Being a Nintendo Switch Online subscriber has always had its perks, and we doubt that this will change anytime soon. In fact, subscribers who live in North America will soon be given the chance to play Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled for free for a limited time only.
For those who are unfamiliar, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is an intense yet fun-filled kart racing video game that features characters from the highly-beloved Crash Bandicoot series.
Fun fact: the Nintendo Switch is actually the very first console from Nintendo that requires its users to become members of a paid subscription service in order to avail of the platform’s online services. Unlike other consoles such as the PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold, Nintendo Switch’s online service doesn’t offer free modern or contemporary titles to its players.
Instead, Nintendo Switch Online gives its members the chance to play classic NES and SNES games for free, which is a huge plus for retro gamers. Not only that, but Nintendo Switch Online also releases other free titles that are specially tailor-fit for the service, including iconic games such as the limited-time Super Mario Bros. 35 and Tetris 99.
There are times when Nintendo releases an eShop game for free via a limited-time trial period, but these are first-party titles more often than not. In this case, though, the upcoming free trial is a third-party one. Announced through the official Twitter account of Nintendo of America, Switch Online members can experience Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled for free for just a week.
The downside is that this offer is only available to those members who live in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The game’s free trial will run from December 30, 2020 through January 5, 2021, so interested subscribers should definitely take note!
It’s worth mentioning that there’s a difference between a demo and a free trial. A demo places restrictions on the game itself so that players who test it out won’t have access to the complete experience.
On Dec 30 at 11 AM PT until Jan 5 at 11:59 PM PT, #NintendoSwitchOnline members can trial the full version of Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, including local + online multiplayer!
It's the Crash Team Racing action you know and love, remastered and revved up on #NintendoSwitch! pic.twitter.com/Nrp7n9OIOv
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) December 28, 2020
On the other hand, a free trial — which is the case for Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled — offers the full version of the game to players, even the local and multiplayer co-op features. The catch is that it won’t be available for free forever, and players can either choose to purchase the game or leave it be.
If we use the previous free trials as a basis, then it’s highly possible that Nintendo will offer the full Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled game at a discounted price during the trial just in case players have fun with it and decide to purchase the complete game.
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is definitely a must-have title, especially for those who enjoy kart racing games. As such, those who have access to its free trial should definitely check it out as soon as possible so that they don’t miss out on an incredible game.
It’s truly a shame that the Nintendo Switch already has an incredibly popular kart racing title, which could mean that Crash Team Racing would be overlooked by many. In that case, it’s definitely a great thing that Switch Online will be offering the title at least for a short while so that more people will be introduced to it.
