There are a lot of great racing games on the Nintendo Switch 2, and Asphalt Legends Unite is looking to join the list soon. This racing game from Gameloft originally launched for iOS, Android, PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in July 2024. The Switch 2 version of the game will run at a 1080p resolution when in handheld mode, and up to 1440p when docked. The developers are promising a stable 60FPS in both modes.
Is This Free-To-Play Game Worth Trying?
Asphalt Legends Unite won’t necessarily eat into the market share of games like Kirby Air Riders or Mario Kart World, and with the free-to-play model, that’s not what it’s trying to do in the first place. It’s the type of game you always have downloaded on your Switch 2, just so you have something to play.
As a live service game, Asphalt Legends Unite certainly has its flaws. Most gamers will be put off by the lootboxes and microtransactions, but underneath all these egregious decisions is a great game. The gameplay is solid, and the arcadey fun of the knockouts, boosts, and ramps stays fun for hours into the game. Sometimes it’s an annoying grind to unlock races and cars, sure, but you’ll often find that it won’t stop you from starting the next race.
It’s also one of those rare racing games where losing is just as fun as winning. When you suffer a massive wreck or an opponent knocks you out, the chase is on. So yes, this free-to-play game is certainly worth the couple gigabtes of download it asks for. Just keep in mind that it won’t be a fully fledged alternative to something like Mario Kart World of Fast Fusion.
Oh, and if you don’t have a Switch 2, you can still enjoy this game on the original Switch. That’s how I first played this game, on a Switch OLED. The colors are vibrant, the sound design is surprisingly decent, and the performance is stable throughout. Microtransactions will eventually steer you away when the grind gets too frustrating, but for the first dozen hours or so, it’s fun.
