The Asphalt driving game franchise has been extremely successful for Gameloft, but Pocket-lint can safely say that iPhone and iPad owners haven't seen anything yet.

Asphalt 6: Adrenaline has been completely rebuilt from the ground up (no pun intended). It has a brand new graphics engine, and there are several modes and styles of play that haven't appeared in any of its prequels.

For starters, the garage, which can contain up to 42 cars from the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and more, can be wandered through as a 3D environment. Then there's new crash physics and graphics that make you wince everytime you hit oncoming traffic.

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However, the most satisfying change implemented for Adrenaline, is in its speed. The game zips along a fair old pace and, considering that Asphalt 5 was already super speedy, you can only imagine the effect that ramping it up has on the action. Certainly, when you eliminate rivals in Burnout style (by ramming them off the road), there's a sense of white knuckled aggression about it that only comes with pure acceleration.

Improvement to the nitro system is another example of how the game has quickened. Rather than give you a brief shot of nitro for each canister you pick up, you now get a nitro bar, allowing you to hit the button in regular bursts. Then there's the eponymous Adrenaline mode which freaks the whole screen out with super speed lines and different shades.

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Nitro also marks the only onscreen control (unless you opt for a different set-up in the menu). One solitary button is presented, allowing you to see the whole action; vital for the small screen of an iPhone. Acceleration is automatic, and steering is performed by physically tilting the device. For once our big thumbs don't get in the way.

Other bonuses this time around include the ability to customise cars with decals, and a new Beat 'em All game mode, where the only task is to knock your opponents off the track.

Multiplayer allows for up to six racers at a time, across Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and the game will be on the App Store before Christmas for both iPhone and iPad. Both versions will cost the same as other Gameloft titles (around £3.99).

Are you a big fan of the Asphalt franchise? Or do you not like driving games on mobile devices? Let us know in the comments below...

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