Formula Retro Racing Review (Xbox Series S)

by Jim Smale · November 8, 2021

This Formula Retro Racing review takes us onto the track with this retro-style arcade racing game that’s influenced by the classic arcade racing games of the early ’90s like Pole Position.

Formula Retro Racing Review Pros:

Chunky polygonal graphics.
811.4MB download size.
1000 Gamerscore.
Racing gameplay.
Online leaderboards.
Four game modes – arcade, grand Prix, eliminator, and free practice.
3 difficulties – beginner, advanced, and expert.
Damage – fills up as you take hits and once full causes a slower restart in track animation.
3 driving views and you can look behind.
Automatic and manual gears.
Arcade presentation.
Earn time from checkpoints.
2 – 4 local multiplayer.
Earn points from races to unlock new tracks.
Eliminator mode is where every lap everyone else gets faster and you have to stay in the top 10 or it’s game over.
Grand Prix has your standard race start.
Arcade mode has a rolling start.
20 colors to choose from.
Full damage model.
Hitting the grass or walls will slow you down.

Formula Retro Racing Review Cons:

Only one car.
You are playing just to unlock a couple of tracks.
No online racing.
Cannot rebind controls.
Every menu has a countdown timer.
Controls feel a bit loose.
Only has 8 tracks total.
Eliminator mode is nothing like it is everywhere else.
Is actually a long game because of all the grinding.

Related Post: Dracula Frames Review (Nintendo Switch)

Formula Retro Racing:

Official website.

Developer: Repixel8

Publisher: Repixel8

Store Links –

Xbox

Steam

7/10

Graphics - 7/10
6/10

Sound - 6/10
7/10

Accessibility - 7/10
7/10

Length - 7/10
7/10

Fun Factor - 7/10

6.8/10

Summary

Formula Retro Racing is a game that takes you back to a simpler time. You get one car, a multiple of colors, and 8 tracks to race on. It boasts big polygonal graphics, an arcade presentation that smells a lot like Daytona USA. It’s an F1 game and it plays like an updated version of Pole Position, get to checkpoints to extend the time, and race the competition. You can play with 3 other local players, there is no online racing at all which is a shame but that’s kinda the theme here. Formula Retro Racing just apes a couple of games and never really builds its own identity. You get points for racing and for every milestone score you get a new license but in truth it’s just a bit of text, getting to the score just unlocks a new track. I don’t hate the game but it’s very plain Jane, it’s the kind of game you mong out with or when you don’t want to think too hard when playing. In fact, zoning out when playing is encouraged because the grind is real! You need to play the same tracks over and over again to get the points so you can get either the new tracks or the achievements. Overall I didn’t find Formula Retro Racing to be anything other than OK every now and then.