Highlights

  • Forza Horizon 5 is exclusive to Xbox and PC, but there are still plenty of racing game options available for PlayStation and Nintendo Switch players.
  • The Crew Motorfest, Lego 2K Drive, and Need for Speed: Unbound are solid racing games for PlayStation players looking for a similar experience to Forza Horizon 5.
  • Other recommended racing games include Mario Kart 8, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, and Flatout, each offering a unique racing experience that fans of Forza Horizon 5 may enjoy.

Many Xbox fans are having the time of their life behind the wheel of a virtual automobile in the open-world Mexico setting of Forza Horizon 5. Unfortunately for some, the game is exclusive to Xbox and PC. With all this talk, those without the Microsoft console or a powerful enough PC might want to jump into some racing goodness. There are still plenty of options for those who are playing on PlayStation or Nintendo Switch.

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The games below go from having an identical format to Forza Horizon 5 to being notably different while still retaining the arcade racing feel. These games will be of particular interest to Sony fans who are looking for games like Forza Horizon 5 for PS4 or PS5. After all, there's a reason why people still can't get enough of Forza Horizon 5, given the achievements stemming from its overall gameplay loop and a massive open world that is littered with unique and interesting biomes!

Updated on January 31, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Racing games are a lot of fun to play through, with titles like Forza Horizon 5 showing that this genre still has a foothold in the industry despite what most people may assume. However, not everyone has an Xbox console (or a high-end PC) that can run this title. Thankfully, players will find themselves spoiled for choice on other systems since there are more than enough solid racing games that compare to Forza Horizon 5 in some form or the other.

1 The Crew Motorfest

An Excellent Open-World Game Set In Hawaii

The Crew Motorfest discount
The Crew Motorfest

Platform(s)
PC , PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One
Released
September 14, 2023
Developer(s)
Ubisoft Ivory Tower
Genre(s)
Racing , Open-World

The Crew Motorfest is the latest entry in the series, building up on the success of The Crew 2. Most people were glad to get their hands on this game and enjoy a substantial upgrade to the series formula, making this game an easy recommendation for fans of Forza Horizon 5.

Exploring a scaled-down replication of Oʻahu makes for a great time, with this tropical setting giving the game a lot of personality. The Crew Motorfest is a great celebration of racing and a game that players can check out if they want to enjoy a solid racing game with fun mechanics.

2 Lego 2K Drive

A Lego Kart Racing Game That's As Fun As One Would Expect

Evaporator boat
LEGO 2K Drive

Platform(s)
PC , PS5 , PS4 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Released
May 19, 2023
Developer(s)
Visual Concepts
Genre(s)
Racing

A racing game that uses the Lego brand to great effect, Lego 2K Drive is a fun, inoffensive arcade racing game that fans will enjoy. One particularly impressive aspect of the game is how creative its tracks are, encouraging players to take risks and find shortcuts.

The game's rubber-banding may lend a feeling of artificial difficulty to the game, but that's a small price to pay for what is otherwise a solid racing game. Everything looks and feels great, which is one of the most important things for any racing game.

3 Need For Speed: Unbound

Great Open World Racing With A Stylish Art Design

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Need for Speed Unbound

Platform(s)
PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Released
December 2, 2022
Developer(s)
Criterion Games
Genre(s)
Racing , Open-World

The latest game in the Need for Speed series has a very unique art style that makes the moment-to-moment racing feel all the more fresh and engaging. Despite the hyper-stylized visuals, there's no denying that the game looks gorgeous and is worth checking out for fans who love gorgeous-looking racing games like Forza Horizon 5.

The progression of Unbound can be a bit too grindy at times, but most players will forgive the game for its faults once they get into the meat of the gameplay and realize just how engaging it is. Racing games have been criticized for looking and feeling the same over and over again, so fans were glad to see that a historied and legendary franchise like NFS had the guts to take a risk and add such a unique visual flair to their game!

4 Mario Kart 8

A Great Entry In A Popular Arcade Racing Series That Needs No Introduction

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Cover
Mario Kart 8

Platform(s)
Wii U
Released
May 30, 2014
Developer(s)
Nintendo EAD
Genre(s)
Racing

Most people would be perplexed to see Mario Kart 8 here, given that there are a ton of differences between this game and Forza Horizon 5. Nintendo's trademark racing franchise is still getting new content to this day, and players love the idea of racing with their friends in this popular cart racing game where powerups can change the course of a race in no time at all.

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The racing may be more arcade-y than Forza Horizon 5, and the visuals are more cartoonish, but the same sense of speed and competitiveness that players enjoy in Microsoft's premier racing franchise can also be enjoyed in Mario Kart 8, albeit with a different coat of paint. If nothing else, fans who may be bored of the same-old racing experience in their games over and over again will love the breath of fresh air injected into the racing genre by this title.

5 Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled

A Remaster Of The Original CTR With Fun Arcade Goodness That Requires Some Skill

0_0007_Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled - All Time Trials _ N. Tropy Unlocked 0-5 screenshot
Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , Switch
Released
June 21, 2019
Developer(s)
Beenox
Genre(s)
Racing

Speaking of cart racers, another title that comes to mind is Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled. Unlike the rather easy-to-approach gameplay of the Mario Kart series, races in Crash Team Racing require way more thought and effort from the player, with the game being slightly less arcade-orienting in its approach to racing, albeit only just.

It strikes a middle ground between popular mainstream racing titles like Forza Horizon 5 and arcade racing titles that are great for casual play. While some fans have criticized the game for not making its mind up about what it wants to be, many people love the unique manner in which Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled approaches its gameplay, making it a worthy entry to the long list of titles featuring the beloved Crash Bandicoot's face.

6 Flatout

An Enjoyable Racing Game Where Wrecking One's Car Is Part Of The Fun

FlatOut 2 game race

Flatout is a little older than most other titles recommended in this article, so it might be a little harder to find. All the same, it is worth checking out for anyone interested in arcade racing games with great crashes.

The detailed crashes and the way the driver flies out of the seat upon getting into a wreck are part of Flatout's allure. If players cannot find this game on an older console, the next best thing would be to play the newer Wreckfest, which is from the same developer.

7 Hot Wheels Unleashed

Racing Toy Cars Is A Ton Of Fun, With The Physics And Arcade-y Goodness To Match

Hot Wheels Unleashed Going Neck And Neck At The Finishline
Hot Wheels Unleashed

Platform(s)
PC , PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One
Released
September 20, 2021
Developer(s)
Milestone
Genre(s)
Racing

Some games are way better than they have any right to be. Who would expect any amount of love and care given to a Hot Wheels game? Hot Wheels Unleashed defied all expectations as it proved to be one of the surprise hidden gems of 2021.

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The racing feels good, the track designs are inspired, and it is surprisingly challenging on harder difficulties. Another major victory of Hot Wheels Unleashed is its use of scale. Players genuinely feel the tiny size of the cars and tracks while racing.

8 Split/Second

One Of The Most Cinematic Racing Games Ever Made

Split/Second game race
Split/Second

Platform(s)
PC , PS3 , PSP , Xbox 360
Released
May 18, 2010
Developer(s)
Black Rock Studio
Genre(s)
Racing

Split/Second was, unfortunately, the last game from developer Black Rock Studios. It is a shame, too, because it is a fun and unique racing game.

Split/Second's main hook is the ability to build up a meter to activate special events on the track. It makes certain races feel especially cinematic, and the moments are all the more exciting because players trigger them. A PSP version was also released and even includes an extra track.

9 Blur

A Combination Of Realistic Graphics With Kart Racing Mechanics

blur racing game

This one is for those who like kart racers such as Crash Team Racing or Mario Kart. Blur looks like a regular racing game, but playing it reveals it has more in common with the two previously mentioned games than with Burnout.

Players collect power-ups and weapons during a race and use them against other players. The mix of realistic graphics with kart racing sensibilities makes it extremely unique.

10 Burnout Paradise

A Classic Racing Game With Wrecks Galore

Burnout Paradise Remastered sports car racing through city
Burnout Paradise Remastered

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , Switch , PC
Released
March 16, 2018
Developer(s)
Criterion Games
Genre(s)
Racing

The last real Burnout game is also the franchise's first foray into the open-world genre. Players are free to drive around Paradise City and take on challenges at every traffic light.

It never becomes challenging, but the driving just feels so good that players could spend an eternity just cruising around the open-world environment. The multiplayer was also pretty innovative for its time, letting players explore the city together. A remaster came out on PS4 and Xbox a couple of years ago, making it a great alternative to Forza Horizon 5 on PS4 or PS5.

11 Riders Republic

A Variety Of Racing Sports That Makes For A Fun And Varied Time

Riders Republic Cliff Jump
Riders Republic

Released
October 28, 2021
Developer(s)
Ubisoft Annecy
Genre(s)
Sports , Racing

While people might dismiss this as just another Ubisoft open-world game, it does have more going for it. For one, there are a variety of sports mixed into one. Additionally, players can join races and compete against up to 63 other players.

The main complaint some have brought up against Riders Republic is the aesthetic, which many have derided as overwhelming and simply trying too hard. Players can always mute the audio if the commentators become too much.

12 Wreckfest

A Unique Racing Game Where Destruction Is Paramount To The Game's Enjoyment

Wreckfest a car being plowed into
Wreckfest

Released
June 14, 2018
Developer(s)
Bugbear Entertainment
Genre(s)
Vehicular Combat , Racing

Wreckfest is not an open-world racer, but it will scratch a similar itch as most of the other games on the list. Races can have a ton of competitors on the track, and the vehicular destruction is a marvel to look at.

There is not an impressive sense of speed, but it makes up for it with the destruction and the spectacle of cars falling into pieces throughout the race. Though Wreckfest is available on PS4, the next-generation upgrade makes it look better than ever on consoles.

13 Dirt 5

A Simcade Racing Game With A Pretty Engaging Story To Boot

DiRT 5 promotional art of cars racing
Dirt 5

Platform(s)
Xbox Series X , PC , PS4 , Xbox Series S , PS5 , Xbox One , Stadia
Released
November 6, 2020
Developer(s)
Codemasters
Genre(s)
Racing

Dirt 5 ushered in the current generation as one of the premier racing games. It came out on last-generation consoles and plays well enough for those who have yet to buy a PS5.

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Nolan North and Troy Baker play prominent roles in the story mode, which is appropriate since they played brothers in Uncharted 4. It is also not open-world, but that only means players can jump into races faster.

14 Motorstorm

A Fun, Gritty Racing Game For Fans Of Mature Gaming Experiences

Car racing, approaching a breaking bridge

Motorstorm was an impressive technical showpiece early in the PS3's life. The level of destruction and amount of cars in a single race was almost unprecedented.

Additionally, the different types of vehicles competing against each other and the large racetracks with branching paths made for a unique racing experience. There are two more games also available for the PS3, though fans would love a comeback on the PS5.

15 Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit

A Remake Of A Legendary Game Focused On Police Chases And Racing Action

need for speed hot pursuit
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS3 , Xbox One , Xbox 360 , Switch , Wii , PC , Android , iOS
Released
November 16, 2010
Developer(s)
Criterion Games
Genre(s)
Racing

After the Burnout franchise, developer Criterion Games was moved onto the Need for Speed series. Hot Pursuit, which received a remaster in 2020, is more grounded than Burnout Paradise and even Burnout Revenge but does not go into the realm of simulation.

Being chased by the cops in cars and helicopters is thrilling, and the crashes look gorgeous, even though they are not as bombastic as in the Burnout games.

16 Cruis'n Blast

A Classic Arcade Racing Game That's Easy To Get Into

cruis'n blast

This game is very different from nearly anything else recommended as part of this list. Cruis'n Blast is a revival of a classic arcade franchise.

It manages to successfully bring back everything people loved about the old Cruis'n games; fast-paced yet simple controls, colorful graphics, and ridiculous race tracks requiring a heavy suspension of disbelief. The game was first released in arcades in 2017 before being ported to the Nintendo Switch.

forza horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5

Released
November 9, 2021
Developer(s)
Playground Games
Genre(s)
Racing