Compete on the Fiat Factory Roof Test Track in this delightful indie game.

      Adam Ismail, Walaber Entertainment

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      It’s been a while since we last checked in on Parking Garage Rally Circuit, the indie racing game that captures the essence of arcade classics from three decades ago in a way that many attempt, but few succeed. When we first tried it before its 2024 release—hard to believe that was almost a year ago—it had only half the tracks it launched with, lacked multiplayer, and didn’t even include a soundtrack. Recently, it expanded further with the European Tour DLC, doubling the number of raceable parking lots from eight to 16 and adding a variety of new music from ska-punk band The Holophonics.

      If you haven’t experienced PGRC yet, now is an ideal time to dive in. Your goal is to achieve the fastest time on quirky courses located in and around parking garages. The handling is quite similar to Mario Kart, remaining mostly linear while incorporating a drift button that allows for boosting if you maintain a drift long enough. In single-player, you won’t encounter any bots, but online, you can compete against friends with the option to turn car contact on or off.

      The new eight tracks include locations like the charming York Castle Car Park and Hamburg Concert Hall. There's also a course inspired by Fiat’s famous Lingotto facility in Turin, known for its banked rooftop test track. This gives you a good sense of PGRC's charm and creativity, but don’t be fooled into thinking it doesn’t demand skill. Like Mario Kart, less experienced players may find themselves challenged by strong competitors.

      Ever thought about touring Europe’s parking facilities? Now you can! Adam Ismail, Walaber Entertainment

      In PGRC, there’s no limit to how fast your car can go if you keep chaining drift boosts. For instance, the standard top speed of the light-class Tatsugi Zippi is just 34 mph, but with drift boosting, you can exceed that. If you continue to boost at your already increased speed, you can even double or triple the Zippi’s speed during regular driving.

      The result is that the game has no real skill ceiling; you are restricted only by your reflexes. Experienced players will constantly maintain a drift—even on straightaways—to maximize boosting opportunities, similar to those who excelled at Mario Kart DS. The video below illustrates this concept.

      Uncapped Boost Chaining

      To be honest, I find racing games that function this way somewhat frustrating, as I prefer to drift in turns only when it makes sense. If you feel the same, you might find PGRC’s approach unappealing. You may struggle to achieve gold medal times in single-player mode, but you can always opt out. I just wish the base top speed of the Zippi wasn't so disappointingly low when not boosting.

      Even as an older, more casual gamer, PGRC still provides immense satisfaction. The graphics aim for a Sega Saturn aesthetic (check out my earlier piece about how the developer accomplished this), featuring low framerates and limited draw distances, though players have numerous options for a more contemporary look. And while ska music might not be to my taste, I can’t deny the lively and exuberant charm The Holophonics bring to PGRC. The game also has delightful visual touches, like how the title card changes from “Parking Garage Rally Circuit” to “Multi-Storey Carpark Rally Circuit” if you return to the main menu after selecting the European Tour.

      Did I choose the wrong game again? Walaber Entertainment

      It’s an incredibly high-quality, lovingly crafted arcade racer inspired by gaming's golden age, and it’s affordable too: the full game with DLC is priced at just $13, and the DLC itself is only $4. When was the last time you saw an expansion that cost just $4? PGRC is currently available for PC and Mac on Steam and through the browser-based Wavedash service, with console versions planned for release later this year.

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