The cult hit 'Desert Bus' makes its triumphant return in virtual reality

Desert Bus VR takes all the thrill of an eight-hour bus trip with no breaks. It lets you experience what it's like to be at the helm of the action, driving all the way from Tucson, Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada, in real time.

Based on the 1998 Sega CD game Desert Bus, created by the magic and comedy duo Penn and Teller, Desert Bus VR stays true to the original game's premise, tasking the player with driving a bus between Tucson and Las Vegas without the ability to pause or drive above 45 mph, this time in virtual reality (with the option to play in standard mode if you don't have a VR headset).

Although the road between the two cities is straight, you can't just step on the gas and expect to get there without steering. The bus has an alignment problem and drifts to the right, so you have to stay alert or else you'll end up crashing and getting towed back to your starting point.

If you manage to make it the whole way to Las Vegas, you get one point, and then you get to drive back to Tucson (another eight hours) to earn another point.

Along with controlling the gas and steering of the titular bus in Desert Bus VR, drivers get to honk the horn, open and close the bus door, and even control the very limited radio.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The biggest addition in Desert Bus VR is the multiplayer feature, which allows up to four additional passengers to tag along for the ride. Although the passengers can't drive the bus, they do get to sit, wave, and throw wads of paper at the driver.

Since its comedic introduction to the world in the late-'90s, Desert Bus has become a bit of a cult hit, and has been the centerpiece of the charity marathon Desert Bus for Hope, which raises money for Child's Play, a charity that provides toys and games for children at hospitals. Desert Bus for Hope has been running for 10 years, collecting over $4 million for Child's Play while marathoning Desert Bus for days on end.

Desert Bus VR is available to download for free on Steam. Just make sure you bring some snacks and maybe a friend to grab the wheel when you start nodding off.