Drift Hunters vs Drift Hunters MAX – What’s The Difference?

Drift Hunters is a classic. Now, Drift Hunters MAX brings judged leaderboards, AI traffic, mobile play, and cross-platform saving. But is it better?

When it comes to free-to-play online drifting browser games, two titles stand out above the rest – Drift Hunters and Drift Hunters MAX. Both developed by Ilya Kaminetsky, these games have become two of the most popular offerings for drifting fans, mostly thanks to their engaging gameplay and realistic physics.

Following the major update to Drift Hunters MAX at the end of 2024, fans wonder how MAX now compares to the O.G. Drift Hunters game. With more features than ever before, MAX has set a new standard for the series. Is there really any more to MAX than just a fancy name on the end? That’s what we’re here to explain!

In this article, we’ll break down each aspect and explore the main differences between the two games. We aim to help you decide which one best suits your personal sideways preferences. Whether you’re a veteran drift gamer or new to the scene, we’ll answer all the popular questions on Drift Hunters and Drift Hunters MAX.

By the end of this comparison, you’ll (hopefully!) understand which game will be the better pick for you. You can skip to a specific section below or continue reading to compare all the features.

Let’s kick off with one of the most significant differences between the two games – the variety of gameplay modes on offer.

Gameplay Modes

Drift Hunters keeps it old-school, only offering a classic Freestyle mode, where you can pick your ride and track and practice your sideways skills without specific goals or time limits. It’s perfect for those who just want to enjoy some laid-back tire-shredding action.

You simply hit ‘RACE’ on the main menu, choose a track, and you’re ready to get sliding. For some tips on how to become the best drifter in the game, make sure you check out our How To Drift In Drift Hunters guide.

However, if you’re looking for a little more from the experience, Drift Hunters MAX takes things to the next level with THREE game modes:

Freestyle

Just like in the original game, this mode is all about open-ended drifting practice. It’s great for perfecting your drifting skills and trying different car and track combos.

Drift Attack

Once you’ve refined your skills in the game, Drift Attack is the ultimate opportunity to prove your abilities against the best Drift Hunters MAX players out there. This never-seen-before browser game mode throws you into a series of intense, scored runs that will push your talent to the max.

When you enter Drift Attack, you’ll be given a choice of three track configs to tackle. Don’t like what you see? No problem! Just hit the ‘REFRESH EVENTS’ button in the top right corner to generate a new set of challenges.

Once you’ve chosen the ideal layout, it’s time to put your skills to the test. Each Drift Attack config features a series of clipping points and unforgiving AI judges that monitor your run. You’ll need to maintain the perfect angle and speed through each sector to rack up points and earn those coveted three-star ratings.

If that’s not challenging enough, the clock is ticking. Each checkpoint has a strict time limit, and if you’re too slow, you’ll get timed out.

Also, a major point deduction awaits if you miss a clipping zone or if you don’t have enough drifting angle. You’ll know this has happened when the zone turns red (not enough angle) or green (perfect!).

At the end of each run, you’ll receive an overall score based on your performance. One star? Keep practicing. Two stars? Getting there. Three stars? Now you’re drifting like a pro! At this point, you might be ready to start proving your worth on the leaderboards.

Master the art of Drift Attack, and you’ll not only earn bragging rights but also unlock the quickest way to earn in-game currency. Trust us – once you experience nailing a perfect run, you’ll be hooked!

The best part? Before the latest update, Drift Attack used to be a premium feature. Now, it’s available to anyone with a free Drifted account, alongside all the other previously premium features in MAX!

Open World

This brand-new mode for 2024 gives you an open-world free-roam experience for the first time in the Drift Hunters Series! Weave through AI-controlled traffic as you drift your way around a lively city. It’s a whole new way to experience the game – we believe it’s the best yet!

No matter what kind of drifter you are, there’s a mode for everyone in Drift Hunters MAX. With its expanded gameplay options, it’s clear that MAX takes the lead regarding variety.

Graphics & Visuals

Let’s be real – if you’re looking for the same mind-blowing graphics you’d find in modern games like Assetto Corsa EVO on a top-spec gaming PC, you might be a little disappointed. But hey, we’re talking about free browser games here!

You don’t need to download anything, and you can play either game just about anywhere, anytime. Given this, both Drift Hunters and Drift Hunters MAX deliver some pretty damn impressive visuals.

Drift Hunters (above) utilizes the Unity engine to provide excellent 3D graphics. While they won’t make your jaw drop, they get the job done and are well-optimized even on less powerful devices.

Drift Hunters MAX once again takes the graphics to a whole new level compared to the original (as seen with a similar car/track combo above.) The attention to detail is impressive, from the car models to the track environments.

When you crank up the settings to ‘HIGH’ (which you can do under ‘SETTINGS’ in the main menu), you’ll be treated to some seriously stunning visuals for a browser game.

However, it’s worth noting that Drift Hunters MAX’s improved graphics may come at a cost. If you’re running the game on an older or lower-end device, you might experience some performance hiccups.

That said, if you’ve got a relatively modern setup, even a mobile device or a Chromebook, you should be able to enjoy the game’s eye candy without issues.

If it’s not running smoothly, you can also try heading to ‘OPTIONS’ from the in-game menu and selecting either ‘MEDIUM’ or ‘LOW’ graphics settings.

For the exact MAX system requirements, check out the ‘Performance & System Requirements’ section at the end of the article.

In summary, while neither game will make you forget about the latest triple-A titles, they both offer solid visuals for browser-based experiences that you can easily enjoy at home, school, or work. Regarding graphics, Drift Hunters MAX undisputably takes the lead over the original.

Physics

Many gamers believe that in drifting games, physics are everything, and both Drift Hunters and Drift Hunters MAX have earned plenty of praise in this regard. As free browser games, that is. Don’t worry – we’re not claiming they’re going up against Assetto Corsa!

As you probably guessed, there are some differences between the two games.

Drifted worked with Ilya Kaminetsky, the original Drift Hunters developer, to design Drift Hunters MAX’s physics based on feedback from the Drifted community. The goal was to create a handling model that best suited the preferences of the majority of OG Drift Hunters fans.

For the most part, it seems to have worked, with many stating that they love how the cars handle in Drift Hunters MAX. As always, you can’t please everyone, though.

Let’s face it – physics will always come down to personal taste, and some players still prefer the simpler, old-school vibes of the original Drift Hunters. The cars in that game have a raw, unfiltered feel that can be really satisfying once you get the hang of it.

Drift Hunters is a little trickier to get the hang of, and some fans feel that the physics are more similar to a sim drifting game. On the other hand, Drift Hunters MAX brings an easier-to-get-the-hang-of arcade-style approach, but it’s still not boringly easy, especially with the challenging new game modes.

Thankfully, this makes it much easier to get the hang of both games than the likes of more hardcore realistic drifting games like Assetto Corsa or CarX Drift Racing 3. If anything, we’d say Drift Hunters MAX is more like Forza Horizon 5.

So, which Drift Hunters game has the better physics? Honestly, there’s no clear winner. It depends on what you’re looking for in a drifting game, and we recommend trying both.

If you want a more modern, refined handling model, Drift Hunters MAX is likely to be your best bet. But if you’re after a more classic, stripped-down drifting experience, the original Drift Hunters might be the better choice.

Cars & Tuning

As for the cars you can drive and how you can upgrade and tune them, both Drift Hunters and Drift Hunters MAX offer plenty of options to keep you busy.

The original Drift Hunters features a solid selection of 26 cars, focusing on popular JDM models like the Toyota AE86, Nissan Silvia, and Mazda RX-7. A few European alternatives are also thrown in for good measure, like the BMW M3.

Once you’ve picked your ride, you can customize it with various paint colors, rims, and performance and tuning upgrades. It’s a fun way to make your car stand out from the crowd, and with the handling changes on offer, you can adjust it to suit your driving style. Check out this article if you want more info on tuning in Drift Hunters.

However, if you’re looking for even more variety, Drift Hunters MAX is the clear winner. This game boasts an expanded roster of 39 cars, including some awesome, rarer drift cars like the Lamborghini Huracan STO and Ferrari F40.

We listened to the community feedback before choosing the cars in the game, rolling out more with each update. At this point, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a JDM fan or a sucker for exotic supercars.

If that wasn’t enough, MAX also includes two exclusive cars initially only available to premium members – the Toyota GR Yaris and Mazda RX-7 FD3S. But now, thanks to the latest update, all registered users can unlock these rides. Pretty sweet, huh?

In the tuning department, both games offer a decent amount of options. However, Drift Hunters MAX edges the Classic game with a slightly more in-depth tuning system that lets you make more adjustments, like tweaking the wheel size.

For both games, you’ll need to use in-game currency to buy performance upgrades. But don’t worry – features like suspension changes, braking adjustments, and aftermarket wheels are totally free. So you can still fine-tune your ride without breaking the bank (or, in this case, your in-game wallet!).

Overall, both games deliver when it comes to cars and customization. But if you’re after the most extensive selection and deepest tuning options, Drift Hunters MAX takes the win once again.

Tracks & Environments

Both Drift Hunters and Drift Hunters MAX offer a variety of tracks and environments to keep you sideways for days. But for sheer quantity and diversity, MAX once again takes the lead.

The original Drift Hunters features 10 tracks, ranging from tight and technical circuits to twisty touge roads and urban environments. It’s a solid selection that provides a good mix of challenges for drifters of all skill levels.

• Nishuri
• Stadium
• Tyshen
• Docks
• Dust
• Port
• Emashi
• Touge
• Forest
• City

However, Drift Hunters MAX cranks things up a notch with a total of 13 tracks. Some of these are reworked and visually enhanced versions of tracks from the original game, while others are brand-new additions.

• Ocean City (Playground)
• New Zealand (Racetrack)
• Countryside (Playground)
• Akagi (Touge)
• Ohio (Racetrack)
• Fog Mountain (Touge)
• Icefield (Racetrack)
• Fukushima Hills (Touge)
• Nevada (Playground)
• Karting Loop (Racetrack)
• Container Yard (Racetrack)
• Barcelona (Racetrack)
• Waterfront (Playground)

But the real game-changer in MAX is the new Open World mode. This drops you into a dynamic city with AI traffic, allowing for a true free-roam drifting experience. It’s a feature that sets MAX apart from its predecessor and adds a ton of replayability to the game.

Don’t forget – MAX also includes the Drift Attack mode if you want a real challenge. This takes specific segments of each track and tasks you with completing drifting challenges that include clipping points, AI judging, and time limits. It’s a great way to test your skills and compete against other players on the leaderboards.

So, while the original Drift Hunters offers a respectable selection of tracks, once again, Drift Hunters MAX surpasses the Classic game with more tracks, enhanced visuals, and the awesome Open World mode. Given this, MAX is the clear choice if you’re after the most diverse and exciting drifting environments.

Mobile Optimization & Cross-Platform Play

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s understandable that drift fans want the freedom to play their favorite titles wherever they are. Both Drift Hunters and Drift Hunters MAX offer mobile versions of their games, but the similarities end there.

The original Drift Hunters is playable on desktop browsers and has mobile versions available on the App Store and Google Play Store. However, there’s a catch – there’s no cross-platform progress syncing between the desktop and mobile versions. This means that if you’re playing on your PC and then switch to your phone, you’ll be starting from scratch. You might as well be playing two entirely different games.

On the other hand, the Drift Hunters MAX hosted at Drifted is the only browser version fully optimized for mobile devices, offering a seamless experience on phones and tablets. The game’s on-screen controls and interface have been designed to work perfectly on touchscreens, so you can enjoy the same high-quality experience no matter where you are.

But what really sets MAX apart is its cross-platform progress syncing. When you’re logged in to your Drifted account, you can easily switch between your mobile device and PC without losing any of your hard-earned progress. Your garage, upgrades, and achievements are all stored safely in the cloud, so you can pick up right where you left off, no matter which device you’re using.

This convenience and flexibility is a game-changer for players who want to drift whenever, wherever. With Drift Hunters MAX, you can sneak in a few laps during your lunch break at work, then come home and continue your progress on your gaming PC.

So, while both games offer mobile versions, Drift Hunters MAX takes the lead with its superior optimization and cross-platform progress syncing. MAX again emerges as the clear choice if you want to drift whenever and wherever you want.

Community & Updates

It will come as a pleasant surprise to fans of Drift Hunters that the Drifted team is currently collaborating with the Drift Hunters developer to deliver a new update for the classic game.

While we’re yet to drop any official updates, you’re the first to know in this article, and we’re keen to ensure that the OG Drift Hunters isn’t forgotten about, with plenty more info to come shortly.

For now, Drift Hunters MAX is where the real action is happening. The game is actively developed and still gets regular improvements, as demonstrated by the massive 2024 update, which introduced mobile support and Open World mode and made the previously premium features, such as Drift Attack mode, free for all players.

What sets MAX apart is the level of community engagement from the Drifted team and the game developer. We actively listen to player feedback and take thoughts, criticism, and feedback into consideration when planning future updates. This means the game constantly evolves to match the community’s expectations.

So, while the original Drift Hunters is getting some much-needed love, Drift Hunters MAX wins regarding community engagement and regular updates.

If you want to be part of the Drift Hunters community, you can join the Drifted Discord to help shape future updates to both games.

Performance & System Requirements

Drift Hunters and Drift Hunters MAX are designed to run smoothly in web browsers; no downloads are required. Thankfully, you don’t need a multi-thousand-dollar super high-end gaming PC to enjoy some sideways action here, either!

However, it’s worth noting that Drift Hunters MAX, with its enhanced graphics and features, does require slightly more powerful hardware to run at optimal settings. This is especially true if you want to crank up the visual settings and experience the game in all its glory.

For the original Drift Hunters, the system requirements are lower in comparison. As long as you have a relatively modern computer or mobile device, you should be able to run the game without any issues. This makes it a perfect option for casual players or those with older hardware.

On the other hand, Drift Hunters MAX may struggle on older or less powerful devices, particularly if you’re trying to run the game at high settings. The enhanced graphics and physics engine require a bit more processing power and memory to run smoothly.

That being said, we’ve recently worked with the developer to optimize Drift Hunters MAX to run on a wide range of devices. Even if you don’t have the latest and greatest hardware, you can still enjoy the game by adjusting the graphics settings to find the right balance.

So, while both games are designed to be accessible to a wide audience, Drift Hunters MAX does have slightly higher system requirements. It’s the price you pay for the game’s enhanced features and graphics. But with a little tweaking, most players should be able to find a setup that works for them and their hardware.

This will likely make Drift Hunters a winner for those on older-spec devices and MAX a winner for any reasonable-spec modern devices.

If you’re unsure whether your game will run DH: MAX, here are the specific system requirements:

Minimum Drift Hunters MAX system requirements

CPU Speed: 1.6 GHz

RAM: 4 GB

Operating System: 64-bit (x64) Windows 8, or Windows 10

Video Card: Graphics card with DX10 (Shader Model 4.0) capabilities and a minimum of 2 GB of graphics memory

Recommended Drift Hunters MAX system requirements

CPU Speed: 2.0 GHz

RAM: 8 GB

Operating System: 64-bit (x64) Windows 10, or Windows 11

Video Card: Graphics card with DX10 (Shader Model 4.0) capabilities and a minimum of 3 GB of graphics memory

If you’re struggling to play the latest MAX version, we still have the previous games, Drift Hunters MAX V1 (the original) and Drift Hunters MAX V2 (the first update), which may work better on your device.

Conclusion – MAX Takes the Crown, But The Classic Has Its Charms

When choosing whether Drift Hunters or Drift Hunters MAX is best, it’s clear that MAX is the superior game in almost every way. It builds upon the solid foundations of the original, adding a huge variety of new features and improvements that take the experience to the next level.

With expanded game modes like the challenging Drift Attack and the immersive Open World, a wider selection of cars, improved graphics, refined tracks, and a more detailed car tuning system, Drift Hunters MAX offers a deeper and more engaging experience.

Perhaps most crucially, MAX fully embraces mobile gaming with its optimized performance and cross-platform progression syncing. This means you can drift whenever and wherever you want without losing any of your hard-earned progress.

However, that doesn’t mean the original Drift Hunters isn’t worth a try. The OG Classic remains an excellent choice for players on devices that struggle to run MAX even on lower settings. Its more straightforward approach to gameplay and physics also appeals to some players.

While it may lack MAX’s newer features and refinements, Drift Hunters retains its appeal as an easy-to-pick-up free browser drifting game, often making it a top pick for those after a quick fix of tire-shredding action without the extra game modes.

Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to your preferences and your device’s capabilities. If you have a reasonably modern setup and crave the deepest, most feature-rich drifting experience around, we feel Drift Hunters MAX is the clear winner.

However, if you’re on older hardware or just want a simpler, more streamlined game, the original Drift Hunters is still well worth your time.

Whichever game you choose, one thing is certain – you’re in for a wild ride filled with plenty of free, fun sideways action alongside plenty of cars and tuning options. Either way, you can’t really go wrong!

What’s Coming Next For The Drift Hunters Series?

Players of both games will be delighted to hear many exciting updates are planned for Drift Hunters and Drift Hunters MAX in the near future.

Drift Hunters’ much-needed update for 2025 will bring modern features to the old-school title. However, the main focus will be some HUGE changes for Drift Hunters MAX as we continue to take free online browser gaming to the next level.

The leaderboard battles are already getting pretty intense… But, imagine if you could settle the score in real-time… Just saying!

Stay tuned – we’ll keep you updated on these exciting new features. In the meantime, we recommend checking out what the popular gaming YouTuber Hazardous recommends for more free browser-based drifting action.

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