Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Have a N.I.C.E. day! delivers an adrenaline-fueled racing experience centered around three distinct car leagues: Amateur, Professional, and Elite. As you progress through these tiers, each race presents fresh challenges, from navigating tight turns to avoiding rival weapons fire. Winning races rewards you with in-game currency, which can be reinvested into unlocking faster vehicles and equipping an arsenal of offensive and defensive gadgets, such as rocket launchers, oil slicks, and nitro boosts.

The progression system strikes a satisfying balance between risk and reward. Early races in the Amateur league are forgiving, offering ample opportunity to familiarize yourself with the handling of each car and the positioning of weapons. As you climb into the Professional and Elite tiers, AI opponents become markedly more aggressive, using smart tactics like flanking maneuvers and well-timed power-up grabs. This ramp-up in difficulty keeps the action engaging, encouraging you to fine-tune your driving lines and weapon deployment strategy.

Controls are intuitive, with a straightforward button layout for acceleration, braking, drifting, and firing weapons. The learning curve is shallow enough for newcomers to pick up quickly but deep enough that mastering the art of chaining nitro boosts mid-drift or lining up a perfect rocket shot feels genuinely rewarding. Multiplayer modes add another layer of replayability, pitting you against friends or online rivals in high-stakes battles where the slightest mistake can cost you both position and prize money.

Graphics

Visually, Have a N.I.C.E. day! opts for simplicity over spectacle. The graphic engine renders all tracks on a uniformly flat terrain, eschewing dramatic elevation changes or complex environmental details. While this decision might disappoint players seeking photorealism or sweeping mountain passes, it ensures steady frame rates and minimal performance hiccups—even on modest hardware.

Car models feature clean, polygonal designs reminiscent of late-’90s and early-2000s arcade racers. Though they lack modern shading or dynamic reflections, the vehicles still convey a sense of speed through well-tuned motion blur effects and skid mark decals. Track textures are serviceable if unremarkable: asphalt patterns, roadside barriers, and sparse background billboards fill out the courses without distracting from the core action.

Particle effects for explosions, smoke trails, and nitro flares are punchy and colorful, injecting life into an otherwise minimalist aesthetic. The simplicity of the visuals becomes a strength when multiple cars duke it out in tight quarters—there’s never any confusion about where your car is or which incoming projectile to dodge. While purists might bemoan the lack of cinematic landscapes, the overall clarity helps maintain focus on weapon-based combat and high-speed maneuvering.

Story

Have a N.I.C.E. day! forgoes an elaborate narrative in favor of a straightforward, tournament-style progression. You step into the driver’s seat as an ambitious racer aiming to conquer the Amateur league and rise through the Professional and Elite ranks. There’s no extensive backstory or cutscene-heavy drama—your motivation is purely competitive: money, reputation, and the thrill of victory.

Despite the absence of a deep plot, the game sprinkles in lighthearted flavor text between races. Rival racers trade witty taunts over the radio, sponsors offer cheeky commentary on your performance, and victory screens flaunt colorful banners proclaiming “Champion of the Day!” These small touches give the world just enough personality to keep you invested in each win, even if you’re not following a character-driven storyline.

For players who prioritize narrative immersion, the minimalist approach may feel underwhelming. However, if you’re here for non-stop action, rapid race turnover, and the satisfaction of building your race team from underdog to legend, the lean story model works to the game’s advantage by letting you jump straight into the carnage without delay.

Overall Experience

Have a N.I.C.E. day! carves out a niche for fans of classic, weaponized arcade racers. Its emphasis on three escalating leagues ensures a clear sense of progression, while the economy of winning-and-spending keeps you engaged in a loop of risk-reward decisions. Each race feels consequential: do you spend your winnings on a speed upgrade, extra armor, or unlocking that devastating missile launcher?

Though the graphics engine is simple and the terrain uniformly flat, the minimalist visuals contribute to razor-sharp performance and unambiguous combat. The absence of environmental distractions means every explosion, drift, and boost stands out, making the mayhem easy to follow even in multiplayer free-for-alls. The controls remain responsive, and the UI keeps track of ammo, health, and lap counts without cluttering the screen.

Ultimately, Have a N.I.C.E. day! delivers an entertaining, pick-up-and-play racing formula that excels when you crave quick sessions of high-octane, weapon-laden competition. It may not satisfy those seeking cutting-edge graphics or a deep storyline, but for racing enthusiasts who remember the joy of old-school, combat-centric tracks, it offers a compelling package—and plenty of replay value—to keep the checkered flag flying lap after lap.

Retro Replay Score

7/10