
By now, Nintendo fans must be used to drawing the short straw when it comes to multi-platform games. With the Switch containing objectively weaker innards than its closest competitors, many third-party devs will need to cut a few corners in order to allow their games to run on the hybrid console. This might come in the form of lower resolution, cut assets, or even the bold decision to bypass a conventional release in favour of the cloud.
Historically across platforms, racing sims have always been spectacular visual showcases. With less to worry about when it comes to complex animation or AI, a lot more focus can be put into making the games look slicker than Fonzi’s hair-do. With this in mind, it brings us great pain to declare that NASCAR Heat is one of the worst looking racing games we’ve seen on the Switch in some time. So much so, in fact, that we’d wager the game would comfortably run on the GameCube or the Wii. It’s 2021, man.

It just doesn’t make sense that a racing game launching on current-gen systems should look so poor. The Switch is home to some pretty spectacular racing games including Need for Speed:Hot Pursuit, GRID Autosport, and Burnout Paradise Remastered. The oldest of these — Burnout Paradise — originally released back in 2008, and it in its original non-Remastered guise still looks significantly better than NASCAR Heat. Here though, the cars are blocky, environments completely lack detail, and the lighting effects are near enough non-existent. To cap it off, the game often dips below its intended 30FPS, so the engine doesn't even run smooth, despite the visual curtailments.
Of course, looks aren’t everything, and one compliment we can give to NASCAR Heat is that it at least features plenty of authentic cars, tracks, and racers. Indeed, with the Ultimate Edition + on the Switch, you’re getting the full Season Pass from the previously released NASCAR Heat 5 Ultimate, which includes four separate DLC packs. These will load you up with more custom paint jobs, in-game cash, and content featuring NASCAR fall-of-famer Tony Stewart.
Starting up the game, you’re given the choice to pick from the 2020 and 2021 NASCAR line-ups (with the 2021 line-up and paint jobs also newly included for the Ultimate + Edition), with these then split into four different series: the standard Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Truck Series, and Xtreme Dirt Tour. The drivers/cars are designated by official photos and paint jobs, but there’s no indication of how the vehicles handle in comparison to one another.

Each race is split into three segments: practice, qualifying, and final race. This gives you the chance to go through your chosen track and learn its layout (which, for 90% of the selection is a basic oval), before qualifying to determine your starting grid in the final race. You can skip right through to the final race if you wish, but in doing so, you’ll be bumped right back down the starting grid.
Once you’re in the race, getting around the track is fairly straightforward thanks to the simplicity of its layout — after all, this is NASCAR. Stray too far off the road, however, and you’ll be given an immediate penalty, forcing you to stop dead for roughly five seconds before you’re able to set off again. This might not sound like much, but five seconds can make all the difference when the majority of the 20+ racers are bunched together, so don’t be surprised to find yourself right at the back of the pack.
With various difficulty settings, you can tailor the experience to suit your needs. On lower settings, you’ve got the familiar driving line featured in most modern racers. Crank it up and this will disappear, and additional racing requirements pop up, such as pitting. There’s enough depth here to satisfy NASCAR enthusiasts, while the more casual racing fans will be quite content whacking the difficulty setting on ‘normal’ for the most part.

In terms of how you play exactly, you’ve got a standard career mode in which you create your own character before taking part in various tournaments to increase your standing within the racing community. It’s basic stuff and nowhere near as comprehensive as the equivalent modes in franchises like Dirt or Need for Speed. Alternatively, you can simply choose to race one track at a time, with free choice of your vehicle and course.
Additionally, the game also features online play for up to 16 players, alongside split-screen local play. In our experience with the game, online play contained no lobbies to join, requiring us to create our own. You can customise which series to play, how many racers are to be included, and more, however at the time of testing this out, we encountered no other players. Indeed, the game gives a handy breakdown of how many total races have been played in the game’s lifetime, with a measly 1198 recorded at the time of writing, and zero active players. It doesn’t bode well for the game’s longevity in addition to the technical issues.

When all’s said and done, NASCAR has its dedicated fans — and they'll find more to enjoy here than others — but the experience just isn’t compelling enough to recommend to anyone else. Part of this is the simple fact that stock racing takes place primarily on oval shaped courses, and while there’s really no getting around this, it doesn't do the game any favours when compared to the more adventurous and unique racing games on the market right now. Even if you're a die-hard NASCAR fan, though, with such poor visuals and performance, NASCAR Heat could feature the most thrilling, complex tracks around, and it wouldn’t make a lick of difference.
Conclusion
NASCAR Heat feels like a game right out of the mid-2000s. The visuals alone are poor enough — with blocky textures, featureless environments, and a frame rate that struggles to maintain a solid 30FPS — but when you have a completely unremarkable career mode forming the main bulk of the game, there’s really no recommending this to anyone but the most staunch of NASCAR fans. Nintendo gamers have been without a true NASCAR experience for several years now, but if this is any indication of the quality we’re likely to expect, we reckon it should probably retire in the pits.
Comments 39
The quality of racers on Switch is very poor. The only decent ones are old ports. If you're a fan of the genre you'll have played them before.
I had reasonable expectations for Cruis'n and even those weren't met.
Perhaps the best modern racing game on the system that's not an old port is Sonic Team Racing - looks and runs really well on Switch and plays good too. No masterpiece but worth a look.
These type of racing games never seemed interesting to me. Seems all you do is drive around in circles, pretty mundane if you ask me.
Cruis'n Blast and Need for speed are pretty fun racing games imo
It's a decent game... on PS4. But yeah, I just cant get behind racing games on the switch because of the controller. Arcade racers or bust on the switch, methinks
Seems like the reviewer doesn't enjoy Nascar. It seems like if you are a fan of the sport this should be fun.
I thought it was just going to be driving in a circle but actually there are a few ovals. That’s a f***ing game changer right there.
Fascinated by these guys. https://xijigame.com/nascar-heat-ultimate-edition-review-switch/ Paraphrased review up in under an hour (other news stories lifted today too). Do Nintendo Life know their content is getting ripped off?
Did I not say this at the beginning? I have 4 and 5 on the ps4 and they run like crap on there.
The series on a whole, especially from my experience with NASCAR Heat 4 on PC... it always felt kind of inferior to the older Sierra and EA Sports titles of the past. It's a pop-in, almost arcade style, NASCAR game, which isn't a bad thing.
Plus, I wasn't clamoring for a NASCAR on my Switch anyway.
Ngl the only good racing game on the console I’ve played is Hot Pursuit
i feel like the switch is absolutely ripe for racing compilations, splash some of that investor money around, nintendo! ridge racer collection would fit in GREAT on switch, (rr, rr revolution, rage racer, and r4 in hd would be incredible in one title,) a sega comp with daytona, rally, and idk, crazy taxi? these are the experiences i miss in general and the switch seems like the ideal platform (and my only modern console haha.)
before someone screams "the licensing!" i dont really understand why they cant shell out for those BR and offspring songs, or license some new songs in the same genre. or hire a lesser known younger band to cover those songs in an interesting way. come on! we have gotten so lazy, my god.
oh yeah, this game looks like garbage. next!
Gutted by this, I really wanted to get this on Switch. I'll likely still get it but will wait for a big sale now.
@Jamie_R I do not fully agree, I have TSR on Switch and it runs poor in my opinion, not to mention the graphics could use some optimisation... I actually did enjoy the game more on my PC.
Mario Kart 8, Burnout Paradise, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit or Horizon Chase Turbo are some fine examples of games done well on the Switch... but aside from the last one all of them are older games, Switch is just not good enough for newer games like Nascar or all other new ports of more graphically intensive games, nobody is going to put enough time and effort to make a Switch port look really good.
In my opinion it would be better for these games to not even bother releasing on the Switch, because the experience is just worse (and nobody is going to build such game from the ground up for the Switch, because that would solve the issue)
🎶 NASCAR Heat, Tonka Town,
Stuntman makes my head spin 'round... 🎶
@Jamie_R I see your point, but I think that Cruis'n is a pretty good racer and one of the best on Switch, even if the graphics are far from the best.
@Arkay I enjoy oval racing. To me, the keys for it to be fun are enjoyment of sim-style racing, and having to maintain control of a car that is always on the verge of losing traction and spinning out. That's one aspect to being fast in that kind of racing. It's not for everyone. Sounds like you like more arcade-style stuff and nothing wrong with that and those types of games can be very fun as well.
@Jamie_Rush Rally 3 is excellent.
Lets Go Brandon
Come on Sega. Just give us Daytona
Considering the state of Nascar 21 Ignition on other platforms does not surprise me this Switch port, even though not the main developers, is poor.
Heat 5 on XOX is fantastic and some of the toughest racing I've had but so rewarding. So the underlying game is at least good.
I get that for casual gamers this is of little to no interest but what is the actual racing like in this game? Is the AI realistic? Are the car physics realistic/ satisfying? Does the game offer anything to fans of Sim racing?
It would've been nice to have some insights into this kind of thing in the review.
Falling below 30fps in a driving game is just lame. Will they could keep on trying.
We need a decent Daytona USA Sega Model 2/XBLA port on the Switch. Not this crap.
@sdelfin ahh I see. Okay, I understand now!
And yeah you're right, I prefer my racing games to be a bit more arcade-like.
A game where your only objective is to turn left is boring...no way!!
GRID Autosport and Rush Rally 3 (both digital only) are still the best technical racers on the Switch. Even better with Gamecube controller support. Plus, you can also turn right 😉
I’ve enjoyed my time with it so far. The graphics aren’t that great but I’ve had zero performance issues playing exclusively in handheld.
I’ve spent the most time in the career mode with 4 different series, trying to earn a full-time ride,rivalries and hot seat races its been pretty fun. I was a big fan of Nascar Thunder on PS2 and I played one of the early Heat games on XBox One which was terrible. She isn’t pretty but she gets the job done and there’s a ton of content.
That headline for the article clearly showcases what is to come in the review. Seems like the score is deservedly so.
I'll always have fond memories of Sierra's Nascar Racing 2 on my old Windows 98 pc and these screenshots are taking me right back there lol
@LeChuck That is egregious!
Oh well, at least Cruisn’ Blast is still entertaining me loads.
I took a chance on this and I don't regret it. I don't care for graphics as long as the gameplay loop is compelling. Graphics aren't "amazing", but you're dealing with under powered device. I didn't anticipate this to look like Xbox One or PS4 (I also didn't believe the hype of a magical 4K system), but it looks a lot better than I thought it would have.
It's quite impressive to see 40 cars per race. When most sim racing games usually opt for graphics and severely nerf the amount of vehicles, it's really cool to see 40 cars running down the raceways on the Nintendo Switch.
It's okay that you like arcade racers, that's fine, but to say this is just turning left is quite ignorant. While the track layout is usually "turning left", there's several road courses, no baby bumpers (keep you on the track), 180mph+, etc. I haven't played a NASCAR game in ages, so currently playing on Normal mode. Even then the AI is quite aggressive, they will draft, bump and have zero qualms on spinning you out. So while you're "turning left", it's mostly staying focused for longer than 3 min races.
There are no short cuts, no shells or mushrooms, just you and your driving abilities. It sounds easy to just drive the same way over and over again, but it's far from that. More so on Switch, because it's all or nothing, so you tend to tap the gas on turns as opposed to easing off the trigger.
It can get real intense with the AI bumping and drafting everyone, vehicles can get real loose in seconds and you're spun out. I have yet to adjust a lot of the settings, but you can make it a bit more intuitive with enabling full damage, DNF on, longer races, up the fuel consumption and tire wear to make it more of a simulation game. At that point, you're driving for the long haul. It becomes vehicle management, while still trying to be competitive.
The game by default has a lot of driving aids, which is really welcomed on Switch due to the lack of analog triggers. Overall, I'm 100% pleased with Nascar on Switch. The best part.. you can play it on-the-go with typical Switch sacrifices.
I'm casual with games like Nascar, WRC or Grid, but also respect them enough to know they're more than just simple or boring games. Everyone has their niche or style, that's okay. I appreciate it when I see games like these, because everyone deserves to have fun on their favorite handheld and this only attracts more mainstream audience. It's also welcoming to see more diverse games on Switch, expanding genres or bringing new ones only makes it better a place for everyone to enjoy.
@thegametb
Thanks for the insight, it answered a lot of the questions I had about the game that were not touched on in the review.
Can you use the right analogue stick for accelerating/ braking like in GRID?
We're gonna drive straight and then be turnin' to the left.
4/10 is Way Too Generous. These boring nascar games deserve NOTHING but a 1/10 for all Consoles.
If you want a fun Racing Game on Nintendo Switch, I highly recommend:
1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
2. Cruis'n Blast
3. Grid AUTOSPORT
4. Need For Speed
5. Burnout Paradise City
@Stude That was the ONLY Nascar game I've ever Enjoyed!
@SnesSwitch I couldn't Agree More!
Typical cliched "yOu oNLy TuRn lEfT...." stuff.
Most courses are ovals, but apart from a couple (of the like 30+ tracks) there is a lot of nuance in the tracks, when to ease off, what lines to take, when to get back on gas without spinning, racing in packs and drafting. Its pretty ignorant to ignore stuff like that, but then its par for the course on NL. The best part of the review for me was;
"you’ve got a standard career mode in which you create your own character before taking part in various tournaments to increase your standing within the racing community"
I mean what does tht even mean. "Various tournaments?" and if by 'standing within the racing community" you mean a tally of points accrued over a season, then yes... but otherwise its nonsense.
Picked this up over the weekend despite the negative reviews and really enjoying it too be honest. Graphics are 'fine' really... I mean come on, we still gonna bemoan the Switch 4+ years into its life. We know its underpowered and some games look rougher than others. I see nothing outrageously bad here.
Performance can dip, mainly on road courses, but for the most part again, its fine.
I'm not claiming Nascar is the best thing ever, but its a decent enough title for even casual fans of the sport.
It’s a cracking game. Maybe it doesn’t look the best but in handheld it’s passable. Tons of cars on the track and barely any performance issues. The career mode has plenty of options with 4 different race series and option to race for a team or own your own (when you have the funds) you then have to staff your team, buy different cars for the different styles of tracks, and invest in the cars and train your staff. You’ll be racing for tens of hours before you actually get to NASCAR series and then you have a way to go to earn enough to buy your own team. The dirt series is really fun and handles completely different. It might not be for everyone but it’s a pretty deep NASCAR experience in your hand.
Just picked this up for £2.19 before it gets delisted tomorrow. It's certainly worth that.
😄
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