Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
The verdict on

Highway Rider

30
User verdict / 100 High confidence In trouble

Highway Rider, a game with a strong nostalgic appeal, is currently facing significant backlash due to a perceived decline in quality, an overwhelming number of ads, and the removal of beloved features from its older versions.

⚠ Not updated in 48 months, this app may be abandoned
4.4★ lifetime (24,036) Free + in-app purchases since 2012 by Battery Acid Games, Inc. recent negative 28% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Excessive Ads Nostalgia Removed Features Gameplay Changes In-App Purchase Issues
5★481
4★151
3★87
2★76
1★205
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.4★ lifetime average

Highway Rider is a motorcycle racing game that many users remember fondly from their childhood, praising its fun and addictive gameplay. However, recent updates have led to widespread dissatisfaction, primarily due to an excessive number of ads and the removal of popular characters, physics, and game modes. Players are actively requesting a return to older versions of the game.

What users like

  • Many users find the game fun, addictive, and a good way to pass time, evoking strong childhood nostalgia.R4R13R16R39

What users complain about

  • The game is plagued with an excessive number of ads, often appearing after every crash and sometimes unskippable, making it barely playable for many.R1R5R9R11
  • Many players report that the current version has removed beloved characters, bikes, game modes (like Fugitive mode), and visual elements (like the hospital scene or blood effects), diminishing the game's appeal.R6R19R22R26
  • Users frequently complain about changes to gameplay mechanics, including physics, turning controls, and a slower pace, which they feel have ruined the game.R5R10R22R25
  • Some users experienced issues with in-app purchases, specifically not receiving 'gas caps' or other purchased items.R1R3R20R49
  • The game is perceived as less realistic in its vehicle behavior and crash animations compared to previous versions or user expectations.R52R70R201
  • Some players report technical issues such as reversed controls, crashes on older devices (though developer notes claim fixes), and sound problems.R5R65R84R288

Latest update · v2.4.2

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

- Bug fixes and optimizations - Added leaderboards shortcut

Recurring themes

Nostalgia mixed
Many players downloaded the game for nostalgic reasons, remembering it as a great part of their childhood. However, this nostalgia is often met with disappointment due to changes in the current version, leading to calls for the old version to be restored.R13R16R22R25
Excessive Ads negative
A pervasive complaint is the overwhelming number of ads, frequently appearing after every crash or ride, which severely disrupts gameplay and makes the game frustrating or unplayable for many users. Some express willingness to pay for an ad-free option.R1R5R9R11
Removed Features negative
Many users are upset about the removal of popular features from older versions, including specific characters (e.g., Speed Junkie, zombie rider, officer, astronaut), bikes, the hospital scene after crashes, blood effects, helmets, and even a 'Fugitive mode'. These removals are seen as detrimental to the game's original charm and fun.R6R19R22R26
Gameplay Changes negative
Reviewers frequently criticize changes to the game's physics, turning controls (some report them as reversed), and overall gameplay speed, stating that these updates have made the game less enjoyable and less like the original experience.R5R10R22R25
In-App Purchase Issues negative
A notable number of users reported spending money on in-app purchases, such as 'gas caps' or other parts, but not receiving the items they paid for.R1R3R20R49

Who it's for

This game is for players who enjoy simple, arcade-style motorcycle racing and have a strong sense of nostalgia for its earlier versions R13R16. It might appeal to those looking for a casual time-killer, provided they can tolerate frequent ads R39. It is NOT for players who expect realistic physics, a deep gameplay experience, or those who are easily frustrated by constant advertisements and missing features from previous iterations R11R26R70.

Evidence note: The recent reviews heavily skew negative, with a strong consensus around the issues of excessive ads and the removal of old features. While some positive reviews exist, they often express nostalgia or general enjoyment without addressing the specific criticisms. The developer's notes mention 'bug fixes and optimizations' but recent reviews contradict this with reports of new bugs and control issues, and the notes do not address the widespread complaints about ads or removed content.

Frequently asked

Are there too many ads in Highway Rider?
Yes, many recent reviews indicate that Highway Rider has an excessive number of ads, often appearing after every crash or ride, which significantly hinders the gameplay experience R1R11R40R68.
Can I get the old version of Highway Rider?
While many players are requesting a return to the old version, the current app store listing only offers the updated version, and there is no in-game option to revert to previous iterations R7R14R26R32.
Are there issues with in-app purchases in Highway Rider?
Yes, some users have reported issues where they spent money on in-app purchases, such as for 'gas caps', but did not receive the items they paid for R1R3R20.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R4] 5/5 · US The first thing I thought of when I saw the video of the game: This was just the best game I ever played in my whole entire life all because it is very fun and not just fun but also very satisfying to my opinion
  2. [R13] 5/5 · US Best game yet: I used to play this game as a little kid
  3. [R16] 5/5 · US Nostalgia: Tbh I have no idea what the other reviews are saying about then changes the gameplay is the same as I remember it from 10 years ago. Still fun and stupid in a fun way.
  4. [R39] 5/5 · US AMAZING!!!: Yurp.. Really fun and addicting game, great to pass time. I love it!
  5. [R1] 1/5 · US I spent money it did not give caps and to meny adds: L game
  6. [R5] 1/5 · US Still missing updated iPad graphics: Update March 2026: The turning controls are now reversed, with no way to change them, so if you turn to the right, you actually go left. And the amount, type, and length of adds is really bad. Review update for version 1.8.4: Most of the crashes on iOS 8 devices when collecting mPoints have been fixed. However, the updated graphics introduced last year still
  7. [R9] 1/5 · US Used to be a fun: Now so much ads and not even fun
  8. [R11] 1/5 · US Greed loses customers: This game used to be my favorite mobile game with the rice rocket bike. Now its trash and yhey shove idiot game ads in your face as soon as you doe once. F that. Im not waiting for those stupid ads to end to play another round. I deleted the whole game. So for the douche bags who thought changing it up and stuffing it full of ads would do something for you, no. It lost a lon
  9. [R6] 2/5 · US New update: Version 2.4 is better than 2.3 or 2.2, but I used to play this game all the time until I updated to version 2.2. Can you please update the app so it was like version 1.9. I miss getting awarded with gas caps, the blood, and riding with the Junkie, (guy in the motorcycle outfit.) Also the background and the nurse on the next page, and at the before the game started with the motorcycle w
  10. [R19] 4/5 · US Bro add all the old stuff back: Add them back because they were the best like the medical scene were the character had crutches and a bunch of stuff but can you give the speed junkie guy to have the helmet again please add the old stuff back
  11. [R22] 3/5 · US Nostalgia just isn’t there: Honestly they ruined it with the new version. If it was possible to make a setting to change the game to the og graphics and physics it would bring that feeling back.. and the moment I saw the ad after just dying once had me lokey tear up ngl, and the gameplay is slower than it used to be, but that could be just the fact I’m old now but still
  12. [R26] 1/5 · US Bring back old version!!!: This new “updated” version is plagued with ads along with most of the original features removed? Why change the formula of what made this game good?
  13. [R10] 1/5 · US Bring back the old version: The physics mimic what it feels like to ride a bike in your dreams. Nothing compared to the original ones. Bring back the old physics
  14. [R25] 2/5 · US I agree: Man I used to play this game for hours when I was a kid now with the new updates it took the fun out of the game and the gameplay is just not as good as it used to be i Beg yall please bring the old version back
  15. [R3] 1/5 · US Where is my gas caps: I just spent $6 on this game and it don’t give me my gas caps I need refund now
  16. [R20] 1/5 · US .: bough 2 deals and never got the parts
  17. [R49] 2/5 · US Great game I don’t get my caps: 🔥🔥
  18. [R52] 3/5 · US Mid game: This game is ok, the is a lot of things which should improve in the future like making the game more realistic. For example the cars that that are there aren’t that realistic, second every time you crash your character falls down the same way, in the future if you crash make it realistic and make the cars more realistic. Also to get improvements on the motorcycles or get another one it i
  19. [R70] 1/5 · US To make more fun: It it’s not the most realistic game I’ve played, but it be better if there was actually some free play Maps so don’t only have to do challenges but you can play in a map wherever you want
  20. [R201] 3/5 · US Love the game but...: I love the game I have played it since I was little, but it is not at all like reality. The vehicles don’t always stop for the road blocks, they all go the same speed, and when you crash the rider goes inside the vehicles or they just float over the rider. In short the game would be better if things were more realistic
  21. [R65] 5/5 · US Love it when it worked: Love this game but no sound on my I pad pro What's going on ? Only app w no sound Deleted it reloaded no difference Like others loved it when it works.
  22. [R84] 1/5 · US Such a bad game: I tried getting into the game and it would load and then kick me out back into my home screen I kept trying and it would never work
  23. [R288] 3/5 · GB Used to be great, now...not so much: Collision detection is distinctly flawed. Which is ironic for a game like this. And the improved graphics? I don’t see much difference except that it makes the game almost unplayable on a standard iPhone screen because you can’t see what’s coming...
  24. [R40] 1/5 · US Used to be a good game: Ads have ruined this game. I used to play it all the time without a single ad. Decided to come back for the nostalgia, but now it's barely playable. Really sad.
  25. [R68] 1/5 · US ads: WAYYYYY TOO MANY ADS!!! This ruins the game for me
  26. [R7] 5/5 · US CHANGE IT BACK TO THE OLD WAY: This game was WAYYYYYYY more fun than it is now SO PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE CHANGE IT BACK
  27. [R14] 1/5 · US OG was better: you guys need to make it like it was before. new version is a disgrace
  28. [R32] 1/5 · US BRING BACK OLD VERSION: I MISS THE OLD VERSION, AS DO WE ALL. BRING BACK THE OLD VERSION PLEASE,WE WILL CHANGE OUR REVIEWS TO 5 STARS.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store