE RACER!
    If you go in knowing that you'll feel much better about the experience. This is not a game you can turn on and have your friends join in and play with you. They need to be experts in the game before you can race together.
    ...and the framerate, which I'd heard called a solid, constant 60 fps, are an inconstant MESS in Cops and Robbers mode, and have random dips on certain other tracks.
    For someone looking for a modern day Daytona - this game isn't it. Controls are mess, I recommend looking elsewhere if you want an arcade racer.    … Expand
  6. Rasheedb
    Sep 14, 2020
    10
    Fantastic arcade racing game. Reminds me of the classic Sega arcade games like Outrun, Daytona and Virtua racing. The action is fast and frantic. One of the best games this generation.
  7. maxandersonaus
    Oct 24, 2020
    1
    Broken controls (have to either take finger off accelerator to switch up or off brake to switch down gears) - no way to change them. Stutters re: FPS when things get busy. Over-vicious AI even on easy. A potentially great game ruined by the basics not being there (not even an alternate control scheme?) A bitter disappointment. Why did no reviewer mention this?
  8. ecologist
    Dec 4, 2021
    5
    No kph option in a race game? Seriously? Other than that pretty average game. Wouldn't buy it full price but it's okay on discount.
  9. msp99
    Feb 15, 2022
    8
    Hotshot Racing is a solid fun arcade racing game with nice game play and nice graphic style.
  10. Pete112
    Dec 9, 2020
    7
    Nice looking arcade racer with a similar visual style to daytona racing.

    The drifting is a bit over the top and the rubber banding does spoil the experience slightly. On easy mode the rubber banding actually helps the player when behind but on normal and hard, it doesn't matter how well you race, the computer opponents will be right behind you within seconds. Its good value for money    Nice looking arcade racer with a similar visual style to daytona racing.

    The drifting is a bit over the top and the rubber banding does spoil the experience slightly. On easy mode the rubber banding actually helps the player when behind but on normal and hard, it doesn't matter how well you race, the computer opponents will be right behind you within seconds.

    Its good value for money though and definitely one of the better racing games on the switch. Would score 10 /10 without the rubber banding.    … Expand
  11. jens76
    Nov 11, 2021
    7
    Solid fun here, a polygon racer that reminds me of a quick hitch. Good times in short and sweet bursts.
  12. Supersequin
    Feb 20, 2021
    7
    If you spent a lot of times in arcades in the 90s playing Daytona USA and the like, you'll love this. Nostalgic sights and sounds, with challenging racing, smooth visuals and a pulsing retro soundtrack. Hotshot Racing proves that great gameplay didn't need to be accompanied by photorealistic graphics.

    As noted by other reviewers, there are some niggles, which whilst not detracting from    If you spent a lot of times in arcades in the 90s playing Daytona USA and the like, you'll love this. Nostalgic sights and sounds, with challenging racing, smooth visuals and a pulsing retro soundtrack. Hotshot Racing proves that great gameplay didn't need to be accompanied by photorealistic graphics.

    As noted by other reviewers, there are some niggles, which whilst not detracting from the game, may impact longevity. There aren't that many tracks and some are quite similar (although, it must be noted, there are many more than the arcade games this plays homage to). Gear changing is tricky and the leap from automatic to manual shifting may be met with frustration. In addition, the occasional spin can lead to huge time losses as you find yourself trying to complete a 17 point turn to point your nose back in the right direction. However, these are really minor issues when the racing is this much fun. For the price you can't go wrong. For lovers of racing games this is a must have.    … Expand
  13. JTBoo
    Sep 2, 2021
    8
    SUMMARY:
    I was ready to score this game a 9 or 9.5 after my first few plays but the more I play HR the less fun I have with it. Don't get me wrong, this is a quality arcade racer but I am more of a simulation style gamer.
    I felt my enthusiasm for HR dwindling after a few hours and find myself casually playing for about 15-20 minutes or 4-5 races at a time. And with my new gem, Rush    SUMMARY:
    I was ready to score this game a 9 or 9.5 after my first few plays but the more I play HR the less fun I have with it. Don't get me wrong, this is a quality arcade racer but I am more of a simulation style gamer.
    I felt my enthusiasm for HR dwindling after a few hours and find myself casually playing for about 15-20 minutes or 4-5 races at a time. And with my new gem, Rush Rally 3, I have a feeling HR is going to be a long distance back on the burner so to speak. I love simulation games that I can get lost in the depth and immersion of, whereas arcade games like these with me are often a quick flash, a crash and fizzles out of steam quickly. There isn't really enough cars (28 in total that I am aware of) or upgrades to hold my attention for long periods, sadly, and that is where the game falls flat IMO.

    BOTTOM LINE:
    If you are interested in this game I suggest waiting for it to be $5 which is what I paid. I feel it was worth that price (actually more but we are spoiled these days) and the experience was definitely climactic. But when I have an intensely more sophisticated racer like Rush Rally 3 for currently $4.49, $5 seems overpriced when really RR3 is underpriced. Still, I am happy with the way the game looks and controls, the framerate is smooth as butter, the art style is fantastically gorgeous and the nostalgic flashback I have to Ridge Racer on the PS1, probably a lot to do with the voice that greets you when you start up the game, gives me a great big smile.

    ANALYTICAL DETAILS:
    The "rubber-banding" people are complaining about is made possible through the drift and earn boost tactic. IMHO, it isn't quite as simple as writing off the challenging AI as issues arising from pure rubber-banding but has a lot to do about drifting to earn boost and knowing when to use your boost, similar to a Kart racing game. If it were simple rubber-banding issues it would not be fun but seeing how the boost is how you keep your lead or get your lead, the game offers strategy here not just cheating or artificial difficulty through rubber-banding. That is my perception of the AI, anyway.

    I see a lot of comparisons drawn to this game like Daytona USA and Virtua Racing and it is easy to SEE why but this game is better IMO than either one of those. Not because of the gameplay per se but luckily this game offers a story, 7 characters, a grand prix mode, a time trial, online whereas the old Sega games were just a single race and it's over which is why I have not bothered to buy them.    … Expand
  14. ntg2978
    Aug 20, 2022
    10
    I got this game about a year ago, and played it a few times, and then got The Need for Speed Hot Pursuit. I played Need for Speed quite a bit, and didn't play this one for a long time. Recently, I came back to this game, and my review takes into account the NFS game (controls, content, etc) to compare HSR to that.

    When I first got this game, I definitely undervalued it. I played it a    I got this game about a year ago, and played it a few times, and then got The Need for Speed Hot Pursuit. I played Need for Speed quite a bit, and didn't play this one for a long time. Recently, I came back to this game, and my review takes into account the NFS game (controls, content, etc) to compare HSR to that.

    When I first got this game, I definitely undervalued it. I played it a few times, and then forgot about it. It's only after playing NFS quite a bit, and coming back to it, that I've found I'm really appreciating it.

    Hot Shot Racing on the switch has fantastic controls; you can drift and change your trajectory while drifting. You can smash into objects and other cars, and feel the vibration in the controller (or handheld) when you do.

    You can race as multiple characters; and even win Grand Prix's when you do.

    You can earn rewards the better you race, as you get paid, and can use that "money" for suping up cars and characters in the game.

    Each character has their own back story, and when they win a Grand Prix, it shows how it affected their life (pretty cool concept - makes it much more engaging).

    Overall, I've actually found myself playing this game MORE than NFS - this actually shocked me, as NFS is definitely a good game as well, and very interesting and challenging.

    The graphics on Hotshot Racing are not as good as NFS, but that's about the only thing that it's lacking, and in my opinion, it's good enough for the game.

    I would definitely recommend this game, as it's become one of my favorites to play.    … Expand
  15. vicferd
    Jan 30, 2022
    8
    Hotshot Racing has a very well implemented and fun gameplay. Its technical aspects very well emulate the era in which they are inspired and bring pleasant memories to those who are nostalgic for arcades.

    The difficulty is adjustable, but the challenges at the highest level can feel a bit unfair. You can play online or locally with other people in a stable and comfortable way.    Hotshot Racing has a very well implemented and fun gameplay. Its technical aspects very well emulate the era in which they are inspired and bring pleasant memories to those who are nostalgic for arcades.

    The difficulty is adjustable, but the challenges at the highest level can feel a bit unfair. You can play online or locally with other people in a stable and comfortable way. Unfortunately the game modes, although they are fun, do not generate engagement because they feel like loose races that only serve to earn points.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

80
#80 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Apr 12, 2021
    60
    A successful attempt to reincarnate arcade races with everything. Perhaps more interesting circuits are missing, but in the whirl of racing, every fan of arcade titles will quickly forget about it. [Issue#309]
  2. Ninty Fresh Magazine
    Dec 21, 2020
    75
    Racing down memory lane has never felt so good. With that being said, it’s unlikely you’ll stay there for too long as there isn’t too much to see. [Issue #2, p.60]
  3. Hey Poor Player
    Oct 29, 2020
    80
    Even with these minor complaints, Hotshot Racing is an excellent example of nailing the 90’s arcade experience. Both in graphics, gameplay, and even sound.
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