Deal | This arcade racer with “addictive drift physics” has never been cheaper on Steam

For most players, the racing game of the year is likely to be Forza Horizon 6. Those who have had enough of realistic driving physics for the time being can currently find an interesting alternative on Steam: Released in March 2026, the arcade racer Screamer is currently 60% off, bringing its regular price of $60 down to around $24. According to SteamDB, the game has never been this cheap before.

Five teams with a total of 15 drivers compete against each other in a racing tournament, each with their own vehicles, abilities and personal motivations. The arcade racer also has a few unusual features up its sleeve – most notably its unique twin-stick controls: The left stick is used for steering, while the right stick controls the drift angle. According to IGN's review (in German), this takes some getting used to but offers exceptionally precise control while also being more demanding than traditional arcade controls. The reviewers even describe the innovative controls and drift physics as “addictive.” However, the racer is said to be quite challenging even on the easiest difficulty setting.

Another standout feature is the so-called ECHO system. It can be used to activate boosts, shields and attacks, while “Overdrive” enables particularly aggressive flat-out bursts. Opponents can be deliberately attacked or forced off the track. At the same time, players still need to maintain enough control to cleanly navigate tight chicanes and rapid changes of direction. The campaign includes around 70 chapters, anime sequences by Polygon Pictures and voiced visual novel sections. However, IGN also sees one of the game's biggest weaknesses here: The story is said to be unnecessarily complicated and melodramatic at times, getting too bogged down in flashbacks and subplots.

IGN ultimately awarded the game 8 out of 10 points. The picture on Steam is similar, with around 1,200 reviews and an average rating of 81% positive. In addition to the story mode and several arcade game modes, Screamer also offers online multiplayer and local split-screen for up to four players. The game is also Steam Deck Verified. For racing fans looking for something different from more realistic racing games such as Forza, the title could therefore be worth a look. For those who are still undecided, a free demo is available on Steam.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.