REVIEW – Codemasters may dominate the official F1 market, but that doesn’t mean smaller studios have to sit in the pits. Formula Legends blasts onto the track with no license, no real drivers, and no official circuits, but it makes up for all that with charm, parody, and arcade speed. It’s a bold attempt to reimagine the world’s most serious motorsport as something lighter, brighter, and funnier—and it mostly sticks the landing.

Since Formula Legends can’t use official branding, the roster is packed with tongue-in-cheek knockoffs. Daniel Ricciardo becomes Danny Ricchiordi, Lewis Hamilton morphs into Luis Hammerton, and you’ll even see names like Batteri Voltas, Charlie Lacreme, or the unforgettable Hans Troll—clearly a jab that would ruffle the Stroll family. The message is clear: this isn’t just about chasing podiums, it’s about laughing along the way.

Story Mode doubles as a history lesson, whisking players back to the 1960s and pushing through the decades with evolving cars, different track layouts, and steadily improving tech. You won’t find the official names, but the resemblance is obvious—any F1 fan will recognize Spa’s sweeping Eau Rouge or Monza’s blistering straights. To dodge licensing headaches, some circuits are even flipped like mirror images, so the game gives you a cheeky “impression” of Formula 1 rather than a carbon copy.

Old-School Vibes, New Tricks

The tiny, chibi-style cars might look like toys, but driving them is no walk in the park. On Easy, with braking and traction assists switched on, the game is approachable and forgiving. Bump it up to Normal and the tone shifts—suddenly braking points matter, corner exits matter, and track knowledge is essential. Hard mode asks you to be almost flawless to sniff at a podium finish.

The AI racers aren’t polite either. They’ll shove you off the racing line without hesitation, and while damage is simplified into a health bar instead of fiddly mechanical failures, you’ll still need to keep your nose clean. They’re reckless more than smart, often flying into barriers for no reason, but honestly? That chaotic behavior isn’t far removed from some real-life backmarkers.

Handling is firmly on the arcade side, but it works. The cars feel more like wind-up toys than million-dollar machines, yet once you settle into the rhythm, cornering becomes addictive. Trying to drive it like a simulation will punish you—embracing the arcade flow makes the whole thing click.

Details That Keep It Fresh

Even as an arcade racer, Formula Legends sprinkles in a few authentic touches. Tire choice and wear matter, pit stops unfold as button-mashing mini-games, and each era gets a visual makeover—from sepia-toned 1960s weekends with canvas tents to a cheeky “BRS” system (totally not DRS) in the modern day. These small details add personality and help the game stand out from other indie racers.

Still, its indie scale is obvious. There’s no multiplayer—online or split-screen—and that absence stings in a genre built on head-to-head battles. Only 14 tracks are included, with alternate versions across eras, but the variety runs thin compared to a real 24-race calendar. The grid is capped at 14 cars, and championships max out at the same number of events. It’s enough for a nostalgic throwback, but anyone wanting modern F1 authenticity will feel the limits quickly. Career progression or multi-season grids simply aren’t here—that’s not the point of this project.

Performance on Track

On PS5, the game runs smoothly with crisp visuals that highlight the cartoon-like art direction. There’s minimal pop-in, and you’ll hardly notice it when focusing on the racing line. The Switch version, however, struggles: reduced resolution, noticeable pop-in, and no analog triggers make it a rough experience. Stick to PC, PS5, or Xbox for the best results, and hope a Switch 2 update arrives later.

After the Final Flag

Formula Legends is more love letter than simulation, a quirky arcade racer that pokes fun at Formula 1 while celebrating its history. It’s small in scale, short on features, and rough in spots, but its humor and heart make it hard to dislike. Come for the silly driver names, stay for the addictive handling, and don’t expect a full-blown sim—you’ll enjoy the ride.

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-

Developer: 3DClouds
Publisher: 3DClouds
Genre: Arcade Racer
Release Date: September 18, 2025