Inspired by OutRun, Slipstream drifts onto consoles today. Replicating the pseudo-3D visuals of early ‘90s sprite scaling games, it joins other retro-inspired indie racers like Horizon Chase Turbo and Hotshot Racing.
Another retro indie racer is joining the club soon, as Formula Retro Racing is coming to Nintendo Switch next week.
A modern-day Virtua Racing
Formula Retro Racing was created by Repixel8, the one-man developer of Gravity Chase.
Whereas Slipstream is a homage to OutRun, Formula Retro Racing is inspired by another influential Sega racer: Virtua Racing. Released in 1992, Virtua Racing was one of the first 3D polygonal racing games.
Formula Retro Racing replicates Virtua Racing’s blocky low poly graphics, bright blue skies, and high-speed checkpoint racing.
Despite the retro aesthetic, the visuals and gameplay are modernised with smooth 4K visuals and more responsive car handling than the classic arcade racers that inspired it.
Formula Retro Racing features eight unique tracks with varying difficulties and online leaderboards. As well as classic arcade checkpoint racing, there’s also an Eliminator mode.
No retro racer would be complete without local multiplayer, and Formula Retro Racing delivers. Up to four players can race together in split-screen, recapturing the classic multiplayer racing experience.
Release date
Formula Retro Racing originally released on PC and Xbox One in 2020 before being ported to PS4 last year.
Priced at £11.99, the Nintendo Switch version of Formula Retro Racing will be released on on 15 April. You can preorder the retro-inspired racer on the Nintendo eShop.
If you’re a fan of retro 3D racers like Virtua Racing, this could be worth a look. Alternatively, Sega Ages released a terrific port of Virtua Racing on Nintendo Switch in 2019 if you want to play the real thing.