Drift or Die: Why Arcade Archives 2 Konami GT is the Ultimate Retro Survival Test
Arcade Archives 2 Konami GT drops you straight into the cockpit of a 1985 speed machine where the stakes are as simple as they are stressful: keep driving or run out of juice. It’s an 8-bit blast of first-person racing that feels more like an endless runner as you weave through traffic at breakneck speeds. The vibe is pure retro intensity, where every turn is a gamble, and every crash feels surprisingly brutal for its time.
[Specs] [Gameplay] [Performance] [Settings]
Arcade Archives 2 Konami GT PS5 Review: Specs & HUD
- Download Size: 154.8MB download size.
- Trophy Support: Platinum trophy with 21 trophies.
- Release History: The game was originally released in 1985.
- Game Modes: Four game modes – Original, high score, caravan, and time attack mode.
- Regional Versions: The original mode has the Japanese and English versions of the game.
- HUD Display: First-person view, and you can see your bonnet and have the dials and turbo indicator shown at all times.
- Progress Tracking: At the top of the screen, there is a progress bar and has the notches to indicate progress.
- Save System: Save and load when you want, as long as the game mode allows it, featuring four save slots.
Gameplay Review & Mechanics Breakdown
Racing gameplay here is all about that 8-bit grit. It plays like an endless runner as you dodge in and out of traffic, constantly chasing fuel or gas to top up. You find them on the road and have to collect them, because hitting an empty means it’s game over. The turning is a unique part of the game and the one part that takes some getting used to; you drift and go sideways almost, and it is a bit light, so it takes some practice to master. It’s a game before tutorials were a thing, so bear that in mind. The manual is your tutorial, so get to reading the text and looking at the images, and luckily, you can bring them up whenever.
You’ve got two gears, manual style, where you swap between low and high. Low is absolutely needed to pull away, especially after a crash. You get arrow notifications before a turn to help you navigate, but the challenge remains high. High score mode lets you play until game over to submit your score, while Caravan mode gives you a five-minute limit without any rewinds or state saves. Time attack mode lets you try and complete the game as fast as possible, where even game overs don’t stop the run, allowing you to carry on with your score and time intact. The explosions are great for the time; they were quite brutal, and the locations look good throughout the run.
Arcade Archives 2 Konami GT PS5 Review: Performance & Fidelity
- Visual Style: Awesome 8-Bit graphics with locations that look good.
- Visual Polish: The explosions are great and quite brutal for the era.
- Display Options: CRT filters, with noise and different types of filters available.
- Wallpapers: Only two plain-looking wallpaper choices; I wish they would make some game-specific choices.
- Performance Perks: Smooth 8-bit racing with no modern “museum” history pieces, flyers, or concept art included.
Settings, Customisation & Control Details
- Menu System: You have a main overarching menu that has all the settings.
- Control Customisation: You can remap the controls to suit your style.
- Visual Settings: Display settings – wallpaper, screen layout, screen filter, and custom screen settings.
- Audio Control: Audio sliders for – general volume, game sound, and menu sound volume.
- Difficulty Toggles: Four game difficulties – Easy, Normal, Hard, and Very Hard.
- Navigation: Other menu options include quick start, show menu, and skipping to each game mode setup.
- Accessibility: Doesn’t have any mod cons like accessibility or Colourblind support, which could be tricky with the yellow landing lights.
Related Gert Lush Gaming Reviews
- Arcade Archives Konami Rally-S Review, PlayStation 5
- Arcade Archives City Connection Review
- Arcade Archives Gradius Review
Arcade Archives 2 Konami GT PS5 Review
Summary
GOOD STUFF
The 8-bit graphics still look awesome, and the first-person view with the visible bonnet and turbo dials makes for a great atmosphere. The variety in game modes is solid, especially Time Attack, where game overs don’t kill the run, and the inclusion of both Japanese and English versions is a nice touch. Having CRT filters with noise and the ability to save and load whenever you want, plus a Platinum trophy, makes this a great game to go back to. The explosions are a highlight too, still feeling surprisingly brutal for a 1985 title.
BAD STUFF
The lack of modern accessibility or colourblind support is a miss, as those yellow landing lights can be tricky to deal with. It is also disappointing that there are no museum or history pieces, like flyers or concept art, to give it context. The wallpaper choices are way too plain, and I really wish we had some game-specific options. You also have to deal with the fact that it’s a game from before tutorials existed, meaning you’re stuck reading a manual, and the light, drifty turning definitely takes some frustrating practice to get right.
FINAL VERDICT
Arcade Archives 2 Konami GT is a raw, high-speed trip back to 1985 that demands respect for its difficulty and unique drifting mechanics. Chasing fuel while weaving through traffic provides a frantic loop that holds up well, even if the “manual-as-a-tutorial” approach shows its age. It’s a great game to go back to for some 8-bit carnage, but don’t expect any modern bells and whistles or historical archives here. If you can master the light steering, it’s a rewarding retro racer that still feels punchy on the PS5.
