Formula Legends Switch Review

Formula Legends Switch Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch

I enjoy a good racing game every now and then. It doesn’t matter if it’s a full simulation like the sublime Forza Motorsport series, or a blistering arcade ride like Burnout Paradise, there’s just something thrilling about tearing down the tarmac at breakneck speeds. Formula One is easily one of the most demanding forms of racing, so when Italian studio 3D Clouds emailed me to take Formula Legends for a spin, I was more than a little excited. What’s it Like? Put on your race suit, strap on your helmet, and start your engines as we review Formula Legends for Nintendo Switch.

Before we begin, please note that the footage you see in the video was captured on a Nintendo Switch 2. The performance section will cover both Switch 1 and 2 consoles.

Formula Legends is a chibi-style open-wheel racing game that feels like it was built by Formula One and motorsport enthusiasts. The art style may be playful, but the racing leans more toward simulation than arcade. It comes across as a loving tribute to open-wheel racing, offering a story mode that begins in the early 1960s and moves through to the present day. There is little in the way of narrative beyond the scenario introductions, yet progressing through the decades feels like a genuine journey through the sport’s history.

Formula Legends feels great to play. The handling is tight, the racing is challenging, and the tracks offer plenty of variety. It took me a while to realise the game leans closer to simulation than arcade. Early on, I felt like I was being punished by an overzealous penalty system, even picking up time penalties just for following the tyre lines of other cars. At first, this was immensely frustrating, but over time, it trained me to take corners more carefully and to learn exactly how much of my tyre could clip a chicane without drawing the ire of the race officials.

There is also a layer of resource management built into each race. Most events run for ten to twelve laps, and you need to keep an eye on vehicle health, fuel, and tyre wear. This forces at least one pit stop per race, and the pit stop itself becomes a mini-game. You start by choosing your tyres, then hold L for repairs and R for fuel, while completing a quick-time event for the tyre change. The faster you complete each step, the quicker you get back onto the track. Pit strategy soon becomes a balancing act of deciding how much to repair or refuel, and when, to stay competitive across the race.

While all of this sounds great, it is not without its flaws. AI drivers can be overly aggressive, sometimes knocking you into walls and costing you valuable positions. Recovering from these moments can be frustrating, as the reset vehicle button takes a little too long to respond, often leaving you at the back of the pack.

On Switch, Formula Legends struggles with optimisation compared to other platforms. The chibi art style, bright colours, and track design work better than I expected, yet the game is held back by washed-out textures, blurry resolution, and severe pop-in. Shadows and trackside assets often appear only a few meters ahead of your car, and on longer races, some textures fail to load altogether. It is a shame, because there is clear passion in the details. Vehicle models are thoughtfully designed, and the heads-up display evolves across the eras, with subtle touches like the speedometer shifting from analogue to digital.

The love from the developers shines through, but it just feels a bit like my car sitting in the driveway; it’s functional, just not polished. On both Switch 1 and Switch 2, the game runs at a capped frame rate and sticks to it most of the time. The problem is frame pacing. When the full pack of cars is visible on screen, the game stutters slightly, which adds a bit of jank. It never makes the racing unplayable, but it does make the overall experience feel less polished. Performance is steady in both docked and handheld modes, though handheld shows a little more blur due to the dynamic resolution.

At $30 AUD, Formula Legends offers a surprising amount of racing content. Covering more than sixty years of motorsport, there is plenty here to keep enthusiasts engaged. The story mode spans decades, there are unlockables to chase, a decent range of tracks to master, and a time attack mode for those who enjoy chasing their best laps. The game is single-player only, so competitive racers may not get as much from it as those happy to play solo. For my racers looking into accessibility, the game does feature a few driving assists to make racing more manageable, but as always, I recommend further research to see if Formula Legends suits your needs.

Despite the rough edges, I really enjoyed my time with Formula Legends. The racing itself is satisfying, the pit strategy adds genuine depth, and the decades-spanning career mode feels like a heartfelt celebration of motorsport. There is plenty of content here for solo players who want to sink time into mastering the tracks and unlocking new eras of racing history. Sure, the game stumbles a bit on the Switch. The visuals can look blurry, assets pop in far too close, and frame pacing hiccups take away from what should be smooth, flowing races.

These issues do not ruin the experience, but they do keep the game from reaching its full potential on Nintendo’s hardware. Even so, the strong foundation is clear. At its best, Formula Legends captures the thrill of open-wheel racing in a way few Switch titles have attempted. I sincerely hope we see a dedicated Switch 2 version, because with stronger optimisation, this could become a real standout. As it is, the game lands as a fun sim-arcade racer with plenty of tread left on the tyres, even if the ride can feel a little bumpy.

So, What’s It Like? Formula Legends is like Hot Shots Racing, with a chibi twist.

In the interest of full disclosure, a review copy was provided by the publisher, but this doesn’t influence my score.

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