Since there have been many questions received about Kaido Genkai, here are some common answers that might be of interest to you.
What is Kaido Genkai about?
Kaido Genkai is an open-world anime racing RPG inspired by forgotten PS2 racing games. Combining the exploration of Road Trip Adventure with the stylized visuals of Auto Modellista, players explore a nostalgic Japanese countryside, challenge rivals, and uncover mysteries behind every corner.
Who is making this game?
Kaido Genkai is primarily developed by a solo developer under the studio name Karoshi Electric Company. What began as a personal passion project has grown into a multi-year effort to create the kind of racing game rarely seen today: one that combines exploration, storytelling, and progression into a single experience.
Vehicle art and creative consultation are provided by Hacao, a talented automotive artist known for his distinctive cel-shaded style and deep appreciation for classic racing games. His contributions have helped shape both the visual identity of the vehicles and many of the game’s broader design decisions.
Additional commissioned artwork is provided by HoleeCrab and animation by Hamsuko.
When will the game be released and on what platforms?
There is a free demo out now, with the full game released August 2026 on Steam. The game is currently only planned for a PC release, though consoles may be possible. There will not be a mobile release.
Will there be multiplayer?
Sadly not. I’d love to implement this, but as a very small team with limited resources, this is not currently feasible within our means.
Will it be realistic or arcady?
Arcady, most similar to Midnight Club 2 though without some of the mechanics like going on two wheels or slowing down time.
Will there be drifting?
You will be able to perform drifts in the game, but it is not a drift focused game. I feel like there are a lot of amazing games out there which do this kind of genre really really well, so I wanted to make a different experience for Kaido Genkai.
What cars are in Kaido Genkai?
Kaido Genkai features a curated roster of vehicles inspired by Japanese cars from the 1990s. Rather than pursuing an enormous car list, the focus is on creating a smaller selection of memorable vehicles that fit the game’s setting and personality.
While the game does not feature licensed manufacturers, every vehicle draws inspiration from real-world automobiles. Rather than focusing exclusively on the handful of iconic models that appear throughout popular car culture, Kaido Genkai shines a spotlight on lesser-known enthusiast favorites, overlooked economy cars, quirky kei vehicles, and forgotten cult classics alongside more recognizable performance machines.
The goal is to celebrate the full diversity of 1990s Japanese automotive culture and introduce players to vehicles they may not have encountered in other racing games. Many of the selections have also been influenced by feedback from the game’s passionate community.
What is the car customization like?
You can unlock pre-tuned versions of each car, as well as pre-made liveries/paint jobs. A full editor for creating skins and customizing parts is unfortunately not realistic for the size and availability of our team right now, though of course that would have been awesome.
Can I request a car?
No, sorry. The car list has been finalized, with 10 requests coming from Kickstarter backers (thank you so much for the support)!
Can I request a feature?
Our Discord is where we receive suggestions, though there is no guarantee that we can accommodate any request. But sometimes a good idea is a good idea, and we’re all in.
How can I help support this passion project?
Thank you so much for your interest in Kaido Genkai! The number one thing you can do is follow and share our posts on social media platforms like Twitter/X, Instagram, etc. You can also become a member of Discord (I’m sure we’ll love you). Additionally, if you Wishlist Kaido Genkai on Steam, it really helps us out on that platform too, which cannot be understated. Also it probably goes without saying – please play the demo!
We have also set up a Patreon if you’re interested in monetary donations. Take a look there to view rewards for members.
If you are a content creator or media representative, we also highly welcome any coverage you might want to give us. Feel free to reach out on socials or through this form if applicable.
Lastly, thank you to anyone who has followed us, or shared a post or video about the game – you’re really doing a lot to help us out.
