The article was written by Elie fattal.
There’s something undeniably charming about arcade style racing games. For many of us, they evoke memories of crowded arcades, the scent of popcorn, and the thrill of trying to beat our friends’ high scores. Rally Arcade Classics, developed by NETK2GAMES, attempts to capture that spirit and bring it to modern platforms like PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch (with an Xbox version on the horizon). As someone who grew up playing MotorStorm on PlayStation 3 and has a soft spot for racing games that prioritize fun over realism, I was eager to see if this indie title could scratch that itch in today’s gaming landscape.
Game Modes: Variety Without Depth
Rally Arcade Classics offers a surprising amount of game modes, especially for a small indie title. The License mode serves as your introduction, forcing you to complete a series of short races before unlocking anything else. It’s a classic “progression gate,” but it feels more tedious than rewarding, especially since you need to finish in the top three to proceed. The Tour mode spices things up with different challenges: time attack, versus, drifting, and standard races. but the catch up mechanic, where you start at the back and have to overtake the AI, feels artificial and frustrating rather than exciting.
Rally mode is where the game’s namesake comes into play, featuring four real world locations with three difficulty levels. Unlocking harder challenges requires accumulating stars, which is where the grind starts to rear its head. Events mode offers weekly and monthly challenges with global leaderboards, injecting a hint of online competition, but it’s a far cry from true multiplayer. The Arcade mode throws you into races against 14 opponents across a handful of tracks, while Chrono mode lets you experiment with every car and track combination from the start arguably the most enjoyable way to experience the game.
Gameplay Experience: Simplicity at a Cost
The core gameplay is as straightforward as it gets. You have three car types to choose from: front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, and all wheel drive, each with distinct handling. Starting with FWD vehicles, you gradually unlock more options as you earn credits and stars. The variety of camera angles is appreciated, though the lack of a mini map or the ability to look around is a notable omission.
Racing is quick and snappy, but the experience quickly becomes repetitive. The cartoonish graphics are underwhelming, even for an indie title, and the constant voice prompts warning you about upcoming turns are more annoying than helpful (thankfully, they can be muted). The game runs at a smooth 60fps, but the handling feels sluggish and unresponsive, which is disappointing given the PlayStation 5’s power. A 120hz mode could have made a big difference here, but it’s absent.
Sound and Presentation: Functional, Not Memorable
The audio design is nothing to write home about. There are no licensed tracks just a handful of catchy, forgettable tunes that neither detract from nor enhance the experience. This is understandable for a budget indie game, but it does little to elevate the atmosphere. The overall presentation feels like a mobile game ported to console, with menus and UI that lack polish.
Personal Experience and Opinion
As someone who loves the pick up and play nature of arcade racers, I wanted to like Rally Arcade Classics. There’s a certain appeal in its simplicity, especially if you’re looking for a game that doesn’t require hours of practice or deep customization. However, the repetitive gameplay, underwhelming graphics, and clunky controls make it hard to recommend at full price. The grind required to unlock new modes and cars feels excessive, and the lack of true online multiplayer or couch co-op is a missed opportunity.
That said, if you’re craving a no frills racing game that doesn’t demand much from the player, Rally Arcade Classics might be worth a look especially on sale. But for $20, there are better options out there, even among free mobile games. The game’s redeeming qualities its variety of modes and easy learning curve are overshadowed by its flaws.
Final Verdict
Rally Arcade Classics is a game that tries to capture the spirit of classic arcade racers but falls short in execution. While it offers a decent number of modes and challenges, the repetitive gameplay, poor handling, and lack of depth make it hard to justify its price tag. If you’re a die hard fan of the genre and don’t mind some grinding, you might find some enjoyment here. But for most players, it’s best to wait for a sale or look elsewhere for your racing fix.
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