Best Racing Games

About Racing Games

Racing games split clearly between simulation and arcade. Simulation racers — Gran Turismo 7, Assetto Corsa, iRacing — model real-world vehicle physics with precision: tyre temperature, fuel load, and suspension geometry all matter, and they're best experienced with a wheel peripheral. Arcade racers — Forza Horizon, Mario Kart, Burnout — prioritize fun, spectacle, and accessibility over realism. Open-world racing games — Forza Horizon, The Crew — combine driving with exploration of vast environments. Kart racers add weapons and chaos to competitive racing. Online simracing communities around iRacing and Assetto Corsa Competizione have developed into serious competitive ecosystems.

The biggest purchase decision in racing games is whether you want a wheel and pedal set — simulation titles are dramatically better with one, though they also work with a controller. Budget $100–$500 for a decent entry-level wheel setup if that's the direction you're heading. For arcade racers, a standard controller is fine. Also check whether a game has a substantial single-player career mode if online play isn't your priority — some racing games like Forza Horizon offer excellent solo content while others like iRacing are almost entirely online-focused.

The Forza Horizon series on PC and Xbox frequently appears in Game Pass and goes on sale aggressively — one of the better values in the genre. Simulation titles like Gran Turismo remain PlayStation exclusives near full price. GameTheca tracks prices across all PC stores and console storefronts so you can compare across platforms and find the best deal on the racing experience you're after.

171 racing titles tracked — ranked by rating and popularity.