With rising vehicle prices and gas costs, owning a real car is becoming a distant dream for more and more people. However, this doesn’t mean car enthusiasts have abandoned their passions. Video games that promise sensations akin to a real driving experience are charting an alternative path for car enthusiasts.
Here are some good car racing games
The gaming world offers dozens of racing and driving-themed games that appeal to different tastes. Some of these games focus on classic racing dynamics, while others stand out with their realistic simulation systems. Among the recent releases that have garnered attention with both user reviews and critic scores, the standouts have been revealed.
Many games released from the early 2010s to the present day, offering unique driving experiences, are still actively played. Forza Horizon 5, one of these, transports players to the roads of Mexico on Xbox and PC platforms. The game, developed by PlayGround Games, is renowned for its visuals and the freedom it offers to drive. Similarly, Gran Turismo 7, available exclusively to PlayStation users, garners high marks for its physics engine and vehicle modeling.
Developed by Codemasters for Formula 1 fans, F1 25 stands out as one of the official licensed games of the organization. The 2025 version features a revamped “My Team” mode and detailed track designs. For players seeking a more simulation-focused experience, Assetto Corsa has long been a favorite thanks to its driving physics and diverse brand selection. Its wide selection of vehicles, including brands like Ferrari, Porsche, and McLaren, continues to appeal to simulation enthusiasts.
For those seeking a rally experience, DiRT Rally 2.0 stands out with its challenges on tracks across six countries across continents. Vehicles from a wide range of segments, from the VW Polo GTI R5 to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, are available. Unlike traditional races, Split/Second, known for its explosive traps and TV show-themed gameplay, earns a place on the list with its action-packed gameplay.
GRID Legends, another Codemasters title, is popular for its diverse track themes, special race events, and multiplayer mode that allows players to play with friends. One of the most popular games of its time, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit offers a unique story with two distinct career modes, allowing players to play as either a cop or a racer. The game, featuring vehicles like the Pagani Zonda Cinque and Lamborghini Reventon, features tracks in desert and mountainous regions.
When the automotive theme takes a different direction, Rocket League moves away from traditional racing and combines football and driving. Featuring an intuitive control system, the game attracts millions of users with its local and online modes. Developed for those who want to experience realistic racing leagues, iRacing offers a comprehensive experience with over 800 race events, over 150 vehicles, and over 40 tracks.
Wreckfest, which stands out in terms of collisions, damage, and vehicle physics, stands out particularly for its disintegration dynamics. Focusing more on collision than racing, the game offers users a variety of modification options with its customizable vehicle structure.
Offering a more classic arcade driving experience within this category, Burnout Paradise Remastered, with its open-world structure, gives players the freedom to choose their desired route. The streets of Paradise City become a place where racing and action coexist.
These games include highly rated titles as well as alternatives that stand out with their unique themes or originality. At a time when gas prices have reached unattainable levels, the driving experience offered by digital alternatives is becoming increasingly realistic for thousands of users eager to get behind the wheel. These games, which successfully model numerous details from real vehicles’ engine sounds to handling dynamics, are not only entertaining but also serve as a means of escape.
