The best racing games can perfectly capture the adrenaline you get when putting the petal to the metal of a top-of-the-line car. Very few of us will ever have the chance to drive a MacClaren in real life, but we know what it’s like to drive one in a video game.
Sometimes, the thrill of a race comes from throwing Koopa shells at other kart racers as we drive up and down a working pinball machine.
From Mario Kart to Forza, these are the ten best racing games you can play today.
Daytona USA
Anyone who has played a racing game has sat down behind the wheel of a Daytona USA arcade cabinet.
Whether you’re playing alone or with up to eight players, the iconic rolling start into a traditional NASCAR style track never gets old. It always finds a way to deliver heart pounding racing action.
There are other tracks available in Daytona USA for more advanced racing, but none of them match the exhilarating feeling of its traditional race.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Some may argue that 2010’s Hot Pursuit is a superior Need for Speed game, but that title was chasing the high from 2005’s Most Wanted.
This is the perfect marriage of licensed cars featured in an arcade-style street racer. It’s an exceptional balance of arcade style controls with a realistic look and feel that remains as addictive today as it was two decades ago.
Forza Horizon 5
The Forza Horizon franchise has always been able to combine the simulation heart and soul of Forza Motorsport with the accessibility of an arcade racer.
2001’s Forza Horizon 5 is the franchise’s high point, delivering a beautiful and inviting Mexican environment to explore, combined with the same music festival presentation we know and love.
Forza Horizon 5 is more than just a racing game; it’s an open-world adventure worth experiencing.
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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
One of Nintendo‘s best-selling games for Nintendo Switch is actually a Wii U game.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe served as a launch title for the system, adding in all of Mario Kart 8‘s DLC. The result is a deep, addictive, and enjoyable kart-racing game that never gets old, no matter if you’ve put 20 or 200 hours into it.
With the recent batch of DLC over the past few years, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has enjoyed sustained success throughout the entirety of the Nintendo Switch’s lifespan, and one we hope continues with the next Nintendo console.
Burnout 3: Takedown
Arcade style racing doesn’t get better than this.
The Burnout franchise focuses more on the chaos players tend to gravitate to in a racing game. You’re not discouraged from scraping paint and ramming people off the road; you’re rewarded for it here.
Burnout 3: Takedown‘s crash mode lets us live out our wildest Hollywood car crash dreams, attempting to cause the most mayhem possible in a car crash.
Project Gotham Racing 3
A launch title for the Xbox 360, Project Gotham Racing 3 has plenty of substance to back up its style.
PGR 3 showcased what was possible with a new generation of gaming hardware, showing off cutting edge (for its time) graphics.
While the game focuses on licensed cars and realistic controls, the ability to drift through turns and earn style points helps make the game not just more accessible but enjoyable as well.
Trackmania
No other racing game embodies a pick-up-and-play feeling like Trackmania.
The ultimate arcade racer, this is the living embodiment of playing with your Hot Wheels cars on your living room floor as a kid. From the over-the-top tracks, lightning-fast top speeds you’ll reach, and addictive gameplay, Trackmania is a racing game that caters to all audiences.
F-Zero GX
Another Nintendo entry on our list of best racing games, F-Zero GX focuses on a high-speed futuristic experience that is surprisingly difficult.
We haven’t seen the F-Zero franchise see a proper release since this GameCube title. If it’s the last game to release in the franchise, it’s a shame, as the modern gaming landscape would do well for even just a simple F-Zero GX remake. It’s beautiful, action-packed, and would serve well for an online multiplayer experience.
WipEout 2097
From one futuristic racer to another, WipEout 2097 is a PlayStation 1 racer focusing on a high-speed, futuristic experience.
Upon its release in 1996, there was little like it on the market. Ironically, its closest competitor was the F-Zero series.
WipEout 2097 delivers perfected high-speed futuristic racing with a killer soundtrack to boot.
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
The Gran Turismo franchise formerly catered to a niche audience that wanted a super realistic experience. With Gran Turismo 3, that devotion has resulted in one of the best racing games ever.
A technological marvel, Gran Turismo 3 pushes the PlayStation 2 hardware to its limits. Its robust features and surprisingly accessible gameplay experience help the game stand the test of time.
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