JDM: Japanese Drift Master

JDM: Japanese Drift Master

Released May 2025

Discover Japan’s legendary car culture in JDM! Take on challenging mountain roads, visit Japanese legendary drifting spots in licensed JDM cars and immerse in the story about second chances told through manga pages. Explore an open world where every turn invites you to master the art of drift.

75% positive · 6,154 reviews
Not yet
Released, but content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned
Not yet
Released, but content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned

Where to buy

Prices in USD, as listed by each store.
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Evaluation

JDM: Japanese Drift Master launched on May 21, 2025 and has received a steady stream of major content updates since then. The developer shipped the "Made in USA" paid DLC on November 6, 2025, followed by a significant free update with new cars and music on December 11, 2025. In 2026, the pace continued: an open-world multiplayer mode launched on Steam on June 11, 2026; the "American Classics" paid DLC arrived alongside free new cars on June 25, 2026; a free story campaign chapter for character Ayumi was announced July 22 and released July 29, 2026; and full console multiplayer for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S launched on September 16, 2026 with cross-platform play across all versions. As of September 25, 2026 — three days before today's assessment — Gaming Factory posted a community note explicitly stating that a livery system (allowing players to create custom car designs) is being actively finished and is the team's next major feature. That same post also mentions "surprises lined up for you that we haven't even teased yet," signaling that additional unannounced content is in planning. The developer reaffirmed in April 2026 that JDM "remains our main priority for the months and years ahead." All three DLC packs listed on the store are released. The forthcoming content (livery system and teased surprises) are free updates rather than listed DLC, but the developer has been clear and consistent about these being in active development and coming soon. With a developer communication just days ago and explicitly named upcoming content, the game is in active development with more content confirmed on the way.
Evidence
Developer community note confirms the livery system is 'finishing up' and is one of the 'two biggest features planned for JDM for this year,' and teases unnamed surprises coming in the near future.
news post · Sep 25, 2026 source content planned
high
Console multiplayer launched for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S with full cross-platform play; livery system confirmed still in development and 'rapidly nearing completion.'
news post · Sep 16, 2026 source content shipped
high

Content

3 of 3 released · no outstanding content
Released
Jun 2026
Released
Nov 2025

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Gaming Factory
Achievements
26
Platform
Windows
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Unsupported
Players
Single-player · Multiplayer

About this game

Explore the birthplace of drift and dive into Japan’s iconic car culture!

JDM: Japanese Drift Master is an homage to Japan, Japanese street racing culture and drift. It’s an open world, story-driven experience, blending Tōge (mountainous) serpentines, with narrow rural roads and vast highways leading to a modern cityscape. With licensed cars and robust tuning options it’s a drifting paradise come true!

  • Driving Models

Designed primarily for gamepads, JDM boasts two driving models to choose from: Arcade, suited for a more relaxed experience and drift beginners; and Simcade in which all assists are off, trading full control over the car for more skill requirements to manage drifting. Players can switch between both models at any time during the game.

  • Open World

Soak in the atmosphere of Japan with the fictional prefecture of Guntama, created through mixing real-life locations from all over the country. With over 250 km of visually stunning main roads, standalone racing tracks and instanced events, set across winding mountain passes, rural areas and the city's bustling streets, you’ll explore diverse landscapes featuring traffic, dynamic weather, and day-night cycle systems.

  • Licensed Cars

Sit behind the wheel of legendary Nissan, Honda, Subaru and Mazda cars. Tune them mechanically with new parts and then fine tune the details. Experiment with visual parts: from hoods, through lights to full body kit swaps. Adjust the suspension, wheel camber, gear ratios and more. Finally, paint the car however you like using a free pick color palette. You want underglow? It’s at your disposal as well.

  • Story-driven Campaign

Step into the shoes of a foreigner determined to make his mark on the Japanese drifting scene. Compete in 40+ narrative-driven events and additional sidequests against the top drifters in the area. Experience this journey through hand-drawn manga pages, which add a unique and artistic touch to the game.

  • The Audio Purr

Experience authentic car sounds, captured through original recordings and brought to life with attention to detail, making you feel like you're truly behind the wheel. Cruise along picturesque roads while tuning in to genre-themed radio stations, including unique soundscapes of J-music, Phonk and even Eurobeat - choose the perfect soundtrack for your drive!

  • Multiplayer

Explore the prefecture of Guntama with up to 8 players in a lobby. Cruise together, organize car meets, or compete in multiplayer drift battles, grip races, and 1v1 touge challenges across the open world.

Last evaluated Sep 28, 2026
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