Top 15 Racing Games That Will Get Your Adrenaline Pumping

The gaming industry is generous to gearheads and adrenaline junkies. Many in these groups take to vehicle racing titles to satisfy their “need for speed.” While some games offer realistic, simulator-based racing, others prioritize a more arcade-like approach. Some titles take top honors for their attention to detail and awesome racing.

1. Forza Motorsport 7 (2017)

Forza Motorsport 7 (2017)
Image Credit: Microsoft Studios.

Forza Motorsport 7 offers a charged experience for tuners, drifters, and racers alike. It features up to 500 automobile choices from the real world, as players cruise more than 20 tracks. It’s famous for challenging the die-hards and spoiling the gas-guzzlers with an immersive racing experience.

2. Gran Turismo 7 (2022)

Gran Turismo 7 (2022)
Image Credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment.

Gran Turismo is a perpetual fan favorite for its focus on realistic track racing. In fact, the series birthed the modern legend of Jann Mardenborough — a gamer turned professional driver. Whether you’re a casual cruiser or want to go head-to-head against players online, each car provides a great experience. It imitates the racing experience by using dynamic weather conditions over varied tracks.

3. Need for Speed Underground 2 (2004)

Need for Speed Underground 2 (2004)
Image Credit: Electronic Arts.

As the pioneer of open-world cruising, Need for Speed Underground 2 provided a nostalgic experience for the old gamers. Players race in diverse modes in increasingly faster vehicles to become the best racer of the Underground.

4. World Rally Championship (2001 – 2023)

World Rally Championship (2023)
Image Credit: Electronic Arts.

World Rally Championship (WRC) is the brainchild of EA Sports. It’s the perfect rally game for players yearning for chaos at every corner. The game had bugs and glitches when launched, but now it works like a charm after the latest updates. It mimics the ardor and mania of rally racing. The tracks test players’ precision and reflexes at every twist and corner.

5. Forza Horizon 5 (2021)

Forza Horizon 5 (2021)
Image Credit: Xbox Game Studios.

Maneuver and explore the creations of the finest automakers with Forza Horizon 5. Take a trip to Mexico and explore its mesmerizing play, since even the rev-limiter can’t curb your desires. This game lets you explore exotic parts of the world and race to your heart’s content in premium vehicles.

6. Assetto Corsa (2014)

Assetto Corsa (2014)
Image Credit: Kunos Simulazioni.

Having this game is akin to containing the GT3 or Le Mans championship within the confines of your room. Assetto Corsa immerses its players into real-world competition with its hyper-realistic graphics and impeccable re-creation of the GT driving experience. This game has a thriving community, and community-developed mods improve it even more.

7. The Crew Motorfest (2023)

Crew Motorfest (2023)
Image Credit: Ubisoft.

Some of us prefer the scenic route at the expense of our wallets. If you’re like that, explore the charming island of O’ahu with Crew Motorfest. Experience the intricacies of a minimized version of Hawaii and swerve through crowded cities with the maxed-out automobile of your choice.

8. TrackMania (2003)

TrackMania (2022)
Image Credit: Ubisoft.

With banked tracks, vibrant liveries, and aerodynamic designs, TrackMania has it all. Although unconventional, this game is saturated with events and leagues that allow players to socialize, compete, achieve milestones, unlock rewards, and race on. Players can also dust their rivals on self-made tracks. Leaderboards allow you to compare your scores with your friends or the world.

9. Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012)

Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012)
Image Credit: Electronic Arts.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted is iconic among racing fans. This game was one of the first Need for Speed titles that focused more on the racing and less on the narrative. The game’s detailed design and seamless play give players access to every part of the city. Most Wanted begins as any other Need for Speed title by having the player lose their car. The rest of the game consists of racing for faster vehicles and becoming the Most Wanted.

10. Burnout Paradise Remastered (2018)

Burnout Paradise Remastered (2018)
Image Credit: Electronic Arts.

Burnout Paradise is known for its explosive soundtrack and high-octane racing. Players can create mounds of wreckage by ramming into traffic like headless chickens. Players must also look out for their vehicle’s health in this game; failing to do so means defeat.

11. Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition (2005)

Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition (2006)
Image Credit: Rockstar Games.

From the Grand Theft Auto series creators, Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition sets the bar high. Gamers can break through signals at ominous speeds. Known for its tuning and modification features, Midnight Club astounds and captures the thrill of street racing. Despite its release more than a decade ago, the game more than holds up.

12. Test Drive Unlimited (2006)

Test Drive Unlimited 1 (2006)
Image Credit: Atari.

Gamers with a knack for speed will relish Test Drive Unlimited. This game implements interactive car dealers and side quests to keep players engaged. The races over the vast map feel fulfilling and speedy. It also seamlessly blends the single and multiplayer worlds. Race against the clock or deliver a pristine vehicle under dangerous conditions.

13. Project Cars 2 (2017)

Project Cars 2 (2017)
Image Credit: Bandai Namco Entertainment.

Players continue to beat their lap times several years after Project Cars 2‘s release. This game offers a multitude of races, as well as tracks players can master. Project Cars 2 emphasizes realism, and its superb attention to detail is proof. Those who appreciate accurate vehicle design will have a blast with this game.

14. Dirt 4 (2017)

Dirt 4 (2017)
Image Credit: Codemasters.

What better way to roll in the mud than to immerse yourself in an off-roading masterpiece? Players can get their hands dirty in Dirt 4 as they teeter between control and chaos. This game is all about racing in rugged landscapes, and the arcade-like gameplay makes every drift feel responsive.

15. The Crew 2 (2018)

The Crew 2 (2018)
Image Credit: Ubisoft.

Joining The Crew means racing to your heart’s content and conquering all roads. The exhilaration extends from the sea to the sky as gamers can race sleek planes or noisy motorboats, as well. To master all trades, the players persevere and compete to become the best. Players can also switch vehicles at any time.

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