By now, we're all pretty smart to the realities of porting a game from other consoles to Nintendo Switch – especially when that game has arrived within the last year or so. Unless you're working with a particular art style or setup that's purposefully easy to render, most Triple-A games are going to take a knock to both performance and presentation. We've seen how to do it right (Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus being one such example) and we've seen plenty of ways to screw it up (such as a near unplayable version of Ark: Survival Evolved).
By 2019, we're now in a position where we can honestly ask ourselves, 'Is a game worth porting to Switch when the disparity in quality is too great?' and it's that question that dogs 3DClouds’ latest high-speed racing experience. Because while Xenon Racer isn't a particularly remarkable racer on PC and other console platforms, it's a solid one that owes much of its identity to the heyday of Ridge Racer. But on Nintendo Switch it's a vastly different game simply because of the concessions that have been made to get it running on lower-spec hardware.
All the content on Switch is exactly the same as the stuff you'll find on PS4 and every other platform – right down to the vast championship mode and the support for online play – but it's the presentation that really takes the hit. The framerate has been dropped from 60fps to 30fps, which on its own makes a serious difference to a game all about driving around tracks at ridiculous speeds. On top of this, Xenon Racer often struggles to hit that 30fps cap, and instead sits around the 24-25fps mark for the majority of races. Everything from the opening intro of the game to the menus that take your chosen car through a garage on multiple levels in real time noticeably chugs to the point of exhaustion.
There's also some considerable input lag, which is a cardinal sin or a game that bases itself around the drifting model from the Ridge Racer games. Considering you're often moving at such high speed, you always need to know when to tap the brake to bring the rear-end of the car out to pull off a perfect drift. Not only does this refill your Xenon-based boost, but it's also a fundamental part of cornering. Too often on the review build did we find the brake inputs lagging so much we'd instantly smash into the side of a barrier and lose four or five positions in a matter of seconds.
Which is so frustrating, because Xenon Racer has plenty to offer for race fans hoping for an alternative racing experience with a little extra bite. This isn’t an easy racing experience, invoking the challenging early days of WipEout with its mixture of high-speed cornering and split-second decision making. You can customise your futuristic car with new parts as you progress through the ranks and there’s a good 8-10 hours of gameplay to be found in the main championship mode alone. There are good components present here, but none of them get the chance to shine on Switch in the way they do on other platforms.
Beyond its technical issues, Xenon Racer has deep-seated gameplay problems that hold it back from reaching that top step on the podium. The handling model is a little too cumbersome for a racer all about taking hyper-advanced sports cars around some challenging globally-set tracks, while drifting can be incredibly temperamental; this issue is likely down to the aforementioned problems with input lag, but even compared to the likes of GRIP, Xenon Racer simply doesn’t stack up in terms of controls. There’s clearly a decent game in here somewhere, but without an adjustment to its handling model and a significant patch to its performance and presentation, it feels too much like an unfinished product.
Considering Xenon Racer’s official Nintendo Switch pages contain screenshots and trailer footage clearly taken from versions that do not, in any way, reflect the game presented on Switch (something the developer has now taken steps to remedy), it’s clear this is a port that has simply endured one sacrifice too many to get to the finish line. Gone are the dynamic lighting and particle effects, replaced by a dull lighting model that only really shows any sense of presence on the occasional nighttime track. Its visuals are dogged with pop-in issues, and the flat, 2D crowds and low-res textures call to mind a much earlier generation of 3D visuals; take all of this into account and you’re left with a game that is clearly inferior to the versions available elsewhere – and if we're being brutally honest, those versions aren't all that hot, either.
Conclusion
It’s not often we recommend you play a Nintendo Switch game on a different platform, but there’s simply no way we could advise you to pick this up right now in its current state. There’s every chance the developer could provide substantial support to patch Xenon Racer into a more playable state, but as of writing it’s a game that doesn't warrant that full price tag. With a layer of extra blurring when playing in handheld mode, and that sense of breakneck speed reduced substantially by the sheer drop in frames when racing, you’re forced to endure a racer that simply can't justify its own existence on Switch. Add in poor controls and input lag and it's clear that Xenon Racer needed a little more time in the garage.
Comments (67)
It's a disgraceful cash-in attempt. There really should be local consumer laws to combat "Bullshot" material that clearly is designed to deceive.
Why release it so early? Happy to read this review and it has made my choice much easier.
A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad.
Thanks for the honest review, but why even give it a 4? The review makes this sound more like a 2.
To be honest I think the game is poor on other platforms as well. Not in terms of appearance. It just does not seem a good racing game is all. The handling and the way the cars drift and turns is below par compared to a ton of other racing games past or present.
I'd much rather dust of the ol' Gamecube. So many great racing games on that platform. And if you're going to the basement in the first place, why not grab the Dreamcast to satisfy that racing itch while you're at it?
At this point I would be happy to take a port of the PS3 game Ridge Racer 7. That ran at 1080/60 on PS3 so would surely run well on Switch.
Hm, I already considered this as another Not Extreme-G.
Acclaim, I know you like Turok and all, but c’mon. Gimme.
Just release a F-Zero already!
@AlohaPizzaJack
Ohh yeah, that's what I want to see as well. Loved that series.
@Anti-Matter Great comment and so true
All this for $50, too. There are racing games I can get on Android for five bucks that look better than this. I don't understand what they were thinking.
It’s terrible really that this game was up on the eshop a while back with a discount using screenshots that in no way represented the final product! Awful practice, Nintendo should be much stricter with this sort of thing. Policing this practice should be guaranteed under their seal of approval
Not that I purchased it myself but would have been gutted if I did!
Dang wanted to buy this game in hopes the switch may actually have a decent racer. Oh well 0-4 now. Mario kart it is
In other words, look else where for a better racing games
@BionicDodo 100% agree love ridge racer 7 it can be hypnotic at times
This looks okay.....ish on the ps2.
Lol...love it when a development team cucks it up like this.
Shameful... if it won't work, it won't work. To force it out as a $50 release is bad enough, buyer beware and all that... but to market the Switch version using a video trailer from higher spec consoles is actually criminal, or at least should be.
Looks at something as beautiful as Fast RMX and then this. Reminds me of some youtube guy saying look what happens when you put effort in on the switch. He was reviewing Warframe and showed footage of WWE on switch to show the difference when you don't even try.
Oh dear, surely they knew this was a turd when they finished it. Except they didn't finish it did they as it's a half baked game....
Are any of the Rally games on Switch any good at all?
Alternatives: Horizon Chase Turbo is a brilliant racer on Switch and Isle Of Man TT Rally looks like it will be absolutely amazing on Switch when it releases.
And I thought this game would be good...
Oh look at that, a rushed port.
Getting sick of the use of 'blurring' in waaaay too many Switch games to try to cover up shoddy coding/porting.
I don't understand how Nintendo can let all this shovelware be released on their systems. Ever since the Wii there's been crap coming out. I thought Nintendo were all about quality?
I purchased Xenon Racer on Switch and was extremely disappointed. A ton of Pop in, bad frame rates, blurry visuals. Not even after 1 hour and half I deleted it. The thing is on the eshop it shows screenshots and a trailer but it of the platforms like PS4 or Xbox One so thinking that how it was going to look I purchased it but let say this they misrepresented it and Nintendo in the future should not allow these things to happen. I just wasted $79 AUD and people are upset about this game on YouTube as well.
Don't buy this game I did and I was extremely disappointed. Nintendo can not misrepresent games on the eshop if it's not what the game going to look on Switch.
How dare anyone say this is like F-ZERO, they need a slap!
4 is being generous.
I have ALOT of games for my Switch, but this is the only one I truly regret buying. So much so that I may just delete it from my SD card.
I think its the way they misrepresented it that stings the most, oh and the price. $80...piss off 3dclouds or whatever your name is.
@Moviebuff1981 you should sue in small claims court, it would be really interesting to see what happens and as long as the Nintendo has a office in Australia you should be able to do that.
@spirit_flame I would think this falls under false advertising, which is very much illegal. I wonder if there’s any precedent for litigation.
@nofriendo Yes, looks most likely. Would be very interesting to see if that happens.
This game looks ugly.
Just want to mention that V-Rally 4 on Switch is a fantastic racer.
Not having a clue about coding video games, I wonder if some games have something in them that make them inherently difficult to port to the Switch? I can't help but notice that the Fast Racing games on the Wii, Wii U, and Switch all looked amazing by the standards of their respective consoles. But this game and Grip, both ported from other consoles ended up really rough.
On a side note... For the love of God, F-Zero fans, stop spamming every racing games with your whining over Nintendo not making a new game. There's games I'd like a sequel to and it's disappointing when it doesn't happen. But at some point the rest of the world gets sick of hearing it.
Grid Autosport, you're up next. Please don't disappoint! At least there's more faith to be had since Nintendo decided to rep it in their Nindies direct.
@Cosats
Love that game!
I didnt do a real research, but from what little I`ve read, this game sucks on all consoles. I`m not That into racing games, but this one caught my eye before I saw the game running. For me it`s fraud, plain and simple.
Like someone said, Horizon Chase Turbo is a great racer, and I`d recommend it to everyone.
@Moviebuff1981
I would contact Nintendo and ask for a refund. Such a thing would not usually be granted but given the misrepresentation surrounding this game I would think they would do it.
@TheFox
I think its mostly due to laziness. Back in the 8 bit days devs would have to perform magic to get games working on much weaker hardware. Now it seems like they just slap the code onto whatever and be done with it.
Other than some really huge games (like RDR2) I dont feel that there are many games from the PS4/XBO gen that couldn't have been achieved in the PS3/360 gen.
@Moviebuff1981 I would ask Nintendo for my money back. This is not what they showed on screenshots and trailer on eShop.
That's why exclusive games are always better. The devs only have one system to optimise and it will look it's best and perform at top speed. Look at Fast RMX, it's polished to perfection.
Bandai Namco, are you watching? You have a golden opportunity to be the one publisher to do arcade racing right on the Switch, and make a pretty penny off the sales of a Ridge Racer revival. We are anxiously awaiting Ridge Racer 2020!
I would also accept an expanded Switch port of Cruisin Blast!
I Just read the entire review during a single loading while playing this and had the time to write this.
Burnout 3 or Asphalt 9 is what we need. One is a PS2 game and the other a mobile game. Both excellent, speedy and fun arcade racers with their own great mechanics. Both would be excellent additions to the Switch library and rather easy to get to perform well (especially Asphalt due to similarities in tech). This? Looks like we didn't need that.
I saw the comparison vid the other day, not only does the Switch version look bad, so does the PS4 version, add to that there's no sense of speed from what I could see either which is a big NO in a racing game. So yeah my money's staying in my pocket.
@Danrenfroe2016 I think that would be a good idea but they won't listen to one person. I think if a ton of people complained and took it to court then maybe Nintendo would listen. I don't want to make a big drama out this but they shouldn't let happen again misrepresenting games on the eshop if it's not what the game is going to look like on the Switch and also so people don't waste there money.
I was super hyped for this when I saw the initial announcement. It got me with it’s wipeout, but ridge racer vibe. Then I saw a few YouTube videos and noticed the sound design was really crap. Visually it ticks a lot of boxes... but that screaming vacuum cleaner? No! The soundtrack proper was not the metal/club hybrid that was shown in the trailer either. And now we have an extremely lacklustre game that I’m so very glad I didn’t buy.
Thank you Nintendo Life for reporting on this. I was tempted to buy this when it was originally announced. But with your news coverage, you saved me good money.
Thank you!
It’s about time Sega brought over all the Arcade Model 1,2,3 racers then we wouldn’t need second rate racers like this. Next stop Virtua Racing then:)
What do you think Mortal Kombat 11 is going to be like on Switch? Suck it up. This is what happens when Nintendo sticks with gimmicks instead of performance. I love my Switch but that's the cold truth.
@StraTTtheRipper
Portability isn't a gimmick though
This one smarts quite a bit, as I love futuristic arcade racers. But thanks Dom for saving $50 and an even greater level of disappointment!
The eshop desperately needs a star rating, like everybody else.
@CaPPa I think I'll try that but am a bit anxious that they won't refund my money.
@BlueOcean Yes I'll think I will contact the Australian Nintendo headquarters and ask for a refund.
They’ve just released an absolutely AMAZING patch that has fixed all issues with the game.
It is now actually the best arcade racer on switch. Seriously - you are missing out lads.
Can’t praise it enough now (I was raising a stink online when it first launched).
Please, please check it again.
@atomicjuicer Sorry but I have this game, I played it with the latest 1.04 patch, and the game is simply awful. The patch managed to fix most of the performance issues I'll give it that but the game still controls terribly and it is just straight up a terrible racing game, and I say this as someone who buys most racing games as a big fan of the genre. This is easily the worst racing game I have played on the Switch, especially for the price.
@JayJ You hold accelerate and tap tap tap on handbrake button depending on how much you need to turn.
I don’t have any way to record myself but I can flow through this game at top speed without touching anything and dodging AI.
Don’t give up! Play the edge modes to unlock car customizations.
@atomicjuicer Well thanks for the tip, it definitely controls differently from other racers. If I give it another shot I'll do that, but I am probably going to wait for another patch.
@atomicjuicer I can confirm - this method works and with it the game become superfun !!!
@JayJ trust him/her - it works!
On crazy sale in EU till 27.04 !!!
90% off at mo on eshop I've purchased
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