Neon Drift Rally

Neon Drift Rally knows exactly what it is: an arcade racer you steer by tilting the phone while tapping to drift around corners. There's no simulation pretense, just speed, neon walls and a soundtrack that gets your thumbs moving. The drift timing is generous enough that beginners won't bounce off it, but nailing a long chained drift still feels earned.

The track roster is bigger than we expected, with a steady drip of new circuits as you climb the rankings. We especially liked the night tracks where the road genuinely lights up under you. Car handling differs enough between vehicles that experimenting pays off, and the upgrade screen never pushes you too hard.

If we had a complaint, it's that the AI opponents get a little rubber-bandy on the harder cups. But in short bursts this is one of the most satisfying racers we've had on a phone this year.

What we liked

• Tilt steering that actually feels precise
• Great sense of speed on night tracks
• Generous drift timing for newcomers