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In each hardware generation, the best racing games were always technical showcases. Each console maker had their own exclusive franchise that they would parade in front of competitors. In 2025 the range of choices has been greater than ever before, and there is a genre for every player looking for a thrill.
One of the most appealing aspects about racing games is how they can mean so much to each player. You can choose from a variety of games, ranging from the highly popular Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and the stunning Forza Horizon 5 to relax and take a few laps on a circuit. There are many options for technical simulation racing games that offer a variety of challenges and levels of difficulty. There are many options, from stunningly realistic and detailed tracks to isometric views. You can choose the way you want to tear rubber. The simple act of driving around a circuit has also been transformed into a racing game that is much more than just a lap-around. Forza Horizon, The Crew Motorfest and other games have allowed players to experience massive open worlds while enjoying all kinds of races on streets that cut through the beautiful landscape. The latest hardware allows for a new level of artistry, bringing you closer to reality. Games like Gran Turismo 7 and Forza Motorsport are incredibly detailed, and feature highly accurate vehicles and tracks. There is also a strong sense of nostalgia, as there are homages paid to old visual styles and physics that bring back fond memories. It can be difficult to decide which racing games will stand out as the most popular in 2025. In no particular order we have selected the games that are in our opinion the very best. This is a collection of over 10 years of racing titles that proves that great racing games do not age poorly. Check out our other lists, including the top RPGs and Xbox, PS5 and Nintendo Switch.
Forza Horizon 5
- Playground Games (19459080)
- Release date: November 1, 2020
- S, Xbox One, PC
Playground Games’ Horizon series has taken the Xbox exclusive racing series from its simulator roots and turned it into the most exciting and dynamic open-world racing game on the market. Forza Horizon 5 continues to set the bar for high-octane, varied racing in stunning vistas. Forza Horizon 5 is set in an amalgamation of different parts of Mexico. It doesn’t stop racing after you jump into the active volcano that kicks off this packed race festival. You can also play the game for free if you have Game Pass. Xbox will be releasing the Xbox version of this game on April 29, so if you only own a PlayStation 5 it is also available soon.
Forza Motorsport (2023)
- Developer: Turn 10 Studios
-
Release date : 10 October 2023
- S, PC
Forza Motorsport, which is also available on Game Pass, represents a return to the original series. The 2023 entry marks a sort of reboot for the franchise after an extended hiatus. This is not a slick, futuristic simulation game like Horizon. It’s a more gritty and grounded racer with settings that allow you to customize the experience according to your preferences. With a captivating upgrade system, which brings you even closer to the cars you are driving around some of most iconic racing tracks in the world there is no doubt that this time away has produced something special for the series.
Gran Turismo 7
- Polyphony Digital (19459080) – Developer (19459078).
- Release date: March 4, 2020
- Platforms ()
: PlayStation 4, PS5, and PS5.
Gran Turismo is one of the few games that has celebrated cars as much over its long history on PlayStation. You may have fond memories of battling through the license challenges and slower racing on older PlayStation consoles. This helped you develop a love for the beautiful cars. Gran Turismo 7 isn’t too different from the established formula but still offers a modern racing simulation experience without losing its charm.
F1 24
- Developer: Codemasters
- Release date: May 24, 2020
- S, Xbox One, PC
Codemasters has been pushing out licensed F1 games annually for a long time now, so it’s a wonder how it routinely keeps delivering an authentic and exhilarating replication of the high octane racing championship. This latest game is also no different, featuring an improved driving model which rewards aggressive driving (but in a fair way) while rewarding calculated risk. Some of the new modes may not appeal to you if you are a regular player. If you want to experience F1 racing for the first time, or simply have the latest tracks and graphics, then there is no better place to go.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Developer: Nintendo
- Release date: April 28, 2017.
-
Nintendo Switch (19659021)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been covered in great detail. This hybrid console’s best-selling game, which was ported from the Wii U to the Nintendo Switch, has seen a staggering number of sales ever since its launch. It’s easy to understand why. The game’s kart race is accessible but challenging for players of all ages. Its colorful, fun design brings together Nintendo’s most popular characters in a place that they don’t have to fight each other. The game has also been supported by post-launch updates, so it’s full of racing treasures that you can enjoy for many years.
Wipeout Omega Collection
- XDev ( )
- Release date: June 6, 2017.
- The PS4 is the latest platform
The Omega Collection may be the final Wipeout racer we see, as its developer has closed. But if it is, then this game will leave us on a high note. The Omega Collection includes three games from the Wipeout series, including the PS3 versions of Wipeout HD, Fury HD, as well as the PS Vita version, Wipeout 2048. It’s an exciting package that’s packed with fast-paced, exhilarating racing action. The throbbing techno music evokes an era in Sony’s history that fans would love to see the publisher return to.
Trackmania
- Developer: Nadeo
-
Release date : July 1, 2020
- S, Xbox One, PC
If you’re thinking of pure racing games, they are likely to be those that use hyper-realistic cars on tracks. Trackmania, however, is not either of these two. Toy-like racers zip around tracks that are similar to Hot Wheels circuits. It requires a skill level and concentration that is hard to match. Ubisoft’s free-to play title focuses on the most exciting parts of racing. Small but crucial decisions will help you to shave tenths off your lap time. Trackmania is a racing game that you haven’t played yet. It has regular seasons with lots of new content. The Crew Motorfest (19659029)
- Ivory Tower (19459080): Developer (19459079).
- Release date: September 11, 2020
- S, Xbox One, PC
Ubisoft’s takeUbisoft is long chasing Forza Horizon. Its open-world racing series has slowly changed from RPG style to arcade-style action, similar to Microsoft’s first title. Ubisoft’s takeThis formula is at its best in The Crew Motorfest. Ubisoft has finally nailed a driving system that’s fun to play, regardless of whether you’re navigating the winding streets in Hawaii or cruising through air and water in its diverse roster. The festival-style format of the game is too similar to the inspirations. And the online component can be a little annoying, but the content Ubisoft continues to add to the racer is worth it. Horizon Chase 2 (19659031)
Horizon Chase is a great choice if you want something with a more classic feel. Horizon Chase 2 was originally released for Apple devices via Apple Arcade. It then made its way onto Nintendo Switch and the PC. It’s also a great thing, as it allows more people to enjoy the game and its vast improvements. The game features refined arcade racing with dramatically improved graphics, as well as the return of every original mode. The game does this without losing the original’s captivating spirit. It embodies classic arcade racing games from the ’90s, but in a modern package. We hope it will be released on other platforms soon. Hotshot Racing (
)
- Developer: Lucky Mountain Games, Sumo Digital
- Release date: September 10, 2019
- Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Hotshot Racing, a throwback to simpler arcade racing games, trades picture-perfect detail for low-poly cars, brightly-colored tracks, and a driving style that wouldn’t survive real-world physics. This is a racing game that thrives off its slingshot-drifting and blistering boosts, drawing inspiration from Burnout, Split Second and others. Once you explore its skill ceiling it’s hard to stop playing. It is still one of best for split-screen racing. Need for Speed Hot Pursuit
This is a remastering of the remake of a Need for Speed game which was the original. It might seem like too much of the same, but it’s not. Hot Pursuit is still one of the best Need for Speed titles in over two decades. This game, developed by Criterion Games (former Burnout developers), brings the Need for Speed series back to its classic roots. It features blindingly-fast street racers, punctuated by tricky police pursuits. You can play as either the hunter, or hunted. Use your racing skills to evade or trap your opponent. This remaster includes improved visuals, cross-play, and previously released DLC. You can enjoy the fun again with today’s newest hardware. Burnout Paradise remastered
- Developer: Criterion, Stellar Entertainment
- Date of Release: March 16, 2018, June 19, 2020, Nintendo Switch
- Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC
It would be criminal to not mention this remaster, which is arguably the Criterion’s best title to date. Burnout is remembered fondly for titles such as Burnout 3 or Burnout Revenge. But it’s Burnout Paradise which stands out above all the others. Playground Games improved the formula over the years, but this open-world racing game was a huge success. It featured a highly varied and destructible world that you could zip around in some of series’ fictional fast cars. This game combines all the trademarks of the series into one highly-replayable package. It has stood the test of years thanks to its recent remaster. You can reminisce about the studio’s glory days while wishing for the return of their franchise.
Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed Collection
- Developer: Sumo Digital
- Release date : November 16, 2012.
- Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii U
Sonic and All-Stars Racings would be the obvious competitor for Nintendo’s Mario Kart if you pretended that the console wars of the early 1990s had never ended. It is exactly the same in 2024 with striking similarities in presentation and format. This is not a knock-off. Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed Collection has all of the same exhilarating features as the original, including a large roster of Sega character, innovative tracks, vehicles that transform, and the ability to use power-ups in order to change the course of races with the flick of an eye. This is an excellent option if you don’t have a Nintendo console, want another Mario Kart experience or like Sega.
Assetto Corsa Competizione
- Developer: KUNOS-Simulazioni Srl
- Release date: September 12, 2018.
- Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Assetto Corsa is a staple in the racing simulation community. Its latest console release, Competizione, has also been very successful. It is a series that takes pride in recreating the GT Racing titles, and also offers a wide variety of online or offline racing options. The hyper-detailed model of the game simulates different racing situations, and includes detailed physics for tire properties and aerodynamics. Its racing simulation is so good that it was chosen by the FIA to replace Gran Turismo 7 for its 2022 FIA Motorsport Games Esports Cup. This should be a clear indication of how impressive this series’ racing recreation really is.
IRacing (
- )
- Developer: iRacing
- Release date: August 26, 2009.
- Platforms ( ): Computer
If you are a fan of simulation racing games, which tend to be more popular in the consumer market, it is likely that you have never heard about iRacing. It’s a shame because the game has been incredibly accurate and realistic for almost two decades. Subscriptions have allowed the game to grow and expand over time. It now includes over 100 tracks and cars that were meticulously scanned using LIDaR technology. The game’s focus on high difficulty and realism will not appeal to all players. It’s not for everyone, but it is a classic that cannot be overlooked by those who are looking for a racing game with more depth. Project Cars 2 (#19659053)
Slightly Mad Studios gained a reputation with Project Cars. This racer blurred the lines between simulation and arcade racing, which is so common in today’s market. Project Cars 2 has improved in all aspects. It features a more realistic driving model, dynamic track conditions, and strategic pit stops that keep the races interesting. Project Cars 3 is a different game, which focuses on arcade action and ignores the original features of the series. It’s fortunate, given it was the final game in the series that Project Cars 2 is still alive and well today. Art of Rally (19659056)
Art of Rally appears to be a minimalistic, cute take on dirt racing. On the inside though, this welcoming appearance gives way to the most rewarding and complex rally experience on the market. The game is just as challenging as a rally simulator, penalizing overzealous brake points and lack of route knowledge in the same way that real-life competitors are punished. Art of Rally is proud of its playful presentation and aesthetic. Minimalistic detail on its car models and tracks are accentuated by bright colors. It’s not a bad game, but it has a devious facade that should not discourage you from buying one of the most complex simulations available today.
Fandom owns both GameSpot, and Fanatical. Parking Garage Rally Circuit (201905910) Developer: Walaber Entertainment (20240920) Release Date: 20240920
Does it get any more nostalgic than an isometric view, local multiplayer, and arcade racing? Super Woden GP 2 will give you the retro racing experience that you have been looking for. This arcade racing game is an ode to racing games from the past, with a variety of racing formats, 180 cars by nine different manufacturers, custom-tuning, and visuals that will bring back fond memories.
