Summary
ASonic Frontiersmodder has recreated the experience of playing the infamously longDesert Bus. TheSonic Frontiersmodding community is incredibly dedicated, as fans have been creating many different experiences ever since its 2022 release. These mods range from adding in new characters to tweakingFrontiers' gameplay. Some of the most impressive mods are the ones revolving around its cyberspace levels, as fans have created both wholly original and nostalgic levels withinFrontiers' engine. One ambitious, and incredibly hilarious, mod forFrontiersis one that recreatesDesert Bus.
Desert Busis a notoriously long simulation game that was part of thecanceled Sega CD mini-game collectioncalledPenn & Teller’s Smoke and Mirrors.Desert Bushas the player driving on a straight road between Tucson, Arizona, and Las Vegas. The game has no other vehicles and the scenery consists of a desert with dead trees and bushes. The most memorable part of the game is its length, where it takes roughly eight hours in real time to complete the route between the three states. Fans can now have this same experience inSonic Frontiers.
Created by modder weezley, this mod is known asDesert Bus Frontiers, and can be downloaded on GameBanana. The modder notes the trip usually does take eight hours, but sinceSonic is one of the fastest video game characters, he can cut down that experience to roughly three. This figure takes into consideration Sonic’s Power Boost inFrontiers, with the actual trip being much longer if it isn’t used. Desert Bus Frontiers replaces the first cyberspace level inFrontiers, and just like the originalDesert Bus, this level is a featureless straight road without any vehicles, flora, or music.
Desert Bus Frontiers Gameplay
This mod goes the extra length to recreatetheDesert Busexperience, as Sonic will start veering to the right every so often, requiring players to correct their position like in the original game. Players can also recreate the true experience, as Sonic’s non-boost speed is the exact same speed as the bus inDesert Bus, taking a full eight hours to beat the level. The mod features a checkpoint every 50 kilometers, so if the player accidentally runs off the road, they will go back to their last checkpoint. The modder also notes that due to the size of the level, there will occasionally be some instability and graphical flickering, which may cause issues for epileptic gamers.
DespiteDesert Bus' infamy, it has also become the centerpiece of theDesert Bus for Hope Charity Livestreamcharity event. If they like, fans can now do their own marathon stream ofDesert Buswith aSonicflavored twist thanks to this mod. TheFrontiersmodding community praised weezley for the mod and recreating the original game.
Sonic Frontiers
WHERE TO PLAY
Worlds are colliding in Sonic the Hedgehog’s newest high-speed adventure! In search of the missing Chaos emeralds, Sonic becomes stranded on an ancient island teeming with unusual creatures. Battle hordes of powerful enemies as you explore a breathtaking world of action, adventure, and mystery. Accelerate to new heights and experience the thrill of high-velocity, open-zone platforming freedom as you race across the five massive Starfall Islands. Jump into adventure, wield the power of the Ancients, and fight to stop these new mysterious foes.Become Sonic and journey to uncover the mysteries of the remains of an ancient civilization plagued by robotic hordes. With nothing but a handful of questions and a disembodied voice to guide you, set out to save your friends and the enigmatic inhabitants of the Starfall Islands from a colossal, mechanized threat.
