Developer – Pixel Perfect Dude

Publisher – Pixel Perfect Dude

Platforms – Xbox Series S|X,Xbox One,Nintendo Switch,PS4/PS5, PC (reviewed)

Review copy given by Developer

Rally racing, to me, stands out as one of the most intense and thrilling forms of motorsport. The sheer skill required for drivers to maintain control of their cars at breakneck speeds on narrow, ever-changing surfaces is astonishing. Rally drivers have to master everything from gravel to snow, often with little margin for error. The 90s era of rally racing was particularly wild, a period marked by death-defying stages and blisteringly fast cars that pushed the limits of what was possible. Watching a rally event during that time was nothing short of exhilarating; the drivers’ precision and bravery left you in awe, constantly on the edge of your seat.

So, when I first came across #Drive Rally, it instantly grabbed my attention. The game’s art style and the concept of an arcade-based rally racing experience were an immediate draw.

During my first experience with the game’s physics, I found myself struggling to stay consistent, often feeling frustrated as I couldn’t put down a solid time. Each lap felt like a challenge, and it seemed like I was constantly battling to maintain control. However, as I continued to practice and familiarize myself with the handling, I began to improve. My laps became smoother, and I found myself getting faster with each attempt.

Don’t let those initial struggles discourage you—once you master the mechanics and learn to control your vehicle, the payoff is immense. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of nailing a perfect handbrake turn right after barreling through a flat-out section, especially on tricky surfaces like snow. When you finally pull it off, the sense of accomplishment is incredibly rewarding, making all the practice worth it.

There are multiple stages to conquer across three distinct locations: Dry Crumbs, with its bright, sandy hills; Whispering Woods, a hilly forest terrain; and Revontuli, a snowy wonderland. Plans are already in place to introduce a fourth location, expanding the variety of environments and challenges even further.

Currently, there are 12 vehicles available to help you on your quest to become the rally champion, each coming in three versions with different performance upgrades and kits. These vehicles also offer unique customization options that can be unlocked by progressing through the championship mode. The cars themselves are inspired by legendary rally icons from the 80s and 90s, such as the Lancia Delta, Audi Quattro, and many more.

The customization mainly focuses on altering the look of your vehicles with different bumpers, hoods, wheels, and liveries to give your ride some flair. The vehicle sounds are impressively done and do a fantastic job of keeping you hyped, especially when you’re maxing out the rev limiter, tearing down a long, sweeping dirt path, weaving between trees, and dodging cones. As I mentioned earlier, the physics can be a bit tricky to get the hang of in the first 30 minutes, but they stay true to the arcade feel. It reminds me a lot of Sega Rally—the two games share a similar vibe, especially in terms of core concept and physics, though this one has a more modern touch.

You can easily sink hours into shaving seconds off your time, constantly chasing the leaderboards and fighting for those coveted top spots. The thrill of beating your personal best becomes addictive as you keep pushing for a faster, cleaner run. But what’s rally racing if you’re doing it all by yourself? Luckily, you’ve got a unique Co-Driver by your side, tailored to each racing location. They’re there to guide you through every twist and turn, calling out directions so you can stay focused on driving instead of constantly worrying about what’s ahead. The real question is: do you trust your co-pilot? Their guidance is crucial, and relying on them can be the difference between setting a new record or crashing out.

One feature I always love using in any game that offers it is Photo Mode. In #Drive Rally, it’s simple and straightforward, making it incredibly easy for anyone to capture stunning shots of both the landscapes and the vehicles. The game itself is visually gorgeous, with an art style that adds a unique charm—it strikes a nice balance between cartoonish and semi-realistic, which really complements the arcade racing vibe. Running on ultra settings, the game performed flawlessly for me at well over 150fps on a 1440p monitor, with no performance issues or frame drops.

I’m a huge fan of the visuals, the concept, the sound design, and the overall replayability, which makes this game an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a fun, arcade-style racing experience. My only hope is that one day we’ll get an online mode, which would truly elevate #Drive Rally to the next level, turning it into the ultimate rally-based arcade game.

In conclusion, #Drive Rally puts you right in the driver’s seat, giving you a taste of what it was like to be a rally driver in the 90s, racing across some of the most challenging terrains imaginable. The game is all about speed and precision, as you navigate your rally car up and down twisting roads and rough paths while maintaining complete control. #Drive Rally captures the essence of 90s-era rally racing in a compact yet powerful experience. The question is: do you have what it takes to become a rally legend?