The racing genre exhibits an unexpected array of variations, encompassing not just intense driving simulations or Formula 1 games, but also titles that don’t involve racing at all.
As a devoted enthusiast, I find myself captivated by the one-of-a-kind thrill that is drifting. Each series brings its own flair to this exhilarating style. Whether we’re seeing a resurgence of drifting is yet to be determined, but with the release of games like “JDM: Japanese Drift Master” in March 2025, it’s an exceptional era to be a fan of drift racing.
If you’re looking for some thrilling racing games that allow drifting, steer clear of the Fast and Furious game. Here are some alternatives to keep you entertained instead.
8. Tokyo Xtreme Racer
A Nostalgic Trip
In 2025, Tokyo Xtreme Racer will make a comeback, much like a resurgent phoenix, retaining the classic features of a PlayStation 2 racing game.
As a dedicated fan of the thrilling racing game, TXR, I find immense joy in chasing down fellow racers and flashing my lights to test their mettle on the track. The game offers a deeply rewarding progression system that keeps me coming back for more, as I strive to unlock new, faster cars and enhancements. Delving into the intricate tuning system adds an extra layer of excitement, allowing me to customize my ride and truly make it mine.
frankly, drifting in TXR is quite challenging, often feeling more like a drag race than a typical street racing experience. However, its distinctive mechanic for competing against opponents gives it a sleek and stylish street racer feel. With the right adjustments, you can certainly drift around the loop effectively. There’s even financial rewards for mastering this skill.
7. Import Tuner Challenge
Good Luck Finding This One
Import Tuner Challenge is an incredible racer by Genki with an eye-watering level of customization.
You can experiment with adjusting your car settings for extended periods of time, and even though there’s a lot to learn, you can discover amazing results by trying different things without any prior knowledge about automobiles.
The gameplay is pretty similar to TXR, which makes sense as it’s made by the same dev team.
Issue with the Import Tuner Challenge is that it’s extremely difficult to locate where to play it. It’s exclusive to Xbox 360 and there’s no PC version available. Unfortunately, it can’t be found on any digital storefront. However, if you have the necessary hardware, it’s a game worth experiencing.
6. CarX Drift Racing Online
A Drift Racing Playground
CarX is a dedicated drifting simulator, backed by vast amounts of user-created content and personalization features.
If you have a passion for customizing vehicles, you’ll find CarX irresistible since it offers endless opportunities to tweak your automobile components. Moreover, I highly recommend utilizing the manual transmission in this game for enhanced control.
In the game CarX, drifting is an exhilarating experience, offering such precision that you can engage in ‘tandem’ drifts with another player synchronously. Each vehicle in the game has a distinct look and feel, and new additions continue to be added to the collection at no cost.
Among all the drift racers mentioned, CarX stands out as my preferred choice for relaxation. It doesn’t offer extensive advancement, giving it a more open-ended feel, almost like a playground enhanced with additional features.
5. Need For Speed: Unbound
The Latest In The Legendary Racing Series
NFS Unbound is a controversial game due to its striking, comic-book style visual effects. Yet, it continues to be a well-regarded street racing game that encourages drifting and offers an indulgently cheesy narrative.
The story told by Unbound is as preposterous as something you might find in an early Fast and Furious film, prior to their transformation into superheroes.
As a gamer, I’ve found that Unbound rewards drifting, giving me a speed boost when I navigate corners sideways. This isn’t exactly a novel idea for this series, but the developers have really mastered the feel of the vehicles, making even expert drifts seem challenging and satisfying.
For years, I’ve had a soft spot for NFS (Need for Speed) car games. If you’re looking for something more along the lines of a classic racing game, give Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered a spin instead!
4. Outrun 2
An Arcade Classic
For our upcoming post, let’s take a trip down memory lane to revisit an old favorite that boasts some excellent console adaptations – a timeless classic!
In essence, Outrun 2 is an exhilarating yet challenging arcade racing game that heavily emphasizes drifting. The sensation of drifting is simply thrilling; all you need to do is tap the brake momentarily and then quickly accelerate while maneuvering a turn to initiate a controlled drift. Each vehicle in the game has its unique characteristics, with beginner cars offering more grip, making drifting optional, whereas advanced vehicles are designed for skilled players who prefer less grip and rely heavily on drifting.
In this game, you have the freedom to choose various paths, and the tougher levels demand exceptional drifting skills through narrow turns, all while dodging traffic. I absolutely love the multiplayer aspect of “Outrun 2”, as the races seem genuinely based on skill rather than catch-up systems, making them fair and exciting.
3. Ridge Racer Type 4
From Strength To Strength
It seems strange not to include Ridge Racer Type 4, which is often hailed as the giant of PlayStation 1 drift racing games, in a drift racing list, doesn’t it?
Type 4 is undoubtedly one of the top-tier racers on the console, boasting exceptional drift mechanics that can be activated momentarily by releasing the throttle. To put it another way, drifting in this game feels incredibly over-the-top, allowing you to maneuver cars around corners sideways with barely any loss of speed!
In subsequent versions of this game, it transformed into a playstyle where not stopping or slowing down becomes the norm, making you feel as if you’re doing something incorrectly if you ever need to apply the brakes. I have fond memories of playing titles like Ridge Racer Type 4, but I must admit that I also hold a special affection for games on Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles.
Avoid getting involved with the shambles known as “Ridge Racer Unbounded“, and you’re guaranteed an enjoyable experience breaking the normal rules of physics.
2. Mario Kart 8
A Nintendo Giant Enters The Race
Mario Kart might appear unconventional at first glance, however, it boasts exceptional drifting capabilities which sets it apart. I think it’s worth highlighting this game as an outstanding choice for those who prefer racing that doesn’t involve streets.
Mario Kart 8 is a highly acclaimed go-kart racing game for the Nintendo Switch, boasting a legendary lineup of drivers and offering a diverse collection of tracks that showcase the franchise’s rich heritage.
Concerning the drifting mechanism, your go-kart performs a slight jump before initiating a drift, enabling you to smoothly navigate tight turns without significantly decreasing your speed, unless another racer unexpectedly obstructs you.
The duration of your drift significantly impacts how much Boost you accumulate, and consistently executing fast drifts in a 200cc class requires a lot of talent and practice. If you’re considering swapping the Wangan for Waluigi’s stadium, this is the perfect spot to make the change.
1. Initial D Street Stage
Move Over, Language Barrier
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Sega Rosso |
| Platform | PSP |
| Release Date | March 2006 |
For me, “Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift” serves as an indulgent delight, while the “Initial D” games offer a chance to reenact thrilling, speed-filled races along winding hillside paths.
Before anyone jumps to conclusions, I agree wholeheartedly that Initial D is indeed an exceptional anime, manga, and racing game. What makes these games stand out is their immersive storylines, with each mission offering the thrill of drifting at high speeds around treacherously tight mountain curves. Additionally, they feature unique challenges, such as racing while a passenger tries to keep a cup of water from spilling.
To triumph, mastery over throttle is crucial as there’s a lot of subtleties involved at advanced levels of gameplay. Fortunately, I reside close to an arcade that hosts an Initial D cabinet, which I thoroughly enjoy using. Yet, for those just starting out, the PSP game I suggested here serves as an exceptional introduction to the series.
If you’re a newcomer, you won’t find another racer quite as unique, and you might find yourself becoming captivated while searching for additional Initial D games.
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2025-03-03 18:10