What makes arcade racing feel good on touchscreens

Racing on a phone lives or dies by handling. Get the controls right and even a simple game feels thrilling; get them wrong and no amount of flashy tracks can save it.

Neon Drift Circuit is a good example of doing it right. Its drift system rewards a little timing, and both tilt and button controls feel responsive. You always feel in charge of the car.

The trick most good mobile racers use is subtle assists. A touch of auto-correction keeps you on the road without taking away the feeling of steering yourself. Done badly, it feels like the game is driving for you.

Short race lengths matter too. Three-lap bursts suit the way people play on phones, and they make every corner count.

If a racer feels floaty in the first five minutes, it probably won't improve. Trust that first lap.