Nina, Brio and an Engine Change

October marks Halloween month and, it seems, a new road map for CTR: Nitro-Fueled! Keeping with the theme of the month, October's new Grand Prix content features Neo Cortex's goth daughter herself, Nina, as well as his original right-hand man, Nitrus Brio! Komodo Moe also rears his swords, meaning we receive three new characters along with special karts to mark the occasion.

This news is all wonderful, especially considering we didn't originally know if there would be any further content beyond the first three Grand Prixs. Luckily, Activision has released a new road map for not just October, but also November and December. Take a peak, if you will...

October, November and December's new Grand Prix road map of extra content.

Eagle-eyed viewers will have spotted the second road map features the silhouette of non-other than Pasadena O'Possum. Pasadena was a fan-favourite from Crash Tag Team Racing (CTTR) from back in 2008, and also a much-needed female character to the roster, but who else is on the cards? The third silhoutte, for December, features someone we've never seen before...

November's overal theme appears to be more carnival-based, if not part circus. That would be a fantastic theme, if so, not just for the track, but for potential character skins. Imagine, if you will, bearded lady Cortex and strong man Koala Kong in amongst clown/juggler Norm. Atop them all is Eboneezer Von Clutch - the only remaining character left from CTTR, complete with a Greatest Showman-style outfit. It's just a thought, but I do think it would work.

December's is clearly festive-themed, but that silhouette is very mysterious. Trippo the hippo? Fasty the... almost-moose? Who knows! It will be exciting finding out, though!

In the meantime, we can all enjoy the Halloween-themed skins and characters present in October's Grand Prix, including the wonderful track, Nina's Nightmare. Quite frankly, this track is wonderful and atmospheric. There are dripping pumpkin-like creatures that spew kart-slowing goo on the track with every lap, there's a creepy woods area with branching paths, and there's even a twisty horror-house styled section complete with artwork reflecting on Twinsanity concept art! Madame Amberley has never looked so good in 2D.

Nina's Nightmare is October's new spooky track.

Most importantly of all, and last but not least, the new Grand Prix brings an update of engine changing. Yes, that is what you think it means - you can now race as any character in any kart without worrying about being locked to their stats. Crash Bandicoot need not be a Balanced character anymore, for you can select change his engine and race him as an Advanced character (renamed as Speed stats). That's great news for those who felt they could never play as specific characters because they weren't fond of their original stats. It's certainly made me play as a few tight-turning characters more often, especially as the brand new engine stat - Drift. This new engine focuses on high speed, moderate turning but not so great turning. It's the engine I never knew I wanted!

So, check out the track, analyse the new road map and chase those ghosts as the new Grand Prix season continues...