OnlineCTR

You can play Crash Team Racing online with other people around the world using OnlineCTR client.

Requirements

• the original copy of Crash Team Racing (NTSC-U) ISO to play online. It is impossible to play without the original game.
• Duckstation emulator

Tutorial

Please note that the following guide is valid as of June 2024, specific details may and most probably will change in the future.

First, you need to modify your game files.

• Visit https://www.online-ctr.com/
• Find and join OnlineCTR Discord server (the Race Online Now button)
• On the server, find #latest_build channel and download the latest archive. The archive contains 3 files - 2 patch files (for 30 and 60 fps) and a client executable.
• Patch your ISO using one of 2 provided patches. Check xdelta for a more detailed patching guide.

Second, you need to configure your emulator.

The recommended settings are:

• Console -> Enable 8MB RAM (Dev Console) = ENABLED
• Console -> Execution mode = Recompiler (Fastest)
• Console -> Enable Clock Speed Control = ENABLED and set slider to 300-400% (this is mostly for 60fps, but smooths out 30fps gameplay as well)
• Console -> Read Speedup = 10x (in case your game freezes, try to lower this value)
• Console -> Seek Speedup = Infinite/Instantaneous
• Console -> Preload Image To RAM = ENABLED (loads iso to ram entirely, otherwise emulator will read everything from disk). For faster initial loading time it is recommended to copy game ISO to an SSD drive.
• Graphics -> Widescreen Rendering = DISABLE (widescreen is already included in the patch, with this on, you effectively apply widescreen twice).

Finally, you're ready to launch the game

• Run the patched ISO using the Duckstation emulator.
• You will be greeted with this image:

• Launch client.exe and enter your online name (make sure Windows defender is not blocking the executable, as well as allow internet access if it prompts for the first time you launch it). The console window should look something like this:

If connected successfully, your screen should look like this:

• Select server (EUR, USA, MEX, BRZ, AUS)

• Try to join a room.

  • If you see a checkered flag, it means that the race in this room is in progress, so try another one.

  

  • If the room is available, you'll see a player list instead.
  • And if you're the first to join the room, you become the host, which means you can select the track to race. But first wait for someone to join!

  

Have fun!