Cruis'n Blast! An Arcade Racer that Brings Back 90s Nostalgia with Modern Thrills

Ah, arcade racing. A genre steeped in nostalgia, evoking memories of joystick-mashing frenzies and competing for high scores on pixelated screens. Cruis’n Blast, released in 2021 by Raw Thrills (the same studio behind the legendary Cruis’n USA), is a glorious throwback to that golden era while injecting modern polish and exhilarating gameplay.
Buckle Up for an Over-the-Top Experience
Cruis’n Blast doesn’t aim for realism; it throws caution to the wind, embracing absurdity and delivering an experience that’s pure, unadulterated fun. You’ll be tearing through vibrant, fantastical tracks, dodging exploding barrels, leaping over massive chasms, and even soaring through the air in gravity-defying stunts.
Think Mario Kart meets Fast & Furious, with a dash of nitrous-powered insanity thrown in for good measure.
The Tracks: A Playground of Chaos and Creativity
Cruis’n Blast features 29 diverse tracks, each bursting with personality and over-the-top challenges. From the neon-lit streets of “Tokyo” to the volcanic eruptions of “Hawaii Volcano,” the game takes you on a whirlwind tour across fantastical landscapes. Some highlights include:
- Alpine Run: This snowy mountain pass is home to precarious bridges, winding tunnels, and avalanches that will keep you on your toes (literally).
Track Name | Location Type | Unique Features |
---|---|---|
Sunset Strip | City | Traffic jams, billboards that come alive |
Pharaoh’s Curse | Ancient Egypt | Sphinxes spitting fireballs, collapsing pyramids |
Dino Land | Prehistoric jungle | Giant dinosaurs roaming the track, erupting volcanoes |
These are just a taste of the variety Cruis’n Blast offers. Every track is meticulously designed with quirky details and unexpected twists that keep you coming back for more.
Vehicles: From Muscle Cars to Futuristic Speedsters
Cruis’n Blast boasts an impressive roster of 23 vehicles, ranging from classic muscle cars like the Ford Mustang GT to futuristic speedsters like the hovercar “Cyber Racer.” Each car handles differently, with varying acceleration, top speeds, and handling characteristics.
The game encourages experimentation by allowing you to unlock new cars through gameplay progression, rewarding your skill and dedication.
Gameplay: A Symphony of Speed and Chaos
Cruis’n Blast is all about keeping your foot on the gas and your eyes peeled for power-ups. Boost pads propel you forward with exhilarating speed, while nitro boosts give you that extra burst to overtake your rivals. Weapons add another layer of mayhem to the races:
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Oil Slicks: Leave a slippery trail behind you to send opponents spinning.
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Missiles: Target your opponents and unleash explosive fury.
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Shield: Protect yourself from incoming attacks.
Mastering the use of these power-ups is key to victory, as they can turn the tide of a race in an instant.
Sound and Graphics: A Feast for the Senses
Cruis’n Blast delivers a visually stunning experience with its vibrant colors, detailed environments, and smooth frame rates. The soundtrack is equally impressive, pumping out energetic electronica tracks that perfectly capture the game’s high-octane energy.
The game utilizes Unreal Engine 4 to render its world, resulting in impressive graphical fidelity for an arcade racer.
Cruis’n Blast: More Than Just a Game
Beyond the pure thrill of racing, Cruis’n Blast fosters a sense of community and friendly competition. It’s perfect for local multiplayer sessions with friends and family, where laughter and trash-talking are inevitable. The game also features online leaderboards, allowing you to compete against players worldwide and strive for bragging rights.
Cruis’n Blast is more than just a racing game; it’s an experience that transports you back to the golden age of arcades while embracing modern sensibilities. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of arcade racers, reminding us why we fell in love with this genre in the first place.
Ready to Race?
Cruis’n Blast is available on various platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, and PC. So grab your controller, buckle up, and prepare for an adrenaline-fueled adventure that will leave you wanting more.