Seven of the Best Racing Video Games of All Time

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 30 May 2023

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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The Best Racing Video Games

• Best Racing Games of All Time
• The Best Car Games Ever
• Burnout 3: Takedown
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
• Forza Motorsport 7
• Forza Horizon 4
• Gran Turismo 2
• Need for Speed: Most Wanted
• Midnight Club: Los Angeles
• Frequently Asked Questions

In today’s post we’re going to be taking a deep dive into the best racing games of all time. As racing game enthusiasts, we’ve seen this genre evolve a lot over the years, and whether you’re looking to learn about the best PC racing games of all time or console-specific games, we’ll do our best to cover everything on this page.

Best Racing Games of All Time

With so many games developed, and multiple console options, diving into the world of the best racing games of all time can be quite an adventure. From early arcade racers to the latest high-definition simulation-based games, it’s fair to say technology has come a long way in the gaming world, and today, the race action is more realistic than it’s ever been.

Finding the Best Car Games Ever

The best car games ever is a topic that’s surprisingly hard to talk about. It’s incredibly subjective, so what one person likes, another may hate. Games have also changed so much that youngsters may prefer new games only, while old-timers may have a nostalgic attachment to older titles.

Different players might prefer different aspects of racing games – some might be drawn to the high-speed action of arcade-style racers, while others might appreciate the technical challenge and realism of simulation games. Regardless of your preferences, there’s a racing game out there for you.

As technology advanced, so did the games. They became more realistic, featuring improved graphics and physics, as well as more complex driving mechanics. Over the years, racing games have been released on a wide range of platforms, from classic consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System to cutting-edge systems like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.

While not as common anymore, installable PC games are also available, although they’re offered through platforms like Steam most of the time. Mobile gaming is also pretty big, although the level of sophistication of the games is a lot lower on mobile devices than on serious consoles.

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Burnout 3: Takedown

Burnout 3: Takedown is a high-octane arcade racer that’s all about speed, chaos, and aggressive driving. Developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts, this game amps up the adrenaline with its unique takedown mechanic, where you earn points by smashing opponents’ cars off the road.

Players love the intense action, fantastic visuals, and catchy soundtrack that accompanies each race. The game also features a variety of modes, including single-player championships, online multiplayer, and crash mode, where the goal is to cause the most spectacular pile-ups possible.

The game’s proven to be so successful that several other games in the franchise continue to be released. We will show you some of the best ones below:

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe brings the beloved Nintendo franchise to new heights with tons of power-ups, colorful tracks to choose from, and tons of fun. This upgraded version of the original Mario Kart 8 features additional characters, revamped battle mode, and all previously released downloadable content. The graphics have also received a slight overhaul, although it is, essentially, the same game besides the changes we just mentioned.

The game offers multiplayer madness, perfect for playing with friends or online, with up to 12 players able to compete in a single race at the same time. As you’d expect, there’s a huge range of characters from the Nintendo universe to choose from. We also really like how Nintendo has decided to offer a varied selection of new and classic courses.

It may not be the first game you think of when discussing the best race game ever, but Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a must-play racing game, especially for younger, or less experienced players.

Forza Motorsport 7

Forza Motorsport 7, developed by Turn 10 Studios, delivers a racing experience with very realistic-looking graphics and accurate driving mechanics. This game features a huge selection of 700 models and makes cars for players to choose from. There’s also a wide variety of tracks from all around the world, ensuring players can compete pretty much anywhere they want.

Forza Motorsport 7 also features dynamic weather conditions and a deep customization system. This gives players a huge degree of control over the game, and pretty much every part of the racing experience can be customized to fit player preferences.

Whether you’re a casual racer or a die-hard fan looking for a true-to-life racing simulation, Forza Motorsport 7 is an excellent choice. We’re also going to look at one of Forza Motorsports’ predecessors next.

Forza Horizon 4

Forza Horizon 4, developed by Playground Games in conjunction with Turn 10 Studios, was released in 2018. It was published by Microsoft Studios and is available on the Xbox and Windows platforms. Forza Horizon 4 is set in an expansive open-world universe and the racing experience is both visually stunning and incredibly fun.

The game’s visuals are all from the UK, and they change each time you play, so you never know exactly where you’ll be competing. This is a state-of-the-art feature, and it’s one of the reasons why the game became so popular within such a short space of time.

With a vast car collection and endless customization options, Forza Horizon 4 has something for everyone, from off-roading in the countryside to street racing in the city. The game also includes a wide range of racing events and challenges, which means players don’t need to rely on the regular gameplay alone.

Gran Turismo 2

Gran Turismo 2, developed by Polyphony Digital, is a classic racing simulation game that took the gaming world by storm, and is still popular among gamers today. The game boasted a staggering collection of over 600 cars, ranging from vintage classics to futuristic prototypes, and while its now-dated graphics may be a turn-off, it remains one of the most iconic and best racing games of all time.

The game’s physics engine and intelligent AI presented a unique challenge to even the most skilled gamers, and there was a near-endless number of things to do. The game features a deep career mode, various racing events, and a comprehensive tuning system, and many experts argue it was a key release in setting a benchmark for all racing games released after it.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted

Next on our list of the best car games ever is Need for Speed: Most Wanted, which was a near-instant hit when it was released back in 2005. As a racing game, it offered a unique open-world environment that many players simply weren’t used to. The game had (for the time) an incredibly detailed design, and players could explore individual streets, highways, and even small alleys.

Like most of the best racing video games of all time we’ve looked at on this page, Need for Speed: Most Wanted offered players a huge range of customizable cars to choose from. This range included everything from muscle cars to high-end luxury saloons. You could customize the way each car handled by upgrading them using coins earned by completing in-game tasks.

The game’s storyline was another reason why it was so popular; it was pretty intense, and players had to assume the role of a street racer. The goal is to try and climb the ranks and become the most wanted in the city of Fairhaven. There was tons to do, including side missions, and it’s still played today, almost two decades after its initial release.

Midnight Club: Los Angeles

Midnight Club: Los Angeles, developed by Rockstar San Diego, is the final game on this list of the best racing video games of all-time. It was the fourth installment in the Midnight Club series of games, and it’s well-suited to players who want a large open-world map to explore, similar to what you experience when playing GTA San Andreas.

As the name probably gives away, the game is set in the city of LA. There’s not the largest selection of vehicle options to choose from, with just 43 cars and 4 motorbikes. However, the game’s state-of-the-art engine more than makes up for that; there’s a 24-hour lighting system, dynamic weather effects, and even realistic traffic, depending on the time of day you’re playing/driving.

The game was praised for its detailed depiction of LA, and players were also highly fond of the ability to enjoy numerous multiplier modes. It remains one of the most iconic and best car games ever, and is still played, despite being 15 years old.