You might need a fairly long memory to recall the Cruis’n series originally developed by Eugene Jarvis and Midway Games. But there’s a return of sorts as Cruis’n Blast launches for the Switch on September 14, 2021.
The original games started with the arcade release of Cruis’n USA in 1994, followed by a home version for the Nintendo 64. It was followed by arcade and N64 releases of Cruis’n World and Cruis’n Exotica, and the 2007 release Cruis’n which was essentially the Fast & Furious arcade game with all film references removed for the Nintendo Wii (Cruis’n Velocity was also released exclusively for the Game Boy Advance in 2001). As a fun arcade racer, I’ve got good memories of playing the N64 titles a lot when they were originally released.
But now the series returns with the license being handed by Nintendo to arcade developers Raw Thrills (led by Eugene Jarvis). And apparently it’s been popular enough for the company to take on their first console game and arcade conversion to port it across to the Nintendo Switch.
You’ll be able to choose from around 23 vehicles, including real world models like the Corvette C8 and the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray in the screenshot above, the Hummer EV, and a Nissan 370Z, along with the quad bike, tank and other more unusual choices including a school bus or fire engine. So that tallies with the arcade version of the game.
Meanwhile in the arcades, you had the choice of five courses in London, Madagascar, Rio de Janeiro, Singapore and Death Valley, California. But the Switch version expands the circuit list to 29, which is obviously a wise idea for the much longer play time available when you own the game on your console at home.
The track showcase video shows a choice of ‘Tours’, including Dino, UFO, Night, Escape and Storm, with routes including Typhoon Alley, Neon Tsunami and Oxford Circuit in the Escape Tour. It goes on for a closer look at Space Attack, Dino Janeiro, Mountain Mayhem, British Invasion, and Twister Terror.
Up to four people can race in local multiplayer either on the same console or multiple Switch units. Cruis’n Blast will be getting both a digital and physical release. There’s no pre-order info or price via the Nintendo eShop yet. But you can pre-order a physical edition from Game for £34.99, or via Amazon for the same cost.
And you’ll be able to keep up with future news, updates and DLC for Cruis’n Blast, right here.
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