What makes a mobile racer actually fun to steer

I've played a lot of mobile racing games, and the ones that stick have almost nothing to do with how shiny the cars look. It comes down to how the steering feels under your thumb. Get that wrong and no amount of neon saves it.

Neon Drift Alley is my current favourite example. The cars have weight. When you drift, you feel the back end swing out, and correcting it is a small pleasure every single time. That tactile loop is the whole game, and they nailed it.

Tilt controls versus touch controls is an eternal debate. My take: give me both and let me choose. The best racers do, because thumbs and gyroscopes suit different people and different couches.

If you're shopping for a racer, ignore the trailer and play the first free minute. Take one corner. If the drift feels good, buy in. If it feels floaty or vague, no track design will fix that.