Dinsun Review
Top-down racers are a lost art. Thrash Rally isn't the best of them—Micro Machines still holds that crown for me—but it’s solid. The sense of sliding around a corner on a gravel track is captured well, and the sound design has that crunchy 16-bit charm. It’s a very 'early' Neo Geo game, so don't expect the visual pyrotechnics of later titles.
The difficulty is steep. You have to memorize the tracks because the camera is zoomed in so tight you can't see what's coming until it's hitting your bumper. It’s frustrating, but it’s that specific kind of 90s frustration that makes you want to beat it just to prove a point. It’s okay, but unless you have nostalgia for this specific cabinet, it might feel a bit primitive.
Overall Stats
Pros & Cons
- Distinct terrain handling
- Fun 'oddity' vehicle mode
- Quick, punchy races
- Restricted field of view
- High difficulty spikes
- Visuals are quite dated even for retro
Technical Report
Performance: Perfect emulation.
- Save states
- Control mapping
Audience Fit
Buy if: You enjoy top-down racers and want a challenging, authentic rally experience.
Skip if: You want modern 3D racing or a camera that actually lets you see the track.
- Neo Drift Out
- Micro Machines
Reviewer Context
- Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old conservative expert reviewer
- Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
- Playtime: 3 hours
- Status: Completed World Championship
