Players who want to try a new kind of racing experience for consoles might want to consider giving drag racing a shot. Unlike other typical racing styles, drag racing seems “simple” given how drivers are expected to duke it out in a straight path. However, there’s a lot of nuance in drag racing that may intrigue gamers, such as understanding the relationship between the weather and the tracks, as well as the mechanics of the cars they’re using.
Thankfully, some games for Nintendo platforms do allow players to experience drag racing in various ways, be it with its more technical side or the more enjoyable aspects of the experience. However, just what are the best drag racing games for Nintendo platforms?
7 Drag Racing Rivals (2020, Switch)
Compared to other racing titles, Drag Racing Rivals for the Nintendo Switch is a straightforward yet entertaining take on the drag racing formula. Featuring a rather slim roster of 17 cars and 25 AI rivals, players new and used to drag racing will appreciate the game's focus on the internal mechanics of the concept.
Unlike the usual third-person approach, Drag Racing Rivals will have players see their and their rival's cars side by side while racing on the streets, cementing the one-on-one aspect of the race. There's also a more straightforward approach and focus on shifting and timing mechanics. Despite the simplistic take on the drag race concept, Drag Racing Rivals and its straight-to-the-point nature make this the perfect game for fans to get used to the drag racing formula.
6 Burnout Paradise Remastered (2018, Switch)
Fans of racing games who want a more open-world experience will appreciate Burnout Paradise Remastered. A reimagining of the 2008 classic, Burnout Paradise gives players complete control over their progression in the game, capable of initiating various events in a seamless open-world environment. Its more realistic take on races is one of the best seen in the Switch, making it a thrilling game to try for drag racing fans.
While Burnout Paradise doesn't have a strict drag racing mode, its Race game mode that acts as a traditional racing mode provides enough of a focused experience. The game's wide variety of vehicles gives players a lot of training ground on the "feel" of various vehicle types during manual gear, a skill that would be useful once players proceed to play more shifting-intensive drag racing titles.
5 Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered (2020, Switch)
Players and enthusiasts of racing games who want to up the ante on their drag racing experience may appreciate Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered for the Nintendo Switch. In its career mode, illegal street racers and the local police department become entangled in a fight to "control" Seacrest County, with players having the choice to pursue careers as members of the SCPD or as street racers.
While the new equipment-based Arms Race adds a whole action element to the game, it's the classic Duel or one-on-one sprints that makes Hot Pursuit such an exciting game. Although it lacks traditional drag racing mechanics, its focus on one-on-one duels gives players more training on handling single-rival matches for more intense drag experiences.
4 Street Outlaws: The List (2019, Switch)
Fans of both racing and reality TV may have heard of Street Outlaws, the reality series that focuses on the Oklahoma street racing scene. Thanks to Street Outlaws: The List, players take part in this race to reach, and maintain, their spot on the coveted "List" of the best racers in the city. While looking like a typical racer at first, its unique approach to drag racing on the streets makes it a must-play for fans of the racing format.
Not only that, but The List also features a rather complex customization system for cars, making the stakes higher for players who know exactly what they're doing. Fans who want to learn the intricacies of drag racing in the context of their vehicles may want to give The List a shot as well.
3 Grid: Autosport (2019, Switch)
It's quite unique for a console title originally adapted to mobile devices to offer the same performance caliber on the Nintendo Switch, but this is exactly what Grid: Autosport provides. While the original Autosport release allows players to focus on a racing career across Endurance, Open Wheel, Street, Touring, and Tuner categories, its Drag Pack DLC gives players a closer look into the race category.
While Autosport's take on drag is similar to most other games, the inclusion of "Funny Cars" or vehicles with outrageous yet effective designs becomes the highlight of the feature. Players looking for a portable drag experience without the hassle of monitoring too many mechanics can appreciate Grid: Autosport.
2 Hotshot Racing (2020, Switch)
Players who want a nostalgia trip would love Hotshot Racing for the Nintendo Switch. Released in 2020, the game boasts polygonal graphics with a focus on professional tour-based racing, coupled with the occasional comical special effects to cement the game's focus on the flashy arcade racing fun format.
While the game doesn't feature any "hard" drag race mechanics, the traditional racing format and focus on proper shifting can make Hotshot Racing quite a decent training model for those who want to take on the challenge of other drag racing games in the future.
1 NHRA Championship Drag Racing: Speed For All (2022, Switch)
It's unsurprising for a game to also follow a popular drag racing organization, much in the same way that there are Formula One games. In this case, NHRA Championship Drag Racing: Speed For All gives players a chance to partake in the exciting world of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), this time with the portability of the Nintendo Switch.
Players would appreciate the game for its focus on realism in official drag racing. Aside from featuring 38 NHRA drivers who are also popular outside the game, the title integrates real-world tracks with a physics-based engine that tries to give a realistic take on drag racing. Moreover, the game takes newcomers to the sport on a decent tutorial that helps them get familiarized with the sport's many nuances, making Speed For All a decent introductory title to drag racing.