The results of our BUS BATTLE are in—and they’re CLEARER than expected!

Before we look at the numbers, first of all, a big thank you to all of you: A total of 314 participants took part in our Bus Battle. This clearly shows just how much interest there is in this topic. It’s important to note that not every single question was answered by everyone, since all questions were optional and could be skipped. That’s why the number of participants varies depending on the question—but the overall picture is still very clear.

The result is clear. OMSI 2 wins the Bus Battle with 229 votes and 74.11%. Behind it is the City Transport Simulator with 38 votes (12.3%), while The Bus comes in at 27 votes (8.74%). This really wasn’t a close race.

And when you look at the reasoning, it quickly becomes clear why. The same points keep coming up: realism, driving physics, sound—and above all: modding. Many openly say that despite its age, OMSI still delivers the complete package that other games currently can’t match. Especially the ability to create your own content, build maps, mod buses, and fully customize the game to your liking is what keeps OMSI from ever getting boring for many players.

Another point that comes up again and again is the driving physics. Many describe OMSI as the benchmark when it comes to how a bus should actually feel. Different transmissions, realistic behavior, sounds that are closer to reality—these are all consistently highlighted. And this is exactly where many see the biggest weaknesses in newer titles.

With the City Transport Simulator, better performance is often mentioned, especially compared to The Bus. Consoles also play a role. Many clearly say: CTS is currently the only real option on console, because OMSI isn’t available there. That alone makes CTS more attractive for a specific audience, even if it still can’t fully compete in other areas.

And then there’s The Bus. This is where the most critical voices appear. Many talk about bugs, weaker sounds, and driving physics that are not yet convincing. Especially in direct comparison with OMSI, this carries significant weight for many players. At the same time, there are also voices saying: The Bus has potential—especially with real cities, future content, and possible modding features.

The school-grade ratings reflect this picture as well. OMSI averages 1.38, clearly placing it in the “very good” category. The City Transport Simulator sits at 2.9, which falls into “satisfactory.” The Bus, at 3.26, ranks even lower, somewhere between “satisfactory” and “sufficient.” Once again, the perception is quite clear.

But now it gets even more interesting. Looking ahead, the picture suddenly changes. The majority of hope is not placed on a clear winner. Instead, confidence is spread out. 33.12% even say: none of the upcoming simulators currently convince me—making this the largest group. Behind that are City Transport Simulator 2026 with 26.95% and The Bus with 24.68%. Bus Simulator 27 stands at 10.06%, and Bus Bound currently plays almost no role.

And this is where it becomes truly interesting. Because even though OMSI clearly wins right now, many don’t believe that any new simulator can actually replace it at the moment. Many openly say: no one will match OMSI’s physics anytime soon. Others hope for improvements in The Bus or see real potential in City Transport Simulator, especially for console players.

And this leads exactly to the situation we’re seeing right now: a clear winner in the present—but complete uncertainty about the future.

👉 And now comes the key question: Is OMSI truly untouchable—or is there a game coming soon that will change everything?