Choose Neon Universe
Choose Neon Universe if it matches what drew you to this matchup. Neon Universe launched in 2018.
Neon Universe vs Synthwave Driver
Neon Universe and Synthwave Driver both land in Action, Indie, Racing on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both share Action, Indie, Racing on Steam. Neon Universe (2018) is 7 years older than Synthwave Driver (2025). Synthwave Driver scores higher on Steam reviews (87.2% positive) than Neon Universe (72.7% positive). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Synthwave Driver
Choose Synthwave Driver if you want a Simulation, Casual, and Early Access game with Steam Leaderboards. On Steam, it's currently about 25% cheaper on the Steam Store. Synthwave Driver launched in 2025.
Both Neon Universe and Synthwave Driver sit in Action, Indie, and Racing on Steam, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 Neon Universe |  Synthwave Driver | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2018 | 2025 |
| Genres | Action, Indie, Racing | Action, Indie, Simulation, Casual, Early Access, Racing |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Unrated | Unrated |
| Price | 3.99 USD | 2.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 72.7% positive (11 reviews) | 87.2% positive (39 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | SharF Co. | Runebox Studios |
Side by side
- Both share Action, Indie, Racing on Steam.
- Neon Universe (2018) is 7 years older than Synthwave Driver (2025).
- Synthwave Driver scores higher on Steam reviews (87.2% positive) than Neon Universe (72.7% positive).
- Synthwave Driver is currently ~25% cheaper on Steam than Neon Universe (2.99 USD vs. 3.99 USD).
Neon Universe vs Synthwave Driver — FAQ
- Should I play Neon Universe or Synthwave Driver first?
- If you want chronology, Neon Universe (2018) came out before Synthwave Driver (2025). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are Neon Universe and Synthwave Driver similar?
- They overlap on Action, Indie, Racing on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.