To the racing nut heads over there, this Best Racing Games list is certainly for you. The history of racing games dates back decades, all the way to the earliest origins of video games. Always quick to squeeze every ounce of performance from any given platform. Racing games are regularly at the tip of the spear when it comes to technological leaps.
From top down to takedowns and Byron Bay to Colin McRae, there have been hundreds of top-quality racing games. Each racing game features just about every type of machine you can strap an engine on.
However, we have narrowed down a list of our favorites. We believe these are the very best racing games in 2023 and before.
Driver: San Francisco
Driver: San Francisco is possibly one of the most under-appreciated and unique racing games ever made. But, it is also one of the weirdest. Placing the main character in a coma and setting the bulk of the action in a dream state.
In the dream, he has the supernatural ability to possess any other driver on the road. The premise sounds like an absurd detour from the established direction of the Driver series. However, that’s just on paper, but in practice, it is incredibly entertaining.
Burnout Paradise
Burnout Paradise is an open-world video racing game. Criterion Games developed it and Electronic Arts published the game in 2008 for the Xbox 360. It also included consoles like the PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Windows.
The game sets the story in “Paradise City” and sees players compete in several street races. However, unlike other racing games on the list, players can progress at their own pace. After all, the game does not follow a strict gameplay framework.
Burnout Paradise introduced the feature of keeping players’ records stored on their driving licenses. It included stats like their fastest time and biggest street crash. Additionally, completing events boosts the driver’s rank, which unlocks new cars.
Gran Turismo Sport
Gran Turismo Sport is a racing game for the PlayStation 4. Polyphony Digital developed it Sony Interactive Entertainment published it in 2017. It is the 13th game in the Gran Turismo series and the first game to be released on the PlayStation 4.
The game includes “Sport Mode and “Arcade Mode,” which are equally enjoyable to play, and online racing is available. Initially, the game came with 168 cars and 29 tracks to choose from. However, recent free game updates brought the count up to 324 cars and 82 tracks.
Gran Turismo Sport received favorable reviews upon release and topped the UK all-formats physical sales charts for an entire week.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Need For Speed: Most Wanted is a 2005 open-world racing game developed by EA Canada and EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts.
It is the ninth installment in the Need for Speed series. EA also released it for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Nintendo DS, Microsoft Windows, GameBoy Advance, and Xbox 360.
Most Wanted sets the story in the fictional city of Rockport. It also focuses on players taking on the city’s most elite street racers in a series of illegal street races. The main goal is to become the most wanted racer in the group.
The game brings new additional features like more in-depth police pursuits and online multiplayer gaming. It sold over 16 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling title in the series.
Forza Horizon 4
Playground Games developed this 2014 game. Microsoft Studios also published it for the Xbox One and Microsoft Windows. Even more, Forza Horizon 4 sets the game in a fictionalized representation of areas in Great Britain. But, it is the fourth Forza Horizon title and the eleventh installment in the Forza series.
Players can freely explore its open-world environment using over 670 licensed cars. They can also create their routes using the game’s “route creator” feature.
Forza Horizon 4 received universal acclaim for the Xbox One version and favorable reviews for the PC version. It won the “Best Use of Game Engine” award at the Develop: Star Awards in 2019.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the enhanced Nintendo Switch port that was released worldwide on April 28, 2017. This version includes everything from the original game but adds additional content. It also includes gameplay tweaks and 1080p graphics at 60 frames per second.
As well as the above-mentioned, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe also has eight new arenas. It also includes six additional playable characters, more Kart parts for customization, and players can carry two items at once.
This ported version received critical acclaim upon release, with praise directed toward the revamped battle mode and some improvements.
If you found your favorite game, you can also check out the other lists we made on our website. You can also follow us on social media to stay updated with the latest esports and gaming news.
