Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

TrackMania: Power Up! builds on the core time-attack racing formula that made the original TrackMania a cult favorite. Races remain fast-paced, with an emphasis on precision and memorization rather than rubber-band AI or drafting mechanics. The addition of a new solo mode gives players more structured objectives and a sense of progression beyond mere leaderboard chasing, making single-player sessions feel more rewarding.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

One of the most welcome changes in Power Up! is the inclusion of visible opponents during solo races. Instead of racing ghost cars alone on the track, you’ll now see AI or ghost representations of other players, transforming solitary time trials into dynamic sprints. This presence of “live” competition injects fresh excitement into tracks you may have run dozens of times, pushing you to refine each jump, drift, and corner entry.

Multiplayer has also received a significant overhaul. Improved networking code reduces lag and desync issues, while enhanced game modes — such as team relays and endurance time trials — broaden the appeal for clans and casual lobbies alike. Whether you’re battling friends on tightly-packed desert loops or organizing community tournaments on user-created circuits, Power Up! delivers a stable, low-latency environment that keeps the rubber burning.

The famed track editor grows with new construction blocks and interface tweaks, empowering creative players to design increasingly complex layouts. From razor-sharp chicanes to wide-open stunt arenas, these fresh components and the extended view-line guarantee that building and sharing jaw-dropping courses is easier than ever. Combined with the in-game video editor, you’ll find endless value in polishing your best runs and showcasing them online.

Graphics

Visually, TrackMania: Power Up! retains the clean, colorful aesthetic that defined the series while subtly raising the bar in environmental detail. Textures have been refined to appear sharper at high resolutions, and the extended view-line allows distant scenery to render without pop-in, giving a true sense of speed on mountainous, coastal, or urban tracks.

The newly introduced construction blocks are not just functionally varied but also visually distinctive. From translucent jump ramps to neon-lit barriers, they add fresh flair to user-created tracks. These graphical enhancements make it easy to differentiate obstacle types at a glance, helping both creators and racers anticipate what’s ahead.

The integrated video editing replay center elevates the visual experience by providing tools to capture, trim, and apply camera angles to your best runs. Cinematic replays with dynamic zooms and smooth pans turn simple laps into highlight reels. Whether you’re streaming to friends or archiving your personal record, the suite of graphical tweaks ensures every clip looks polished.

Minor graphical tweaks and bug fixes iron out the few rough edges from the original release. Lighting has been slightly enhanced for more realistic shadows on certain maps, and interface elements have been reworked to be crisper and more responsive. The end result is a presentation that feels modern without sacrificing the series’ signature speed-focused style.

Story

TrackMania has never been about a traditional narrative, and TrackMania: Power Up! continues this tradition. There is no overarching plot or character progression; instead, you carve your own story through leaderboard conquests, custom circuit creations, and community events. This open-ended approach allows you to define your own goals — whether that’s mastering every medal on beginner tracks or designing the next viral circuit.

The closest thing to “story” here lies in the solo mode’s tiered championships. Each cup presents a series of tracks that escalate in difficulty, simulating a circuit-based competition. As you earn bronze, silver, and gold medals, you unlock new tiers and discover aesthetic variations in the in-game videos that introduce each league. It’s a lightweight narrative device that lends structure without encroaching on the franchise’s sandbox spirit.

In-game videos peppered between leagues offer brief glimpses of fictional competitions and stylized driver profiles, providing flavor without slowing down the core racing action. These bite-sized cutscenes help brand each environment — whether it’s a sun-drenched desert or a neon skyline — and reinforce the sense that you’re climbing through a series of increasingly prestigious events.

Ultimately, your story in Power Up! is what you make of it. Between pacing through solo championships, earning a spot on global leaderboards, and collaborating with friends to craft jaw-dropping tracks, the narrative emerges organically from player-driven milestones rather than scripted dialogue or cutscenes.

Overall Experience

By bundling the original TrackMania with the Power Up! expansion, Digital Jesters offers exceptional value in a single package. Owners of the initial release can download the add-on for free, but newcomers benefit from a complete, ready-to-play game that spans both the foundational mechanics and the numerous enhancements introduced by Power Up!.

The perfect blend of tight, score-attack racing and robust creative tools makes this package a must-have for both competitive speedrunners and community builders. With visible opponents in solo runs, a beefed-up multiplayer backbone, new blocks in the track editor, and a built-in video suite, you get hours of enjoyment that extend well beyond the finish line.

Stability and polish are the hallmarks of this re-release. Bug fixes and tweaks smooth out old frustrations, and the improved user interfaces proof that the developers listened to community feedback. Whether you’re chasing that elusive gold medal or crafting the next internet sensation of a track, Power Up! delivers an engaging, replayable experience.

Ultimately, TrackMania: Power Up! stands as one of the most accessible yet deep racing experiences on the market. Its blend of arcade-style thrills, creative freedom, and strong online support ensures that both veterans and newcomers will find countless reasons to revisit the tarmac time and again.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10