For those excited to get hands on with the next instalment in the Test Drive Unlimited series on Xbox, there are a couple of questions still to ask.
Will we be able to play the game on the next-gen Xbox Series X and S? And if so, when can we play it?
So, we’re here to give you the lowdown on what we know so far about TDU Solar Crown on the next-gen Xbox consoles and its release date!
Latest news - Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Release Date Confirmed
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown has had a lot of trailers during its long promotional run, but we finally have a confirmed release date for the title. TDUSC already had a release window in 2024, thanks to a trailer at Nacon Connect.
However, we've now got a specific date to aim for thanks to the release date trailer you can take a look at below:
The full release date for TDUSC is September 12, with pre-orders for this available now. You can gain two days of early access from September 10 by purchasing either the Silver Streets or Silver Sharps.
If you can't wait that long, though, you can get a full week of early access from September 5 by pre-ordering the Gold Edition of TDUSC.
First Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown gameplay revealed
Nacon showed the first Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown gameplay back in 2023.
No Xbox Series X|S gameplay was shown, but we did get 30 minutes of PC gameplay in an extended TDU Connect presentation, where YouTubers and TDU fans got to play an early alpha build of TDUSC.
In the footage, we get a tour of the Solar Hotel, the Sharps and Streets clan headquarters, and some racing action on the streets of Hong Kong Island.
We also get a first look at TDUSC's social features, with footage showing players visiting each other's clan headquarters. Overall, TDUSC looks very promising and we can't wait to explore Hong Kong Island and live a luxurious lifestyle!
Hong Kong Island deep dive
From narrow town streets to wide open highways where you can maximize speed to winding off-road mountain trails, Hong Kong is set to be a brilliant location to explore.
In a recent newsletter update, KT Racing shared visual updates on the map we will all be racing around soon. Hong Kong Island's 370 square-mile landscape is being recreated at 1:1 scale, but it won't be an exact replica.
“To emphasize the fast and smooth driving, for example, the very dense urban network of HKI needed some small adjustments because of certain little streets that were very (too?) narrow,” creative director Alain Jarniou explained.
“Conversely, some light redesign was done to the major thoroughfares to make them more fun and adapted to very fast cars, while respecting the identity of Hong Kong Island.”
Test Drive Unlimited Xbox Series X|S
With the power of Xbox Series X, TDUSC's open-world set in Hong Kong Island and exotic cars will look glorious in 4K.
On Xbox Series S, the frame rate will likely be reduced to 1080p and 30fps like Forza Horizon 5. There could, however, be graphics and performance modes allowing you to prioritize resolution or frame rate.
For example, a performance mode could enable TDUSC to run at 60fps with a reduced 1080p resolution. A graphics mode, on the other hand, would increase the resolution to 4K but lower the frame rate to 30fps.
The last TDU Xbox game was Test Drive Unlimited 2 in 2012, so there will be a noticeable leap in visual quality. Load times will also be significantly faster than last-gen hardware. This is essential as long load times would break the illusion of a seamless open world where you enter garages and dealerships.
What about Xbox One?
TDUSC was originally planned for release on both current and last-gen consoles. But as development time extended, KT Racing canceled the PS4 and Xbox One releases to prioritize the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions.
It's a shame for Xbox One owners, but this means TDUSC won't be held back on Xbox Series X|S with compromised visuals and gameplay.
Will Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown be on Game Pass?
KT Racing and Nacon haven't confirmed if TDUSC will be on Xbox Game Pass.
It seems unlikely though, as games like WRC Generations and TT Isle of Man - Ride on the Edge 2 published by Nacon aren't on Game Pass.
Location
In terms of location, TDUSC is set in a 1:1 recreation of Hong Kong Island. While it's smaller than Hawaii at 30 square miles, the map will be noticeably more diverse with cities, beaches and countryside to explore.
Trailer
Since it was announced in 2020, TDUSC has only been shown in cinematic trailers apart from a few seconds of gameplay in 2021's Together We Drive trailer.
The trailers confirm TDUSC will retain the spirit of older TDU games with a focus on living the fantasy of driving exotic cars, exploring the open road, and a lavish lifestyle.
Gameplay
While KT Racing hasn't shown any extensive gameplay footage yet, we know a few key gameplay details.
A full dealership experience will set TDUSC apart from Forza Horizon. In TDUSC, you can visit 14 dealerships from classic cars to luxury models. Ferrari and Lamborghini will have their own dedicated dealerships.
Each dealership will also act as a social hub where you can interact with other players online and meet like-minded car enthusiasts.
Saving up money and buying your car will feel like a special occasion. Official manufacturer options will let you change the paint color and select interior trim.
Workshops will allow you to customize your car further, with six categories and 13 customisable performance parts for combustion cars. Electric cars will also have six categories but 12 customisable performance parts.
Dealerships and car customisation revealed
KT Racing has finally broken the extended silence, revealing new details about Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown's dealership experience and car customisation.
This should assure fans that Solar Crown will recapture TDU's unique experience.