Top 10 Best Racing Video Games of All Time
Racing games have been pushing the limits of speed, skill, and adrenaline for decades. From high-stakes street races to white-knuckle track competitions, these games offer a rush like no other. Some focus on hyper-realistic driving physics, making you feel every turn and gear shift, while others embrace pure, chaotic fun with power-ups, crashes, and over-the-top action. No matter your style, there's something special about the thrill of a perfectly executed drift, the satisfaction of shaving milliseconds off your lap time, or the chaos of dodging opponents as you fight for first place.This list brings together the best racing video games ever made, spanning multiple generations of consoles and gaming history. Some of these titles set new standards for realism, offering an unmatched level of precision in car handling and customization. Others focus on accessibility and fun, delivering experiences that keep you coming back for just one more race. You'll find legendary franchises that have defined the genre, as well as cult favorites that left a lasting impression on devoted fans.
Now it's your turn to help determine which racing games deserve to be at the top. Vote for the ones you believe stand above the rest. Whether you grew up perfecting time trials, battling friends in split-screen showdowns, or testing your skills online, your choices will help shape the ultimate ranking of the greatest racing games ever made.
This open-world racing game was developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts. It features a blend of street racing and police pursuits, with an emphasis on competition among friends through the Autolog system. Players can drive a variety of licensed vehicles and must evade law enforcement while competing in high-speed races. YES! Best game ever! I still don't understand why people like the Burnout series. It seems like it is way below Need for Speed both gameplay-wise and graphically.
And another note for the iPod or iPhone: How is Asphalt 7 ranked higher on the charts than Need for Speed Most Wanted 2012? Asphalt 7 is just a cheap ripoff of Need for Speed, but no one sees my point. SPREAD THE WORD! Gameloft is the worst racing game producer ever!
This must be at least number 3 because I don't know about the other games. But this game is awesome, and you cannot get bored of this game. Simply, this game is the ultimate racing game ever made.
Released in 2004, this arcade-style racing game was developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts. It emphasizes aggressive driving mechanics, including takedowns where players force opponents to crash. The game features multiple race types, a crash mode, and a boost system that rewards risky driving. This was the amazing PS2/Xbox title. Takedowns! Nitrous! It had a lot and was fun, especially as a kid, which I was when it released. I wish I had my PS2 to play this. It should be a lot higher, not at number 35.
This is the best in my opinion. The best racing game along with Most Wanted.
Playground Games developed this open-world racing game, which launched in 2016 for Xbox One and PC. It is set in a fictionalized version of Australia and allows players to participate in festival events, races, and off-road challenges. The game supports cooperative and competitive multiplayer, along with extensive vehicle customization. Why 29? It has to be the best racing game out here.
Best racing game out there by far.
Criterion Games developed this open-world racing game, which was released in 2008 for multiple platforms. It allows players to freely explore Paradise City while engaging in races, stunts, and high-speed crashes. The game introduced a dynamic crash mode and supported online multiplayer for competitive and cooperative play. For people saying Burnout Paradise is way below NFS Most Wanted, its graphics sure are better. But Burnout Paradise has better narration, better crash animations, and more freedom. You can literally feel the tires burning out!
Driving in Burnout Paradise and burning out the tires is amazing. The graphics, controls, and gameplay are exceptionally designed, and you will love to play.
Open world fun, crashing, and not like any realistic driving, but that's what other racing games are missing!
A-Spec: Released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2, this racing simulation game was developed by Polyphony Digital. It features a large selection of licensed vehicles and tracks, with realistic physics and detailed car customization. The game includes multiple racing events, a career mode, and an emphasis on precision driving. I'd say this is better than GT4 except in graphics. It didn't corrupt my PS2 in every year or so of progress.
This should have been above GT4.
Released in 2008 for the Nintendo Wii, this kart racing game introduced motion controls using the Wii Wheel accessory. It features a roster of characters from the Mario franchise, 32 tracks, and online multiplayer functionality. The game includes bikes as a new vehicle type, offering different handling compared to karts. Mario Kart is more creative and just all-out more fun. It should be at the top. People now just want better graphics and stuff like that, but Mario Kart overcomes the need for that.
The gameplay, tracks, items, and characters are just so much better.
When I was little, this was the greatest game of all time for me. Even today, I make memories with this great racing game. Even though this game has its ups and downs, it is one of my favorite games from Nintendo.
Why is this so low? Mario Kart is better than those other racing games!
This kart racing game was developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It includes all content from the original Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U, along with additional characters, karts, and a revamped battle mode. Players can race on a variety of tracks while using power-ups to gain advantages. Really, really good. All of the 48 courses are fun and creative, with good music, a fun, frantic nature, lots of items, and great mechanics. It looks as good as Forza in its own way, and racing is always fun.
Time trials, where you're alone trying to break your record, is fun. 1v1 with your friend is fun. Racing with you, 11 AI, and items enabled is fun. And battle mode is fun! It all works out!
This kart racing game was released for the Wii U in 2014 and later enhanced as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Nintendo Switch. It introduces anti-gravity sections that allow vehicles to race on walls and ceilings. The game features a wide selection of characters, vehicles, and tracks, along with online multiplayer support. Extremely fun. Best Nintendo game in history (except for the deluxe version).
This racing simulation game was developed by Polyphony Digital and released for the PlayStation 2 in 2004. It features a large selection of licensed vehicles and tracks, along with realistic driving physics. The game introduced a photo mode and B-Spec mode, allowing players to manage races as a team director. How the hell is Need for Speed the best racing game, and how is Burnout Paradise above Burnout 3? Gran Turismo is so much fun, and they put so much detail into the game to make it good.
Gran Turismo is a pretty good game to play. It has a lot of cars to drive, which is why I love all the Gran Turismo games. I guess the same thing applies to all other racing games.
My favorite game of all time, the best Gran Turismo game in my opinion. Well over 500 cars with tons of tracks, along with simcade physics, amazing/stylish graphics, and an awesome OST.
Released in 2003 for the Nintendo GameCube, this entry in the Mario Kart series introduced two-character karts. Each kart includes a driver and a passenger, allowing for cooperative gameplay with unique character-specific items. The game features 16 new tracks, multiplayer modes, and LAN support for up to 16 players. I love this game, but all of the Mario Kart games are great as well!
The Newcomers
Released in 2021 by Playground Games, this open-world racing game is set in a fictionalized version of Mexico. It features a dynamic weather system, diverse environments, and an extensive roster of real-world cars. Players can engage in traditional races, off-road challenges, and cooperative multiplayer events.
This racing simulation game was developed by Turn 10 Studios and released for Xbox 360 in 2011. It features a large roster of licensed cars, realistic physics, and Kinect integration for motion-based controls. The game introduced Autovista mode, allowing players to explore detailed vehicle models with narrated commentary. Forza 4 does not have brand new cars, but it was the little things that made it great, like bumpers falling off and cars you will never see in any other racing game. Great lobby music.
You may not get your 1080p 60fps, but you have a game that is pretty and aged very well. Without a doubt, the best racing game I've played (including Forza 6 and others). Maybe even the best racing game ever!
The Forza series as a whole is amazing, but Forza 4 was something else. It had great graphics for its time, and I wish more Forza games tried to replicate this one. It's just fun to play and did not have terrible issues like Forza 7.
Developed by Criterion Games, this installment in the Need for Speed series was released in 2010. It features an emphasis on high-speed police chases, allowing players to take on the roles of both racers and law enforcement. The game includes an Autolog system for tracking online competition and asynchronous challenges. Insane action, awesome graphics, loads of high-powered cars, dozens of races and chases, and an enormous and beautiful open world. What more could you want?
The free play rocks! My friend and I sometimes have crashing competitions!
A classic for me, back in the day.
Developed by Sega AM2, this arcade racing game was first released in 1993. It features high-speed stock car racing on oval and road courses, with gameplay focused on drifting and drafting mechanics. The game is known for its colorful visuals, catchy soundtrack, and influential arcade-style handling. This is the game that changed racing games and 3D graphics. Back in 1993, this was years ahead of its time. An all-time classic that will never die.
San Francisco: This action-driving game was developed by Ubisoft Reflections and released in 2011. It introduces a "Shift" mechanic that allows players to instantly switch between vehicles, enabling strategic maneuvers during missions. Set in a recreation of San Francisco, the game features a storyline-driven campaign and a variety of multiplayer modes.
This open-world racing game, developed by Playground Games, was released in 2014 for Xbox consoles. It takes place in a European setting, featuring a variety of terrain types and weather conditions. Players can participate in festival-themed events, explore freely, and race in both single-player and multiplayer modes. Best racing game I have ever played. There are hundreds of cars to race with, and the graphics are some of the best I have ever seen (after The Crew).
The map is huge and takes place in actual locations in the world. There is nothing to ruin the fun for you while playing it. Rating = 10/10.
Fantastic game. The graphics are stunning, and the gameplay is unreal. One of the best games on next gen.
Top 5 racing games of all time, hands down. Love it. Very fun with stunning visuals.
Developed by Amusement Vision and published by Nintendo, this futuristic racing game was released for the GameCube in 2003. It features high-speed anti-gravity racing with a focus on precision control and challenging AI opponents. The game includes a story mode, a variety of vehicles, and a high level of difficulty. Oh my gosh, this game is amazing! It offers a good challenge, is insane when it comes to speed, has tons of unlockable content, and a customizing function. What more could you want?
This game is easily my favorite. It's so challenging yet fair and is stupidly fast. The graphics are amazing.
Such an awesome racing game. Very, very fun and very, very hard as well.
Developed by Turn 10 Studios, this racing simulation game was released in 2015 for the Xbox One. It features realistic driving physics, a large roster of licensed cars, and various racing disciplines. The game includes wet weather conditions, night racing, and online multiplayer competitions. I have played almost every racing game out there, and many of the new ones did not deliver. Forza 5 was a huge disappointment, but this game is in my top 3 racing games ever, and it's slowly becoming my all-time favorite. Must have!
I love this game! It is addicting, challenging, and fun. One of the few games that does not make me angry. I just like how I surpass the others. I need to play more racing games.
It's a very fun game to play on the Xbox One. I just love the collection of cars to look at and also driving them.
This arcade-style racing game was developed by Criterion Games and released in 2005. It features aggressive racing mechanics, encouraging players to take down opponents while navigating high-speed tracks. The game includes a crash mode, traffic-checking mechanics, and both single-player and multiplayer modes. First game I ever played and the yardstick by which I judge all other racers. Sure, the car variety may be lacking, and the ability to crash into the back of cars and not slow down but speed up is unrealistic. But you know what? It's fun. Isn't that the reason why we humans play games?
Carbon: This racing game, developed by EA Black Box, was released in 2006 for multiple platforms. It focuses on nighttime street racing and introduces a crew system where AI teammates assist during races. Players can compete in various events, including canyon duels, while evading law enforcement. Extremely underrated, this one is pure street racing. In Most Wanted, you get stuck with the cops. It takes a lot of time to beat even one rival, let alone 15. Carbon is simple. Race, use your crew's help, win. Cops are a bonus.
Racing down that huge mountain is fantastic. The drifting is the best, except for Underground 2. These are still the two best drifter games.
This kart racing game was developed by Naughty Dog and released for the PlayStation in 1999. It features characters from the Crash Bandicoot series, offering single-player and multiplayer racing modes. Players compete on themed tracks while using weapons and speed boosts to outmaneuver opponents. This should be a bit higher because it was considered one of the greatest kart racing games at the time. Critics even said this game was better than Mario Kart.
I loved Crash Team Racing. It plays like Mario Kart, except a little better. The graphics are some of the best on the PS1, and the track designs are awesome.
Best racing game I've ever played in my entire life, no joke. I love this one so much.
Developed and published by Electronic Arts, this motorcycle racing game debuted in 1991. It features high-speed races with combat mechanics, allowing players to attack opponents using fists and weapons. The game includes various tracks, police encounters, and a progression system where players can upgrade their bikes. No motorbike racing game even comes close to this original masterpiece of a game.
This open-world racing game was developed by Playground Games and released for the Xbox 360 in 2012. It blends simulation and arcade-style racing, allowing players to explore a festival-themed environment with various racing events. The game features dynamic time-of-day changes, licensed vehicles, and an emphasis on free-roam driving. I have really great memories playing this with and without my friends. Doing the road trips, playing infected, painting cars, doing rally races, collecting cars, and just simply racing my mates. You simply can't ask for more.
I think this is arguably the most complete game on the list. Barely any glitches, great graphics, and awesome gameplay. Seriously, how is this not number 1?
Forza Horizon is an amazing game. It's not as realistic as other games like Gran Turismo, but you have an open world to drive in, a very wide selection of cars and customization parts, and online play is fairly decent and without many glitches.
This kart racing game, developed by Sumo Digital, was released in 2012. It features characters from various Sega franchises and vehicles that transform between land, air, and water segments. The game includes single-player and multiplayer modes, with dynamic track changes that alter the racing experience. I normally only play racing sims with a steering wheel, but this game made me spend a lot of time in a game outside of my favorite genre. That is true excellence.
Two-way and four-way split-screen is awesome, too.
Launched in 1996 for the Nintendo 64, this kart racing game introduced 3D track designs and four-player multiplayer. It features characters from the Mario franchise, various power-ups, and a rubberbanding AI system. The game includes 16 tracks and a battle mode where players use items to eliminate opponents. This should be number one! Seriously, I hate this list, and Mario Kart 64 will forever be the best racing game there is.
I especially love Rainbow Road in Mario Kart 64 and would give this game 10/10 stars.
