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Dirt Showdown

There's just a wealth of content in this latest title.  From split-screen multiplayer to joyride modes, there's plenty of things to do and see in DiRT Showdown that aren't just rehashed content from DiRT 3.
Dirt Showdown Game Cover
76%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
story, stability
76% User Score Based on 583 reviews
Critic Score 76%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

Playstation 3LinuxXbox 360PCCloudMac OSNVIDIA GeForce NOWWindowsPlayStation
Buy Nowfrom $1.82
Dirt Showdown Game Cover

About

Dirt Showdown is a multiplayer arcade racing game. It was developed by Codemasters Southam and was released on May 24, 2012. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

Race, crash and hoon your way through a world tour of motorised mayhem in DiRT Showdown! Crowd atmosphere, social gameplay and accessibility are all ramped up in this turbo- injected shot of driving delirium. Smash down the accelerator and earn the adulation of frenzied crowds at hyper-energised events at iconic locations. Trick, speed and smash your way to victory, then do it again.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Dirt Showdown screenshot
Dirt Showdown screenshot
Dirt Showdown screenshot
Dirt Showdown screenshot
Dirt Showdown screenshot
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76%
Audience ScoreBased on 583 reviews
graphics66 positive mentions
  • The game is highly entertaining, especially in multiplayer mode, providing a fun experience with friends.
  • Graphics are impressive for its age, with vibrant colors and detailed car models.
  • The variety of game modes, including demolition derby and gymkhana, adds to the overall enjoyment.
  • The game lacks depth and can become repetitive quickly, especially in single-player mode.
  • The AI can be frustrating, often leading to rubberbanding and unpredictable behavior during races.
  • It doesn't feel like a true DiRT game, as it strays far from the rally racing experience that fans expect.
  • graphics
    103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the graphics of the game are widely praised for their quality and smooth performance, even on lower-end hardware. Many users highlight the impressive visual effects, detailed environments, and the game's ability to run well without demanding high specifications. However, some players experienced stuttering issues and noted that while the graphics are appealing, they may not be as deep or immersive as expected.

    • “Incredible game with amazing mechanics and graphics!”
    • “The graphics in the game are undeniably spectacular though.”
    • “Graphics are gorgeous, it just looks beautiful, Codemasters engine works very well and is very well optimized, I'm not getting any lag or FPS drops at any time and runs very smoothly.”
    • “A 2012 game that runs without a graphics card on a laptop from the same year?”
    • “Bleh graphics... I'd much rather have blocky or bad graphics with great gameplay... everything looks, for lack of a better adjective, mushy... or maybe foggy? It's just ugly.”
    • “This PC game plays like a mobile-based title - the graphics are appealing but it lacks depth, immersion, and personality.”
  • gameplay
    62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the multiplayer experience and diverse modes, while others criticize the driving mechanics as overly simplistic and lacking depth compared to previous titles. Many appreciate the graphics and car destruction elements, but feel that the gameplay does not live up to expectations, often describing it as arcadey and uninspired. Overall, while there are enjoyable aspects, the gameplay is seen as a significant departure from more serious racing simulations.

    • “The multiplayer gameplay is very enjoyable, and you need only 3-4 races to learn this game!”
    • “Great graphics, super great gameplay, many modes to play.”
    • “The gameplay is extremely satisfying, especially the sweet car destruction (which is basically the main focus in this game).”
    • “But the actual gameplay feels nowhere near the real deal.”
    • “The driving mechanics are awful and the gameplay is closer to FlatOut than to any respectable rally game.”
    • “10 minutes were enough to understand that this game is all great graphics, badass 3D transitions & effects, cool music... but honestly, the gameplay is so awful.”
  • music
    51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack as enjoyable and fitting for the arcade racing experience, featuring a mix of rock, EDM, and hip-hop. However, some players find it repetitive or annoying, with criticisms aimed at specific genres like punk rock and the overall sound design. Overall, while the soundtrack has its fans, it also has detractors who feel it detracts from the gameplay experience.

    • “Music is amazing, cars are all unlocked right off the bat for multiplayer (!!!).”
    • “I loved the soundtrack too, it fits perfectly in this game, a really great song list in my opinion.”
    • “Wrecking cars and awesome music, that's enough to satisfy anyone.”
    • “The controls were sloppy, the AI was beyond annoying, the announcer's lines were annoying and stupid, and the music was this awful collection of punk rock.”
    • “The soundtrack consists of electro house, dubstep, and mid 2000s era rock music that'll make you want to rip the soundcard out of your computer's PCI slots.”
    • “The soundtrack is annoying, the voice acting is unbearable, the cut-scenes are unskippable, and the racing is one-dimensional.”
  • optimization
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance across various platforms, including Linux, where it reportedly outperforms the Windows version on some machines. While some users experienced significant frame rate drops on older systems, particularly those running Vista, many found the graphics options extensive and effective in enhancing performance. Codemasters is recognized for delivering a well-optimized racing experience, with minimal performance issues and good graphical fidelity.

    • “Performance issues and crashes are almost nonexistent (for me, at least).”
    • “The people at Codemasters are true masters in creating fun and very well-optimized racing games; just love it!”
    • “Graphics are gorgeous, it just looks beautiful. Codemasters' engine works very well and is very well optimized; I'm not getting any lag or FPS drops at any time, and it runs very smoothly.”
    • “The graphics look somewhat nice, but I had the issue of it stuttering and going all the way from 90 to 15 fps on the first race on medium settings.”
    • “My PC specs are well within what's recommended, but my Catalyst driver is old, the last one supported for Vista, so I suspect this had to do with the poor performance. On the other hand, Dirt 3 runs fine with much higher video settings.”
    • “If you are one of the few people running on Vista like me, this could be an issue if you want better performance.”
  • story
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is minimal and primarily serves as a backdrop for gameplay, with the main campaign (Showdown Tour) lasting around 10-11 hours. Players can engage in a variety of missions and challenges in expansive open areas, but the narrative lacks depth and realism, focusing instead on casual fun rather than a compelling storyline. Overall, while the story may not be a strong point, the game offers ample gameplay through missions and multiplayer modes.

    • “After completing the showdown tour (story mode) and playing multiplayer, I feel really indebted to write a review.”
    • “There is a good amount of gameplay that totals about 10+ hours in story and countless more in multiplayer and free roam.”
    • “The main story (showdown tour) lasts about 10-11 hours, which is not that bad.”
    • “There have been episodes of American Horror Story that are far more realistic than this game.”
    • “Ea lost the plot after Toca 3, Grid and Dirt were bad, but this takes bad to a whole new level; if it hadn't been on sale, I would be very disappointed.”
    • “Cars handle the same when their levels are the same and the AI is as worthless as a 1990s RPG NPC not critical to the story.”
  • humor
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is largely derived from its absurdity and the chaotic nature of its gameplay, with players finding enjoyment in the bizarre car mechanics and laughable multiplayer modes like knockout and rampage. While some aspects, such as AI rubberbanding, lead to humorous moments, others fall flat, with mixed opinions on the overall comedic value. Overall, the game is seen as a fun, lighthearted experience, especially in multiplayer settings, despite some technical issues.

    • “The knockout event is so extremely funny and laughable hahaha”
    • “Considering the price (8.99 during Steam sales), Dirt Showdown is a funny, arcade-oriented car game.”
    • “A very nice and funny arcade racing multiplayer game!”
  • stability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game has a promising concept but suffers from significant stability issues, particularly with hard freezes linked to third-party NVIDIA and gamepad drivers, especially during critical gameplay moments. However, the Linux version is praised for its exceptional stability, running smoothly without glitches or crashes, making it a standout port.

    • “Of course, there's also Linux support, which is pretty much why I bought this. I wanted to see how well it was ported in light of the Linux release of Grid Autosport, and my oh my, this is by far the best Windows-to-Linux port I've ever seen. It runs smoothly, with no glitches, halts, or crashes.”
    • “The game runs incredibly stable, even during intense gameplay moments. I've experienced no crashes or significant frame drops, which is a huge plus for my gaming experience.”
    • “I appreciate the consistent performance across different systems. Whether I'm playing on high settings or lower ones, the stability remains impressive, making for a seamless experience.”
    • “Great concept but very buggy.”
    • “Due to some third-party issue (according to the GitHub tracker) with NVIDIA drivers and gamepad drivers, the game occasionally experiences hard freezes.”
    • “On my computer, those freezes always occur in 8-ball races during the last 2 championships (Champion and Legend), making it impossible to finish the game.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability through its engaging driving mechanics and various modes, including single-player, semi-free-roam, and multiplayer party games. However, some users feel that the overall content is lacking, which may limit long-term enjoyment.

    • “This game has lots of replay value, as it is just a lot of fun to drive around and do awesome tricks.”
    • “Tons of replay value, from singleplayer, to sort-of-free-roam, to multiplayer party games.”
    • “Longevity and replayability.”
    • “While the demolition derbies can be fun, the game falls flat in terms of content and replayability.”
  • emotional
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional experience of the game varies significantly among players; some find the chaotic racing and the frustration of collisions exhilarating, while others may perceive it as tedious and unengaging, depending on their previous gaming experiences.

    • “The emotional rollercoaster of navigating through intense races, where every bump and crash can lead to unexpected outcomes, truly immerses you in the experience.”
    • “The game evokes a strong sense of tension and excitement, making every moment feel impactful and emotionally charged.”
    • “Experiencing the highs and lows of competition in this game creates a deep emotional connection that keeps you engaged.”
  • atmosphere
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere is characterized by an exhilarating crowd energy and vibrant social gameplay, enhanced by an accessible design that amplifies the overall driving experience.

    • “The crowd atmosphere, social gameplay, and accessibility are all ramped up in this turbo-injected shot of driving delirium.”
    • “The immersive environment pulls you in, making every moment feel alive and vibrant.”
    • “The sound design and visual effects create a captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged for hours.”
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76%Critics’ scoreBased on 6 critic reviews
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7h Median play time
6h Average play time
9h Main story
18h Completionist
3-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Dirt Showdown is a arcade racing game.

Dirt Showdown is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows, PlayStation 3 and others.

The main story can be completed in around 9 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 18 hours to finish. On average players spend around 6 hours playing Dirt Showdown.

Dirt Showdown was released on May 24, 2012.

Dirt Showdown was developed by Codemasters Southam.

Dirt Showdown has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its story.

Dirt Showdown is a multiplayer game.

Similar games include Grid 2, DIRT 5, Gravel, Need For Speed Hot Pursuit, Gas Guzzlers Extreme and others.