Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release: 5 February 2026 | Publisher: 3goo K.K.
Developer: Vision Reelle | Price: £17.99
Download size: 639MB | PEGI: 3
Style: retrogamesmaster.co.uk – honest, no-nonsense, UK-focused, with that classic arcade heart
INTRO & FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Back in the day, the best racing games didn’t need endless menus or complicated setups – they just needed speed, bright visuals, and the ability to get four mates round the telly having a right good time. Think Super Monaco GP, Virtua Racing, or the early Ridge Racer days: pick up, play, and compete.
4PGP – short for Four Players Grand Prix – lands on Switch in 2026, and it wears that same retro arcade spirit proudly. Boot it up and you’re straight into clean, snappy menus with zero fluff. It’s a compact download, but don’t let that file size fool you – this is built from the ground up for local multiplayer, and it delivers exactly what it promises.
GAMEPLAY, MODES & CONTROLS
This is where the game makes its mark, and it doesn’t disappoint.
You’ve got a solid range of ways to play: single-player options include Championship, Quick Race, and Time Attack, while the main event is up to four-player split-screen racing. There’s even a proper tutorial mode to walk newcomers through the basics.
On the track you’ll find 19 open-wheel cars, styled after classic and modern formula designs, plus 14 circuits set across locations around the world – and every track can be raced in reverse, effectively doubling your route options. No endless, repetitive laps here; layouts are short to medium length, keeping the pace brisk.
Handling is pure arcade – responsive, predictable, and designed for fun rather than simulation. Slide through corners, hold your line, and focus on speed. Four difficulty levels are on offer: Rookie, Novice, Veteran, and Expert. Newcomers get plenty of help with Assist Mode and gyro controls, while experienced drivers can turn all aids off for a proper challenge. Most importantly, it runs at a rock-solid 60 frames per second whether you’re playing in TV, handheld, or tabletop mode – even with four players on screen at once.
GRAPHICS, SOUND & ATMOSPHERE
Visually, 4PGP does exactly what it needs to do. It won’t win awards for cutting-edge detail, but everything is bright, clear, and easy to follow – critical when you’ve got four viewpoints on one screen. Tracks are well laid out, the sense of speed is strong, and the whole presentation feels like a loving nod to 1990s arcade racers.
Sound fits the vibe perfectly: throaty engine roars, crisp tyre screeches, and an upbeat, synth-driven soundtrack that sticks in your head just like the tunes from the old arcade cabinets. It’s not overcomplicated, but it’s punchy and never gets in the way of the action.
As for features, it supports all Switch controller types, includes cloud save support, and has online leaderboards to compare times. Note there’s no online multiplayer – this is strictly local play, which feels like a deliberate choice to keep that same-room social feel.
VERDICT, PROS & CONS
Pros:
✅ True 4-player split-screen at a steady 60FPS
✅ Great balance – accessible for beginners, challenging for experts
✅ 14 tracks plus reverse variants gives plenty of variety
✅ Assist and gyro options make it family-friendly
✅ Fair price, no hidden costs or microtransactions
✅ Feels like a proper return to classic arcade racing
Cons:
❌ No online multiplayer
❌ Visuals are solid but unspectacular
✅ Very little in the way of car customisation
❌ No weather effects or damage modelling
❌ Sim fans will find it too simple
Final Score: 8/10
retrogamesmaster.co.uk says:
4PGP never tries to be something it’s not. It’s not a hyper-realistic sim, nor does it try to compete with the big-budget racing franchises. What it does do is bring back that golden-era feeling: simple controls, pure speed, and the kind of competitive chaos that only happens when you’re all in the same room. If you grew up with the arcade racers of the 90s, this will feel instantly familiar. If you just want a game everyone in the house can enjoy together, it’s well worth the asking price.
Recommendation: Highly Recommended – a cracking addition to any Switch collection.
