Asphalt Urban GT returns as free online game for a limited time  

Asphalt is one of the longest-running arcade racing series, which began in 2004 with Asphalt Urban GT as a launch title showcasing the Nokia N-Gage and Nintendo DS. A port for Java-based mobiles soon followed.

To celebrate the series’ 20^th anniversary, Gameloft has released a playable version of the game that started it all, Asphalt Urban GT, on its official website. Free to play until 21^st August, the emulated version is based on the Java version.

In contrast to the 3D N-Gage and Nintendo DS games, the Java-based game’s 2D graphics are reminiscent of 16-bit games like Top Gear. Despite the visual downgrade, the mobile version retained the original game’s street races, licensed cars and real-world locations.    

Featuring arcade and instant play modes, this appears to be the same online version released in 2020, commemorating the game’s 15^th anniversary.

Acceleration is automatic, with players racing exotic cars around real-world locations including Paris, Tokyo and London. Presumably due to expired licenses, the new emulated version replaces the original game’s licensed cars with fictional ones based on models including the Ford GT, Lamborghini Murciélago and TVR Sagaris.

While Asphalt Urban GT’s blocky, low-resolution graphics look crude by today’s standards, they were impressive for the time before smartphones set new standards for mobile gaming. Today, Asphalt Legends, a rebranded version of Asphalt 9: Legends, is arguably one of the best-looking mobile racers.  

You can play the original Asphalt Urban GT on the official website here.

The re-release of the original Asphalt Urban GT comes as part of the series’ 20^th anniversary celebrations, which include new special events and rewards in Asphalt Legends, as well as the return of classic tracks.

“You can see some elements in the game that have been there since the beginning,” Raúl Orrego, Game Manager at Gameloft, recently told Traxion, adding that high-octane stunts such as drifting, jumping and boosting are “part of the DNA of Asphalt.” For example, every mainline Asphalt game has featured the signature nitro speed boost.

Despite its mobile origins, Asphalt is now a multi-platform series, with the latest entry, Asphalt Legends, free-to-play on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and mobiles. According to Orrego, the PlayStation version is particularly popular and now “one of the main platforms.”