When fans think of racing games, they’ll likely think of hardcore road races like in Forza or sophisticated track races in F1 – but this isn’t necessarily the full extent of the genre. In fact, some racing games take place in venues players don’t expect, such as the future. Racing games set in the far future take the high-octane races of both Forza and F1 and add their unique spin to it, often featuring colorful tracks, awesome cars, and new mechanics.
As a result, a lot of futuristic racing games can end up becoming much more awesome compared to typical racing games out there. And thankfully, players don’t have to look further away to get awesome racing games that fit their particular tastes.
10 Antigraviator (2018)
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4
It’s the year 2210, and Antigraviator envisions a world that transcends the realm of gravity. As with any other sci-fi racer, Antigraviator features a slate of hovercars called Gravs with unique appearances. However, where Antigraviator shines is how players can customize their Gravs not just to adjust to racetracks but to other environments as well.
Gravs can be upgraded with various components that may help players on some tracks but compromise them on the other. Moreover, players can access unique ways to sabotage opponents using the tracks themselves, such as using rocket launchers, creating rockslides, and even triggering hover mines.
9 Grip: Combat Racing (2016)
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
As the name implies, Grip: Combat Racing not only lets players enjoy high-octane races using both awesome wheeled and airborne sci-fi cars, but rather customize the way they approach racing combat. Cars in Grip feature ridiculous weapon options that just let players wreck their opponents on the battlefield.
However, instead of being a straight-up sci-fi Mario Kart clone, Grip also offers a wide range of environments that give different racing options to players. Cars do not just race on tracks but can also scale on ceilings and walls, adding a new dimension of physics players can navigate in order to outpace and outrace fans.
8 Z-Race (2021)
- Platform: VR
While primarily a VR arcade racer, the straightforward “retro” mechanic of Z-Race makes it a must-recommend in terms of sci-fi racers. Like with usual games of the genre, Z-Race allows players to choose their own vehicle and enjoy racing on anti-gravity tracks with the delight of real-world physics.
What’s perhaps more interesting is how Z-Race prioritizes player comfort, such as choosing a third-person view to ensure comfort across all player demographics. Its straightforward mechanics make it accessible as well, including typical nitro boosters, avoiding obstacles, and the general “outrace everyone” rule.
7 Pacer (2020)
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Sometimes, it’s not enough that a sci-fi racer offers the intensity of anti-gravity racing. In Pacer, players not just race in complex tracks using four classes of unique high-speed floating cars, but rather enjoy the feeling of outpacing opponents with a wide variety of weapons. However, where Pacer shines isn’t just within the confines of racing combat, but rather its customizability.
Vehicles alone come in various customizable formats, while weapons can differ in stats such as damage, firing rates, and targeting. However, the crazy part is how modifiable the tracks are as they come with unique variants such as reverse, mirrored, and night modes, giving each of the game’s 14 tracks as many as eight different ways to race!
6 V-Racer Hoverbike (2018)
- Platforms: PC, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality
When it comes to futuristic racers, it’s about time that the gaming space explored the high-octane delight of futuristic motorcycles called hoverbikes, and V-Racer Hoverbike finally makes this happen. Originally tailored for VR consoles, V-Racer Hoverbike offers a unique experience for virtual reality gamers, especially thanks to the game’s rather futuristic take on racing HUDs.
Not only that, but the rather straightforward take of V-Racer Hoverbike to a sci-fi motorcycle racer makes it extremely accessible to all manner of racing fans. Even its multiplayer component remains enjoyable, as while it offers a local party mode, the game also lets players race “ghosts” of their friends in time trial.
5 Xenon Racer (2018)
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4
Who says sci-fi racing games always have to involve floating cars? In Xenon Racer, the world of futuristic racing remains equally wheeled and equally sophisticated. Its tracks bring players to variants of Dubai and Tokyo, all the while sporting cars with unique appearances and sophisticated features.
What’s perhaps awesome is how the game’s racing features are translated into unique visuals for the cars, such as unfolding parts to accommodate boosters and special modes. Added with the fact that the game follows the traditional on-track setup of traditional racers, and Xenon Racer offers a unique blend of classic and futuristic that works as a good transition to other sci-fi racers.
4 Lightfield (2018)
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Lightfield takes futuristic racing to the next level, allowing players and their anti-gravity ships to explore hyper-futuristic environments against other racers. Replacing typical tracks are the option to stick to walls and ceilings, jump to various other tracks and elements in the surroundings, and lose themselves in visual immersion.
Inspired by parkour, Lightfield boasts gameplay that let players utilize cruising skills, tricks, and flexible mechanics that let players be as engaging or as relaxed in races. The game knows its visual prowess, especially with its own photo mode!
3 Wipeout HD (2008)
- Platforms: PS3, PSN
Despite its age, Wipeout HD proves that there’s nothing bad when it comes to these classics, especially in the realm of sci-fi racing games. Its rich history gives Wipeout its own straightforward lore, with the game now exploring the FX350 anti-gravity racing league. Players choose among anti-gravity ships owned by teams (racing corporations) and compete across different tracks.
What makes Wipeout HD so iconic is its combat system, where players have an arsenal of offensive weapons such as blasters and defensive options like shields. Likewise, anti-grav ships have their own stats that players have to mix and match with their arsenals to ensure victory in the game.
2 F-Zero (2004)
- Platforms: Game Boy Advance
Released back in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance, F-Zero shows the potential of a sci-fi racer with straightforward mechanics. Similar to other F-Zero titles, players simply choose a futuristic vehicle and race around specially-made tracks with obstacles. However, players can also do a spin attack to disorient other vehicles and secure the advantage.
One interesting feature of F-Zero is track creation, permitting players to set tracks of different shapes and sizes as well as obstacles to litter them with. These tracks cost different points, which players earn by constantly racing through the game. In terms of customizability, F-Zero and its track creator certainly top the list of best sci-fi racing games.
1 Star Wars Episode 1: Racer (1999)
- Platforms: PC, N64, Game Boy Color, Dreamcast, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Despite its age, Star Wars Episode 1: Racer proves that dated graphics can never keep down an entertaining game. In the game, players take on the role of podracers competing in various planets known in the franchise.
Where Racer shines isn’t in its complexity, however, but rather in its unique racing mechanics. Players still have to compete with other podracers to come out on top, but they have to mind their vehicle's boosts and durability throughout the match. They may even be able to repair their podracers in the match, similar to Formula One races albeit with a mobile pitstop.