As far as this generation of consoles is concerned, the Nintendo Switch is one of the absolute peaks of eng🧜ineering and software, with some truly great titles released for the system.
However, if you're a big fan of arcade racers, then the Switch, at this current point in time, is not exactly the best place to go. That's not to say that the Switch doesn't have any racing game line-up at all, because it does. The problem lies in the fact that a lot of them are just mobile game ports. Asphalt 9: Legends was recently released on the Switch, and a lot of mobile game naysayers were hopeful that this version would fix the mobile game cou𒐪nterpart's hideous microtransaction problems. Sadly, it doesn't, as the Switch version is also free to download and play (the latter mayb⛎e isn't free, after all).
There's also the retro arcade racer Horizon Chase: Turbo on Nintendo's console, which also started out life as a mobile game (eventually making its way to Steam and seventh-gen consoles). This gam🍸e was very well-received, particularly for its extreme arcade physics and cool cartoony art style.
Finally, there's Gear Club: Unlimited, yet another mobile game port, which was made by former Test Drive Unlimited developers, and has a few more enhanced featur♑es by co👍mparison to the mobile game.
But what about non-mobile games? Does the Switch boa🔜st some bigger racing games?
Yes, it does. But sadly, these are also ports of games that were released on the previous console generation as opposed to mobile game ports. These include GRID: Autosport and, coming this summer (though at a very unreasonable price), Burnout Paradise Remastered.
In terms of major racing game releases on the Switch, aside from Mario Kart, that's pretty much all you get. However, hope is on the horizon, as the recently announced DiRT 5 will be releasing on Switch this year in October. That's not quite enough, though.
Remember back in 2009, when in a surprise move, EA released an entry in the Need for Speed series that was exclusive to Nintendo consoles at the time (Wii and DS)? That game was Nitro, and despite not being well-received by hardcore NFS fans, it was actually 🍷a🦄 lot of fun, and critics seemed to agree with that.
Just imagine the Switch, 11 years later, getting its own dedicated NFS release. Maybe Firemonkeys, the developers behind No Limits, could conjure up a sequel? Or perhaps a No Limits X, like how there was a Nitro-X on the DS with various new additions? At the very least, the mobile release, No Limits, should get ported onto the Switch, with va🔜rious enhancements and its complete reliance on microtransactions removed.
Admittedly, that's also a port. But even then, the Switch should have its own dedicated racing game series. Regardless of whether it's a simulation or an arcade racer, with real licensed cars, or maybe something totally insane, like a Wreckfest/Carmageddon-type game, or even something like ONRUSH, a d꧅edicated racing IP for the Switch to attract seasoned pros of the arcade racing scene would definitely make for an exciting new experience.
With the upcoming arrival of DiRT 5 on the Switch, and the announcement that Electronic Arts will be releasing several new games on the Switch within 🏅the next fiscal year, hope is on the horizon for this amazing console to get its own unique racing game series. It might just convince arcade racing fans to finally buy and discover the wonders of the Switch.