Crash Nitro Kart

Crash Nitro Kart is a racing game for the PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube and Xbox. The game was developed by Vicarious Visions and published by Universal Interactive in 2003. Crash Nitro Kart is an indirect follow up to Crash Team Racing. In 2007, PlayStation 2 version was re-released as part of the three-disc Crash Bandicoot Action Pack compilation (alongside Crash Twinsanity and Crash Tag Team Racing). The game has a story, which is explored in Adventure mode.

Crash Nitro Kart was the last Crash Bandicoot game released under the Universal Interactive label, which parent company Vivendi would scrap after the game's release, in favor of their new company, Vivendi Universal Games. It is the first Crash Bandicoot game to have full-motion video cutscenes. Content from Crash Nitro Kart would later be used for Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled.

Story
Crash, Coco and Crunch Bandicoot are at home relaxing while their nemesis, Doctor Neo Cortex, ponders his next course of action to defeat the Bandicoots and achieve world domination. Suddenly, both groups are abducted by a mysterious white light that takes them to a large colosseum somewhere in another galaxy. The galaxy is ruled by Emperor Velo XXVII, who plans on having the teams race for the entertainment of his subjects. He promises the Earthlings that winning the races will win their freedom, but threatens them with the destruction of Earth if they refuse to race.

After both teams accept the challenge, Velo explains that the racers will compete on four worlds of his choosing, and promises a race against the galactic champion if the champions of those worlds are defeated. When Krunk, Nash, Norm, and Geary, the champions of Terra, Barin, Fenomena, and Teknee respectively, are defeated, the Earth racers go up against the galactic champion, Emperor Velo. The racers defeat Velo, but he refuses to send them back to Earth unless they win all of the time relics and defeat him again. Velo loses again to the Earth racers and literally explodes in a bout of fury, revealing himself to be a robot suit controlled by a small gremlin-like version of himself.

If Team Bandicoot win the race, Velo, having lost his influence over his subjects, dejectedly relinquishes his empire to the Bandicoots. Crash considers becoming the next emperor of the galaxy, but decides otherwise and gives control back to Velo in exchange for sending the Bandicoots back to Earth. If Team Cortex win the race, Velo struggles with Cortex over the possession of his scepter, only to be stopped by Tiny. Cortex uses the scepter's power in an attempt to return to Earth, but the scepter breaks and sends Cortex, N. Gin and Tiny to Terra instead. When they are confronted by the natives, Tiny repairs the scepter and is subsequently revered as a king, much to Cortex's annoyance.

Gameplay
Crash Nitro Kart plays much like its predecessor, Crash Team Racing. The player can have their racer perform functions such as accelerate, steer, hop, brake, reverse, and even use weapons and power-ups. Boosting is a core part of the gameplay. When the player boosts, their kart momentarily goes slightly faster than its normal top speed. Boosts are achieved by driving over boost pads scattered across the tracks, pumping the gas at the starting line, and holding the gas button at the right time when being reset on the track. Another technique used for boosting is the power slide. To execute a power slide, the player holds down one of the hop buttons while steering. While sliding, a curved boost gauge appears next to the racer's kart. When the gauge goes from green to red, the player has to press the opposite shoulder button to obtain a boost. The higher the boost gauge goes, the more powerful the boost is.

Modes
There are six sub-menus on the main menu, ordered from top to bottom: Adventure, Single Player, Multiplayer, Best Times, Options, and Extras. The first three consist of various modes, Best Times allows the player to view their character's best times on each track, and Options is where the sound and controller option for each player can be configured, and Extras has bonus unlocked content, such as cut scenes from Adventure mode.

Adventure
Adventure mode is a single-player game in which the player must race through all of the tracks and arenas in the game and collect as many Trophies, Relics, Boss Keys, CNK Tokens and Gems as possible. The objective is to win every race in the five worlds so that the playable characters can be freed from Emperor Velo XXVII's threat of destroying Earth. Velo's Citadel is the central area of the hub world, and is where the racer can access each of the five worlds through gate-like portals. Most gates are initially locked, so the player's racer must complete the races of one world to unlock the next world. When inside a world, the racer can access a track by driving onto its Warp Pad. By winning a race, the racer receives a Trophy. Once the racer has obtained all three Trophies in a world, they can race against that world's champion in a boss race. If the racer wins in a boss race, the world's champion relinquishes their World Key, allowing the racer to access the additional modes of that world and also unlock the next world.

In Relic Race, the player's racer must race through a track alone and complete three laps in the fastest time possible. To aid the racer, Time Crates are spread throughout the track. When the racer drives through a Time Crate, the clock freezes for whatever number of seconds are indicated on the Crate. If all of the Time Crates on a track have been destroyed, the final time is reduced by ten seconds. The racer wins a Relic if they beat the time indicated on the screen.

The CNK Challenge plays like a normal race, except that the racer must also collect the letters C, N and K scattered throughout the track. If the racer manages to collect all three letters and come in first place, a CNK Token is awarded. These tokens come in four different colors, and by collecting four of the same color, the racer can access the Gem Cup of the corresponding color.

Gem Cups are racing tournaments held against computer-controlled opponents, and are accessible through a special gate at Velo's Citadel. If one of these cups is won, a Gem is awarded. When the racer has collected every Trophy, World Key, and Relic, they can race against Velo on his personal race track. If the racer manages to win this race, the game is won.

Once the racer has collected every Trophy, World Key and Relic, they can race against Velo on his personal race track. If the player's racer manages to defeat Velo in this race, the game is won.

Single Player
There are five modes available on the Single Player selection menu.


 * Quick Race: As the name suggests, the player can choose their character and a single track to race opponents on. There are options to adjust the CPU racer's skill level and the number of laps.
 * Team Race: The player's racer teams up with a computer-controlled partner in a race, which means that both cooperate to try and win the race. When the racer and the partner are in close proximity of each other, the Team Meter rises. When the Team Meter is full, the player's racer can activate the Team Frenzy, in which the two racers can temporarily use unlimited weapons and power-ups.
 * Cup Tournament: The player's racer competes against other racers on three different tracks. At the end of a track, the racer in first place gets nine points, the second place racer is awarded six points, third place gets three points and fourth place gets one point; the rest get no points. When all three tracks are completed, the racer with the most points wins. This is the only racing mode that allows both single player and multiplayer, let alone the latter.
 * Race Time Trial: The player's racer can race on any of the tracks, and the goal is to complete it in the fastest possible time. There are no other racers to hinder the player, but no item-bearing crates are present to aid the player. When the three-lap race is finished, the player can save a ghost, which is a replay of that race except their racer is in the form of a ghost. The next time that track is accessed in this mode, the player can load the ghost, allowing their racer or others to compete with the ghost in a race. If the racer finishes each of the tracks in a set time, their racer can compete against the ghosts of the bosses.
 * Lap Time Trial: Similar to Race Time Trial except that the racer has to get the best time for a single lap around a selected track. When the racer finishes a lap, their ghost appears. Whenever a better time on the lap is accomplished, the old ghost is replaced by the faster one.

Multiplayer
There are five battle modes in Multiplayer, and all of them support 2-4 players. In each of these modes, racers compete in battle arenas, where they can collect weapons and attack opponents.


 * Limit Battle: The objective is to attack opponents with weapons and traps while avoiding attacks unleashed by the opponents. Offensive and defensive weapons can be collected by smashing special crates. A point and time limit can be set by the player before the game begins. Whoever earns enough points or has enough points when time runs out wins. This mode can be played free-for-all or with teams.
 * Last Kart Driving: The contestants compete until they run out of lives. A contestant loses a life every time they are hit by a weapon or hazard or fall into a pit. A contestant who runs out of lives will be eliminated. As the title suggests, the last kart driving wins. This mode can be played free-for-all or with teams.
 * Crystal Grab: The contestants must fight to collect all the Crystals in the arena. When a contestant is attacked, they will drop any Crystals they've gathered, allowing opponents to steal them. This mode can be played free-for-all or with teams.
 * Capture the Flag: Two teams attempt to capture each other's flag and bring it back to their respective flags. Racers must race to their opponents' side of the map and drive over their flag to grab it. They must then drive over their own flag's base to score a point from the flag they've captured. A flag that has been stolen can be dropped if the thief is hit with any weapon. Stolen flags that have been dropped can be returned to their respective bases. Due to the weight of the flags, any kart with a flag is slowed down. The game ends when time runs out or when one of the teams has gotten enough points. This mode can only be played in teams.
 * Steal the Bacon: A variation of "Capture the Flag" in which two teams fight over one flag that is situated in the middle of the arena. The teams must attempt to take the flag and bring it to their respective base.

Extras
The Extras sub-menu consists of an Arena Editor, cutscenes, and the game's credits.

Team Bandicoot

 * Crash Bandicoot is the series' main protagonist. He has a medium leveled kart, making it a good all-rounder. Crash is available from the start.
 * Coco Bandicoot is the brightest of the bandicoots and even created the team's karts. Her kart is best for beginners; although it's slow, it is good for tight corners. Coco is available from the start.
 * Crunch Bandicoot was created by Cortex in Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex to destroy Crash, but he had a change of heart and joined the bandicoots. His kart has low steering, but its speed is excellent. Crunch is available from the start.
 * Fake Crash is a goofy bandicoot who resembles Crash and has similar kart stats. He can be unlocked by performing 50 boosts with Team Cortex in any track within Adventure Mode. He is not playable in Adventure Mode.

Team Cortex

 * Doctor Neo Cortex is a mad scientist that is always plotting some way to defeat Crash and friends but never prevails. Like Crash, his kart is an all-rounder. Cortex is available from the start.
 * Doctor N. Gin was once a well-respected individual in the defense industry, but one of his missile projects went haywire and hit him in the head. It remains there, unexploded; however, it does flare up occasionally, and he is sometimes effeminate. His kart is like Coco's and is easy to use because of its excellent turning. N. Gin is available from the start.
 * Tiny Tiger is a that was evolved by the Evolvo-Ray and serves Cortex. Like Crunch, his kart is fast but has loose steering. Tiny is available from the start.
 * Doctor Nefarious Tropy is a master of time and space, as well as the creator of the Time Twister. His kart has high speed. N. Tropy can be unlocked by defeating all his ghosts in Time Trial. He is not playable in Adventure Mode.

Team Oxide

 * Nitrous Oxide had once attempted to turn the Earth into a concrete parking lot and make the inhabitants of Earth his slaves, but Crash beat him in a race and thwarted his plan. He has a moderate kart to race with, which is good on tracks that have a combination of both turning and straight roads. Nitrous Oxide is available from the start.
 * Zem is one of Oxide's alien henchman. Just like Crunch and Tiny, Zem has high speed, but poor acceleration. Zem is unlocked by winning a Green Gem.
 * Zam is another one of Oxide's cronies and acts like a dog. He has a great kart for beginners. Zam can be unlocked by winning a Purple Gem.
 * Emperor Velo XXVII, or Velo, has the fastest stats of every character. He can be unlocked by achieving 100% in Adventure with both teams. As a playable character, Emperor Velo XXVII is shown in his regular form, as seen in the final cutscene.

Team Trance

 * N. Trance is a master of hypnotism and brainwashed Polar, Dingodile, and Pura to be on his team. His kart has balanced stats. N. Trance is available from the start.
 * Polar is Crash's pet polar bear whom he rode in Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back. Though his acceleration is poor, his turning gives him a high advantage. Polar can be unlocked by winning a Blue Gem Cup.
 * Dingodile is a mutated hybrid of a dingo and a crocodile who enjoys reading Shakespeare and playing croquet. His kart stats are shared with Tiny Tiger. Dingodile can be unlocked by winning the Red Gem.
 * Pura is Coco's pet, adopted after she used him as transport in Crash Bandicoot: Warped. He plays just like Polar does. Pura can be unlocked by performing 50 boosts in any track within Adventure Mode with Team Bandicoot.

Bosses

 * Krunk is a blue chubby gorilla that accuses Earth of copying his identical planet known as Terra. Krunk has a perfect kart.
 * Nash is a cybernetic shark that never stops moving and thus never sleeps. Just like the other racers in Team Champion, virtually nothing is wrong with Nash's kart.
 * Norm is an elf mime that has the ability of splitting himself into his regular self and a fat, talkative version of him. Norm shares identical stats with Spyro. He has no voice actor.
 * Big Norm, unlike Norm, has the ability to talk and loves racing but has good sportsmanship as shown by his communication after he is defeated.
 * Geary is a brownish robot that seems to be programmed to race and clean in the console version. As Geary said, he achieves perfect speed for being a robot.

Terra
The world has a jungle theme.


 * Inferno Island
 * Jungle Boogie
 * Tiny Temple
 * Arena: Temple Turmoil
 * Boss: Krunk (raced in Jungle Boogie)

Barin
The world has an underwater and winter theme.


 * Meteor Gorge
 * Barin Ruins
 * Deep Sea Driving
 * Arena: Frozen Frenzy
 * Boss: Nash (Raced in Deep Sea Driving)

Fenomena
The world has a desert theme.


 * Out of Time
 * Clockwork Wumpa
 * Thunder Struck
 * Arena: Desert Storm
 * Boss: Norm (raced in Out of Time)

Teknee
The world has a futuristic theme.


 * Assembly Lane
 * Android Alley
 * Electron Avenue
 * Arena: Magnetic Mayhem
 * Boss: Geary (raced in Android Alley)

Velo's Citadel
The hub world, themed after outer space.


 * Hyper Spaceway
 * Arena: Terra Drome
 * Boss: Velo (robot form) (raced in Hyper Spaceway)

Velo's Vault
A place within Velo's Citadel.


 * Hyper Spaceway (rematch against Velo in his regular form)
 * Red Gem Cup
 * Green Gem Cup
 * Blue Gem Cup
 * Purple Gem Cup

Crates
Five distinct types of crates are scattered throughout the tracks and arenas.


 * Weapons Crates are marked with a question mark (?) and usually come in sets of four. A racer can obtain a power-up by driving through one, thus breaking it. They can only carry one power-up at a time.
 * Multiplier Crates are marked with an "X" and are usually found in hard-to-reach spots on the tracks. These special crates contain three of a certain weapon or power-up.
 * Wumpa Crates are unmarked and carry Wumpa Fruit that strengthens a racer's weapons and power-ups if ten of them are obtained.
 * Activation Crates either activate either a boost pad or a trap that can slow down the other racers.
 * Time Crates stop the timer for a few seconds, depending on which number is on the Time Crate. These crates only appear in Time Trial races and the Adventure mode's Relic Races.

Power-ups
If the player's racer has collected 10 Wumpa Fruits, their power-ups are "juiced", which is a term that refers to an upgraded weapon.


 * Bowling Bomb
 * Homing Missile
 * Ice Mine
 * Invincibility Mask
 * Invisibility
 * N. Tropy Clock
 * Power Shield
 * Red Eye Missile
 * Static Orb
 * Super Engine
 * TNT Crate
 * Tornado Top
 * Turbo Boost

Staff

 * Voice actors
 * Steven Jay Blum: Crash Bandicoot
 * Debi Derryberry: Coco Bandicoot, Polar
 * Kevin Michael Richardson: Crunch Bandicoot
 * Dwight Schultz: Fake Crash, Dingodile
 * Clancy Brown: Neo Cortex
 * Quinton Flynn: N. Gin, Nitrous Oxide
 * John DiMaggio: Tiny Tiger
 * Michael Ensign: N. Tropy
 * Andre Sogliuzzo: Zem, Big Norm
 * Billy West: Zam, Nash
 * Steven Jay Blum: Velo (both forms)
 * Tom Bourdon: N. Trance
 * Paul Greenburg: Pura, Geary
 * Marshall Teague: Krunk