Tokyo Xtreme Racer Returns With Shock Announcement

After an 18-year hiatus, Tokyo Xtreme Racer’s shock revival leaves fans buzzing as the Wangan legend returns for intense street racing in a ‘futuristic Tokyo’.

The shock announcement of the new Tokyo Xtreme Racer blew our minds just a few hours ago and then sent shockwaves through the racing and drifting game communities. We totally weren’t expecting this, but we couldn’t be more hyped for it!

Genki Co., Ltd’s legendary Japanese series debuted on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1994 and has been a staple in the racing game community for decades.

The last main title, Tokyo Xtreme Racer 3 for PS2 consoles, was released way back in 2003 and became the biggest hit in the series.

Now, after a crazy 18-year hiatus, Genki is preparing to bring the Wangan racing legend back to life.

Official Release Date & Preview

The game will only be available for PC gamers on Steam with a 2025 release date, with the possibility of console releases if it performs well and the game’s Steam page is already live, allowing eager fans to add it to their wishlists.

There’s also an official website with little information right now, but we imagine it’ll be updated soon.

The teaser PV, released in English and Japanese alongside the announcement, has only fueled the hype, showcasing the series’ iconic locations.

What We Know From The Announcement

While details are still (very) scarce, the announcement has given us an exciting glimpse of what to expect.

The new game in the series will be set in a “blocked-off future Tokyo,” where players will compete to be the fastest on the city’s sprawling highways, whether that means pushing the limits of your cars’ handling or opting to go sideways.

Genki promises to feature “meticulously recreated courses”, with stunning iconic locations like the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower featured in the previews. While the graphics might not be the most mind-blowing we’ve ever seen, they’re certainly a world away from the Sega Dreamcast/Saturn-era, when many of us oldies got our first taste of the series!

The team also states that you get to “drive real cars,” which we can only assume means officially licensed JDM vehicles. While this is great news, we hope it won’t limit the in-game car list too much. We can’t imagine Genki’s budget being too huge right now, but based on the first impressions, we’ve got no doubts that the new TXR will have the potential to turn things around if it lives up to expectations.

There have also been hints of a deep and authentic customization system, hopefully with cars and parts from infamous JDM tuning houses such as HKS and GReddy. However, we’re yet to get official confirmation.

We’re hopeful that the vague Steam description mention of “slip through other cars” suggests the presence of traffic in the game, but that’s also yet to be confirmed. It could simply mean passing other racers and rivals.

Graphics & Performance

Although they look awesome, the graphics aren’t really our main concern as long-time fans of the series. We’ve got enough pretty games, and we’re just thrilled to have Tokyo Xtreme Racer back in any form. If it has incredible physics and plenty to enjoy, that’ll be the real game-changer for us.

With that said, the game still looks stunning. While it might not be on par with the latest AAA racing blockbusters, the leap from the original games is mind-blowing. We’ve gone from the pixelated, low-poly streets of the PlayStation and Sega Saturn era to a hyper-realistic recreation of Tokyo that’ll make any Wangan fan weak in the knees.

From the neon-soaked streets to the iconic skyline. It’ll be like stepping into a whole new world compared to the classics we grew up with. Genki is clearly putting in the work to bring this beloved series into the modern age, and it already shows.

Multiplayer and Other Features

Currently, there’s no information on whether Tokyo Xtreme Racer (2025) will include multiplayer modes.

The Steam page only mentions a single-player experience right now, but there’s always the possibility of updates down the line. However, it’s worth noting that games like Forza Motorsport and Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown have the same description on their Steam pages, yet they both offer multiplayer.

As for other features like VR support, ultrawide monitor compatibility, and steering wheel integration, we’ll have to wait for more details to emerge. Right now, all we know is that there’s full support for Xbox Controllers.

A Throwback To The Wangan Legend

Whether you want to relive the nostalgia of the original, or you’re too young or somehow missed the awesomeness it had to offer, here’s a quick throwback to one of the greatest JDM racing games of all time. Watching this reminds us how excited we are to return to the Metropolitan Expressway!

The announcement of the new Tokyo Xtreme Racer isn’t just exciting for fans of the series; it’s yet another announcement that’s got us even more hyped for what’s yet to come over the next year.

With other highly-anticipated titles like Assetto Corsa EVO, CarX Drift Racing 3, CarX Street, JDM: Japanese Drift Master, and Wreckfest 2 on the horizon, it’s clear that the racing and drifting game genres are thriving right now. What a time to be alive!

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