Become a Virtual Speed Demon
Racing games have always been a fun way to get a little competitive with your friends, and luckily, there’s no shortage of them on the market. Whether you’re a car fan, a race fan, or just really good at video games, it might be time to check out a few of these sims.
1. Assetto Corsa
This high-tech game promises players a realistic driving experience. They’ve included certain aspects of cars not seen before in other racing games, such as tyre flat spots, heat cycles, advanced aerodynamics, and energy recovery simulation. The game also offers a career mode, single-player, and multiplayer options.
2. Gran Turismo
Developed by Polyphony Digital and released on PlayStation, Gran Turismo is a long-standing giant in the racing sim world. They shine with their ability to emulate a large selection of real-life vehicles, and the in-game capability to fine-tune a car’s performance.
Hyundai Motor Group on Unsplash
3. iRacing
iRacing is an online racing game that allows you to compete on a global scale. You can create a full virtual racing career, compete in official series and championships, and even assemble a team to participate in 24-hour events.
4. Mario Kart
Okay, it’s not as serious as some other racing sims out there, but the Mario Kart series is a great entry point into the racing world. Cars are judged based on weight, handling, speed, acceleration, and traction, and many fans of the series spend plenty of time figuring out the perfect combination to maximize their racing potential.
5. Need for Speed
This racing sim is developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts. Most of the races are arcade-style, where you’re required to evade the law while completing the course. However, there are certain entries of this franchise that have a more kart racing game style.
6. Grand Theft Auto
You can’t talk about car games without bringing up Grand Theft Auto. The world of GTA is so much bigger than just cars, but there are plenty of opportunities for street racing, chase missions, and stealing the nicest-looking car you can find.
7. F1
Many of us are F1 fans and will never get the opportunity to come close to these fast-paced rides. However, you can live like an F1 racer if you so choose. The F1 games are the official licenses of the FIA Formula One World Championship, and offer an exciting story mode for the wannabe racers out there.
8. Forza Motorsport
This popular racing sim boasts over 500 cars and 30 world-famous tracks. Alongside its impressive car list, the game also includes some incredibly scenic locations, on-track scoring, and dynamic time-of-day with weather, so each track has changing driving conditions.
9. Out Run
This vintage arcade racer was released by Sega back in 1986. The game was known for advanced hardware, graphics, nonlinear gameplay, and a selectable soundtrack. It’s considered the highest-grossing arcade game of 1987, and Sega’s most successful arcade cabinet of the 1980s.
10. Rocket League
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this fast-paced game combines soccer and speed. Customize your car, join a team, and begin your career as a Rocket League expert.
11. Burnout Paradise
Developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts, this popular 2008 racing game received many accolades during its release. The game features an open world map, online racing options with multiple game modes, and free updates to include a time-of-day cycle. This game was so popular that, on top of its initial release on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Windows, the game was made backwards compatible with the Xbox One.
12. DiRT Rally
DiRT Rally is a racing simulator focused on - you guessed it - rallying, a form of motorsport that focuses on speed and navigation tests. It features over 30 stages based in real-world locations, and features several multiplayer modes. The game also has a wide selection of cars dating back to the 1960s.
Pedro Henrique Santos on Unsplash
13. Crazy Taxi
First released in 1999 in the arcade scene, Crazy Taxi found its way into the console world quickly after. The game is simple: You’re a taxi driver, and you make your money by getting passengers to their destinations as quickly as possible. While said to be difficult to master, the innovative gameplay and rocking soundtrack make it all worth it.
14. Route 66 Simulator
In Route 66 Simulator, you must combine your knowledge of cars with your will to survive. Traveling the length of the road, you must complete missions and complete tasks for money, which you use in turn to feed yourself and take care of your car. If the fast world of racing isn’t always for you, this strategy game may be just the thing.
15. Euro Truck Simulator
If you’ve ever wanted to be a trucker, this is your game. Euro Truck Simulator features over 25 licensed truck models, 37 European countries, and the opportunity to advance your career. The game has a more relaxed feel, and won two Steam awards in 2016.
16. Trailmakers
This open-world game was developed by Flashbulb Games. It features a 3D physics-based vehicle construction simulator and has adventure, sandbox, and racing game modes.
17. Midnight Club
A sister to Grand Theft Auto, Midnight Club is also published by Rockstar Games. This series focuses more on an arcade-style of racing, with a focus on open-world competitive street racing. Throughout the franchise, players have been able to race through New York City, London, Los Angeles, Paris, Tokyo, San Diego, Atlanta, and Detroit.
Sergey Galyonkin from Kyiv, Ukraine on Wikimedia
18. TrackMania
TrackMania is a time-trial-based racing game that is available on pretty much any game console you can think of. Players can create their very own tracks, be awarded medals for beating set times, and can even race in multiplayer if they so choose.
Georges Seguin (Okki) on Wikimedia
19. The Long Drive
The Long Drive is described as a randomly generated, open-world, semi-post-apocalyptic survival car driving game. While the game is still in early access, the developers recently posted that they’re still working to make it the ultimate open-world car driving game.
20. Mad Max
Mad Max is a racing sim that first dropped in 2015. The game has you play as Max himself, and your ultimate goal is to reach the “Plains of Silence.” To complete this journey, players must scavenge, complete dangerous missions, and build a monstrous combat vehicle.
