Lambo Drifter 3

Summary

Lambo Drifter 3 takes the series to fresh locations for the first time, along with improved graphics and subtle physics refinements. And don’t worry – the big-angle sideways (and backwards) action that made the series a hit remains firmly intact.

Unlike the previous games that covered the same tracks, you’ll now get to slide the fancy Italian supercars through a moody nighttime shipping port or tear up a long, fast race track. Despite the new additions, fans will be pleased to hear you’ll still get to return to the icy downhill touge mountain roads, too.

Four legendary Lambos await, from the Gallardo starter to the epic Aventador. Each one brings the signature Lambo Drifter feel with twitchy, tail-happy, but controllable sideways physics, and you’ll now need to put your weight transfer and countersteering skills to the test with the long straights of the racetrack thrown into the mix.

As you probably guessed, the diesel-like exhaust smoke (and flames) that’s become the series trademark is back, too, billowing out as you show off your skills and throw down massive backwards entries. If you enjoyed the previous games, this one is an absolute must-try.

Lambo Drifter 3 features

• Release date – September 2018
• Difficulty – Beginner/Intermediate
• Levels/environments – 3
• Number of vehicles – 4
• Vehicle customization/upgrades – No
• Multiplayer – No
• Mobile – No
• Developer – Ado Games

Physics

Anyone who’s played the previous games will recognize the familiar slidey physics. Every Lambo is super twitchy and tail-happy, loves to kick out the back end, making backwards entries near-effortless once you’ve got the hang of it.

Speed and angle once again combine for scoring, so you’ll need to balance full commitment into corners while holding enough angle to keep the points flowing.

While there’s not as much downhill action to add pressure with ever-increasing momentum, the addition of ‘Track’ means there are now longer, faster straights than ever, but with the short run-off, it’ll easily trick you out.

‘Port’ adds a different challenge into the mix with constant slow, technical, tight corners that’ll leave you slamming into the containers if you don’t nail your initiation.

The handling is more forgiving than hardcore sims, but way more fun and addictive than some of the basic arcade drifting games. If you want something with more realistic physics and proper tuning, Drift Hunters MAX offers the ultimate browser-based drifting experience with nearly 40 cars, unique game modes, online leaderboards, realistic grip, comprehensive tuning, and much more.

Graphics

Crank the graphics up to ‘Fantastic’ (assuming your computer can handle it), and you’ll immediately notice this is easily the best-looking game in the Lambo Drifter series.

While ‘Port’ looks great and delivers dark, spooky vibes, if you’re after a browser game with truly stunning nighttime visuals, UNBOUNDED takes things to another level as you tear up the city at night, where the streetlamps and headlights provide the only lighting. You won’t believe how good it looks, and there are plenty of modern cars, a mind-blowing amount of tuning options, and online multiplayer thrown into the mix, too.

There’s no damage on offer here, but if you’re after spectacular crashes and realistic damage, try Deadly Descent, where you’ll fight off the AI opponents in an effort to reach the finish line as your wheels fall off and panels fly everywhere. There’s a good reason it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular games at Drifted.

Controls

PC/laptop/Chromebook

• W/Up arrow – Accelerate
• S/Down arrow – Brake/reverse
• A/Left arrow – Steer left
• D/Right arrow – Steer right
• Space – Handbrake
• C – Camera (3 different angles)

Mobile/tablet (iOS/Android)

Lambo Drifter 3 isn’t available on mobile browsers. If you’re on your phone or tablet, you can check out our mobile games collection for other alternatives that work perfectly on touchscreen devices.

How to play Lambo Drifter 3

Initial setup

You start at the main menu, where you can see your current driver level and record score in the top left. This record tracks your highest single drift since there are no combos in this game, just pure single-drift scoring. Once you transition (even if you execute it perfectly), your points go towards increasing your driver level.

On the right side, you’ll find ‘Play’, ‘Settings’, and ‘Achievements’. In ‘Settings’, crank the graphics quality up to ‘Fantastic’ right away (if your computer can handle it). You’ve also got ‘Beautiful’, ‘Good’, ‘Simple’, ‘Fast’, and ‘Fastest’ options, basically running from high to low quality if you find it’s lagging.

‘Achievements’ shows your current targets to work towards, with the end goal being reaching level 30 and hitting a 1,500-point drift, both of which are much harder than they sound. Once you achieve both, you’ll become the Lambo Drifter king!

Getting started

Hit ‘Play’, and you’ll see your garage with the starter Gallardo ready to go (not a bad way to start, huh?!).

Although this is the only option initially, it’s still capable of hanging with the best, and a perfect option to get started. It’s nimble, predictable, and still super fun even after you’ve unlocked everything else.

Select ‘Port’ (your only track option at first), and you’ll immediately find yourself in the dark container yard at night. The atmosphere is moody, with glowing smoke drifting around and the (kinda creepy) glow the series is known for. You’ve got 60 seconds on the clock to rack up the biggest drift score possible, and add as many as you can to your overall driver level tally.

Game modes

Just like the previous games, there’s only one game mode on offer, where you get a time allocation to pull off your sickest drifts and increase your driver level.

The green ‘Lv x’ bar in the top left shows how close you are to reaching the next level. Every point you earn adds to your level earnings. Even if you crash head-on into the wall, you still get to keep your points, so don’t be afraid to pull off the craziest entries and angles.

Admittedly, it’d be great to see them add more game modes to the series, but old habits, and all that!

Thankfully, if you’re looking for more options, there are plenty of amazing browser-based alternatives. Force Drift Racing: Aussie Burnout offers three different modes, including insane Aussie burnout competitions where you’ll explore your tires in smoke-filled Summernats-style burnout pits.

Or, you can also give Top Speed Racing 3D a try if you’re keen for an expansive open world map with a massive selection of drift events, time trials, and stunt challenges.

Car list

Gallardo (Starter)

Your trusty companion from the start. Despite being free, this legendary Lambo is predictable and easy to learn how to push the physics to their limits before moving to the (slightly) wilder machines.

Murcielago (Level 3)

Fans of the series will recognize this matte black beast with insane aero and aggressive styling from the last game, but probably won’t have the best memories! Thankfully, it’s now fixed compared to the buggy Lamborghini Drifter 2 version, where it had endless scraping issues that made it virtually undriveable.

Now, you can actually enjoy it in all its glory, with epic looks and capabilities, with it being (arguably) the best-looking car in the game.

Reventon (Level 6)

Another step up in performance, where it’s a little better than the previous two, but (personal preference, of course) not as good-looking. It’s not as dramatic a jump as unlocking the Murcielago, but you’ll be thankful for the small dose of extra power and predictable handling when trying to hit the ultimate scores.

Aventador (Level 12)

The orange final boss. Supremely fast, aggressive styling that rivals the Murcielago for best looks, and the ultimate tool for setting massive scores. When you unlock it, you’ll realize it’s worth the grind of reaching level 12.

Track list

Port (Available from start)

Set in a nighttime container yard with industrial vibes and constant, unforgivingly challenging narrow corners. While it’s fun, the follow camera is a little problematic here, especially when you’re pulling big angles around containers, as it doesn’t always swing around as you’d hope. You can try different camera angles with the ‘C’ key if you’re struggling to reach your full potential.

Track (Unlocks at Level 6)

Finally, a proper race circuit! Unlike the usual downhill focus of the series, this one feels more like a racing game with smooth tarmac and harsh concrete walls (did someone say wall runs?!). While the grass is a little slippery, you don’t need to worry too much, and you won’t be punished for going off-track.

For a fun mini-game (if you’re feeling brave), try using the pit lane and grid boxes as makeshift clipping points.

Winter (Unlocks at Level 12)

The classic downhill touge that defined the previous two games returns! It brings an unpredictable, snowy surface with icy patches, walls everywhere, and the characteristic bumps in the road that make your Lambo bounce around.

When you start drifting here, you’ll notice that the “tracks” in the surface (like heavy machinery has worn grooves) aren’t just visual, and they add yet another layer of difficulty as the suspension works overtime when you’re already fighting to hold onto the little grip you have!

Tuning

Unfortunately (besides the obvious rear-wheel-drive conversions), there’s still no tuning or customization, so what you see is what you get.

If you want custom paint jobs and plenty of performance mods and tuning potential, the classic Drift Hunters game gives you over 25 cars, along with full color customization and nearly as many tuning options as the more resource-heavy Drift Hunters MAX.

Alternatively, Drift Hunters Pro lets you head online to play with your friends in private (or public) online multiplayer lobbies, alongside the ability to tune everything from camber angles to turbo pressure on the ultimate 90s JDM cars roster.

Advanced tips & tricks

Master the manji on the longer straights

‘Track’ has long straights where you can manji (swerve left and right) and maximize the width of the track to keep collecting points. This technique keeps your score building even when there aren’t corners, but make sure you maintain enough speed for when you reach the next one.

Build your speed before the corners for new high scores

The scoring heavily favors combining speed with angle. So, once you’ve got to grips with the manji, try using the straight to build up some serious speed, then throw it into the corner to try and beat your highest drift score. It’s riskier but way more rewarding!

You can also experiment with lifting off the throttle and tapping the e-brake (but don’t hold it for too long, or you’ll scrub off too much speed), to suddenly throw the back-end out. It can be harder to catch perfectly on initiation, but it’s great for learning how weight transfer works.

Give all three camera angles a try

‘Port’ especially benefits from switching cameras since the default follow cam struggles with the container corners. The side view is like having a GoPro stuck to the fender, and the ‘Front’ view makes it a little challenging to know what the rear-end is doing, but it’s another aspect to try and master.

Keep an eye on the front tire smoke

If your tires are consistently smoking, it likely means you’re holding too much angle to be sustainable for the whole corner. Not only will this impact your high score, but it’ll eventually leave your Lambo getting bogged down to the point where it’ll struggle to spin up the rear tires. There’s no manual gearbox option to shift down a gear and get the revs up again, so your only option is to dial back the counter-steer slightly to find the sweet spot.

Grind efficiently, and you’ll unlock the Aventador before you know it

Around half an hour of decent drifting should get you to level 12, where you’ll be gifted with the Aventador and the Winter track. Don’t stress about achieving perfect runs, just have fun pushing your limits while keeping the points flowing, and you’ll unlock everything soon enough.

Lambo Drifter 3 FAQ