Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Jun 2, 2025
    86
    A true JDM lovers heaven, even a few noticeable bugs couldn't stop me having a blast with JDM. With even more content and improvement, these guys will be unstoppable!
  2. May 21, 2025
    85
    JDM is absolutely "raw", it has a huge heart, some flaws, but it doesn't miss a beat when it comes to doing real "drift". If you like arcade racing... buy it! If you like drifting in a more or less thorough way, with pad or steering wheel, don't leave it on the shelf.
  3. May 25, 2025
    80
    Although struggling with some disappointing shortcomings JDM: Japanese Drift Master lets you drift swiftly through a fictional, yet painstakingly detailed area of Japan like no other racing game does.
  4. May 21, 2025
    80
    At JDM, you can enjoy exotic car racing in a stylish Japanese setting, with a focus on unconventional drifting competitions. But you can also take in the interesting scenery as you drive leisurely through the city. It offers a refreshing change from the usual routine disciplines of classic motorsport. Both casual and experienced players enjoy the great driving experience, enhanced by the arcade-style or simulation setting, as well as the complex modifications and improvements to the vehicles.
  5. 78
    JDM: Japanese Drift Master is the result of boundless passion, and as is often the case this leads a bit to overdoing it. The driving model is very good and overall the experience is fun and evocative. However, the game could have used a bit more refinement: it is still rough in some parts. Overall, however, JDM: Japanese Drift Master is spectacular arcade racing and definitely recommended.
  6. May 29, 2025
    75
    JDM: Japanese Drift Master is a fun title, with a few unfortunate drawbacks stopping it from reaching its true potential.
  7. May 25, 2025
    75
    JDM: Japanese Drift Master is a damn intriguing racing game that focuses on refining specific aspects of a solid and engaging driving experience. Taking the wheel of one of the available cars and diving into fast-paced, challenging races is genuinely thrilling, especially as you follow the protagonist’s journey through the clever and charming manga-style comic panels. Unfortunately, the experience doesn’t shine as brightly when it comes to navigating its otherwise atmospheric Japanese open world, which ends up feeling a bit too cluttered with obstacles and inept drivers to serve as the added value one might reasonably expect from such a setup.
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  1. There are some potholes, sure. That story is borderline insufferable, tutorials don't do a great job of explaining things, and there's some bugginess. I only got a fraction of the cash I was supposed to earn from some missions, for example, which made it difficult to progress up that ladder of nice vehicles. But even so, I'm left with the impression of a racing game punching far above its weight and landing an impressive number of blows. If I knew more about drifting as a motorhobby, I might say something big and powerful like "this is the definitive game of a racing subculture!" But I'll let some other bumpernerd put that label on it. I wouldn't want to upset all the fans of Night-Runners or Togue Shakai. Regardless of where it fits in its racing niche, JDM may not yet be fully tuned, but it has rolled out of the garage in fine form.