Back in 2006, Eden Games and Atari released the original Test Drive Unlimited. A reboot of the classic Test Drive series that found some success in the 80s and 90s, Unlimited took the series into a then-revolutionary open world format. Whilst in more recent years we’ve seen the likes of Forza Horizon and The Crew replicate this, Test Drive Unlimited was unique when it first launched.
Talented modder Milli has taken the innovative racer and transformed it into an open world game with a legendary level of content. The recently released Platinum mod raises Test Drive Unlimited‘s car count from 72 to over 880. This includes everything from classic muscle cars, cheap budget hatchbacks, state of the art hypercars and iconic JDMs.
This expansion doesn’t just add new cars either. Fans and critics alike of Test Drive Unlimited are likely familiar with the games floaty, unrealistic physics engine. Test Drive Unlimited Platinum overrides the previous physics engine entirely to make cars feel more grippy, realistic and satisfying to drive.
Other more minor additions include redone textures, new radio stations, more weather types and full support for both English and Russian languages.
Test Drive Unlimited Platinum has been in development for a long time. Work began on the TDU expansion way back in August of 2016. The project aimed to give life to one of the greatest racing games ever made. Perhaps overlooked by many as a low-budget, niche Atari title at launch, more people will now get an opportunity to appreciate its brilliance.
It’s certainly a good time to get into Test Drive with Test Drive Unlimited 3 confirmed to be in development last year. Now handled by BigBen Interactive after Atari had to sell Test Drive’s rights to stay stable. It should be interesting to see what the French publisher can make out of such an iconic license.
Many open-world racing games that succeeded it have failed to capture the same level of personality that was present in Test Drive. You could buy houses, cars and explore the vast island of Hawaii together with your friends. I personally can’t wait to get stuck in and check out this mod first hand. The king of open-world racing games is back.
