Traffic Rider

Traffic Rider puts you on a motorbike in the middle of endless highway traffic, and it never lets the speed drop. Seen from the rider's seat rather than from behind the bike, every run is a first-person rush: cars and trucks stream past, gaps open and close in a heartbeat, and the only way forward is through the traffic, not around it. It is simple to pick up and surprisingly hard to put down.

The view is what makes it work. Because you see the road exactly as a rider would, every near-miss feels closer and every burst of speed feels faster. Real motorbike sounds, detailed roads and day and night variations add to the sense of being out on the highway, while the arcade handling keeps the focus on timing and nerve rather than complicated controls.

Scoring rewards bold riding. The faster you go, the more you earn, and close overtakes at high speed bring bonus points and cash. Riding against the flow on two-way roads pays even more, as do wheelies pulled at just the right moment. Those bonuses turn a simple ride into a constant calculation: play it safe and bank a steady score, or push harder and risk ending the run in a crash.

There is plenty to work toward beyond the high score. Dozens of motorbikes are available to ride, each with its own feel, and a career mode offers scores of missions that test different skills, from weaving through rush-hour traffic to hitting top speed on an open stretch. Traffic Rider is at its best in short bursts: one more run, one more overtake, one more attempt at beating your best distance.