Racing is an addictive habit and with a strong high-end PC and some racing equipment, you can have started this habit easily. But there are a lot of games to choose from. Some of them are for beginners, some of them are for true hardcore racing fans. Others are for a combination of both. They are full of fun, exciting, and adrenaline-pumping moments. That’s why to help you, here are the 15 best racing games for PC!
15 . Iracing (PC)
If you have a big budget to fund your sim racing career, then iRacing is the game to choose and that’s also why it is last in the list. The budget mention comes up as it requires a subscription to the game starting at $13 a month. Bummer, I know, but this is a highly competitive game and has a serious learning curve. If you’re willing to invest then this can make you a better racer and a better driver. You can even find real-life drivers like Fernando Alonso, Max Verstappen, Tony Kanaan, Rubens Barrichello, Will Power, and many more. I mean what’s better than saying that you got destroyed by Max Verstappen and Lando Norris week after week?
14 . GRID Legends
The GRID games haven’t been as heavy-hitting as the first one. They are just missing that ‘something’ that stands out from the other games. But now the new GRID Legends looks like it has that. The carefully crafted career mode with the ‘Drive to Survive’ like narrative and commentary makes the player much more invested than any other racing game. It has a much bigger and more diverse collection of cars and tracks and before and makes the game worth checking out.
13 . NFS Hot Pursuit Remastered
The 2010 Hot Pursuit reboot is the first NFS game to be remastered and its safe to say its been done justice. The graphics are spectacular and it takes us back to those times when life was simple. The police chases are just over the top and full of excitement. The game is just intensely fun to play especially with the multiplayer mode. You can either play as the police or the racers in a beautifully designed open-world California.
12 . The Crew 2
In Crew 2 the map is the United States of America, literally. It is so big and diverse that it’ll take a bunch of your time to explore every nook and cranny in the game. Unlike other mainstream racing titles, The Crew 2 doesn’t only focus on car racing, it also has motorbikes, airplanes, and boasts, so when you feel bored with one discipline, you can quickly jump over to another in a matter of seconds. You can take part in races, obviously, and various other challenges and stunts throughout this massive map, and believe me, you won’t ever get tired.
11 . Assetto Corsa
Assetto Corsa is sometimes considered as a sim racers’ paradise. The driving physics in this game is considered to be the best in its genre. Tyre pressures, brake temperatures and many more play a key role in setting up your car for a specific track. You can’t just go out and drive a car in a track because the game is so brutal newcomers. The learning curve is steady and worth putting time into. Other than that, the modding community has made the game look like a recently released one with a bunch of graphics, environment, tracks and car mods. This is the game the true racers always come back to.
10 . Dirt 5
Dirt 5 is completely different from its mainline predecessors as it is much more arcade-focused. But, that is where it excels. You can make it as easy or as brutal as you want. The fun factor never stops here with amazing modes like rallycross, truck racing, and even ice racing! The tension and atmosphere are electric in this game. The career mode is definitely a banger with the customization and veteran voice actors, Nolan North and Troy Baker giving great voice performances.
9 . WRC 10
Sure, Codemasters’ Dirt series is a much more polished offroad game, but the official WRC 10 is no slouch either and it has become a strong rival. WRC 10 is much more focused and linear in terms of gameplay which is attractive. The game is not as hardcore as the Dirt game but it’s just fun to play and more forgiving than the Dirt series. The cars handle much nicer when your in a tight spot and the graphics are just overwhelmingly good. The new historic rallies are a fun addition where you can ttravel back through time and take part in these legendary events.
8 . MotoGP 21
Moto GP 21 is the only racing game in this list with a focus on solely motorbikes and deservedly so. The game has improved vastly from its predecessor including its appeasement to new players who are willing to try out a Moto GP game. The game has much better graphics and overall drivability of the bikes have significantly improved. The movement of the player model while maneuvering the bikes have smoothened. This game also has adjusted its difficulty setting, so if you want a challenging experience, then oh boy, this game can make it really hard for you to even complete a few laps. The career mode although not that much eye-catching is enjoyable if you want the full Moto GP experience.
7 . Wreckfest
There haven’t been that many demolition derby games, but with the arrival of Wreckfest that void has been filled. It is an intense arcade racer with no rules or regulations to slow things down. You will race your way through different tracks while wrecking other cars on your path to victory lane. The more wreckages you cause in the process of driving, the better! It is the perfect racing game for anyone who likes to leave destruction in their wake. You can choose from an assortment of vehicles and race on various tracks with different surfaces such as dirt, tarmac, or grass. If you want to chill out and destroy everything while having some Mountain Dew, look no further than Wreckfest.
6 . Dirt Rally 2.0
Now, if you’re looking for a real challenge, try out offroad racing. Dirt 2.0 is the best in the business and will have you rage quit every time you fail to set a good time on a stage. The handling and throttling are precise in this game and when you fail, you fail. But after you try again and again and that perfect lap shows up, that is when the good feels hit. The game is best played with a wheel as it gives much better feedback so grab one before buying the game!
5 . Assetto Corsa Competizione
AC Competizione is not for the faint-hearted. It takes trial and error to a whole new level. Everything is tight and I mean, tighter than ever in any racing game. This solely focuses on GT3 and GT4 cars which are the most challenging racing cars to control and master. The AI will demolish you if given the chance so take it easy with this game if you pick it up. There’s a steep learning curve and when you master it then nothing’s stopping you. It offers a pure racing experience that only a handful of games deliver. And when you get better there’s a shot for competing in Esports for the real manufacturers? Now if that doesn’t compel you then what does?
4 . Project CARS 2
Now, look you have your Forzas and Gran Turismos, but there is always that third one that always goes unnoticed. In this regard, it's Project Cars 2. When it got released, it fared better than GT Sport and Forza Motorsport 7, believe it or not. The game had everything from, different kinds of cars to all the essential tracks. Ever wanted to race Indycars in the Nordschleife in the snow while it is raining? This game has it. Do you want to drive a classic car in classic Spa or Monza emulating that gentleman driver feel? This game also has it. It even has NASCAR! How many games can say that?
3 . F1 2021
F1 cars are the fastest racing cars to ever exist on the planet. If you’ve seen them on TV or been to a track, you’ve definitely had the feeling of driving one. Well, you definitely can with the new F1 game from Codemasters. The graphics and physics are close to real life and you’ll feel like you’re watching an actual onboard of driving where, in fact, you’re the driver!
2 . NFS Heat
Honestly, it would be an understatement to say people were disappointed with NFS Payback but finally, EA brought out Heat which had that mid-2000s NFS feel to it. The cars and customization options have massively improved, which also includes the return of Ferrari to the franchise. Although there isn’t a day and night cycle like Payback, you can change between them. Graphically this game will have a massive advantage while playing on the PS5 and it will harness all the potential of the Frostbite Engine. If you want a laid-back casual experience, then Heat is for you.
1 . Forza Horizon 5
Ever wanted to explore a vast world with your favorite tuner or muscle car? Forza Horizon 5 has got you covered. This latest game in the series takes you to Mexico where you can explore all kinds of places, from ancient temples to populated cities. Not to mention, the racing is intense and fun for the players. The atmosphere is chill enough to explore the countryside with some lo-fi beats. Visually the game is a sight to behold, it's more refined and better than its predecessor. Most of all, if you want to have fun this will satisfy that craving. Why not give it a shot?
These racing games will surely keep you occupied for a long long time. So get set and be ready!
