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Top Console Games and the Best PC Racing Games of All Time

Will Brown by Will Brown, March 13, 2025

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch

Racing games have long been one of the most popular video game categories, allowing players to compete against their friends or online rivals in high-speed competitions. The top console games and best PC racing games of all time are those that have provided something unique, whether photo-realistic graphics, unconventional physics, or battle features. In this guide, we’ve discussed the racing games that have been embraced by critics and fans alike and have gone on to create a long-lasting impact that has redefined the genre.

What Are the Best Racing Games of All Time?

Since the dawn of the video game, the racing genre has been one of the most beloved by fans. Before we launched into our list of the top titles, we’ve discussed the history of the genre and how it evolved to inspire the best racing games ever.

Our list includes top titles from several popular franchises, including Mario Kart, Burnout, Gran Turismo, Forza, and Need for Speed. While some of the games were released decades ago, they continue to be beloved by players for their exciting gameplay and nostalgic appeal.

The History of the Best Racing Games Ever

The earliest precursor to the best racing games of all time was “Gran Trak 10”, often credited as being the first racing game ever. Released in 1973 by Atari, the single-player arcade game required players to control the car from a birdseye view with a steering wheel controller, accelerator pedal, and gear shift.

The following year, Taito released the arcade game “Speed Race”, which required players to steer a car along a scrolling road, earning points by overtaking other cars on the road. The biggest advancement to the genre came with the release of Namco’s “Pole Position” in 1982, which was the first to include a behind-the-car perspective.

The colorful graphics and inclusion of a real racing circuit, the Fuji Speedway, inspired a generation of racing games to follow. With the advent of the 16-bit home console era of the 1990s, titles such as SNES’ “F-Zero” and Sega’s “Virtua Racing” brought sophisticated 3D graphics and refined physics to players’ homes.

The genre continued to evolve with Playstation’s realistic racing simulator “Gran Turismo” in 1997, while Nintendo’s “Mario Kart 64” was a blockbuster hit favored for its multiplayer modes and battling features. As the technical capabilities of consoles evolved in the 2000s, so too did the graphics and physics of games, leading to the immersive VR technology revolution that is unfolding today.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

While the Mario Kart franchise includes 16 games released for over a dozen consoles, the high-water mark of the series has to be Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Not only is it one of the best racing video games ever, but the game is the most successful, with more than 75 million copies sold since its release in 2017.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Nintendo Switch is an enhanced ported version of the 2014 Wii U original. It is beloved for its perfection of the series’ combat racing formula, with stunning HD graphics, thrilling anti-gravity physics, and a 48-character roster featuring Nintendo’s most beloved video game stars.

The game also included 48 tracks, with an additional 48 tracks available as downloadable content. Appealing to both veteran players of the franchise and fresh newcomers, the game was praised for its online multiplayer mode and enhanced battle mode features that avoided the use of overpowered video game characters.

iRacing

Considered to be one of the best PC racing games of all time, iRacing has been embraced by the racing game community for its lifelike simulation of motorsports. The game was released in 2008 is accessible through a subscription-based online model, and is continually updated to include purchasable cars and tracks.

The game has been designed to closely resemble the physics of auto-racing, with laser-scanned tracks ensuring the most realistic replications of renowned circuits. The game has also partnered with major racing organizations such as NASCAR and the FIA to offer licensed content to users. This makes it a great game to study when researching motorsport mobile betting wagers.

More than 290,000 people are subscribed to iRacing.com’s platform. The site’s format offers numerous racing seasons per year, with players able to earn licenses to compete in Championship events. Unlike many of the other games in this list, iRacing also encourages responsible driving through a safety ratings system, further enhancing its lifelike appeal.

Burnout 3: Takedown

Burnout 3: Takedown is an arcade racer that was released in 2004 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox. It is among the most popular racing games for its pioneering of aggressive driving mechanics, with players rewarded for risky driving, the destruction of opponents, and strategic maneuvering.

The central feature of the game was the “Takedown” system, which allowed players to collide with their opponents repeatedly until they crashed in spectacular ways. This helped to fill and expand the boost meter, which can be used strategically to boost the cars’ speeds and gain a competitive advantage.

Another central component was the inclusion of licensed music, which underscored the beautiful crash and destruction effects to make a compelling experience. Critics immediately recognized it as one of the best racing video games of all time, praising it for its addictive gameplay and innovative graphics.

Gran Turismo 4

The Gran Turismo series has been one of the most influential racing games in history, beloved by both avid gamers and motorsports enthusiasts for its intricate attention to detail. While a case could be made for the best by several of the entries, Gran Turismo 4 is often regarded as one of the best racing games of all time for its noticeable improvements over its predecessors.

The game was released in 2004 for PlayStation 2 and was developed in partnership with an array of major car manufacturers. The racing simulator featured over 700 detailed vehicles, including real-life vehicles and futuristic concept cars. There were also 50 tracks, many of which were laser-scanned for accuracy.

Gran Turismo’s commitment to lifelike controls resulted in a completely immersive experience, with its challenging entry-level rewarding long-time players. Another landmark feature was its inclusion of B-Spec mode, which allowed players to act as team directors as the in-game racing season progressed. The game ultimately sold nearly 12 million copies.

Forza Horizon 4

As one of the newer games on this list of the best racing video games, 2018’s Forza Horizon 4 is notable for its open-world gameplay and its realistic recreation of Great Britain. Players are able to drive through beautifully-rendered environments such as Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands with weather conditions changing seasonally.

As one of the best PC racing games, Forza Horizon 4 included more than 450 licensed cars from manufacturers such as Toyota, BMW, Bugatti, and many more. It was embraced by critics and fans for its impressive visuals and blending of simulation and arcade racing styles, with downloadable content prolonging its playability.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted

Clearly inspired by the Fast and Furious film franchise, 2005’s Need for Speed: Most Wanted is a celebration of underground street racing and among the most popular racing games. The game’s campaign mode benefited from a high-stakes narrative, where players must compete against the city’s 15 best racers to become the most wanted.

Defined by its inclusion of high-speed police chases, licensed vehicles, open-world environment, and high-octane soundtrack, the game also included graphics that were advanced for the time. It also had a major impact on the genre for its refinement of chase mechanics and AI and its approach has been replicated ever since.

Daytona USA

Perhaps the best of the video game car games released in the arcade era, Daytona USA remains one of the most successful racing franchises in video game history. Developed by Sega and released in 1993, Daytona USA’s inclusion of 3D texture-mapped graphics was revolutionary for the time, as was its eight-player multiplayer network setup.

One of the highlights was the ability for players to change their perspective while racing, and while the game only featured three tracks, they were lauded for their accessibility for users of all experience levels. Despite being over 30 years old, many arcades still include Daytona USA cabinets, which is a testament to its enduring popularity and legacy.

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