The original Crash Team Racing had some of the tightest mechanics in kart racing history, with an easy-to-use, difficult-to-master boosting system and those turning mechanics still hold up 20 years later. Four character classes offer some variety of playstyle too, although in making Nitro Fueled more lightning paced, handling-characters like Pura have been left behind.
"The online also helps to keep Crash Team Racing alive despite some server issues."
It’s not just the original characters, tracks and adventure mode that have been lovingly recreated, but those of the sequel, Nitro Kart, have as well!
Despite bringing no extra narrative, these additions add more depth, offering character variety and extra tracks that keep the relatively short game from going stale. The online also helps to keep Crash Team Racing alive despite some server issues. Nonetheless, this is clearly a game made for multiplayer and so the wait times are worth it.