FAST RMX review - Worthy of filling the F-Zero and Mario Kart void?

With Mario Kart 8 not launching till late April, and no F-Zero in sight, early Nintendo Switch adopters don't have a lot of options where racers are concerned.

But FAST RMX by indie developer Shin'en is available right from the get-go in the eShop, and we've put it through the paces to determine whether or not it's worthy of holding the fort.

Set phasers to run

FAST RMX pits 10 super fast anti-gravity vehicles against each other in a variety of futuristic tracks. Gather orbs to boost, don't fall off the track, and get mad speed from coloured pads. Pretty standard fare.

Where it differs is in the phase mechanic. By tapping X you can change phase, which basically changes the colour of your vehicle. Match the colour of your vehicle with a boost pad and you'll get a boost. Fail to and you'll be slowed.

It's an interesting concept, but FAST RMX could have survived just as easily without it. That's because it's rarely iterates on it successfully. In fact, the only excitement I got out of it was when phasing between three boost pads closely placed together.

Not in the mode

There are three modes to work your way through - Championship, multiplayer, and an F-Zero-mimicking Hero mode.

The first two are pretty standard arcade fare, but Hero mode shines. Your boost is shared with your shield, so there's a push and pull dynamic between surviving and winning, with usually the most strategic racer finishing on top.

And with death spelling game over, it's a much more engaging experience.

Under the hood

Where FAST RMX really stands out though, is in the visual department - particularly on the bigscreen. The vehicles are shiny and well-designed, and each track has an interesting aesthetic - all without a dropped frame in sight.

Weather effects are also particularly nice. Rain obscures your view and drips down the screen, while wind makes good use of HD rumble.

Race you to the top

There's a tangible sense of speed to FAST RMX, which is a pretty vital component of any racer. Each vehicle has their strengths and weaknesses too, which really make an impact on the track.

Which you select will depend entirely on your playstyle. You can play it safe with a balanced racer, or rely strongly on your boost to see you through. Testing each one to see which I preferred was pretty fun.

It all handles well too - as long as you keep motion controls turned off. I found that particular experience completely unplayable, both with the Pro Controller and Joy-cons.

Getting huge air is also way too anti-climactic. You can't perform a trick or Barrel Roll to get a handy boost when landing, which is a noticeable absence when compared to Mario Kart or Wipeout.

Worthy?

FAST RMX is a solid arcade racer, with a gratifying sense of speed, excellent visuals, and an interesting phase mechanic ensuring you have plenty of fun.

It's not quite a flawless experience though. Outside of Hero mode, it's all a bit basic, with no tricks to perform in the air, and tracks lacking the intricate design of Mario Kart or Wipeout.

But that's okay, because there are no other racers on Nintendo Switch right. And at £16.99 / $19.99, FAST RMX is a bargain purchase for those who just can't wait for Mario Kart 8.