Exciting Return of a Cult Classic: Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2025
Oh boy!
Where do I even begin?
First of all, I did NOT have early access, nor any of the amazing images that many of these early release report writers received. I am also NOT a video game critic. Hell, I am not even a gamer really, not for a long time at least, and that’s where this gets interesting. Back when I was growing up and WAS into video games, I was particularly into Gran Turismo and of course, the original Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero titles, such as the PlayStation 2 version from the turn of the millennium. I immediately became interested when I learned that this reboot was underway.
Though there are still some glitches to be fixed and the game is not completely released, I believe Genki was smart to create some buzz and get early adopters out so that more casual gamers get interested by the time the entire game releases.
Pure nostalgia, that’s how I would describe this new Tokyo Xtreme Racer game for me. Mixed in with the VERY Japanese kind of narrative and story accompanying a racing game like this, even with limitations and the VERY slow start, which the classic versions had as well. For many of my friends from the 1990s, the originals were such a unique idea, and many of us did not know highway racing like this existed growing up in the States.
Early on, this game, alongside Wangan Midnight, Initial D, and other Japanese racing games, significantly sparked my interest in cars, motorsports, and racing; I imagine the same may be true for you too.
While the graphics are noticeably better, as you would expect for a newer game, the user interface requires some getting used to; however, the gameplay itself is very familiar!
The simplicity is part of the appeal; you can load your saved game, select your entry point, and then flash your lights to challenge another car, and off you go! Like previous games, the health bars are lowered depending on impacts and distances; they remind me of fighting games and reflect the immediate burst of excitement each race offers without much time or build-up required to “get into it.” For someone older, with a family, and not a serious gamer, the opportunity to play and enjoy in little blocks of time, usually just 15 to 30 minutes, makes it really fun.
Besides, who doesn’t love a quick blast over 300 KPH!
Interestingly, while playing this new version of the game, I discovered how much my taste has changed about modifying these kinds of vehicles. As a young person in the early 2000s, I naturally got the insane aero and body kits, wild wheels, neon underglow, and bright color paint jobs. Just a budding car enthusiast, influenced by racing anime and JDM options videos at the time, it was one of the only outlets available to experience something like this back then.
Now, with these JDM legends, I found myself embracing tasteful parts like BBS LMs or Volk TE37s. For instance, take my R34 GTR pictured below; I lowered it a little, gave it an aggressive offset with the OG bronze Volk TE37s on an otherwise stock-looking R34 GTR V-Spec II, then changed the color tables to get near the rare factory Millennium Jade color. I also value your ability to modify the brakes cosmetically, to which I have recreated the large, burnt orange hue of the 6 and 4 piston R35 GTR Brembo brakes typically used in Nismo as part of their several spec packages.
By far, I have played Tokyo Xtreme Racer over the past week more than any other game I played in the past ten years or more. After work, I am eager to get home and play the game even though I have already beaten the early release storyline. This is a happiness and sensation I have not felt in a very long time from a video game!
Even though some racers are still outlandishly quick, most of the more difficult racers can be overcome with patience and persistence (I am looking at you, Melancholic Angel, with your 450ps RX-8); some of the bosses are just so much faster beyond anything the game offers at this stage, but it is just so simple and addictive, I keep playing it still!
If you haven’t, you ought to check this game out!
www.tokyoxtremeracer-us.genki.co.jp
