Outside of VR titles, there are very few games that makes people feel the experience quite like racing games. The way the world starts to warp at higher speeds, the reflections of light flashing off bits of blurring metal, and the distorted wavelengths of sound that compress at high velocity, these all contribute to the experience.
There is a lot of work that goes into this genre. Gamers might never be able to appreciate the balance between resolution and framerate until they see it happen in a racing game. Light, sound, music, and gameplay, if it's not top-notch, the game can flop because there are games like the ones on this list that do it right.
5 F1 2021
There is a lot to love (and hate) about F1 2021. Although it's not perfect, it is the best F1 that racing has been. F1 racing is different because the speed is faster and, as a result, things can go wrong much easier. It's also a first-player experience.
For players less interested in gimmick racing and enjoy a flat course, this is the way to go. The rivalry between the player and other drivers is intense and palpable, both inside of the car and before the race even starts.
4 Cruis'n Blast
Older gamers might remember the Cruis'n games from arcades when they were younger. The good news is that the wild feeling of those games is still present and it won't cost the gamer any quarters to continue after a rough finish.
For players that don't like racing games that go over the top, steer clear of Cruis'n Blast. It's not aiming to be the most realistic racing game of all time, it's aiming to be fun, full of dragons, hang gliders, and tricks that cars have no business performing.
3 Hot Wheels Unleashed
Hot Wheels Unleashed is one of the best Hot Wheels games ever, bringing to life toy cars in a way that feels simultaneously realistic and childish. Being on a classic track reminds the player that they're not playing with a grown-up version of their favorite car, they're playing with their favorite car.
And some of the car models in Hot Wheels Unleashed are out of this world. This is a company that is well aware that they designed cars that stay alive in people's imaginations. Bringing that imagination to life on gaming consoles has been an incredible success.
2 Riders Republic
Racing games can do more than just racing and Riders Republic proves it. There is so much more than just a race against a clock or a competitor. There are collections, scores, and unlocks. Getting all of the relics is something that feels like it belongs in another genre entirely.
Riders Republic also sets out to challenge that every racing game needs to pick a particular medium. Jetpacks, motorcycles, and bikes all present themselves as different and entertaining racing options. The game gives players the tools to change their own pace.
1 Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 was a contestant for Game of the Year the instant that it hit the shelves. The amount of player creativity permitted when purchasing, upgrading, and designing a vehicle is impossible to condense into a single paragraph. Even the budget cars can shine.
Beyond that, the feeling of taking a customized car into a gorgeous racetrack feels, and looks, incredible. Going from offroading between canyons to a city street is way too smooth for the drastic difference between the areas. And the feeling of driving changes, incentivizing players to pick more than one favorite.