CTR: Nitro-Fueled Hands-On - 7 Ups & 2 Downs

1. Microtransactions & "Wumpa Coins"

Yes, CTR's remake has microtransactions.

Now, it's not as bad as you think (not yet anyway), as everything in-game can be unlocked using the "Wumpa Coin" currency that you'll build up across the Adventure mode and doing Challenges. You're even free to unlock Nitrous Oxide, the one character locked to a more expensive version of the game - providing you have enough coins.

So far, so good.

HOWEVER, this "You can unlock everything in-game, no need to worry!" approach is what tanked Mortal Kombat 11's loot grind. In that game, yes you were free to unlock coins and crystals, but the storefront only throws up five random items every 12 hours, leaving you to hope and pray you get the thing you want. That coupled with a turgid grind meant tens of hours of gameplay needed to be invested before you had enough to even purchase something, if it showed up.

At time of writing, I have to hope Nitro-Fueled will have a robust storefront where literally every customisable element is available, and that the grind will be manageable in terms of races completed to get your item of choice.

A month from release, such things could do with being outlined, but this also points to a "live service" element that might be changed depending on feedback post-launch.