Traffic Racer

by skgames

4.6 6.1M+ reviews
461M+ Installs
11/12/2013 Released
Traffic Racer icon
Traffic Racer icon
Racing

Traffic Racer

by skgames

4.6 6.1M+ reviews
461M+ Installs
11/12/2013 Released
Traffic Racer screenshot 1
Traffic Racer screenshot 2
Traffic Racer screenshot 3
Traffic Racer screenshot 4
Traffic Racer screenshot 5
Traffic Racer screenshot 6

Ratings Breakdown

4.6 ★★★★★ 6.1M+ ratings
5 79%
4 10%
3 4%
2 2%
1 5%

Data from Google Play at the time of writing.

What Traffic Racer Actually Is

Traffic Racer is a lane-dodging endless arcade racer where you weave through highway traffic, rack up cash based on speed and close overtakes, and use that money to unlock or upgrade one of the 40-plus cars on offer. There are four modes here: Endless, Two-Way, Time Trial, and Police Chase, and seven environment types ranging from desert to snowy to city night, which is more variety than most games in this genre bother with. It’s aimed squarely at people who want a quick, no-commitment ‘go as far as you can’ session rather than a deep simulation, and it plays that role well.

The Core Driving Loop Still Holds Up

The main reason people keep coming back, based on what users describe, is how clean the loop feels. One reviewer called it their favorite ‘go as far as you can’ game specifically because it doesn’t lean on daily login streaks or progress-loss mechanics to keep you hooked, just one optional daily reward drive that stays consistent. Another user praised how convincingly the traffic behaves, joking that cars take forever to change lanes and still somehow cut you off right before you pass, which actually reads as a compliment to how organic the AI feels even within an arcade-style physics model. The game also loads quickly and works offline, which multiple reviewers pointed to as a real advantage over racers that force you online.

Where the Cash and Car System Frustrates Players

The economy is the most consistently criticized part of the experience. Several reviewers said it takes a long time to accumulate enough cash to unlock new cars, and one specifically asked for the payout per round to be raised. There’s also an oddly specific complaint about the cash-doubling feature only working if your score stays under a certain threshold, around $2000 in one user’s account, which feels like an arbitrary cap rather than a rewarding bonus. On top of that, customization is limited to paint and wheels, and one reviewer noted there’s no real difference in how different vehicles actually handle, so the car collection ends up feeling more cosmetic than mechanically meaningful.

Bugs, Physics Quirks, and Police Chase Complaints

This isn’t a flawless build. One user reported the game glitching during play, sometimes ending runs in a crash purely due to technical hiccups rather than driver error, and also mentioned issues after a game session ends. Another oddity multiple players have run into: you can sideswipe guard rails at high speed without dying, but clipping another car at all often ends the run instantly, which feels inconsistent. Police Chase mode draws its own specific frustration, with a reviewer saying that as you improve, the pursuing cars start doing ‘impossible’ things like skipping two lanes instantly to intercept you, which reads less like challenging AI and more like rubber-banding that undermines the fun.

Ads and Session Length Are Reasonable, But the Loop Runs Thin

On the plus side, ads are described as minimal and not too intrusive, and the core gameplay loop is easy to pick up immediately. But that same simplicity is a double-edged sword. One reviewer summarized it as ‘easy and simple and boring,’ and another said the loop, while entertaining at first, starts to run its course after a short while. This is a game built for short bursts rather than long-term deep engagement, and its own repetitiveness is baked into that design.

Final Verdict on Who Should Install This

Traffic Racer is best suited to players who want a low-pressure, offline-capable arcade racer they can pick up for five minutes at a time without worrying about missed streaks or aggressive monetization. If you’re chasing a leaderboard score or just want to zone out weaving through traffic, it delivers that specific itch reliably. But if you want deep car customization, fast progression, or a Police Chase mode that feels fair rather than rubber-banded, the cash grind and bugs will wear on you. It’s a solid time-killer, not a long-term obsession.

Pros

  • Minimal, non-intrusive ad interruptions
  • Works fully offline anytime
  • Convincingly realistic traffic AI behavior
  • Loads quickly with simple controls
  • No forced daily login pressure

Cons

  • Slow cash accumulation for new cars
  • Occasional glitches and crash bugs
  • Police Chase AI feels unfairly rubber-banded

What Real Users Say

Tyee Eliason 5/5

“This is my favorite "go as far as you can" game. It doesn't try to keep you on the game with daily rewards that you can lose progress on, and has minimal ads. It just has one optional daily reward drive that stays the same, which is something I love it for. This game has simplistic customization and upgrade options…”

👍 10,425 found this helpful
Owen Hadley 4/5

“Love this game. Great experience, good gameplay. Absolutely a very good game to play. But the reason why I rated this a four star is because there needs to be some improvements. 1, is that you need to raise up the money that you receive after playing a round. 2, is that you need to get rid of traffic blocking…”

👍 10,205 found this helpful
mark lamberson 2/5

“Its OK. Easy and simple and boring. Takes a LONG time to accumulate cash for cars though. For some ridiculous reason you can sideswipe guard rails at any speed, but not cars?? Can only double cash if you score under a certain amount ($2000?). Needs buffer between un-pausing game to game play....no controls. You purchase certain items, but you can't…”

👍 8,326 found this helpful

Reviews sourced from Google Play, selected by helpfulness at the time of writing.

App Info & Permissions

Developer skgames
Content rating Everyone
Contains ads Yes
In-app purchases $1.99 - $59.99 per item
Installs 461M+
Released 11/12/2013
Price Free

Permissions this app requests

📶 Wi-Fi connection information View Wi-Fi connections

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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is Traffic Racer?

Traffic Racer is an endless arcade racing game where you drive through highway traffic, earn cash for close overtakes and high speeds, and use that money to unlock and upgrade cars. It includes four modes, Endless, Two-Way, Time Trial, and Police Chase, across seven different environments. It's designed for quick, pick-up-and-play sessions rather than a deep racing simulation.

2

Is Traffic Racer free to play?

Yes, the game is free to install and play, supported by ads that reviewers describe as minimal and not too intrusive. There's an in-game cash economy for unlocking cars, though multiple users note it can take a long time to earn enough currency. It's playable fully offline, which is a notable plus for a free arcade title.

3

Does Traffic Racer require an internet connection?

No, one of its most praised features is that it works entirely offline, which several reviewers specifically called out as a reason they prefer it over other racers. This makes it convenient for commutes or anywhere without reliable data. Online leaderboards are available but not required to enjoy the core gameplay.

4

Is the Police Chase mode worth playing?

It can be fun early on, but reviewers report that as your skill improves, pursuing police cars start behaving in ways that feel unrealistic, such as instantly skipping two lanes to intercept you. This has been described as taking the fun out of the mode rather than adding challenge. If you want a fair difficulty curve, this mode may disappoint you.

5

Are all the cars in Traffic Racer actually different?

Not meaningfully, according to user feedback. While there are more than 40 cars and basic customization through paint and wheels, one reviewer specifically noted there's no real difference in how different vehicles handle. So the car collection functions more as a visual and progression goal than a mechanical variety system.