Steel Racer

About

Steel Racer is a single player arcade racing game. It was developed by lightUP and was released on June 19, 2023. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Steel Racer" is a 2D pixelated racing game with 50 tracks across 5 seasons, inspired by classics from the 80s and 90s. Choose your difficulty and traction assist levels to customize the challenge. Improve and customize your car using different items and become a racing legend with great chiptune music in the background.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 24 reviews

music7 positive mentions

The game features a charming retro aesthetic with vibrant pixel art and a catchy chiptune soundtrack that evokes nostalgia.
Driving controls are responsive and enjoyable, allowing players to easily navigate the tracks and experience a sense of speed.
The game offers a decent amount of content with 50 unique tracks and a straightforward progression system that keeps players engaged.

The gameplay is overly simplistic and lacks challenge, making it easy to win races without much effort.
There is a limited variety of vehicles and customization options, which may leave players wanting more depth and personalization.
Technical issues such as crashes and occasional launch problems detract from the overall experience.

music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
9%
27%
The music in the game is widely praised for its engaging chiptune soundtrack, which complements the retro aesthetic and enhances the overall experience. Reviewers appreciate the catchy tunes that evoke nostalgia for old-school arcade racers, although some express concern about potential repetitiveness over extended play. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong asset that adds to the game's charm and appeal.
- “Steel Racer's chiptune soundtrack perfectly complements its retro aesthetic.”
- “It nails the pixelated aesthetic, with perfectly matched chiptune music and a real feeling of speed.”
- “I see lots of F-Zero comparisons, and that's certainly true of the music.”
- “Still, the visuals and music will please you if you're into 8-bits.”
- “Filled to the brim with a retro aesthetic, chiptune music, and intense high-speed action, Steel Racer successfully captures the charm of old-school arcade racers while bringing its unique innovations to the table.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their appealing retro aesthetic and pixelated art style, which effectively captures the charm of old-school arcade racers. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals and smooth framerate, making it a visually enjoyable experience, especially for fans of 8-bit graphics and chiptune music. While some reviewers express a desire for more era-accurate details, the overall presentation is considered a highlight of the game.
- “There's evident love and care poured into the graphics, resulting in an appealing visual treat that never gets old.”
- “It nails the pixelated aesthetic, with perfectly matched chiptune music and a real feeling of speed.”
- “I wish there was a bit more depth to it and more era-accurate graphics, but the graphics are still easy on the eyes, especially looking down the road, with a good framerate.”
- “Still, the visuals and music will please you if you're into 8-bits.”
- “Right from the get-go, Steel Racer’s pixelated art style stands out.”
gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
28%
29%
The gameplay of Steel Racer is a standout feature, characterized by its engaging mechanics, catchy chiptune music, and appealing pixel art. While it offers a polished and relaxing experience, some players find the races overly long and easy, with a boost mechanic that falls short compared to similar games. Overall, it presents a solid package for racing game enthusiasts, despite some mechanical limitations.
- “A major highlight of Steel Racer is its gameplay.”
- “It combines engaging gameplay, stunning pixel art, catchy chiptune music, and a decent level of challenge into a comprehensive package that any fan of racing games will appreciate.”
- “+ polished, relaxing gameplay.”
- “However, mechanically the game lacks much depth.”
- “Races are far too long and too easy, and the boost mechanic is a clear downgrade compared to its inspirations.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates excellent stability on the Steam Deck, with users reporting smooth performance and reliable gameplay.
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck.”