Racing is one of the most popular genres when it comes to video games and many of the enthusiasts do not limit their passion to their virtual screens. With millions of miles present in the world for us to simply drive off and forget about the worries of the world, the current lockdown has surely made a strong impact on people as they are unable to go anywhere in their cars or tackle their local racetracks for on the weekends. With the world coming to a standstill, your passion for racing and driving should not. This is why we have curated this list of 10 racing and driving games that will satisfy your thirst for burning some rubber, challenge yourself and drive around some of the best locations from around the world, all without stepping a single step outside your home.
The games detailed below might not be all racing but they are essentially all about roads and driving some of the best vehicles known to mankind from the safety of your homes. Stay safe and enjoy these amazing racing games from your homes.
- Burnout Paradise Remastered
If you have been playing racing games since the era of PS2, chances are that you grew up playing Criterion Games’ Burnout franchise. With many solid titles under its belt, the best title in the franchise is none other than Burnout Paradise. Released originally on PS3, PC and Xbox 360, Burnout Paradise received the Remastered version for PS4, Xbox One and PC and it brings the fast-paced, metal bending action to modern consoles with all its glory. With 60 FPS gameplay, modern visuals and fast-paced vehicular mayhem, Burnout Paradise Remastered is the staple of action racing games with no boundaries. A must-play if you are a racing game. It is guaranteed to keep you entertained for hours. It is coming out on Nintendo Switch soon as well.
Purchase Burnout Paradise Remastered for Xbox One – $7.49 (83% off at CDKeys.com)
- Slipstream
Released back in 2018, Slipstream started its journey as a Kickstarter project. It is a classic throwback to the early racing games featuring drifting mechanics and exotic locations. You are tasked with overtaking opponents in the stage of the level with you gaining Slipstream and using it later for a boost. The pixelated visuals of Slipstream are inspired by the late 80s and 90s racing games along with synthwave soundtrack keeping you in the mood. The game is a little hard to master however once you do, it is hours upon hours of non-stop fun.
Get Slipstream on Steam – $5.49
- GRID
GRID is one the best arcade-sim racing franchises for a long time and last year, Codemasters released probably the best title in the franchise. The fourth title in the franchise, GRID is considered a soft reboot of the franchise and it brought back the same action-filled racing that GRID fans like about the franchise. With multiple disciplines, ranging from classic muscle cars to LMP1 cars, exotic locations from around the world and Codemasters supporting the game with regular content additions and updates, GRID is one solid racing title that you can get today for all your racing needs.
Purchase GRID – Ultimate Edition for Steam – $12.69 (85% Off at CDkeys.com)
- Need for Speed Heat
Need for Speed is one franchise that has been on a steep decline for a long time. With a fanbase spanning across generations, EA has failed to deliver a solid NFS title for a really long time. Which was before the release of Need for Speed Heat. It may look like a combination of Hot Pursuit and ProStreet but we can say that it is so far the best one that EA has churned out in a long time. It features a beautiful world that features different gameplay for both night time and day time. You take part in sanctioned races during the day time while at the night, you become an outlaw and race across the same universe risking everything with a brutal police force out to get you.
Purchase Need for Speed for Origin PC – $34.29 (51% Off at CDKeys.com)
- Forza Horizon 4
Playground Games has really outdone themselves year after year with every Forza Horizon game. This is one video game franchise that just keeps getting better and better. The latest entry Forza Horizon might be turning 2 years old ago but thanks to the continued updates, Forza Horizon 4 is alive today with weekly challenges, brand new cars to unlock and Seasonal challenges for players to complete. It is the first game in the franchise that also features all four seasons along with tons of cars ranging from racing trucks to offroad buggies to Hypercars such as the new Bugatti Divo. It is definitely the best open-world racing game out there with tons of content for you to enjoy. It even comes with a fully functional LEGO expansion where everything is made of LEGOS.
Purchase Forza Horizon 4 – Ultimate Edition – $69.79 (31% off at CDKeys.com)
- DiRT Rally 2.0
Another solid racing title by Codemasters, however the focus this time around is on off-road rallying. DiRT Rally started its journey as an Early Access game where the game was built alongside a dedicated community. It was not the biggest rally game back then but it was the most authentic off-road rally game with a heavy focus on simulation. DiRT Rally 2.0 builds upon the very same core formula however expands the overall scope of the title with a lot more rally cars, rally stages and more modes to enjoy the game. In all this, it brings back the more refined simulation rally driving that is certainly not for the faint-hearted or the casual racers out there.
Purchase DiRT Rally Super Deluxe Edition – $16.49 (71% off at CDKeys.com)
- Project Cars 2
Project Cars 2 is one racing simulation gem often ignored by most people. Developed by Slightly Mad Studios, now owned by Codemasters, Project Cars 2 is an extreme motorsport simulation title that is aimed at hardcore racers as well. Designed and made for playing with proper racing rigs and racing wheels, Project Cars 2 offers the most authentic track racing experience you can have on consoles on PC today. Just like DiRT Rally 2.0, Project Cars 2 builds upon the core formula of the first game and brings many new features in it including new racing disciplines, more tracks and more immersive gameplay.
- Purchase Project Cars 2 – Deluxe Edition for PC Steam – $18.99
- Purchase Project Cars 2 for Xbox One – $50.69 (20% off at CDKeys.com)
- Euro Truck Simulator 2/American Truck Simulator
This might not be a racing game but if you are really missing driving in the real world and want to explore the world while staying in the safety of your home then SCS Software has got you covered. Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator are two truck simulator titles where you start your trucking journey across Europe or America and build up your very own trucking company. With millions of miles featuring real-world cities and many expansions allowing you to explore even more of Europe or America, this is one game (or two) that will keep you busy for hours. Drive some of the best trucks from the real world, deliver a variety of cargo and build up your very own trucking company right from scratch. Support of driving wheels makes this an absolute blast to play and probably the most authentic truck driving experience the world has ever seen.
- Purchase Euro Truck Simulator 2 for Steam – $8.89 (53% off at CDKeys.com)
- Purchase American Truck Simulator – Gold Edition for Steam – (64% off at CDKeys.com)
- Wreckfest
Wreckfest is another game that started its journey as an Early Access title. It is initially under the name of NextCarGame however it was later changed to Wreckfest and it serves as a successor to Bugbear Interactive’s Flatout franchise. We can easily say that this is the best demolition derby game currently available in the market. If you do not like the normal racing on circuits or simply want a game in which you can drive sofas on wheels, Wreckfest is your title. You can also check out our detailed review of Wreckfest to check out more details about the game and why we love it.
Get Wreckfest on Steam – $16.49 (67% off at CDKeys.com)
- F1 2019
F1 is the pinnacle of speed and competition however with the real event now being canceled and no new dates for the current on-going season in the near future, F1 2019 is here to deliver the same thrill and excitement of the sport on your virtual machines. F1 2019 features the most advanced driving mechanics in the franchise and an updated F1 season, F1 2019 is a must purchase for all fans of the sport and general racing fans alike. Featuring some of the most iconic and classic F1 cars to ever grace the event, F1 2019 is the definitive video game for the F1 franchise.
Purchase F1 2019 Legends Edition – $12.09 (83% off at CDKeys.com)
These are 10 racing games that you should definitely play while you are staying indoors and missing the thrill of the road while staying safe and sound.
Did we miss your favorite racing game? Let us know in the comments section below.
