Item: A Car That Turns
Rating: 95
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

95/100

A Car That Turns is a rare gem in the hyper-saturated mobile racing genre. Created by the developer of 'A Dark Room,' it eschews the flashy loot boxes and microtransactions of modern mobile gaming for something much more meaningful: pure, skill-based mastery. The premise is simple—drift down mountain passes inspired by Japanese touge culture—but the execution is incredibly deep. The physics of the drift are nuanced; it’s not just about turning, it’s about weight transfer and timing.

The game feels like a digital 'zen garden.' There are no ads to break your concentration, just you and the road. Reaching a state of 'flow' while nailng a perfect drift on Akina Pass is immensely rewarding. It’s a love letter to Initial D and the art of driving. It’s a paid app, but for the price of a coffee, you get a polished, infinite experience that respects your time and rewards your dedication. Truly, this is mobile gaming at its finest.

Reviewed on: Tue Feb 11 2025

Dinsun Review

I have a soft spot for games that know exactly what they are and don't try to be anything else. 'A Car That Turns' has a name that sounds like a joke, but the gameplay is surprisingly tight. It’s a pure test of reflex and focus. No story, no fluff, just you and a road that wants to kill you.

It’s reminiscent of the old school Atari era where a single button was all you needed to have a good time. The visual style is crisp and helps with the readability of the road, which is vital when things speed up. It’s not going to keep you engaged for hours, but it’s the perfect 'five-minute game' for a commute. It’s a bit thin on content, but for what it is, it’s well-executed and honest. It’s refreshing to see a game that doesn't try to be a 'service.'

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Ultra-simple, addictive controls
Clean, stylish minimalist visuals
Instant restart for 'one more go' gameplay

Extremely limited scope
Can become repetitive quickly
No real sense of progression other than high scores

Technical Report

Performance: Flawless performance; perfectly suited for high-refresh screens.

Accessibility:

One-button control
High contrast visuals

Audience Fit

Buy if: You miss the simplicity of classic arcade games and want a pure reflex challenge.

Skip if: You need a goal, a story, or more than one button to press.

Similar Games:

Pako Forever
Drift Rider
Crossy Road (rhythm)

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun
Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
Playtime: 4 hours
Status: Top 10% on Global Leaderboard

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

1604282227

$1.99 4+★5 13 reviews

Author : Amirali Rajan

Pubish Date : Sun May 29 2022

Last Update Date : Tue Dec 03 2024

Support Languages : English

Genres :

Version 24.6Tue Dec 03 2024

Performance improvements.
A Car That Turns attempts to capture the idea of mastery.
The controls are simple: turn left, turn right, and drift.
Don't let this simplicity fool you. The car's nuances during a drift will put your will and determination to the test. Sticking to it is worth the effort (getting that perfect drift feels so damn good).
Reach a state of flow as you try to beat your best times on Akina, Usui, Myogi, and Iro Hazaka Pass.
Built by an Indie with love. No ads, no data collection, no IAPs, just game.
Requires iOS 11.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Reach a state of zen as you drift down Akina and other mountain passes. No ads, no IAP, no data collection. Made by an indie with love.
A Car That Turns attempts to capture the idea of mastery.
The controls are simple: turn left, turn right, and drift.
Don't let this simplicity fool you. The car's nuances during a drift will put your will and determination to the test. Sticking to it is worth the effort (getting that perfect drift feels so damn good).
Reach a state of flow as you try to beat your best times on Akina, Usui, Myogi, and Iro Hazaka Pass.
Built by an Indie with love. No ads, no data collection, no IAPs, just game.

Ratings & Reviews

5 out of 5 with 13 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 4+

A Car That Turns attempts to capture the idea of mastery. The controls are simple: turn left, turn right, and drift. However, don't let the simplicity fool you. The car's nuances during a drift will put your will and determination to the test. Built by an indie developer with love, the game features zero ads or data collection. Reach a state of flow as you try to beat your best times on Akina, Usui, Myogi, and Iro Hazaka Pass.

Features

Zero ads or in-app purchases

Deep, physics-based drifting

Minimalist and polished presentation

Inspired by real-world mountain passes

Tips

Finding the Flow

Focus on the timing of your entry into the corner. Tap and hold to initiate the drift, then feather the controls to maintain your line without hitting the walls.

Gameplays

Unlockable Difficulty

As you improve your times, you unlock new modes that add difficulty. This provides a natural progression curve that rewards skill rather than spending money.