The coronavirus makes us stay at home and, with it, many will choose to play accompanied by parents and children to liven up the hours.
Confinement hours. While the health crisis to fight the coronavirus continues, countries like Spain maintain a state of alarm until April 11. So you have to stay home. Telework, coexistence and more hours than imagined accompanied by ours. The video game becomes one of the main escape routes to disconnect for a few hours, either alone or in company. For this reason, today we remember families and one of the star genres: speed.
This is not an article where we review the best driving simulation games of the generation; That is why we do not have names like Forza Motorsport 7, Project CARS 2 or Gran Turismo Sport, because they are far from being designed for our offspring to play.
Therefore, here we will find something more casual – of equal or higher quality, in some cases -, more arcade and, above all, with cooperative game options. Mario, Crash, Sonic and other options for those who are already entering adolescence and dare with proposals such as Trackmania or Gear.Club Unlimited 2.
You may also be interested in other derived texts that we are recently publishing in FreeGameTips, such as the best games to exercise during confinement; or the best free video games for PS4, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch. Without further delay, we turn the traffic lights green.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo Switch)
No introduction needed. The best-selling driving saga in history has the current most successful video game worldwide on the Nintendo Switch as our preferred recommendation. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (also available in its original Wii U version without the included DLC) improves on what was seen in the 2014 title and guarantees 1080p 60 FPS. But that's not important. Little technical data matters for a degree that only understands fun and a passion for excellence.
48 circuits, dozens of characters, two objects per runner and a third phase for the miniturbs finish putting the icing on a cake that does not go out of style. Playing in company with up to 4 players at the same time on split screen is quite an experience, especially due to the facilities provided by the Versus mode when configuring object limitation, cylinder capacity, etc. For those who play with kids at home, it should be said that there is an option so that the pilot does not get off the track (from the character selection, an antenna). And if we get tired of running, there is always the Battle Mode, where some friends can be compromised. Deluxe.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled (PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch)
It was a joy to know that, after Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Activision was going to dare to bring back also a classic of arcade driving from the first PlayStation. Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled is everything we could imagine, but better. Better because Beenox has included both the original CTR and Nitro Kart layouts, the sequel released years later, with reimagined layouts, improvements, and, in some cases, unrecognizable.
Over the course of almost a year, the studio has been updating the season-based title for free (without cheating or cardboard): new circuits, drivers, karts, outfits, wheels … A joy. All versions go smoothly after the patches that have been arriving gradually, and the cooperative mode is no less than that. Quick game, cup mode and battle mode for up to four players locally, a delight that, although it does not have as many options for the little ones as in Mario Kart, its gameplay is accessible enough so that you do not have to worry about drifting, something that it is part of the DNA of the game at a competitive level. We never tire of recommending it: Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled is much better now than it was when it launched in 2019.
Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled
Team Sonic Racing (PS4, PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch)
SEGA brushed excellence with Sonic & All-Star Racing Transformed the past generation. When we learned that in 2019 we were going to have the hedgehog arcade driving series back, it was a reason for celebration, but we were left with honey on the lips knowing that Team Sonic Racing is no better than Transformed, but one more option How recommendable and pleasant for this group. Unlike in the previous installment, there are no vehicle transformations or characters from outside the Sonic universe; It is not a SEGA car game in general.
The gameplay is more than remarkable, luckily, and it is designed to play as a team, especially if we do it in company by taking full advantage of the tactical options, since the main mode is for teams of three people. The individual position of each player is not enough, but the sum of all the components of the team (where there is no friendly fire, by the way).
In total, 15 characters and 21 circuits in races of up to 12 riders (four teams of three components) and local multiplayer mode with split screen with up to four people. Its current price, attractiveness and excellent soundtrack invite us to recommend it, not above the previous two, but on the list. Definitely.
Team Sonic Racing
WipEout Omega Collection (PS4, PS VR)
While recommending Gran Turismo Sport as a representative of the PlayStation label seemed somewhat excessive, the variety of options and crazy that the WipEout Omega Collection can be have invited us to bring it to this list without batting an eye. Pure speed and that flavor of yesteryear that was managed to keep intact in this compilation, that if there is anything left over it is content.
This legacy of the license comes with WipEout HD (WipEout Pure and Pulse), Fury and WipEout 2048 and a brand new 60 FPS in up to 4K. Its renewed soundtrack, the reduced loading times and the stable that is maintained at all times even in cooperative mode are an exquisite combination; although it only allows up to two players in split screen.
WipEout Omega Collection
TrackMania Turbo (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
TrackMania is synonymous with breaking with the established, with imposing some very basic rules: eliminating rules. This fun Ubisoft driving title never goes out of style. Regardless of your customization options, we like its challenging and addictive component; with the incentive of being one of the most complete installments in the entire saga.
Its cooperative mode for up to four players left us pleasantly surprised. TrackMania Turbo remembers lovers of the split screen from Split Screed mode, where up to four people can participate at the same time. Also, in the Hot Seat and Arcade mode there are options for up to 16 participants (you have read well) taking turns, something that we understand is designed for parties and gatherings with friends. To make matters worse, there is a possibility for two players to control the same car, each with half the control of the vehicle. Laughter assured, although we can not guarantee that in this last mode you will reach the goal.
TrackMania Turbo
Road Redemption (PS4, PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch)
Imagine a biker who, after leaving prison, tries to escape by ascending to the top of the mountain with his old gang. As if it were a tribute to the experiences of the Wild West, this style breathes arcade, breathes Need for Speed and even Gran Theft Auto, saving distances, incorporating both races and chases and the added adrenaline of defying the law.
Road Redemption is also a fighting game? Tripqire Interactive's proposal wants us to have no qualms about distributing wax with all kinds of weapons to the rest of the enemies we come across; both in its single player campaign and in cooperative multiplayer mode for up to four players on the same console. Those who love arcade games and want a game with roguelite touches, perhaps Road Redemption is one of the surprises on this list, although we do not recommend it for the little ones in the house due to its perhaps excessive violence.
Road Redemption
Gear.Club Unlimited 2 (Nintendo Switch)
The sequel to the first Gear.Club, currently on sale on the Nintendo Switch, features over 50 licensed cars and over 250 races in a purely arcade experience. Although it is based on simulating realistic races, its control is for all audiences and, to tell the truth, it has been nourished with content of the beautiful thing. Customization, management and a workshop at our disposal to play the adventure.
Although it has room for improvement, especially with respect to the three main names in this article, its cooperative mode is more than valid, with up to four players in split screen without resenting it technically. We liked it; Maybe not as much as we expected after the first part, but enough to recommend it at its current price.
Gear.Club Unlimited 2
Horizon Chase Turbo (PS4, PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch)
We couldn't leave out this gem from the independent scene. Do you remember OutRun? It is the best possible tribute. It was born as a mobile game, but it fell short. Console control is exquisite, with currently an overwhelming amount of content and DLC updates (some free) that extend the life of this precious journey for weeks. Speed, races where we have to go back from the last position and some strategy in the use of turbos and the constant search for gasoline (which double as a box of objects) to reach the goal.
The Horizon Chase Turbo stage design is thought and drawn to give a sense of speed, and it is achieved. Its split-screen multiplayer mode for up to two runners (horizontally, very comfortable) includes both the option to compete in traditional races and a sprint mode, secured spikes. Believe us, it is a highly recommended title, fun and designed to recall times of the past taking into account the present times.
Horizon Chase Turbo
