Each driver has a garage of four vehicles and car geeks should be able to spot the inspiration for most of them. They’re unlicensed but it’s not hard to make out Hotshot Racing’s nods to Days of Thunder’s iconic Mellow Yellow Chevy Lumina, or the all-conquering Pennzoil R34 GT-R. There’s a huge amount of customisation options of offer, too – from blowers to bobbleheads. The track assortment is also dripping with ’90s flavour, with over-the-top blasts through prehistoric jungles, seaside aquariums, and bustling casino towns all part of the line-up.It’d be remiss of me not to mention the audio, too, as Lucky Mountain has injected ’90s sensibilities into every layer of Hotshot Racing. From the earnest announcer enthusiastically exclaiming your menu selections back at you to the infectiously upbeat music (with fun, bespoke instrumentals for each environment) the passion for making Hotshot Racing an authentic tribute to arcade racing’s golden years seems high.The final version of the game will feature several modes beyond regular racing, including Cops N Robbers and Drive or Explode, but these weren’t yet ready to be experimented with at the time of this hands-on. Fully embracing its throwback nature, Hotshot Racing also promises four-player local split-screen support. This ought to be an absolute hoot, although the current global pandemic will put serious restrictions on your options for same-couch competition.
Fancy getting out of 2020? This time machine could be just the ticket. Luke is Games Editor at IGN's Sydney office and will now be singing the Daytona USA attract mode song all long weekend. You can sing with him on Twitter @MrLukeReilly.