Asphalt Nitro is a now-delisted spin-off game of the Asphalt series based on the 2013 game Asphalt 8: Airborne. The J2ME version released first in circa 2014 for feature phones, following in 2015, the Android and Tizen versions were soft-launched on May 13, 2015, aiming for algorithmic world-generation technology for lightweight gaming experience. The Android version was fully released in October 27, 2015, with having more distinct features from the soft-release and J2ME versions.
In 2021, a sequel, Asphalt Nitro 2 was released for Android-only, based on Asphalt 9: Legends.
In January 2025, Gameloft announced through an in-game message that the game's servers would be shutdown on March 3, 2025.[1]
Versions[]
J2ME[]
The J2ME version was released first in around 2014 for feature phones, heavily based on Asphalt 8: Airborne without sharing the title, with features from A8 such as more advanced career mode, stunt ramps, ported race modes such as Knockdown and Gate Drift, the 10 cars both returning cars from A8 and series-first debut of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. It is the latest and most advanced J2ME game in Asphalt series ever produced by Gameloft, succeeding the version from Asphalt 6: Adrenaline.
Android & Tizen[]
Heavily based on the J2ME version of the game, the game's now-privated trailer for Android version (and quietly Tizen version) was first uploaded in April 2015, insisting on lightweight gaming experience with the motto of "15 MB of Pure Velocity!". The revised trailer was uploaded with the changed motto of "25 MB of Pure Velocity!" in May 2015.
The game's early version was first debuted on the Gameloft Store for Android version on May 13, 2015, serving as a lightweight Asphalt 8: Airborne resembling as an Android adaptation of the J2ME version.
The teaser trailer for the Android version was uploaded on October 19, 2015 with the motto used previously. The game was released on Google Play Store on October 27, 2015 with the trailer with the motto of "Download Fast. Drive Faster!" uploaded at the same day. Compared to the early version, the Android/Tizen version now has more distinct features and cars returning from Asphalt 8.
Race Modes[]
There are 8 race modes available:
In addition to multiplayer and career mode, Quick Solo Race mode also appears in Asphalt Nitro. Here, the player can play any mode with any car on any tracks, but Credits won't be earned.
Cars[]
- Main article: Vehicle list (Asphalt Nitro)
There are 10 cars available in J2ME version while there were 53 cars available in the Android/Tizen version (1 removed due to a licensing issue while 2 are unobtainable for being IAP-only).
Upgrading[]
There are four upgrade aspects in this game. The player can buy 5 levels of each upgrade for each car:
- Acceleration
- Top Speed – the most expensive upgrade
- Handling – cheapest upgrade
- Nitro
Previously, Asphalt Nitro had no Pro Kits system.
However, recently, with the new concept, Pro Kits are now integrated into the upgrade system making the game upgrade individual parts like upgrades but now Pro Kit cards are required.
Tracks[]
There are 6 locations in both J2ME and Android/Tizen versions of the game. Ordered by Quick Race. Each location's picture in the game is the flag of that country.
- Italy (Based on Asphalt 8's Venice. Added in ? Update exclusive for Android/Tizen versions)
- Italy
- Italy Reverse
- Brazil (Based on Asphalt 8's French Guiana for Android/Tizen versions)
- Brazil
- Brazil Reverse
- China (Based on Asphalt 8's Alps with an extra shortcut for Android/Tizen versions)
- China
- China Reverse
- Nevada (Based on Asphalt 8's London for Android/Tizen versions)
- Nevada
- Nevada Reverse
- Water Barrier
- Water Barrier Reverse (Based on Westminster Bridge)
- Sleeping Wings
- Sleeping Wings Reverse (Based on The London Eye)
- Alps (Based on Asphalt 8's Monaco with an extra shortcut for Android/Tizen versions)
- Alps
- Alps Reverse
- Iceland (Based on Asphalt 8's Nevada without the tunnel shortcut for Android/Tizen versions)
- Iceland
- Iceland Reverse
- Japan (J2ME exclusive)
Career[]
- Main article: Career mode (Asphalt Nitro)
The J2ME and Android/Tizen versions have different career modes.
Achievements[]
- Main article: Asphalt Nitro/Achievements
7 achievement sets are available in Asphalt Nitro. Each set contains 9 achievements. Completing these achievements rewards the player experience points for the Google Play profile.
VIP System[]
- Main article: VIP System
Soundtracks[]
Asphalt Nitro has 3 songs (2 songs in old concept): One for the main menu and an additional two for races (only one song in old concept). They are Gameloft original songs. However, Chemistry / DJ Gontran, from Asphalt 8: Airborne, was used in the old trailer. The new trailer uses a composed soundtrack. The main menu song is made by DJ Zephyr as Known As Anthony Dominguez Flores.
Shutdown[]

Gameloft pop-up message for the shutdown notice.
On January, 2025, Asphalt Nitro has been delisted from the Google Play Store and Samsung Galaxy Store in which players would receive a pop-up message saying the game "will not be accessible" after March 3, 2025. After getting delisted from the stores, IAPs were disabled.
Trivia[]
- The first teaser trailer was released in April 29, 2015.
- The Career Mode doesn't reference old Asphalt titles.
- The only social network that is allowed to connect to the game on Gameloft Store version is Facebook. On Google Play Store version, the social networks that are allowed to connect to the game are Facebook and Google Play Games.
- The claimed 35 MB tiny size of Asphalt Nitro can actually become 181 MB when the game is installed. This can even expand to 200+ MB.
- However, the installed game size is still significantly smaller compared to 2+ GB required in Asphalt 8. Also, it is worth noting that the game's initial footprint only refers to the APK itself, not accounting for any caches or configuration files it copies to the device's storage.
- Asphalt Nitro had a heavy overhaul on November 2015, including a release in the Play Store for free, the addition of the VIP systems, and increasing the max limits on cars in a class to more than five.
- The VIP system would eventually be carried over to Asphalt 8: Airborne in the Rio Update.
- Two cars were changed between Asphalt 8 and Asphalt Nitro:
- The Ford Shelby GT500 used in the game is now the 2013 version instead of the 2010 version.
- The Jaguar F-Type R used in the game is the coupe AWD model instead of the convertible model.
- From Update 1 onwards, there is a Daily Rewards system similar to Asphalt 8: Airborne's Daily Bonus but with more rewards each day. On the 90th day, a Mercedes-Benz Silver Lightning is awarded.
- A similar system would also eventually be carried over to Asphalt 8: Airborne in the Rio Update also.
- The Brio Virtual Drift Challenge, an advergame for Honda Brio subcompact (sold in Southeast Asian markets) released in September 2020 in partnership with Honda Prospect Motor Indonesia, is a modified version of the game specifically created to promote it. Both the RS and Satya E models are available, with Gate Drift and Duel being the only available modes.
- With the removal of IAPs, the following cars were no longer obtainable:
- W Motors Lykan HyperSport: previously could be only obtained by reaching VIP Level 4.
- McLaren F1: previously could only be obtained by purchasing Luxury Pack.