Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is an online open-world racing game built around exploring Hong Kong Island, collecting cars, and competing with other players. It is not a conventional offline campaign: PlayStation’s product listing says “Online play required.” Whether it is a good fit depends on whether you want a persistent, social racing world—and are comfortable with its online requirement and the uncertainty around current server conditions.
What kind of racing game is Solar Crown?
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown combines open-world driving with car collecting, customization, social spaces, and competitive online events. PlayStation describes it as a massively multiplayer racing game set on a recreation of Hong Kong Island, which its listing says is reproduced at 1:1 scale. That describes the modeled island’s scale; it should not be taken as proof that the playable area covers a particular number of square kilometers.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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Nacon Test Drive (PS5) | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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![Nacon Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown [AT PEGI] (PS5)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41kxZ6Gj8YL._SL160_.jpg)
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Nacon Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown [AT PEGI] (PS5) | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing - PlayStation 5 | $33.50 | Buy on Amazon |
The game’s structure is less like a story-led racing campaign and more like a car-focused online world. You explore, acquire and customize vehicles, show them off in the Solar Hotel garage, meet other players in social hubs, and pursue progression through clan and ranked competition. The official listing presents two factions, Streets and Sharps, as part of that competition.
Does Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown require an internet connection?
Yes. PlayStation’s listing explicitly states “Online play required,” so this is not a game to buy expecting a complete offline mode. The listing also says PS Plus is required for online play and supports up to 16 online players. Check the store page for your region and platform for the applicable subscription terms; platform requirements can differ.
#1 Best Overall
- Take to the road and live the life of luxury you have always dreamed of. But remember one thing: reputation is what makes all the difference.
- Live a unique lifestyle and social life never before seen in a video game!
- Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown features the most eye-catching cars from a range of manufacturers, including the most prestigious: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Koenigsegg, Dodge, Apollo and many others.
- Freely explore Hong Kong island, recreated at 1:1 scale, with over 600km (375 miles) of roads through dense and varied terrain.
- The best drivers battle for the ultimate prize: becoming the next winner of the Solar Crown and gaining the respect and recognition of their clan!
Meristation’s Spanish-language review, published October 17, 2024, also noted an online requirement and a Nacon account requirement. That is a dated review observation; check the current platform and publisher account requirements before purchase.
What platforms is Solar Crown on?
The game launched on PC through Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on September 12, 2024. PlayStation’s listing identifies the PS5 release date and offers a PS5 Standard Edition. Confirm the edition and current availability on your own platform’s store.
How did the launch-period reviews and technical issues look?
The early access period for the Gold Edition began September 5, 2024. In a launch-feedback communication, NACON acknowledged connection and access problems, including issues that remained in some regions and on some platforms at the time. It also acknowledged player concerns about framerate and graphics on PC and consoles.
Rank #2
- AT PEGI Edition. German packaging. Completely German playable.
- DISCOVER HONGKONG ISLAND Meet a place never seen before in a racing game: Hong Kong Island. The island has been recreated at scale 1:1 and is full of special places to discover. From old, narrow roads to highways and mountain roads to beaches, no drive will ever be like the others. Whether you are alone or with friends, start the adventure and find hundreds of collectibles that will bring you different rewards.
- COMPLECTION YOUR COLLECTION Buy famous models from the most famous manufacturers: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Bugatti, Koenigsegg, Aston Martin and many more. In total, more than 30 automakers are represented with various models in the game - from everyday cars of the sixties to ultra-modern hypersports cars and off-road vehicles.
- MEET OTHER FANS Create an avatar and get to know other car enthusiasts on the streets of Hong Kong or at one of the many hangout places. Whether in the Solar Hotel, at car dealerships, in workshops or in the headquarters of the clans, these are the perfect places to meet new people and pursue the passion for cars together.
- CHOOSE YOUR CLAN Take part in clan competitions by participating in one of two families fighting for supremacy: the streets, extravagant provocateurs; or the Sharps who have more understated class. Take part in exciting races against your clan's challengers to advance and earn unique rewards.
NACON said a planned patch would include more than 300 fixes and improve optimization and compatibility or functionality for some steering wheels, shifters, and pedals. It recommended installing the PC version on an SSD, saying HDD read speeds were insufficient for map textures and substantially reduced framerate. Those statements concern the launch period; they do not establish the game’s present requirements or guarantee that a specific device or issue is now resolved.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesMeristation’s October 17, 2024 review reported connection and server failures, matchmaking problems, and unbalanced AI during its review, and characterized the driving as arcade-oriented. These are that reviewer’s observations at that time, not a finding about every player’s experience or current performance.
There is evidence of ongoing updates: a Steam listing shows a Season 7 Patch 1 entry dated September 10, 2026, with fixes including infinite loading screens, Detective Missions, and Solar Pass XP. That entry does not establish whether any particular issue is fixed on every platform. Current server quality, player population, and the status of individual bugs are not settled by these dated sources.
Rank #3
- ALL-STAR CAST OF DREAMWORKS CHARACTERS: Who will you choose? With favorites such as Shrek, Po, Tigress, Boss Baby, Puss in Boots, Hiccup, and Astrid, it’ll be hard to choose just one.
- 20 AWESOME KARTS: Each kart draws its distinct design from the unique personality of its DreamWorks character-driver! Put your very own twist on the kart with hundreds of parts and accessory combinations to level up!
- RACE THROUGH ICONIC LOCATIONS: Be transported into fantastical worlds as you speed, shift, jump and drift through tracks inspired by your favorite DreamWorks movies: The Kingdom of Far Far Away from Shrek, Bergen Town from Trolls, Baby Corp from The Boss Baby, New York City Zoo from Madagascar, and many more!
- TROLLS AS RACE HOSTS & POWER-UPS: Poppy, Branch, Barb, Cooper and others from the colorful world of the DreamWorks Trolls are not only rockin’ it as your hosts for each race, but also help you hit the right notes for your racetrack success with their power-up potential. Collect them to ride along with you throughout each race for special surprises!
- MULTIPLE RACING MODES: Awesome online and split-screen local multi-player for non-stop action the entire family will love.
Is Solar Crown worth playing?
It is most appealing if the draw is a persistent online car world: cruising around a detailed island, building a vehicle collection, customizing cars, meeting other players, and entering competitive events. The clan choice and ranked PvP give the social world a competitive direction beyond simply driving around.
It is a weaker fit if you want a self-contained offline campaign, or if you are unwilling to depend on online services. The launch-period technical reports are worth considering, but they should not be treated as a diagnosis of the game’s condition in 2026. Before buying, check recent platform-specific patch notes and player reports for the issues that matter most to you.
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What to check before buying or setting up?
- Platform: Choose among PC (Steam), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, and verify the edition and availability in your store.
- Connection and subscriptions: Plan for online play. Check your platform’s current online-play requirements and subscription terms; PlayStation specifies PS Plus for online play on its listing.
- PC storage: NACON recommended an SSD during the launch period because of map-texture loading and framerate concerns with HDD speeds. Check current PC system requirements as well.
- Racing peripherals: A wheel, shifter, or pedals are optional. Verify the exact model and supported functions against the current official compatibility list; the publisher’s statement about improvements for some devices is not universal compatibility confirmation.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
