Introduction
The Crew Motorfest, developed by Ubisoft Ivory Tower and published by Ubisoft, launched on September 14, 2023 for PC and current and previous-generation consoles.
A recent Nintendo Switch 2 port brings the open-world driving experience to Nintendo’s latest hardware.
The title is an arcade-leaning driving game set on a Hawaii-inspired island and features a large vehicle roster, live-service events, and a mixture of solo and multiplayer activities.
Key facts and context
- Release: The Crew Motorfest originally released on September 14, 2023.
The version discussed here is a Nintendo Switch 2 port provided by Ubisoft for review.
- Developer/Publisher: Ubisoft Ivory Tower (developer); Ubisoft (publisher).
- Roster: The game advertises over 700 vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, boats and aircraft.
- Live service: The game uses weekly and monthly live events, and offers optional paid DLC and in-game purchases.
Online requirement and connectivity
Our testing found the Switch 2 build enforces a persistent online connection.
As one review observation put it plainly: "The Crew Motorfest on Switch 2 is heavily live-service driven and requires a constant internet connection; losing that connection returns you to the title screen." That always-online requirement limits play for users who prefer handheld sessions without consistent connectivity.
Performance and presentation
Technically, the Switch 2 port targets 30 frames per second and generally maintains that framerate in both handheld and docked modes.
The game presents better on the handheld screen, while docked play reveals visual compromises made to fit the title on the platform.
The Switch family’s lack of analog shoulder buttons also reduces input granularity compared with other platforms.
Multiplayer, crossplay and progression
Multiplayer on Switch 2 supports both passive and active modes, including special events for up to 32 players.
Crossplay is limited in this port: the review notes partial crossplay support for specific modes (Grand Race and Demolition) and crossplay-enabled leaderboards, while open-world sessions remain Switch 2–exclusive.
Save import is partially supported; progress can carry over in many cases, but purchased content from other platforms does not transfer and must be repurchased on Switch 2.
Gameplay and progression
The Crew Motorfest mixes arcade accessibility with deeper handling elements.
Playlist events vary the parameters and occasionally restrict you to preset vehicles, encouraging skill over brute-force upgrades.
Car tuning and parts are present, and players earn in-game currency through events and exploration; acquiring the entire vehicle roster requires substantial playtime or additional purchases.
Conclusion and score
The Switch 2 port of The Crew Motorfest delivers the core content and island exploration that define the game, but design choices—most notably the always-online requirement and visual compromises in docked mode—temper the experience on Nintendo hardware.
For players with stable online access who prioritize portable racing on Switch 2, it’s a worthwhile addition; for others, those limitations may be prohibitive.
Review score (version tested: Nintendo Switch 2): 7/10.
The Crew Motorfest, developed by Ubisoft Ivory Tower and published by Ubisoft, launched on September 14, 2023 for PC and current and previous-generation consoles.
A recent Nintendo Switch 2 port brings the open-world driving experience to Nintendo’s latest hardware.
The title is an arcade-leaning driving game set on a Hawaii-inspired island and features a large vehicle roster, live-service events, and a mixture of solo and multiplayer activities.
Key facts and context
- Release: The Crew Motorfest originally released on September 14, 2023.
The version discussed here is a Nintendo Switch 2 port provided by Ubisoft for review.
- Developer/Publisher: Ubisoft Ivory Tower (developer); Ubisoft (publisher).
- Roster: The game advertises over 700 vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, boats and aircraft.
- Live service: The game uses weekly and monthly live events, and offers optional paid DLC and in-game purchases.
Online requirement and connectivity
Our testing found the Switch 2 build enforces a persistent online connection.
As one review observation put it plainly: "The Crew Motorfest on Switch 2 is heavily live-service driven and requires a constant internet connection; losing that connection returns you to the title screen." That always-online requirement limits play for users who prefer handheld sessions without consistent connectivity.
Performance and presentation
Technically, the Switch 2 port targets 30 frames per second and generally maintains that framerate in both handheld and docked modes.
The game presents better on the handheld screen, while docked play reveals visual compromises made to fit the title on the platform.
The Switch family’s lack of analog shoulder buttons also reduces input granularity compared with other platforms.
Multiplayer, crossplay and progression
Multiplayer on Switch 2 supports both passive and active modes, including special events for up to 32 players.
Crossplay is limited in this port: the review notes partial crossplay support for specific modes (Grand Race and Demolition) and crossplay-enabled leaderboards, while open-world sessions remain Switch 2–exclusive.
Save import is partially supported; progress can carry over in many cases, but purchased content from other platforms does not transfer and must be repurchased on Switch 2.
Gameplay and progression
The Crew Motorfest mixes arcade accessibility with deeper handling elements.
Playlist events vary the parameters and occasionally restrict you to preset vehicles, encouraging skill over brute-force upgrades.
Car tuning and parts are present, and players earn in-game currency through events and exploration; acquiring the entire vehicle roster requires substantial playtime or additional purchases.
Conclusion and score
The Switch 2 port of The Crew Motorfest delivers the core content and island exploration that define the game, but design choices—most notably the always-online requirement and visual compromises in docked mode—temper the experience on Nintendo hardware.
For players with stable online access who prioritize portable racing on Switch 2, it’s a worthwhile addition; for others, those limitations may be prohibitive.
Review score (version tested: Nintendo Switch 2): 7/10.
