Racing games have existed since the dawn of gaming, and the genre is one that players of all ages and skill levels can enjoy.
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to incredible driving games, so the real question is, where do you start? Here are our picks for the best in the genre on Xbox Game Pass.
Race Tracks Are For Babies
TheDirtgames have been the authority on Rally racing for a long time, and that mastery of the genre is on full display in the newer titles.
Dirt 5is a gorgeous racer with stunning locales and a licensed roster of vehicles. Rally games play very differently from other racers, demanding a busy playstyle with constant adjustments where you never feel in control.
It’s arefreshing change to track and street racing, andDirt 5is arguably the most accessible entry point to the series.
Dirt 5is a decent rally game, although it’s notablymore arcadey than its predecessor.Dirt 4is unavailable on GamePass at the time of writing, but it has been on the service before, and there’s always a chance it will return.
9Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
Better Than You Think
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
Ok, I knowNuts & Boltshasa bit of a bad rap, but hear me out. Putting the main characters aside for just a moment,Nuts & Boltsoffers a creative combination ofracing, adventure, and puzzle-solving.
Nuts & Boltsis all about creating bespoke vehicles with parts you find scattered across the world. Your creations will be pretty basic to start with, but later, you can make flying vehicles and ridiculous rocket-powered monstrosities.
You’re always on the hunt for new car parts, and your choices dramatically affect how your vehicle handles and what terrain it can manage.
My favorite part of the game is the Jiggosseum, where you must construct bizarre vehicles to compete in sports-style events, like basketball.The possibilities are endless, and the vehicle builder is robust and accessible. WhileNuts & Boltsis mainly played in vehicles,there are some platforming sections on foot, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for a pure driving experience.
If you can look atNuts & Boltsas its own unique thing instead of the sequel we never got, there’s a solid racing/adventure mashup here.
8Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
Creative Racing For All Ages
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2is an accessible arcade racer with enough nuance for all ages.
I’ve always enjoyed racers, likeMicro Machines, that turn mundane objects into parts of a racetrack as if you were playing with toys. This idea is fully realized inHot Wheels Unleashed 2, andthe environments are second to none.
If you played the original, you will notice many new additions, including aDestruction Derbystyle mode. There’s evena solid Track Editor, so you may make your own courses.
If you’re into the toy cars, prepare for a hearty dollop of fan service and nostalgia, as there are well over 100 vehicles in the game.
7Need for Speed Unbound
A Stylish Street Racer
Need for Speed Unbound
Unboundis the latestNeed for Speedseries entry with amassive open worldand stylish visuals.
There are plenty of events scattered across the map, and everything is tied together with a cheesy zero-to-hero story.
You won’t find nuanced storytelling here, but it’s entertaining and wouldn’t feel out of place in the older Fast and Furious movies.
Drifting has been a mainstay of the series for a while, and that’s doubly true inUnbound.Steering feels tight and responsive, and you’re always progressing toward the next unlock, whether you race during the day or night.
The art style ofUnboundis a little divisive, with its cel-shaded accents and effects. Even if it’s not to your taste, I urge you to try the game as there’s a lot to enjoy if you enjoy street racing.
6Burnout Paradise Remastered
Welcome To Paradise City
Burnout Paradise Remastered
Burnout Paradiseis the final game in the series, and wow, what a game to end it on!
Paradiseis a stunning open-world racing game with some of the most satisfying arcade-style racing on the market. Races are fast-paced, emphasizingsmashing your opponents off the road.
I know the “open world” part will make a few readers wary, but these types of racing games weren’t the norm whenParadisecame out.
Paradise City is overflowing with different activitiesand is smartly divided into urban and rural areas. Burnout’s focus on carnage makes events feel unique, and traversing the map never feels like a chore.
This is “open world” racing done right, and you owe it to yourself to try it if you’ve never played aBurnoutgame before.
5LEGO 2K Drive
Another Banger For The Franchise
LEGO 2K Drive
LEGO games are usually high quality, and that’s no different from their racing endeavors.
LEGO 2K Driveoffers an attractive blend of bold racetracks, gorgeous visuals, andmultiple racing disciplines. As you’d expect from a LEGO game, vehicle creation is addictive, and your imagination is the only thing holding you back.
Even if building isn’t your strong suit, there are dozens of car presets if you just want to throw down some times and race. There’s a decent selection of tracks and even a story mode, which is pretty funny at times.
WhileLEGO 2K Driveis accessible, the controls have a decent amount of nuance. Drifting feels excellent when you get the hang of it, and each car can jump to cut corners and dodge obstacles.
LEGO 2K Driveofferssomething for everyone. There is plenty for a younger audience to enjoy, and hardcore racers will appreciate all the stylish time-saving tools.
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4Dirt Rally 2.0
Old School Rally
Dirt Rally 2.0
Dirt 5is an excellent driving game with all the trimmings you expect from a modern racer. If you prefer a more “grass-roots” approach, you can’t go wrong withDirt Rally 2.0.
Dirt Rally 2.0plays similarly to retro Rally gameslikeColin McRae Rallyand theWRCseries on the PlayStation 2. Mostly, it’s just you, the track, and the timer, and fans of older Rally games will love that. Unlike the newer games, you’re never shoehorned into events you’re not interested in.
The tracks and locations look superb, and cars always look absolutely filthy by the time you reach the finish line.
Dirt Rally 2.0ismore of a “sim-style” racerand may be a shock to the system if you prefer arcade-driving games. That said, you don’t need to be a racing expert to enjoyDirt Rally 2.0or to enjoy the lack of modern gimmicks.
3Wreckfest
Unrivaled Destruction
Wreckfestis a unique racer and a must-play if you’re a fan of the classicDestruction DerbyorFlatOutgames.
As you probably guessed from the title,Wreckfestis all aboutrunning your opponents off the roadand smashing them into submission. The level of detail is incredible, and the car destruction on display is second to none.
You can even choose to have that damage affect steering and performance, although that’s where I draw the line.Wreckfestfeels likea love letter to classics in the genre, which makes sense as the developers, Bugbear Entertainment, were also responsible for the first twoFlatOutgames.
Despitethe pedigree, Wreckfest does enough to distinguish itself as its own thing. Classic racing is satisfying, and there’s a healthy sprinkle of silly modes and vehicles to keep the game fresh.
2Forza Horizon 4
Move Over, Gran Turismo
Forza Horizon 4
TheForzagames are exclusive to the Xbox and PC and are enough to make PlayStation racing fans turn their heads. If you prefer realistic racing games, you may preferForza Motorsport, which is also on GamePass.
TheHorizongames are notablymore arcadey and accessibleand offer an almost overwhelming number of ways to enjoy your racing experience. I’m not usually a fan of open-world racing games, butHorizon 4is a shining example of the concept executed perfectly.
The map is overflowing with varied events frommultiple racing disciplines, including drifting and rallying. Turn 10 Studios makes the world feel alive with frequently changing weather and seasons that feel like an excuse to show off stunning visuals.
There’s something for everyone inForza Horizon 4, and you don’t need to be a petrolhead to enjoy it.
The Forza Horizon 4 map is arguably better than 5, hence the recommendation. That said, thequality bar is wonderfully high across the entire series, so you’ll have a great time no matter where you start.
1Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered
The Quintessential Arcade Racer
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
We already talked aboutUnbound, and it’s a fantastic entry in the franchise. But if you ask me, the series peaked much earlier withNeed for Speed Hot Pursuit.
We’ve ditched the open world for simple menus, andHot Pursuit Remasteredofferstwo completely different experiences. On one hand, you can be a street racer, trying to stay ahead of the law and your competition.
On the other hand, you can play as a cop and put a stop to these races before they escalate. Each play style has unique unlocks and events, and both are wonderfully fleshed out.
The remaster gives the visuals an impressive overhaul, leaving the addictive arcade racing untouched.
Hot Pursuitisn’t just arguably thebest Need for Speed game; it’s one of the best arcade racers full stop.
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