JDM Japanese Drift Master: Everything You Need To Know

2025 is proving to be a pretty fruitful year for racing games. So far, we’ve had the launches of Assetto Corsa Evo, Tokyo Xtreme Racer, and recently, Wreckfest 2 into early access – and there’s more to come.

Arriving next month, JDM: Japanese Drift Master looks like it’ll tickle our inner Initial D fanboy. Here’s everything we know about it so far.

What exactly is JDM: Japanese Drift Master?

Inspired by Touge racing and the manga series Initial D, JDM: Japanese Drift Master is pretty much what you’d expect from a game with that title.

It’s focused on mountain racing, with a mix of drifting and grip-focused events. It’s set in an open world based on Japan’s curvaceous mountain roads, unsurprisingly, with around 155 miles worth to drive on.

The physics are described as ‘simcade’, balancing somewhere between a hardcore sim title and an arcadey racer. For a bit of context of what to expect, you could throw Forza Horizon into that same category.

As for gameplay, expect a story mode with ‘40+ narrative-driven events.’ Other features include traffic, dynamic weather and a day/night cycle.

When is JDM: Japanese Drift Master releasing?

JDM: Japanese Drift Master had originally been set to launch on 26 March through Steam Early Access, but that has been delayed until 21 May. No word yet on pricing or when a full release is planned.

Will JDM: Japanese Drift Master come to consoles?

For the time being, JDM: Japanese Drift Master will be on PC only, but console releases are planned when the game has reached v1.0.

Speaking with Traxion.gg, Wojciech Babiński, Lead Game Designer at developer Gaming Factory, said: “Consoles are a big part of our publishing plans… Once the PC version is out, we’ll shift our focus to porting.”

JDM: Japanese Drift Master confirmed car list

Japanese Drift Master is set to feature licensed cars. At launch, those will include offerings from Nissan, Mazda and Subaru. We’d expect more to follow down the line.

A full car list has yet to be confirmed, so this list isn’t a catch-all at this stage. Stay tuned for more as we get them.

Mazda

FD RX-7

NA Eunos Roadster (MX-5)

NB MX-5

Nissan

350Z

370Z

KGC10 Skyline GT-R

S14 Silvia

S15 Silvia

Subaru

GD Impreza WRX STI

ZD8 BRZ

JDM: Japanese Drift Master customisation and tuning

A trailer detailing exactly how drift tuning and customisation in JDM: Japanese Drift Master has been released. 

It shows off the extensive bodywork mods that'll be available in gaming, allowing you to pick and choose new bodykits plus change out the OEM lights and exhausts for custom alternatives. It's worth pointing out that bodywork and wheel changes are from fictional brands, rather than licenced manufacturers.

Interior mods will feature too, giving you the option to swap in new steering wheels, sears, gear sticks and even displays.

Mechanical tuning will feature as well, unsurprisingly, including chassis and engine mods. You'll also be able to fine-tune settings, as with many other racing titles.

Will JDM: Japanese Drift Master have Eurobeat?

Yes, is the short answer. We can all live out our Takumi Fujiwara fantasies, right and proper.

Granted, it’ll be an original score rather than taking the known works of Dave Rodgers and co. Still, we’ll take it.

JDM: Japanese Drift Master PC requirements

Minimum
OS: 64-bit Windows 10
Processor: Intel i5-7400 or Ryzen 5 2600
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: Intel Arc A580 or GeForce GTX1660 or Radeon RX580 8GB
DirectX: Version 12
Storage: 16 GB available space

Recommended
OS: 64-bit Windows 10
Processor: Intel i5 10400f or Ryzen 5 3600
Memory: 32 GB RAM
Graphics: Intel Arc A770 or GeForce RTX3060Ti or AMD Radeon RX6700
DirectX: Version 12
Storage: 16 GB available space