Drift City

Remember the Nintendo DS? That little dual screen handheld that gave us so many classics? Well, imagine if someone took that nostalgic magic and gave it a modern, high energy twist. That’s exactly what IJji feels like a love letter to portable gaming, reimagined for today.

Developed by Krome the same studio known for its work on Windows gaming titles IJji blends hidden object hunts, environmental puzzles, and fast paced adventure into one seriously smooth experience. Picture this: you're cruising through a vibrant, almost dreamlike world that feels both playful and perilous. Your goal? Navigate this sprawling landscape, hunting for your final destination while dodging everything from sudden blizzards to spike traps. And yeah, there are power ups. Lots of them. Grab 'em to boost your ride’s speed and handling because in IJji, momentum is everything.

The story kicks off in 2021 with a group of teens stranded on a stormy island. After their canoe gets wrecked in a blizzard, one of them ventures into the heart of Drift City a neon drenched, stylized version of Japan’s Izu Peninsula. Here, glowing signs and cartoonish backdrops create this weirdly inviting yet slightly eerie vibe. You take on the role of that teen, setting up an inn and slowly rebuilding it by completing missions. Whether it’s collecting crates, unlocking vehicle upgrades, or helping the inn generate cash, every task brings you closer to the end goal. And as you progress, the world literally gets clearer a cool visual touch that makes you feel your impact.

What really stands out is how alive the world feels. The characters are beautifully rendered, full of personality even without much dialogue. Krome kept things immersive no clunky text boxes or over explaining. The menus are slick, the visuals pop, and the whole thing just flows. It’s not a massive open world (at least not yet), but it’s packed with charm and intention.

And when you’re done with the story? IJji shifts seamlessly into split screen mode for some old school, two player local action. It’s the kind of feature that makes you wish the DS’s wireless play was still everywhere.

Rumors are already swirling about a follow up maybe something like Krome City: Rush Hour. If it’s even half as creative as IJji, Nintendo DS fans (and modern gamers alike) are in for a treat.