75
This may be a touch disappointing to hardcore fans of "Crash Team Racing", but anyone looking for a solid kart racer should be quite pleased.
51
CNK offers nothing new at all, failing to really improve even on its prequel, which even back then, was pretty standard fare.
54
Failed miserably in execution and you will not find me playing this game again because I just don’t think it is very fun to play.
10
Very lovely , & looks good game , nostalgia & absolutely perfect, for everyone, thank you universal studios
5
Average racing kart game based on the long-standing well known crash bandicoot franchise. The balance, visuals, gameplay, design work fine for several sessions of play.
7
Crash Nitro Kart is a fun and colorful kart racing game that captures the spirit of the Crash Bandicoot series. The tracks are creative, and the power-ups add chaotic fun to races. However, some controls feel a bit stiff, and certain tracks can be frustratingly difficult. Despite these flaws, the game offers enjoyable multiplayer and a charming style, making it worth a try for fans of kart racers, though not quite a classic.
Crash Nitro Kart
PlayStation 2
Released On:
Nov 11, 2003
Metascore
Mixed or Average
69
User score
Generally Favorable
7.8
My Score
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Metascore
Mixed or Average
69
38% Positive
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
54% Mixed
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
8% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
90
While CNK may not break new ground, it does a quality job of delivering another kart racer in Crash’s universe. It will put gamers' mettle to the test and offer hours of "wait, one more time..." gameplay.
80
Satisfying and challenging at the same time, Crash Nitro Kart is a great way to fill that need for speed. [Holiday 2003, p.46]
User score
Generally Favorable
7.8
60% Positive
103 Ratings
103 Ratings
36% Mixed
61 Ratings
61 Ratings
4% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
Nov 19, 2025
10
Very lovely , & looks good game , nostalgia & absolutely perfect, for everyone, thank you universal studios
Nov 14, 2023
10
It's just CTR but updated. My only grips when originally playing was the character unlock system, but that's such a minor gripe that I don't consider it when grading the core experience. If you are coming to play this game, you either are a crash fan, some one that likes kart racers, or you played the original, and you needed more. This delivers there. For it's time It was overlooked for it's price, and frankly feeling too much like the original. You can look at older reviews and see that to be the case. Which for it's time fair. With over a decade of hindsite, that's harsh. On it's own it brings drastic improvements to focus on what its core audience wanted, a skill based kart racer. The boost system, and storage are back, you have an ok story mode, that continues the original, You have the magnet system for places, to give it visual flair before any other game was really doing that. All in all it's a faithful sequel that strives to improve the flaws of the first game, and leaves what was working alone. Last thing of note, the tracks as a whole longer,Some tracks can feel like they go on. It has visual flair true, but if you dislike a track, it can certainly feel like slog.
75
This may be a touch disappointing to hardcore fans of "Crash Team Racing", but anyone looking for a solid kart racer should be quite pleased.
70
At full price it's hard to justify a purchase in our view as it's simply not all that essential or different from anything that's gone before, but if you ever fancy a quality party game that you can slip out when the time is right for some multiplayer action and see this game knocking around for a more realistic price then you won't be disappointed.
60
If you already own “Crash Team Racing” for PSOne then don’t even bother to rent Crash Nitro Kart. Entire tracks (or large portions thereof) and the same quality graphics/controls/sounds from the 32-bit original have been shamelessly replicated on PS2 with the most minute and inconsequential of improvements.
57
The gameplay feels nearly identical to "Crash Team Racing's" (PS1), even down to the speed-boosting wumpa fruits, so if you loved it before, you'll still love it, and if not...not. [Jan 2004, p.110]
33
First of all, there's the asinine boost system. As in the previous game, you must link powerslides to keep your boosts going, forcing you to keep your kart at a 45-degree angle during races. Blech.
Jul 4, 2020
10
I think this game is very underrated consider what it does. The graphics are too ahead of its time, considering that this game was released in 2003, it looks like a PS3 game! The character new designs are the best that the franchise has! Especially Crash. Man, i really want a new crash game with Nitro Kart designs. Vicarious Visions truly respect Naughty Dog, and the gameplay... The gameplay is the same as CTR and personally i dont care, because the tracks are very well design and the game offers more multiplayer options. Its not better than CTR, because the developers screws some physics and controls than CTR made it perfect in the PS1. In my opinion, one of the best Crash Bandicoot games, and one of my favorite videogames on PS2. Very underrated, you will enjoy it a lot even TODAY.
Sep 3, 2025
7
Crash Nitro Kart is a fun and colorful kart racing game that captures the spirit of the Crash Bandicoot series. The tracks are creative, and the power-ups add chaotic fun to races. However, some controls feel a bit stiff, and certain tracks can be frustratingly difficult. Despite these flaws, the game offers enjoyable multiplayer and a charming style, making it worth a try for fans of kart racers, though not quite a classic.
Sep 12, 2022
7
A decent kart racer, but that's about it. It captures that Crash Bandicoot spirit and flair well, but just why are the karts so slow on the track?
Apr 30, 2011
4
Though it has its charms, Crash Nitro Kart is a lackluster of innovation, speed, and value. Pros: Rich in visuals; variety of unlockables; the courses are unique. Cons: Lacks any kind of speed; it's the exact same as Crash Team Racing, but worse.
Nov 8, 2013
1
In my defense, this game ****. I hate this game. This game honestly **** and the graphics are terrible. The controls **** and the characters lack in skill. I hate this game, all in all.
SummaryCrash hits the track in his most fast-paced adventure yet - Crash Nitro Kart! Kidnapped by the ruthless Emperor Velo and forced to race in his galactic coliseum, Crash must race his way to victory in order to save the Earth from destruction - but it won't be easy, as he must compete against foes both old and new before a final showdown w... Read More
Rated Efor Everyone
Platforms:
- PlayStation 2
- Xbox
- GameCube
- Game Boy Advance
Initial Release Date:Nov 11, 2003
Developer:
Publisher:Universal Interactive
