What is Test Drive PC Port?

Test Drive PC Port is an open-source engine reimplementation of Test Drive. A new engine written from scratch that loads the original game's data files. The original game ran on DOS.

Do I need the original game files to run Test Drive PC Port?

Yes. The project does not include the original game's assets, so you need your own copy.

How is Test Drive PC Port licensed?

project: MIT (project code). The repository itself is the authoritative source.

Test Drive PC Port

Engine reimplementationActive

A new engine written from scratch that loads the original game's data files.

Based on Test Drive

Links, repository & details

About

Test Drive Enhanced is an enhanced version of the EGA Test Drive (1987) by Accolade / Distinctive Software, running natively on SDL3. The game logic comes from a faithful C reimplementation (test-drive-sdl3), so driving, traffic, police and game flow work as in the original. It is not an emulator and does not redistribute the original data.

How it differs from the original

The road view is redrawn at 4x the original resolution with a 120-row draw distance instead of 40, runs at 60 fps instead of 8, and gains a new horizon and distance-and-time readout. Copy protection, the TD.EXE launcher password and Hercules/CGA modes are removed, and the speedometer now follows the car past 160 mph.

Getting started

You need the files of the original DOS Test Drive, placed in a folder named Game next to testdrive-enhanced.exe from the Windows release zip, then double-click the executable. Alt+Enter toggles fullscreen, and --res-scale can be lowered if driving stutters on an older PC. Controls follow the original: arrow keys or keypad to steer, accelerate, brake and shift, and a connected gamepad acts as the joystick.

Known issues & limitations

Hercules and CGA modes are removed.

What you need to run it

Original game files required. The project ships code only; you provide your own copy of the game (DOS version).

You need the original DOS game files; they are not included.
The game files must include TDEGA.EXE, CARS.TXT, SCORES, TDSND.SND, the *.PES archives, and car *.BIN / *.SS files.
A multi-core CPU is recommended for the default resolution.

Features

The game retains the original driving, traffic, police, and game flow.
The windscreen view is redrawn at higher resolution, with farther draw distance and 60 fps.
The road is drawn at 4× the original resolution by default, with smoothed edges.
The road view includes 120 road rows instead of 40, with distance haze.
A distance and stage-time readout appears in the top right.
The project supports a connected gamepad as a joystick.

How to install

Put your original game files in a folder named Game.
Keep the folder somewhere writable, such as Documents or the Desktop, because high scores are saved in Game.

Controls

Arrow keys or the numeric keypad steer, accelerate, brake, and shift gears.
Press Esc to quit the current drive or menu.
Ctrl-J selects joystick control; Ctrl-K selects keyboard control.
With a connected gamepad, use the left stick or D-pad; A is fire.
Ctrl-Q turns sound off and Ctrl-S turns it on.

Summarised from the project's README.

Licensing & legal

The project code is MIT licensed; Test Drive and its data belong to their respective owners.

FAQ

What is Test Drive PC Port?: Test Drive PC Port is an open-source engine reimplementation of Test Drive. A new engine written from scratch that loads the original game's data files. The original game ran on DOS.
Do I need the original game files to run Test Drive PC Port?: Yes. The project does not include the original game's assets, so you need your own copy.
How is Test Drive PC Port licensed?: project: MIT (project code). The repository itself is the authoritative source.