While contemplating the top racing games available right now, there are a few factors to bear in mind. Racing simulation games, arcade racers, and everything in between are all included in this rated list. Although there are some genuine masterpieces in the vintage archives, they may be a bit difficult to discover and play these days, so we’ve tried to keep our compilation of the finest racing games focused on the titles accessible on current and last-gen consoles.
So, our list of the top 20 racing games should include something for everyone, regardless of whether they like kart racing, racing simulators, games that just allow them run incredibly fast, or experiences that are a bit more chaotic in nature.
Journey to the Edge
Go no farther than this gem if you’re seeking for something a little different and maybe believe that your gaming life lacks a sufficient feeling of danger. The original still retains that enigmatic enchantment, despite having a sequel. You won’t notice the detail until you eventually fall off your bike and brain yourself on a dry stone wall. Google Street View may be loaded to witness for yourself how well the game recreates miles and miles of genuine Isle of Man roads. The realism is quite harsh since, unless you’re aiming entirely straight ahead at the moment, even a slight hop might drift hunters spell doom. Playing it provides a thrill unlike any other, but doing it must require a unique type of craziness.
Heat Wave Racing
Another one that is accessible on all the major platforms is this one. Although being a brand-new title, it is very much created in the manner of an arcade game from the 1990s. The game’s flat-shaded polygon visuals are reminiscent of another title on our list, and the racing mechanics are simple enough for beginners to appreciate while offering more complex handling characteristics for seasoned players. Your turbo boost is filled by drifts and slipstreams, but slipstreaming alone may be sufficient to maintain you in the front pack as you charge up for a scorching finale to the race. This is only truly lacking automobile damage but is otherwise beautiful, fluid, and delightfully bizarre in its narrative moments.
Plan Cars 2
Not Project CARS 3, why not? Well, that’s easy. The more recent sequel does away with a lot of the things that made the original two games great. And although if the initial game may have done a better job than any other at simulating the mood of a genuine race day, the first sequel is the one to choose because of its plethora of fantastic content and more polished appearance. When you discover a category and track that complement each other, you’ll be driving for hours and hours. Realistic driving on real tracks in real automobiles is the order of the day.
HD Daytona USA
Daytona USA is unquestionably among the finest arcade racing games ever created and is still often included among the “best racing game” lists after almost three decades. This is still as much fun to play as it ever was thanks to three iconic and brilliantly planned circuits, fine and deep vehicle handling that takes years to properly master, and one of gaming’s most eccentric but amazing soundtracks. Mind you, you could have some problems putting it onto your console. While it was released on the PS3 and Xbox 360, PSNow allows you to play it. However, you cannot purchase it online or on an Xbox One X, at least not in the UK, even though both consoles support 4K. Instead, log in to an Xbox 360, make the purchase, and then download it again onto your new device. The gaming sky is open. Daytonaaaaaaa!
2.0 Dirt Rally
During the last several years, a disproportionately large number of excellent rally games have been developed, but Codemasters’ Dirt Rally has emerged as the best, even if it lacks the official WRC license (at least, not yet – it will do from 2023). Although the official WRC games do a good job of simulating this most dangerous of motorsports, Dirt Rally 2.0 really captures the sensation of driving at both low and high speeds. It feels very smooth and accurate, and every surface is really realistic. While game is best played with a wheel and pedals (and a handbrake if you can find one), playing it on a pad is still a lot of fun. Just know that there’s a good reason why not everyone attends rallies on the weekends. It’s quite challenging.
GRID
This updated version of the cult video game Race Driver GRID from 2007 is a stunning example of contemporary graphics technology and looks amazing on more recent systems. This is the ideal way to get into serious racing games without entering the “I can’t even keep it on the track” realm since the circuits are memorable, the weather effects are excellent, and the handling is beautifully forgiving. But be aware that this game is a little “toned down” and won’t have the incredible damage tech of the original or even that of the Switch’s GRID Autosport we just discussed. Unquestionably a strong racer even so.
Turbo Edition of Horizon Chase
This game, which is also contemporary yet has a vintage aesthetic, is reminiscent of racing games from the late 1980s and early 1990s, which still used sprite scaling to create the appearance of 3D depth. The game moves like greased lightning nowadays, of course, and such scaling is very seamless, especially on Nintendo Switch. The gameplay is simple; you just loop the circuit, collecting canisters and cash to manage your fuel levels while evading slower vehicles and strategically employing your turbo. There is no reason to pass it up as it is so much fun and reasonably priced.
