Nissan has created a retro-themed video game, "Nismo Electric Racer Tokyo". It was designed in collaboration with Japanese illustrator Kentaro Yoshida and has been launched under the brand's Formula E Team banner, to coincide with its home race this weekend, in Tokyo on May 17-18.
For people of a certain age, it'll be a real blast of nostalgia: it's executed in an 8-bit visual style resembling 1990s arcade games. Players take control of a stylised Nissan Formula E car through a Tokyo cityscape featuring Mount Fuji and cherry blossom trees.
For people who are much younger than a certain age, it'll be a lesson in how things used to be. And still quite a lot of fun.
It can be played through a web browser or mobile, and yes, you can do that right now: have a go here.
The game is paired with a 90s-inspired video game advert, blending gameplay with real life race footage.
Nissan Formula E Team drivers Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato are set to register their highest scores ahead of the E-Prix, with fans able to test themselves against the professionals and post their own scores to the leaderboard.
Illustrator Kentaro Yoshida is known for his pastel toned style, bold line-work and quirky characters. Nismo Electric Racer Tokyo is his first game design.
Yoshida's style will also debut on track at the Tokyo E-Prix, with a special-edition livery that reimagines the team's existing Sakura-themed design. The unique design will be unveiled across Nismo social channels and at an event on May 14th at Nissan's Global Headquarters in Yokohama.
Nissan's history in video games
Nissan has form in video gaming that stretches back a lot further than you might think - even before mainstream gaming consoles existed.
In 1976, through a partnership with Bally Manufacturing, the company released "Datsun 280 ZZZAP," an arcade game that featured a gearshifter, throttle pedal and steering wheel.
As part of the joint venture, Datsun created a real 280Z ZZZAP Edition sports car. Only 1000 units were produced, featuring Sunburst Yellow paint and a unique graphics package with side, roof, bonnet and deck stripes, as well as rear window louvres and unique mirrors.
Fast-forward 21 years and the original Gran Turismo game (1997) included several Nissan vehicles; the GT-R even featured on the cover art. Today, the Gran Turismo series still features more Nissan vehicles than those of any other manufacturer.
In 2008, Nissan and Sony Interactive Entertainment launched GT Academy, which invited the best Gran Turismo gamers to compete at the world's top racetracks for real. Over 75,000 people registered to participate the first year – a number that exploded to roughly 400,000 the second year.
GT Academy launched the careers of several professional drivers, including Lucas Ordóñez, Bryan Heitkotter and Jann Mardenborough.
In 2017, Mardenborough raced a GT-R around Silverstone's famed National Circuit using a PlayStation DualShock 4 controller. It was a world-first, and the car reached speeds above 200km/h.
In 2023, Sony Pictures released Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story in theatres worldwide, with Mardenborough as a main character in the storyline. The film starred Archie Madekwe as Mardenborough, David Harbour as a failed driver coaching him and Orlando Bloom as an idealistic motorsport executive.
In 2019, Nissan entered the world of esports by partnering with FaZe Clan and OpTic Gaming, two of the biggest international teams.
And in 2021, Nissan worked with Bandai Namco Group – the company behind Pac-Man and other famous arcade games – to develop in-car sounds for several new models, including the 2021 Nissan Rogue (X-Trail to us) and Pathfinder. The purpose of the partnership was to "enhance the SUVs' personality and character, and to communicate important information without distracting the user – just like sounds do in the best video games".