Tokyo Xtreme Racer is returning later this month, with the Early Access release launching on 23rd January. However, it’s not the only underground Japanese street racing game slated for this year.
With all the hype surrounding Tokyo Xtreme Racer, you would be forgiven for forgetting about its unofficial spiritual sequel: Night-Runners.
Created by solo developer Planet Jem Software and first announced way back in 2018, Night-Runners is a PC street racing game heavily inspired by 1990s and 2000s car culture, as well as PlayStation 2-era games like Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero (known as Tokyo Xtreme Racer in PAL regions), Juiced and Midnight Club 3.
It features an open world inspired by Japan’s expressways, one-on-one wager races, and detailed car customisation. Considering it’s the work of a solo developer, the project’s scope is impressive.
After a successful Kickstarter campaign raised over £98,000/$121,000/€117,000 to fund development, a free prologue demo was released on Steam early last year, with a togue demo initially planned for early 2025.
A full release was slated for May 2025. But then, out of nowhere, the official Tokyo Xtreme Racer reboot was announced. Despite this curveball, Night-Runners is still in development with a revised release schedule.
A post on the Night-Runners X, formerly Twitter, page confirms that Patreon members will get early access to the togue demo in July 2025, with a public version planned for September.
After that, a Kickstarter beta is expected to launch in November 2025, with the full version penned for December 2025. A specific release date is not yet confirmed.
“Development has been progressing at a good rate and remains very healthy but needs more time,” the developer wrote. “Another few months of 3D work along with some new hires will give the touge demo and full release the time they deserve.” Planet Jem Software adds that the touge demo will feature “more content than the prologue.”
Delaying the final release is probably a wise move to avoid being overshadowed by Tokyo Xtreme Racer. If you’re curious about Night-Runners, the prologue is free to download on Steam, and provides an extensive taste of the developer’s vision for the project.
In the prologue, the goal is to beat two rival racing teams, each consisting of nine drivers, including two bosses. In a throwback to Tokyo Xtreme Racer, flashing your headlights at rivals will challenge them to an impromptu drag or sprint race.
None of the three playable tuner cars in the demo are licensed, but their designs resemble a Nissan 180SX and 200SX. The full version will also include lookalikes of models such as the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 and Porsche 911 Turbo 964. Money earned in races can be used to install engine upgrades or fit body parts such as bumpers, bonnets and side skirts.
You can freely walk around your garage, and there’s even a photo mode with VHS-style effects, adding to the retro vibe.
Was Night-Runners already on your radar before Tokyo Xtreme Racer was announced? Let us know in the comments below.
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