Everything You Need to Know About JDM: Japanese Drift Master

One week out from release, JDM: Japanese Drift Master has announced everything you need to know about the game for launch day including release times and system requirements.

Japanese Domestic Market machinery sending it sideways around heavily stylised routes of a fictional Japan. Sounds like the ultimate petrol head dream, doesn't it? Well, in just one week from the time of writing, JDM: Japanese Drift Master will provide just that.

And with so little time until the game finally makes its way to racing gamers' homes, the developers have officially unveiled all the information required on launch day. From the different game modes you can enjoy to the full car list including official licensed products and the odd knock-off plus the full in-game map and so much more, here is everything you need to know about JDM.

When Can I Play JDM: Japanese Drift Master?​

JDM: Japanese Drift Master will launch to Steam on 21 May 2025 with the entire world getting its hands on the title at the same time. Here in Central Europe, those eager to jump into Tokyo Drift will be able to get their hands on the game from 4pm meaning the UK will kick start its JDM obsession at 3pm.


Launch times for JDM: Japanese Drift Master.

Funnily with the way time zones work, Oceania with the likes of New Zealand and Australia will have to wait until 22 May at 2am and midnight respectively, though that is still at the same instant as the rest of the world.

JDM: Japanese Drift Master Price​

So the game will be available around the world on 21 May, but how much will it cost we hear you ask. Japanese Drift Master will hit the Steam Store at $34.99 according to the developer. So make that around the £30 or €35 mark no doubt.

JDM: Japanese Drift Master System Requirements​

Alongside the announcement, the game's Steam Store page also published the official system requirements for JDM. Once key point of note will be hefty RAM requirements for both minimum and recommended spec lists, no doubt due to the wide open world present in the upcoming title.


Interestingly, the additional notes point out that should you run the correct preset - Low graphics for minimum requirements and high for recommended - for your system specification, the game should run at a stable 60fps in full HD. Whether or not everyone can reach those benchmarks, we will have to wait and see.

Variable Gameplay Options​

Throughout the game's marketing material, one element has left interested parties pondering and that would be the game's physics. Aiming to offer a variety of driving styles with different Event Modes catering to drifting, drag racing and the more typical grip driving, the game will feature multiple driving models. Not only that, but players from all walks of life will be giving the game a go with different levels of sim racing experience.

As such, players can select either full arcade or more simcade driving modes in the settings allowing you to get to grips with the engine before jumping into the more serious side of things.


It is not just the driving that will offer variety in gameplay with JDM: Japanese Drift Master however as the game is set to feature a whole host of mission formats. From underground racing to the now stereotypical tofu delivery, there will be plenty to do within the manga-based story mode.

Modding in JDM: Japanese Drift Master?​

Racing games on PC and modding are two things that go hand-in-hand. Be it a ridiculous breath of third party content or simple additions like custom liveries and graphics overlays, every game is tweakable in one way or another.

When we asked the developers of JDM about the potential of modding in this new game, they said "modding is not something we have a system ready for at this time." So larger scale creations rivalling those of Assetto Corsa may not be in store, but we would not count out the odd minor addition. Be sure to keep an eye out on our Downloads page after launch just in case anyone gets creative.

Highly Modifiable Car List​

If you want to know what cars you can expect to drive in JDM: Japanese Drift Master, be sure to check out our full run down of the machinery available at launch here. Mixing fully licensed cars like an array of Nissan Silvias as well as more nuanced but still recognisable car models like the totally not a Toyota Corolla AE86, there will be a lot to sink your teeth into on 21 May.


Every car in JDM: Japanese Drift Master.

If you do manage to get your way through every car in the game, JDM is set to feature highly detailed customisation systems with both visual and performance modifications available for which we have seen a great deal.

If you want to learn more about the car modification - or anything else for that matter - in JDM: Japanese Drift Master, be sure to check out our first impressions video and article when they drop.

Are you looking forward to JDM: Japanese Drift Master? Let us know in the comments below!