Hotshot Racing Reviews
Frustrations aside, though — and I’ll emphasise that your tolerance for such frustrations will likely be largely dependent on if you grew up with PS1 and PS2-era racing games in particular — Hotshot Racing is a fine addition to today’s lineup of modern arcade racers. It’s not so long ago that the arcade racer was considered to be a completely dead genre — but between a variety of very different takes on it that we’ve seen over the last few years, including this, Slipstream, Cruis’n Blast, Horizon Chase Turbo and Inertial Drift, it’s clear that it’s not just alive and well, but thriving.
Harkening back to the classic arcade racers you’d gleefully waste your £2 coin on at the back of Hollywood Bowl, Hotshot Racing is a no-frills racing game with simple but satisfying mechanics to entice even the most hardcore racers.
Hotshot Racing is a go-faster stripe of a game that comfortably outpaces the likes of GearClub Unlimited and Horizon Chase Turbo. Well designed tracks and responsive handling give the game the substance that is equal to its stylish looks.
Hotshot Racing is a joy, it’s got a great amount of content to it and is generally a blast that came out of nowhere.
Hotshot Racing is a long-awaited game and, at times, it seemed that it was not going to come to fruition. Thanks surely to the alliance with Curve Digital and the invaluable collaboration with Sumo Digital, we finally have a game that promises to bring us the flavor of the driving arcades of the 90s to our current platforms and, although there will be users who may prefer to continue reliving the classics, if you prefer to expand your options here is a recommended one that would not clash between the games of the time.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Hotshot Racing follows the lead of classic arcade racers like Out Run and Daytona USA, with a colorful and detailed low-poly look and highly enjoyable gameplay. Lots of modes, including 4 player split-screen and online play, make it a very satisfying experience. A game every racing games lover should try, at least via Xbox Game Pass.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Hotshot Racing is an ode to oldschool arcade racers. It brings a lot of fun along with very little content.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Hotshot Racing is a nostalgia-tickling delight that doesn't have quite enough depth to keep pulling you back for any real length of time.
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.
Without its atrocious AI Hotshot Racing is okay. With it, it's a racing game to avoid. Genre aficionados, especially those who lean towards the more arcade side of the scale, will manage to quench their thirst for a bunch of evenings, but it's unlikely this will stay with you for long.
While a fine arcade racer, Hotshot Racing's priorities were not quite where they needed to be. With bad AI, and a big need for new content, I wish the resources put into multiplayer were put in places that really needed them.
I’ve had so much fun with Hotshot Racing, it’s exactly the kind of racing game I’ve been looking to dip into and it offers enough to keep me coming back for more. Disregard at your peril.
When it’s all put together, I had fun with Hotshot Racing, but I don’t see myself coming back to it anytime soon. It’s by no means a poorly designed title; far from it actually! If you’re yearning for a racing game that aims to replicate the arcade games of yore, you’re going to have a blast! Especially if you’ve got some friends to join in the fun! Though if you plan to go in solo, you’ll have to deal with overly aggressive AI and an obtrusive amount of rubber banding. If you were disappointed with Team Sonic Racing last year, Hotshot Racing is sure to restore your faith in Sumo Digital!
Beautiful looking, challenging racing game that recreates all the things you love about arcade racers. Great single and multiplayer experiences to be had here.
In short, Hotshot Racing is great. As someone who never really sticks with racing games for long, I can honestly see myself coming back to this one a lot. It’s just so much fun to pick up and play. Drifting is so satisfying and the different modes add some variation. With free content coming in the future and a rock hard trophy list, there is always more to strive for. In terms of over-the-top arcade gameplay, this is my favourite racer on PlayStation 4.
Hotshot Racing is a great racing game and a beautiful tribute to the classics of the 90s. However, in addition to its gameplay being simple, the number of tracks is low and therefore it appears to be a small title, despite having a considerable number of modes for the genre.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Hotshot Racing's retro-inspired high-adrenaline arcade racing is simply a joy to experience. The courses themselves are varied, colorful, charming, and full of personality, albeit slightly on the simplistic side in terms of the track designs. Yes, the AI rubber-banding is a relic of the past, but does help deliver tense racing moments. Cranking up the difficulty is similar to moving from 50cc to 150cc in Mario Kart; everything feels faster. The local and online multiplayer should give the game legs, especially considering how fun I found the additional game modes. Now excuse me, I need to live my life drifting through the jungle, avoiding dinosaurs, and trying not to explode.
I have to admit, I found Hotshot Racing to be quite enamoring. I don't have much nostalgia for the early days of 3D racing games, but I do appreciate a good arcade racer, and that's exactly what this is. Its cheery sound design and visuals are endlessly charming and the driving feels exactly as it should. If you feel the need to go back to the simpler days of racing games, this certainly fits the bill. This likely won't be the last time I take it for a lap around the track.
Hotshot Racing is a rare and precious work, that harkens to the spirit of 90s racing games without being bound by it. A great title for players of all ages and backgrounds, its modern and fresh driving system provides endless joy, challenge and enjoyment. And it has both local and online multiplayer!
Review in Italian | Read full review
It’s been a while since we saw a proper ‘arcade racing game’. The intentional polygon graphics is the key reminiscent feature of this game. Despite the looks, the game can keep up a consistent 60FPS and provides a smooth racing experience. Since it’s strictly an arcade style racer, the most pointed out element would be the fun and enjoyment instead of competition. If you’ve played any of the 90s arcade racing games, you’ll feel right at home soon after playing the first lap of Hotshot Racing.
Review in Korean | Read full review