What are the best racing games? If there’s one thing that keeps on improving with every videogame generation, it’s the quality of racing games. The best racing games aim to wow you with stunning visuals, impress you with their realism, or have you howling with laughter as you smash up opponents with some arcade mischief.
In this list of the best racing games in August 2023, there will definitely be some franchise names you recognise, as well as a few you might not. From hyper-realistic racers that will have you tinkering with your suspension and gear ratios for the perfect flying lap, to the equivalent of a demolition derby, we’ve got great racing games from every part of the spectrum.
Here are the best racing games:
- Gran Turismo 7
- F1 23
- Need for Speed Unbound
- Assetto Corsa Competizione
- Forza Horizon 5
- Project Cars 2
- Wreckfest
- Burnout Paradise Remastered
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- DiRT 5
1. Gran Turismo 7
If you have a PlayStation and want to try out the best PS5 racing game out there, then look no further than Gran Turismo 7. The prodigal racing series by Polyphony Digital makes its triumphant return with the most amazing graphics and gameplay.
It is a racer’s paradise, with all sorts of Gran Turismo 7 cars on offer. The tracks will put your skills to the test, and the tuning system will have you tinkering under the hood. It’s a next-level racing game – something we talk about in our Gran Turismo 7 review – and one you’d be bonkers to miss out on.
Gran Turismo 7 is available on PS4 and PS5 only.
2. F1 23
F1 23 is a must-play for Formula One fans. It’s arguably the best game from Codemasters to date, and part of that is due to the sheer amount of content on offer. The visual enhancements along with the newer car models with updated physics and adaptive AI make the races much more challenging and immersive. Alongside this, there’s also two new modes for you to get stuck into.
It is the most authentic F1 racing game to date – something you can read more about in our F1 23 review. The new F1 World mode is also the perfect replacement for F1 Life that fans found rather hollow in the previous game in the series.
F1 23 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox.
3.Need for Speed Unbound
Need for Speed games have been a hit or miss these past few years but Unbound revived the street racing formula that made titles like Underground and Most Wanted icons in their own right.
The game helps deliver everything a racing game fan could want with a new art style that strangely compliments the world of street racing. And, with Unbound being next-gen focused, its stunning visuals are definitely worth the playthrough.
Need for Speed Unbound is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. You can read our Need for Speed Unbound review here.
4. Assetto Corsa Competizione
Kunos Simulazioni is no stranger to racing games and with Assetto Corsa Competizione, it has upped the ante by making a proper racing simulator that has petrolheads foaming at the mouth.
ACC focuses on GT3 and GT4 cars, which makes it perfect for racers looking for a bit of a challenge, and while there’s a big learning curve for this game, the end result is definitely worth it.
Assetto Corsa Competizione is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox, and PC.
5. Forza Horizon 5
If you love Mexico and cars, then Forza Horizon 5 is the racing game for you. Featuring a realistic representation of Mexico’s landscape thanks to photogrammetry, you’ll never get bored in this gorgeous open world.
Forza Horizon 5 has the largest in-game map in the series to date and it’s full to the brim with activities for players to dive into, making it one of the best Xbox racing games. The constant barrage of updates also means that game stays fresh, regardless of how much time you spend playing it.
It’s pretty much a perfect open world racing game and what’s better than that?
Forza Horizon 5 is available on Xbox and PC. You can read our Forza Horizon 5 review here.
6. Project Cars 2
Slightly Mad Studios brought a storm to a world obsessed with the Gran Turismo and Forza games with Project Cars 2. The series is underrated by the racing community, but Project Cars 2 has surely earned its status as one of the best racing games.
Featuring realistic handling, car tuning, and weather conditions, its main plus point is how forgiving it is to beginners. With a huge variety of car classes, Project Cars 2 is a great way to enter the sim-racing scene.
Project Cars is available on Xbox, PS4, and PC.
7. Wreckfest
If you want something completely different to the rest of the games on this list, then you’re going to want to play Wreckfest, a racing game with carnage at its core.
This title from Bugbear Entertainment features demolition derbies for those brave enough to handle them. If you love chaos, you’ll love this game – especially as you send enemies flying.
Wreckfest is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
8. Burnout Paradise Remastered
It’s hard to explain how amazing Burnout Paradise is. Originally released in 2008 and remastered ten years later, Burnout Paradise Remastered is one of the best classic car games and one of the best Switch racing games of all time. And the best bit of all is that it makes crashing feel fun.
Plus, the soundtrack hasn’t aged at all. There’s nothing better driving through Paradise City listening to the likes of Guns N’ Roses and Killswitch Engage.
Burnout Paradise may be a relic now, but it is one for the ages. It is available on PS4, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
9. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Is there a series that can guarantee fun quite like Mario Kart? In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the streak more than continues, as amazing visuals and the expected chaotic gameplay are partnered with a ridiculous amount of content.
With both classic and new tracks, the usual roster of iconic characters, and loads of vehicle customization options, the only thing you’ll ever get bored of is being struck by a shell just yards from the finish line.
You can only play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch.
10. Dirt 5
If you want some series racing, but want to slip, slide, and drift your way to victory, the Dirt series is the way to go, and Dirt 5 is the best of the bunch.
With a proper career mode, new events, and simple driving controls, Dirt 5 provides a top spec racing gear that’ll get you pumped in no time. On the PS5, it also makes smart use of the Dual Sense’s adaptive triggers and haptic feedback to further enhance the rallying experience.
Dirt 5 is available on Xbox, PS4, PS5, and PC.
And there you have it, the best racing games you can play right now. These are the cream of the crop when it comes to the racing genre. So, if you want to get your adrenaline pumping, get these downloaded now. You can also check out the best games of all time for the very best of all genres. Have fun!
