Racing games have come a long way since those days of pixelated graphics when titles like “Road Rage”, “Gran Turismo”, “Wipeout 2097”, and “Grand Prix Legends” were at the heart of every gamer. The world of virtual racing has reached new heights, with hundreds of racing games for 2024, thanks to advancements in tech and gaming hardware.
Players now enjoy a more immersive gaming experience that brings the thrill of high-speed competition to life. We have diverse gameplay options ranging from simulations to arcade thrills. Plus, there’s the rise of multiplayer, the expansive car rosters, and the customization and upgrades that allow players to personalize their ultimate racing machines. Let’s not forget about the thrilling tracks and environments that take us to stunning locations.
But with so many games on the market, we find ourselves spoiled for choice. There is an expansive catalog of racing titles that cater to every conceivable taste. That’s why we compiled a list of the best racing games you should try out. Whether you like to play racing games on Steam, PlayStation PS4/PS5, Xbox series, or Nintendo Switch, we will delve into the best racing games of 2023.
Buckle up and discover the exhilarating world of the best racing games in 2023, along with a few helpful tips and tricks.
1. Forza Horizon 5
If you long to explore the Mexican landscape in a virtual motorsport way, then you’ll love Forza Horizon 5. This is no ordinary racing sim. Forza Horizon 5 is a racing game that offers realistic graphics and the most dynamic gameplay while giving players a chance to explore Mexico, thanks to the intense photogrammetry.
Unlike the previous Forza motorsport games in the series, Forza Horizon 5 offers the largest in-game map. Besides that, Forza Horizon 5 has a chunk full of stuff and activities players can complete, making it one of the best PC racing games. While it was released about 3 years ago, Forza Horizon 5 continuously receives updates now and then, which keeps the game fresh no matter how long you’ve been playing it or any milestones you have achieved.
Priced between $59.27 and $59.99, Forza Horizon 5 is available on PC and Xbox. Sorry Playstation gamers! Stay tuned for our review of this great racing game.
Forza Horizon 5 Tip: Be sure to upgrade your cars. Spend some time in the game and study how to upgrade cars properly. In Forza Horizon 5, if you plan on going against other players online, upgrading your car – even a small improvement – is usually the difference between winning or losing.
2. Assetto Corsa Competizione
Unlike Forza Horizon 5, which is only available on PC and Xbox series, here is a more versatile racing sim: Assetto Corsa Competizione. Created by renowned company, Kunos Simulazioni, Assetto Corsa Competizione is a well-developed racing game that features some of the most realistic visuals and awesome gameplay. Much of Assetto Corsa Competizione’s success also stems from its vast multiplayer options.
The most unique aspect of ACC, besides the hyperrealism and amazing sense of speed that ignites that world rally championship feel, is that the game greatly focuses on GT3 and GT4 sports cars. That said, be prepared for a challenge and a bit of a learning curve to succeed in this sim racing game. If you’re a veteran racing gamer, you’ll certainly love this game.
You can play Assetto Corsa Competizione on your PC, Xbox, PS4, and PS5 in 2023. You should find a copy of ACC for around $29 on Amazon. Get your consoles, monitors, gaming controllers, and accessories ready.
Assetto Corsa Competizione Gameplay Tip: The most valuable tip you can receive about Assetto Corsa Competizione is memorizing all the corners and braking points. This is one crucial way to drop your lap times. Memorizing the braking points also means you’ll make fewer mistakes during races,
3. Burnout Paradise Remastered
Originally published in 2008, Burnout Paradise quickly topped the charts as a fun and exhilarating racing game. It offers a huge Paradise City map, futuristic graphics, and excellent music like Killswitch Engage and Guns N’ Roses. Owing to its fantastic racing experience, Burnout Paradise won many awards, such as the GameSpot Award for Best Driving Game and the VGX Award for Best Driving Game in its release year alone.
Remastered about 10 years later, Burnout Paraside Remastered continues to be one of the best classic games you can play in 2024. Like the Need For Speed, players in Burnout Paradise Remastered can race, take out other drivers, and go pedal to the metal against the clock, making it one of the most fun-to-play, switch racing games ever.
While it may be old now, it’s still pretty fun to play – and we’re playing it. Burnout Paradise Remastered is available on Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC. We love playing it on PS4, and it’s one of the best Sony PlayStation games out there. As of January 2023, Burnout Paradise Remastered costs $22.49 on Amazon.
Burnout Paradise Remastered Tip: To maximize speed on a turn, hit the brake at the entrance to that turn. Simultaneously maintain throttle pressure and employ the boost to extend your trajectory. This technique eliminates the need for a rapid handbrake maneuver. If you have mastered your gaming controllers, this should be easy. You can find more Burnout Paradise tips and tricks on Red Bull Racing.
4. Gran Turismo 7
If you own a PlayStation and want to experience the best PS5 racing game available, go no further than Gran Turismo 7. Polyphony Digital’s legendary racing series returns triumphantly with stunning graphics and gameplay.
Like its previous entry, the Gran Turismo 7 features a special compulsive car upgrading loop, along with faultless handling to support it. Even the cut scenes are extra enjoyable! Gran Turismo 7 is much more than the sum of its past iterations. Even though there are still some customs it should have abandoned. We love it.
You can only play Gran Turismo 7 on PS4 and PS5, with the latter version costing $89.99 on Amazon.
Gran Turismo 7 Tip: To achieve true dominance, disable Auto-Braking. When you start out the game, you’ll have a lot of assists at your disposal. On the assist levels, auto-braking comes as a default option and can be changed before you start your first race. Give it a go. If you can brake by yourself, you will get faster times.
5. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Ever since its first-ever release in August 1992, Mario Kart has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide and earned its place as one of the best in the genre. What sets Mario Kart apart is its perfect blend of high-speed thrills and whimsical fun. To this day, no racing series brings joy quite like Mario Kart does.
With Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Nintendo takes the steaks higher than ever before, with great graphics and a lot of content to explore. Whether you’re racing against players in local multiplayer or challenging the world online, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe guarantees endless hours of excitement. You’ll find a roster of vehicle customizations and innovative track designs.
The racing game also brings all the iconic characters, along with Deluxe-only characters such as King Boo, Bowser Jr, Dry Bones, as well as Inkling Boy and Inkling Girl from Splatoon. Combined with its timeless appeal, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a must-play for anyone seeking the ultimate racing game experience.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe costs $49.40 on Amazon and is only available on Nintendo Switch.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Tip: In the initial phases of a race, aim to collect as many coins as possible. Each coin you acquire provides a minor engine boost, enhancing your maximum speed ever so slightly.
6. Need for Speed Unbound
Admit it, no racing game list feels complete without an inclusion from the renowned Need For Speed series. This franchise, much like the Fast and Furious movie saga, boasts numerous installments. After a while, you start to lose track of the details. But this company has done a great job of improving the gameplay and graphics with time.
In recent years, the Need for Speed series has seen its ups and downs. Thanks to Unbound, the series has been successfully resurrected, with the beloved street racing formula that made titles like Underground and Most Wanted ever-so-legendary.
Unbound doesn’t disappoint at all. This racing sim caters to the desires of racing game enthusiasts with a fresh art style, complementing the world of street racing. Moreover, as a next-gen-focused release, its breathtaking visuals alone justify embarking on the racing adventure it offers.
Need For Speed Unbound costs $37.57 on Amazon, and is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Playstation 5. We’ll be sure to have a couple of reviews when we buy the game ourselves.
Need For Speed Unbound Tip: If you want a speed boost and fast buildup of your temporary nitro reserves, maintain a close position right behind a fellow competitor, or even a pursuing police car. The best part about this tactic is that your competitors don’t get the same advantage, which means you will always outpace them in a straight line. If you can keep up.
7. Dirt 5
Produced by Codemasters, Dirt 5 takes us back to the 1990s. This was right around the time when the Colin McRae Rally and Sega Rally Championship boosted “extreme” racing titles. Dirt 5, like earlier games, isn’t concerned with realism or extensive customization. However. the rally racing game wants you to barrel your way to victory over twisty, mud-covered tracks. Dirt 5 brings new tracks and new events, giving you more fun things to do.
While it’s not the most unique game in the book, it does provide you with a colorful racing experience for anyone searching for a PC game full of high-speed escapism. It also makes clever use of the Dual Sense’s adjustable triggers and haptic feedback on the PS5 to improve the rallying experience.
While Dirt 5 costs around $89.99 on Amazon, you should find the racing game at $59.99 on Steam and Gamestop. However, Dirt 5 is available on PC, Xbox, PS4, and PS5.
Dirt 5 Tip: If you want to climb up the score ranks, consider turning off Assists. Like most games of this genre, Dirt 5 comes with a multiplayer Time Trial mode that lets you race players from around the globe. At the beginning of every race, you’ll have a plethora of driver-assists at your fingertips. Turn these off and you’ll race much faster.
8. WRC 10 FIA World Rally Championship
From the amazing WRC 8 and its following successor, WRC 9, developer, KT Racing, celebrated 50 years of the famous World Rally Champion in style with WRC 10, which takes sim racing to the next level. WRC 10 is stuffed with features that simulation racing fans want, making it an absolute must-play in 2023. While the overall gameplay isn’t different from the previous entries in the series. WRC 10 FIA brings some improvements that include more precise controls, and impressively realistic vehicles and environments, enhancing the overall experience.
On top of that, WRC 10 offers an extensive career mode and a diverse range of solo and multiplayer options. These guarantee countless hours of engaging gameplay that pays homage to the legacy of the World Rally Championship. Regarding the price, you can find this WRC 10 FIA World Rally Championship game on Steam for $107.42. WRC 10 is undoubtedly one of the best racing games to play in 2023.
WRC 10 FIA World Rally Championship Tip: When racing in WRC 10, you can earn research points. You can then invest research points in various skills. This means, the more you race, the more points you get, hence the more skills you get. This culminates into a whole skill tree, which includes boosting your rewards and your racecar’s performance. We recommend boosting your rewards before moving on to car enhancements.
9. Project Cars 2
If you’re a big fan of Forza Horizon and Gran Turismo sim racing games, either on Steam Deck or consoles, then you will love Project Cars 2. Created by Slightly Mad Studios, this game brought a storm to the racing community and earned its spot as one of the best racing games out there.
To keep up with all players’ demands, Project Cars 2 brings together smart graphics, a wide variety of car categories, and an ultra-realistic driving experience, not forgetting weather conditions and the ability to tune cars to the player’s desire. Unlike Assetto Corsa Competizione or other veteran racing games, Project Cars 2 is a perfect beginner’s game and a premier to into the sim racing realm.
Project Cars costs $14.99 on GameStop and is available on PC, Xbox, and PS4 platforms. Sadly, no Project Cars 2 for PS5 in 2023.
Project Cars 2 Tip: In Project Cars 2, to gain a competitive edge, brake later than your rivals. Once you master braking later than your opponents, you’ll have the ability to maintain significantly higher entry speeds into corners. This will save you precious fractions of a second. Achieving this requires you to identify all the braking points for each corner.
10. F1 23
For Formula One enthusiasts, F1 23 is an absolute must-play this year. According to Electronic Arts, this new entry of the famous F1 series introduces an exciting mode: Braking Point. This further expands the already rich gameplay.
Besides that, the F1 23 shines with striking visual enhancements and updated car models featuring advanced physics. It also has an adaptive AI that elevates the racing experience to new heights of challenge. One notable highlight in F1 23 is the introduction of the F1 World mode. This new mode serves as a worthy replacement for the somewhat lackluster F1 Life mode from the previous entry.
As of September 2023, F1 23 costs just $59.67 on Amazon and is available on Xbox, PC, PS4, and PS5.
F1 23 Tip: If you want to go faster in F1 23, consider turning off assists. This may sound counter-intuitive a little bit, but hear us out first. See, if you’re a newbie in the world of F1, handling the world’s fastest cars can be quite challenging. That’s usually where driver assists come in to help you maintain control on the road. But, it’s a fact that turning driver assists off makes you go faster. For beginners, we recommend keeping a good balance and keeping some assists on. Gradually, as you master the game, you’ll have no problems turning off one assist at a time.
Stay tuned for more.
