Nissan's latest invention? An 8-bit retro arcade game

Taking a short breather from rolling out new electric cars, Nissan is gearing up for the arrival of FIA Formula E World in Championship on homeground in Tokyo not with another sleek EV but with something that should appeal to the inner child of every petrolhead: A retro-themed arcade game.

Dubbed the 'NISMO Electric Racer Tokyo', the game was created by the Nissan Formula E Team in collaboration with Japanese illustrator, Kentaro Yoshida, who is known for his pastel toned style, bold-line work and quirky characters. Nissan state that the game is intended to embody "the spirit of Tokyo's electric streets while honouring the city's iconic gaming culture".

Bringing the retro aesthetic to life is the 8-bit visual style of the graphics, which resembles classic 90s arcade games.

In the game - designed for play on PC or mobile - players get behind the wheel of a Nissan Formula E car, while experiencing the thrills of navigating Tokyo's street circuit.

Ever fantasised about duking it out with the best in the sport? Nissan has teased that its own Formula E Team drivers, Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato, will soon register their highest scores on the game too, allowing fans the chance to pit themselves against the professionals and potentially make a mark on the leaderboard.

'NISMO Electric Racer Tokyo' is now available to play at www.nismoelectricracer.com, and was launched alongside a similarly retro-inspired video game advert mixing gameplay with real race footage. 

The Japan E-Prix, meanwhile, is set to hit Tokyo on the weekend of 17 to 18 May 2025. Ahead of the race, Nissan will also debut a special edition livery, designed once again by Yoshida, that aims to put a spin on the team's iconic Sakura-inspired visual.