Arcade racers still worth a download

Racing games on phones went through a rough patch, buried under always-online garages and endless upgrade grinds. But the arcade racer, the kind that's just about the driving, is quietly still here.

Neon Drift Rally reminded us why we loved the genre. Short tracks, exaggerated drifts, and a soundtrack that makes you push harder than you should. It's not simulation, and it doesn't pretend to be.

The best arcade racers nail their controls first. Tilt or touch, it has to feel immediate. A quarter-second of input lag ruins a drift, and once you feel that, no amount of shiny cars fixes it.

For phones, shorter is better. Two-minute tracks you can replay beat sprawling circuits. It's the difference between a quick thrill and a chore, and the good ones understand that.

Keep your expectations right and these games are a blast. They're not deep, but they're not trying to be — they're the arcade cabinet in your pocket.