Fast Fusion review – As essential Switch 2 launch game

If you’re searching for a unique racing game on the rumored Nintendo Switch 2, other than Mario Kart World or the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, your best bet is Fast Fusion. We’ve already reviewed three Switch 2 racers (including MKW and Ridge Racer), and among them, Fast Fusion is the most affordable and perhaps the most intriguing choice.

Created by the tech geniuses at Shin’en, renowned for Fast RMX and The Touryst, Fast Fusion aims to surpass the capabilities of the Switch 2 beyond what any other game has managed so far. Similar to their previous games on other consoles, Fast Fusion propels you through tracks at breakneck speed, making your surroundings seem like a blurred tunnel, immersing you in an intense racing experience. To avoid accidents, it’s crucial to keep your attention solely on the track and the competitors ahead.

Similar to Fast Racing NEO on Wii U and Fast RMX on Switch, Fast Fusion features a color-swapping mechanic. By tapping a button, you can alternate between a blue and orange vehicle. Additionally, boost pads on the track are color-coded, meaning you must match the color or risk taking damage. This minor detail may seem simple, but it keeps your attention focused throughout the game.

In this game, spheres scattered throughout the racecourse replenish your Boost meter, and mastering when and how to use this resource effectively is crucial for winning championship races. However, these orbs can be tricky to collect since they often float in mid-air, requiring you to employ a new jumping mechanism to reach them. Jumping for the orbs can provide the extra speed needed to secure victory, but it also comes with risks as it increases the chance of falling off the track.

To start off, the choice of swiftly hovering racing cars at first glance might seem rather ordinary, however, there’s a variety of purchasable vehicles (using in-game currency, no microtransactions) that allow for fusion to discover new hybrid models. If a vehicle excels in Top Speed and Acceleration but lacks Boost, you can combine it with one boasting good Boost for a more balanced ride. Wisely fused vehicles clearly outperform the standard options; however, keep in mind that while they’re being combined, you won’t have access to the individual machines.

The issue lies in the game’s funding system not being as generous as desired. While winning Championships provides enough funds to progress to the next Championship, if you wish to buy vehicles or try out different fusions, you might need to explore other modes such as Superhero or Time Attack, or replay earlier Championships for additional cash. In Superhero mode, you can re-run any race, but you must come in first and avoid crashing at all costs, which can be trickier than anticipated, particularly on the faster difficulty settings. On the other hand, Time Attack has you racing against ghosts created by Shin’en staff members.

You can’t deny that it’s an exciting moment when speeding through levels in this race. Colliding with other racers temporarily decreases their speed and makes them relinquish their Boost orbs, which propels you ahead. It lives up to its name in terms of speed, and if you pause to appreciate the scenery, it’s truly a stunning sight.

Shin’en has gone all out on quality, but it’s not without its trade-offs. Digital Foundry thoroughly examined the matter and verified what many suspected: Fast Fusion utilizes the Switch 2’s custom DLSS technology to scale a low-resolution internal image to 1080p, 1440p, or even 4K on compatible screens. However, an internal resolution of just 720p is only achievable at 30 frames per second; if you prefer a smoother 60 fps experience, you’ll have to accept some blurriness during motion. The blurring in your peripheral vision is part of the reason for this, particularly when combined with a fish-eye effect when enhancing the visuals.

Often, this problem doesn’t arise, but on occasions, I struggle to spot corners quickly while driving fast on congested roads, especially when playing the game in handheld mode due to a reduction in internal resolution. This isn’t a major concern, as Shin’en has pledged to introduce a “Pure” mode that offers raw pixels without upscaling, along with extra content soon. However, when you’re always moving at high speed, it becomes evident that the visual quality is not 4K or even 1080p, and this can be quite disruptive.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve got to say that Fast Fusion is an incredibly swift racer with a massive content library, and it happens to be one of the most affordable Switch 2 launch titles, outranked only by Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. It’s a bit of a letdown that there’s no online multiplayer option, but considering the price, Fast Fusion offers an unbeatable deal at the Switch 2 launch. If you’re yearning for a fresh F-Zero experience, Fast Fusion will temporarily satisfy that longing in your gaming heart.

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2025-06-13 15:46