Racing games are all about speed, fast cars, roaring engines, and tracks that can seriously challenge the players in order to beat them. This genre of video games is one of the most popular, however, more often for single-player purposes. Some of the best racing games are usually arcade racing games where the focus isn’t on realism, but more on street racing, customizing vehicles, collisions with other racers, and sometimes an interesting story. On the other side, there are simulation racing games with no story whatsoever.
The Definition of Racing Games
A racing game is a genre of video games that simulates the experience of racing against opponents in various scenarios. These games can feature a range of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, boats, and even futuristic hovercraft.
Racing games can be realistic, offering true-to-life physics and handling models, or they can be more arcade-like, with exaggerated gameplay mechanics that focus on speed and excitement over realism. They often allow players to compete on different tracks or through diverse environments, either against computer-controlled opponents or human players via multiplayer modes.
The goal is typically to navigate through a course as quickly as possible to win races, earn rewards, upgrade vehicles, and progress through levels or championships. Racing games are designed to provide an adrenaline rush and an immersive driving experience for casual gamers and enthusiasts alike.
How to Pick the Best Racing Game?
Picking the best racing game for your tastes depends on several factors, including the type of racing experience you’re seeking, the gaming platform you use, and the features that matter most to you. Here are some key considerations to help you select the racing game that will provide you with the best experience:
- Gameplay Style: Determine whether you prefer simulation racing games, which focus on realistic driving physics and require more skill and precision, or arcade racing games, known for their fast-paced and often exaggerated physics that are easier to learn and play.
- Graphics and Performance: Look for games with high-quality graphics if visual fidelity is important to you. Also, ensure that your gaming system meets the required specifications for a smooth and immersive experience.
- Single-player vs Multiplayer: Decide if you enjoy competing against AI in single-player modes or if you prefer the thrill of racing against friends and other players online in multiplayer sessions.
- Customization Options: If you love tweaking and customizing cars, seek out games that offer deep customization systems, allowing you to modify your vehicles’ performance and appearance.
- Variety and Content: Consider games with a wide selection of tracks, vehicles, and race types to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging over time.
- Licenses: For fans who appreciate authenticity, look for games with licensed vehicles and tracks as they add realism and allow you to drive real-world cars and compete on actual circuits.
- Community and Support: Some games have large, active communities and receive regular updates and downloadable content (DLC). Support from developers can greatly enhance the longevity and enjoyment of a game.
- Reviews and Recommendations: Check out reviews from both critics and gamers to gauge a game’s reception. Watching gameplay videos and reading forums can also provide insight into how a game plays and feels.
- Accessibility: Always, make sure the game suits your skill level; some may have steep learning curves that are not beginner-friendly.
- Platform Availability: Last but not least, ensure the game is available on your preferred gaming console or PC.
12 Best Racing Games Ever
These games require some serious skills to be played and are usually less popular. With all this in mind, let’s check the 12 best racing games of all time.
1. Forza Horizon 3
Forza Horizon 3 is the latest title in the series and also the newest AAA racing title at the moment. It’s focused on open-world racing and supports cross-platform play between the two consoles, this time Xbox One and PC.
As we said, this game is open-world, which means that the player can race across the entire map or free roam with other players at any time. There are numerous races to unlock and check, and many of them can be off-road, which is a great addition to Forza Horizon 3.
Driving mechanics are great and are a combination of simulation and arcade, with various camera angles available, even the cockpit camera. With multiplayer being the main part of the game, Forza Horizon 3 will bring you many hours of fun racing alone or with other players online.
2. Need for Speed Most Wanted 2012
We decided we’ll go with the one Need for Speed game for this list, and surely, Most Wanted 2012 is the best in our opinion.
This game looks and plays phenomenally! Its huge open world and cars scattered around it make this game challenging for players, as they need to locate the cars around the map. The environment is urban, with lots of traffic, so it can be very difficult to evade collision, especially in cop chases. This requires the player to have great driving skills in order to beat everyone from the Most Wanted list.
Cars are divided into tiers, which is great for multiplayer and easier for finding the right rivals online, that suit your driving style.
3. Gran Turismo 4
Although this game was released back in 2004, it’s still one of the best racing simulations of all time. The driving mechanics in this game is a pure simulation, and there are some settings that can be tweaked to make it easier or even harder.
As for the cars, this game has one of the biggest cars list ranging from the low tier to exotic and hypercars. Tracks are also licensed here, and some of them are Nurburgring, Suzuka Circuit ant Twin Ring Motegi.
For the game that was released back in 2004, these features are top-notch, and if you own a console like PS2, don’t hesitate to try it out. The latest version of the game Gran Turismo 7 has a wide range of additional cars you can choose from.
4. Forza Motorsport 4
Forza Motorsport 4 is an Xbox exclusive released in 2011, for Xbox 360. This game represents one of the best sports racing simulations out there with a great focus on realistic car handling and look.
Graphically, this sports game looks phenomenal with the attention to tiny details that only the top AAA racing games have. There is multiplayer available, so it’s easy to get into contact with other players and start racing.
5. Assetto Corsa
Assetto Corsa is a racing game, developed by Kunos Simulazioni, an Italian developer. This is one of the most demanding racer games on this list, simply because it looks stunning.
The car models and driving mechanics are top-notch and more realistic than ever! On top of that, there is a wide variety of cars to be chosen and many mods to download, as this game is open for players to create mods. Overall, a nice racing experience, even better when played multiplayer.
6. Dirt Rally
Rally racing game is something not to be missed on this kind of list and Dirt Rally deserved its place on our list very easily. It definitely is the best racing game you can play at this moment, with great visuals, realistic physics, and lots of content.
There are many real-life tracks from countries like Portugal, Germany, Sweden, etc., and they are all different in terms of the driving style required to beat them. Multiplayer is a nice addition in this one, making a Dirt Rally one of the best racing games as we speak.
7. Project Cars
Project Cars is another racing simulation game, and it’s a lot similar to Assetto Corsa for example, except for the modding part. This game looks beautiful, but thanks to great optimization, it can be played on lower-end machines.
If you liked Assetto Corsa, this racing game will be great and refreshing for you. The graphics is excellent, the gameplay is amazing, and almost everything about Project Cars is beyond the expectations of every gamer. A truly wonderful title.
8. Trackmania Turbo
Trackmania Turbo is a low-budget arcade racing game published by Ubisoft a few years back and also the most authentic game on the list. It doesn’t have licensed cars or real-life tracks, but instead custom cars with some extremely hard tracks based on off-road terrain.
The goal here is to beat the time for the gold medal and proceed with the unlocking of new tracks and car upgrades, which, unfortunately, are just visual. Nevertheless, if you like fast-paced racing with lots of adrenaline, you should grab this one!
9. F1 2016
F1 2016 is the best installment in the F1 series, with the best-looking Formula 1 vehicles and overall gameplay. The player is put in the role of Formula 1 driver where he can play custom races or indulge in Career mode, which is interesting and intense, with the dynamic weather system and improved AI.
The player can encounter any weather from sunny to heavy rain, making it harder to drive. Also, there is a great multiplayer, and the servers are at the moment very active, which is great for jumping into the game right now.
10. Grid 2
Now, Grid 2. There isn’t much to be said about this game, aside from being a racing simulation, but not quite like Assetto Corsa. Driving mechanics in Grid 2 are for the bigger part simulation, but there are some arcade elements here and there, which isn’t bad by any means.
Anyway, the graphics are great, and the optimization is top-notch. There is a multiplayer mode available, with many other modes like Career or custom race where you can practice in a single-player mode and test your driving skills on various tracks and in various conditions.
11. Burnout 3: Takedown
The initial Burnout was released almost 16 years ago. It was a Criterion work that was released by EA. And since then we have yet to see a better arcade racer. The title is timeless and still playable after a decade. It is still fund and the controls are smooth. The game offers a road rage mode where players can run into opponents and wreck their vehicles.
After the initial release, Burnout 3 took hold and still reigns supreme as an arcade racer. There have been other installments of the franchise but none have achieved the same success as Takedown. The game also offers a catchy DJ Stryker soundtrack that alongside the Punk-pop genre makes your heart pump.
12. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart is not a simple racer. It is a slugfest where weapon-loaded carts deck it out in a fast and intensive run across titular racetracks. However, the latest Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is much more. It is a trip down memory lane, and that too in HD.
The original Super Mario Kart began the trend for kart racing that was followed by the niche Diddy Kong racing, and Sony’s competitive Crash Team Racing. But despite all these popular tracks, it is undoubtedly Mario Kart 8 that holds a significant place in our hearts.
This racing title is a culmination of over 25 years of kart racing. The game offers unlockable racers, karts, and weapons. Furthermore, the controls have been refined to offer a buttery smooth handling and exceptional refresh rate to offer a never seen kart racing experience.
Which is your favorite racing game?
We have listed too many racing games in the above list. Which one of them was your favorite? Will you go for the first Forza Horizon games or the NFS series?
Let us know your thoughts on this list. Also, if you have any good racing games to include in this list, let us know that too. We will have a look at it and will include it once we found it is better than any of the above-listed car or bike racing games.