In what is proving to be a packed year for racing game releases, a new NASCAR game has been announced. No, this isn’t NASCAR 23. In contrast to the mainline simulation series, this year will see the release of a surprise arcade spin-off called NASCAR Arcade Rush.
With exaggerated tracks and a “new level of playability,” NASCAR Arcade Rush is an attempt to broaden the appeal of NASCAR to casual gamers.
NASCAR Arcade Rush announced
Launching later this year, NASCAR Arcade Rush features reimagined versions of iconic NASCAR tracks with exaggerated twists, gravity-defying jumps and nitro boosts.
Confirmed tracks include Talladega Superspeedway, Daytona International Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Martinsville Speedway, and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
You'll race in a variety of vehicles covering 75 years of stock racing with a suite of customisation options for your car and driver, with “thousands of combinations” of paint schemes, rims, spoilers, visual effects, suits, and helmets.
Players can race in the NASCAR Cup Series career mode along with Quick Race and Time Attack game modes. Outside of single player, there will also be head-to-head local multiplayer and online racing for up to 12 players.
Release date
There’s no release date yet, but NASCAR Aracde Rush is set to release later this year on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. In the US, the standard version can be pre-ordered for $49.99.
There will also be a digital-only NASCAR Project-X Bundle for $59.99 with the following extra content:
- A hovercraft car model developed as part of Project-X
- Project-X paint scheme, rims, wheels, and spoiler
- Project-X themed drivers suit and helmet
- Project-X team sponsorship option
- Project-X vehicle FX package
- A set of four additional in-game emojis to showcase your style
One potential red flag is that NASCAR Arcade Rush is helmed by Team6 Game Studios, the developer known for its budget titles like Street Outlaws, Taxi Chaos, and the farcical FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction.
Still, we’ll reserve judgement until we see a gameplay trailer. If done right, this could be NASCAR’s answer to F1 Race Stars.
Meanwhile, the official NASCAR 23 game in development by Motorsport Games is reportedly delayed to make way for the officially licensed IndyCar game.