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Atari taking Test Drive Unlimited for another spin

Eden Games returns for second open-world installment in long-running road racing series for 360, PS3, and PC.

After idling for nearly four years, Test Drive is ready to get back on the road. Atari today announced that it has enlisted Eden Games to make Test Drive Unlimited 2 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

Like in most racing games, cars will be unfeasibly shiny.

Like in most racing games, cars will be unfeasibly shiny.

Like its predecessor, Unlimited 2 will feature "massively open online racing," which lets players cruise around a persistent online world running into other players, literally and figuratively. Where the first Unlimited took place on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, Test Drive Unlimited 2 will find players racing around a new island, with an assortment of new vehicles and race types and a revamped single-player mode that can be played online or off. The game will also include new features like vehicle damage and weather effects.

Unlimited 2 marks a return to the road for developer Eden Games, which has a lengthy history of racing games, including Atari's series of V-Rally games and Need for Speed Porsche. The original Test Drive Unlimited was the studio's last racing game, with the developer working on Atari's Alone in the Dark revamp in between the two projects.

For more on the original Unlimited, check out GameSpot's review.

89 Comments

  • mattinavat

    Posted Apr 27, 2010 10:34 am GMT

    I already pre-ordered this. There is new news on this game and new screens. Why is gamespot so slow to pick it up? I've played countless racers and the original TDU is still my favorite of all time. Looking forward to this one.

  • thomanji

    Posted Apr 23, 2010 6:38 pm GMT

    That makes my day, I usually like only simulations but I like the last unlimited because there is just something accelerating to drive a 120 mile road course with traffic in a Ferrari at 200 miles an hour. I had some good time with this game and look forward to this. I also love the fact that Atari shows some love to the gaming community by pricing these games fairly. It is refreshing to see that not all is greed based pricing.

  • boricuasnake04

    Posted Apr 23, 2010 10:02 am GMT

    This was my fav racing game for a very long time until Need for Speed came out but I still play this one more than a play NFS this game was amazing it had a lot of problems (glitches) but it was cool finding them this is a must buy from day one

  • poseidion

    Posted Apr 13, 2010 8:57 pm GMT

    today i went to pick up a new release and at the end of the transaction the employee (which is a friend of mine) started offering me games to reserve. I told him the only game i want to reserve is TDU2 and i doubt is available. He made the search and showed me the monitor, and it said it's coming on Sept 21 2010 for $49.99. I asked him how in the world is possible that that inf is not on pages like Game Spot and he told me those videogames stores have the exclusive for that date. Somebody tell me what to believe?????? i swear i saw it on the monitor and it's a known store

  • avb1g

    Posted Apr 13, 2010 11:07 am GMT

    the game is free roam u dont always have to race so trucks would be cool why not some trucks are quite fast dodge ram srt10, saleen s2881 , f150, some others as well chevys bmws audis so on and maybe some diesel trucks

  • avb1g

    Posted Apr 13, 2010 11:01 am GMT

    2006 atari tdu amazing game some small detail hiccups but nothing much most people had trouble or just plain out could not find their friends but its super easy to find your friends go to the map and on the left side there is a about 4 settings 1 is for players you can change it to friends only or even club or recent players but this is about friends so input to friends and only your friends will come up on the map whereever they may be. TDU2 all the way

  • Willowblades

    Posted Mar 23, 2010 8:32 am GMT

    I can't wait for this game since the first one was so good, but I hope they add Porsche, BMW, and some of the super cars that were not in the last game.

  • Joeywan

    Posted Mar 19, 2010 11:42 am GMT

    Test Drive Unlimited 1 was a brilliant game, but with a LOT of room for improvement, nonetheless. That's what makes it such a good candidate for a sequel. If they can capture all of the good aspects of the first one, AND fix all of the problems, this will be one of the best games of all time.

  • mattinavat

    Posted Mar 10, 2010 12:39 pm GMT

    About time. TDU was and is my favorite racing game EVER. This is one of the few titles I absolutely will pre-order. I've been getting by with DiRT and Forza 3 and lamenting that the full featured Rally & Asphalt Gran Turismo 5 is only on PS3 since I've got my wheel set up for the 360. I am pumped for this game to breath life back into racing.

  • Draconous79

    Posted Mar 7, 2010 3:14 pm GMT

    Hopefully not as disappointing as the first game... It was an awesome concept that was let down by a somewhat dodgy driving mechanic (in my opinion)... i'll be interested to see if they have improved it

  • sambob530

    Posted Mar 7, 2010 11:28 am GMT

    @Harlyboy That's what I meant, but it was still developed by the same company.

  • Dragonsingh3000

    Posted Mar 7, 2010 1:05 am GMT

    woooo and its coming to PS3 wooooo

  • Thorpe89

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 7:39 pm GMT

    Eden Games should have focused more on racing titles because Alone in the Dark was a complete disaster.

  • themyrmidon

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 5:52 am GMT

    With the mod community the first still has 2 should have some pretty sweet stuff if it's still fairly open.

  • junor69

    Posted Mar 5, 2010 2:59 am GMT

    TDU was fun if they can ad more tune options real time damage and fix the online game play so thats easy to play with your mates then we may just have a winner ooo and more bikes this time round.

  • Joeywan

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 5:33 pm GMT

    Test Drive is one of the only racing series I've ever liked. Can't wait.

  • cmullen666

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 5:12 pm GMT

    WOOP WOOP 1st was class

  • thenephariouson posted Mar 4, 2010 1:23 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    thenephariouson

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 1:23 pm GMT (hide)

    Do we really need 'another' standard racer?

  • HBC14

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 11:31 am GMT

    hmmm 1 more driving game... We have NFS shift, CM Dirt 2... Forza 3... We need some innovation in thin type of games. Blur and Split/Second are a good example of innovation.

  • CTR360

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 9:35 am GMT

    the first its good i hope tdu2 its better

  • infestedcyborg1

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 8:20 am GMT

    About damn time, been waiting so long for a 2nd test drive.

  • tig1979

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 3:35 am GMT

    TDU had so much potential but failed in certain area's the online thing was the worst, trying to play with your friends was a persistent nightmare, hopefully Eden have taken all this on board and we get a much improved TDU, TDU was alright hopefully this one will hit the spot!

  • asmodeus_z

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 1:56 am GMT

    It's about time. TDU was good fun. I'm still playing it over newer games despite it being released more than 4 years ago.

  • asmodeus_z

    Posted Mar 4, 2010 1:37 am GMT

    It's about time. TDU was good fun. I'm still playing it over newer games despite it being released more than 4 years ago.

  • plm3d_basic

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 6:55 pm GMT

    They need to create a fictional island with active volcanoes, snow covered landscapes, dirt roads, day/night cycles, and full weather effects. Also, what I loved about the first one is the option of loading your own mp3 and ability to switch radio stations which is good for races that last longer than 30 min. They also need an option of car damage and definitely bring back the cops. Also having the option of playing as a cop and taking out opponents would also be cool.

  • gijas

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 5:36 pm GMT

    weathe reffects were in the first TD if you drove aorund Oahu on the eastern side near Hilo the sky darkened and rain clouds appeared. I loved the different environments on the island and believe it or not were like real life Oahu! Currentlly I cant play this game. I have the digital version from Atari and have installed it over three different time now I cant access TD?

  • SwedeMerc

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 3:32 pm GMT

    I have been waiting for this news

  • novak2k6

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 3:32 pm GMT

    loved that game and spent weeks playing it. Being a sportbike owner is was great tearing up the city streets with the different bikes. Can't wait!!

  • punkdsk8erdude

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 3:17 pm GMT

    Yes!!!!!

  • brian_13un

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 3:01 pm GMT

    Great

  • SlyOneil

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 2:53 pm GMT

    Hell Yeah!! I phucking loved the first TDU on the 360. I played it night and day. Loved the fact that you could drive 'Off Track' if you wanted to - without bumping into invisible walls. Plus I could drive around the entire island in glorious HD. Bring it ATARI.

  • Oloryn

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 2:33 pm GMT

    Really liked the first game and concept, and here's hoping that with a bit of polish to that experience we can see a truly amazing open world racing game.

  • Crono21

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 2:33 pm GMT

    Woohoo! Ive been waiting so long for this. TDU was an amazing game. I cannot wait!!!

  • EXxile

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 2:32 pm GMT

    Awesome. I loved TDU

  • Agent_StarFire

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 1:55 pm GMT

    sick i played first demo it wasnt bad only bad thing was that their was no vehicle damage looking forward to a second one now vehicle damage plus weather effects. To Kool

  • The-Mosher

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 1:49 pm GMT

    I remember playing TDU on the PSP. It was pretty fun, actually.

  • runenakken

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 1:27 pm GMT

    This one I will be looking out for. TDU was a lot of fun! 2 will probablybe no different.

  • sirNemanjapro

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 1:25 pm GMT

    I LOVE TDU! Pre order, pre order, pre order!

  • lanmanna

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 1:11 pm GMT

    First game was cool. Burnout Paradise and TDU rock!

  • MERGATROYDER

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 12:57 pm GMT

    Been waiting for a new Test Drive. I hope they keep the club options. The first title was amazing, I still play it from time to time. I'm assuming this might be a Spring of 2011 release.

  • Hitman2500

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 12:55 pm GMT

    cool cant wait

  • Csonic6

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 12:41 pm GMT

    I hope the caterham in this one too (and just as crazy)
    P.S. sweet

  • moose3469

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 12:36 pm GMT

    I loved the first one. I still hop in my Saleen and do the tour of the island race when im bored.

  • magicalclick

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 12:26 pm GMT

    Oh yeah, NFSorsche is pretty much my first NFS game, and it is really fun. Didn't know it was the same dev team. Kudos to them.

  • magicalclick

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 12:24 pm GMT

    I remember there was a romor and screenshots that that they are supporting rally. At least that was in the dev arts awhile back. Hope that's still true because a lot of poeple off road on this game and I love rally.

  • NearlyPrescient

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 12:07 pm GMT

    @Harlyboy
    he said NFS Porsche was the best of the series. that would refer to the NFS series, not Test Drive, since he didn't even mention Test Drive until after V-Rally.

  • grand17

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 12:00 pm GMT

    i alwasy wanted td:u for ps3 so this will be sweet

  • vampyr_ant

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 11:41 am GMT

    cant wait. first one was awesome. spent endless hours cruising with mates. cnt wait for more info. xbox or ps3 version?

  • BladeTrinity114

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 11:37 am GMT

    Awesome! Been waiting for this announcement for a while. Can't wait for it to come out!

  • mkeezay22

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 11:24 am GMT

    The first was was a decent game with a great idea it just wasn't executed as well as it should have been.

    TDU was one of those games I expected to have a sequel the next year with all improvements that they needed to make but somehow it just disappeared even though it had unique gameplay that made it stand apart from both the sims like Forza and arcade racers like NFS.

    Hopefully now that its back and were so much further into this console cycle the devs will really put some polish into it and flesh out the online which is where it really shined.
    the ability to just drive around and find people online to race anywhere on the island was good,now if they would allow things like setting up meeting points for massive online races that would be amazing

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