Mini Review: Tokyo Xtreme Racer (PS5) – Unapologetically Old School for Better and Worse

by

If you find modern racing games too complex or cluttered, Tokyo Xtreme Racer offers a refreshing return to more straightforward gameplay.

Honestly, playing Tokyo Xtreme Racer feels like stepping back in time – and I mean that in the best way possible! It’s got this incredibly nostalgic vibe, like the developers, Genki, were stuck in 2007 and just recently started working again. It’s just overflowing with old-school energy.

This arcade-style racing game is set exclusively on Tokyo’s Shuto Expressway, always at night. After getting your car, you can drive around looking for opponents and challenge them to a race by flashing your headlights.

Instead of simply crossing the finish line first, you win this racing game by damaging your opponent until their health runs out.

The car handles beautifully and is simple to drive. However, you’ll need to brake before turns, or learn to drift – which can be tricky to get right.

This racing game is incredibly fast-paced and exciting. You’ll be speeding down long stretches of highway, weaving through traffic and obstacles as you try to win. It’s a unique experience – it feels both realistic and thrilling at the same time.

Okay, so the whole game pretty much revolves around going back and forth between races on the streets and my garage. That’s where I get to tweak and customize my cars, buy new ones, unlock cool perks, and just generally make everything better. It’s a really simple setup, honestly, but I kinda like that. You just keep unlocking faster cars and taking on harder opponents until you become a racing legend. It’s a good loop!

Okay, so it’s definitely a grind, especially when you first start playing. It takes a while to earn enough money and actually feel like you’re getting somewhere. Once you start winning more per game and unlock a bunch of upgrades, it gets way better, but be warned, that initial climb can take a bit of time.

A lot of the dialogue adds to the game’s intentionally nostalgic, slightly cheesy feel, but doesn’t really move the story forward or enhance the gameplay. It contributes to the game’s deliberately slow pace.

If you enjoy repetitive tasks, the game’s progression won’t bother you, but it can feel a little monotonous. You’ll be driving the same roads repeatedly without much variation, and while you do unlock new routes, they don’t really stand out from each other.

Honestly, when you’re actually racing, it’s super exciting and fast-paced. The game just feels really polished and slick – it reminds me a lot of Gran Turismo, especially how smoothly everything looks and runs. It’s a great experience!

Tokyo Xtreme Racer has a lot going for it. Although it’s not perfect and won’t appeal to all players, it’s memorable because of its classic, no-frills style.

Read More

2026-02-26 20:07