10 Best Racing Games for Players Tired of Open World Bloat

I’ve always seen racing games as fairly separate from other genres. Typically, a race involves starting at a point, completing laps, and finishing back where you began. However, recently, there’s been a growing trend of racing games incorporating elements of open-world gameplay, allowing for more exploration and freedom.

Open-world racing isn’t new – we’ve seen elements of it in games like Diddy Kong Racing and more recently in titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Mario Kart World. However, if you prefer traditional, track-based racing, there are still plenty of great options available. Whether you enjoy kart racing or realistic simulations, you can easily find a game that sticks to a straightforward racing experience.

10. FlatOut 2

Hope You Have Good Insurance

Destruction derby games were most popular in the mid-2000s, a time when game developers had perfected realistic physics for crashes. Players loved causing spectacular, chaotic destruction with their vehicles. One game from that period that still holds up today is FlatOut 2.

FlatOut 2 is a fast-paced, off-road racing game featuring beat-up cars and challenging environments like dirt tracks and drainage ditches. It’s not just about speed – crashing into your rivals is a key part of the fun! Expect plenty of metal and glass to fly as you send opponents spinning with powerful impacts, and even launch drivers through their windshields.

Besides picking your main race, there’s a bunch of mini-games you can mess around with. A lot of them are basically just flooring it in a straight line – the goal is to launch your driver as far as possible. It’s super fun, kind of like those pump-action rocket toys we used to play with, except this one makes a really cool screaming sound when you launch!

9. WipEout HD

Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Wheels

One of the best things about racing games is imagining all sorts of different vehicles to race, even futuristic or made-up ones. While zero-gravity racing isn’t currently possible, WipEout HD shows us what it could look like, and it’s incredibly cool.

WipEout HD, first launched in 2008 and now included in the WipEout Omega Collection, is a classic anti-gravity racing game from PlayStation – a series that started way back in 1995. Players choose a vehicle with customized performance stats and then compete on incredibly fast tracks. It’s not just about reaching the finish line first; you also use weapons to destroy your opponents’ shields. There are no second chances – if your shields are depleted, your vehicle explodes and you’re out of the race.

WipEout HD in the Omega Collection comes with the ‘Fury’ expansion, giving you more vehicles, tracks, and ways to play. Beyond standard races, you can try mission-based challenges, time trials, and Zone Mode, where the goal is to survive for as long as possible as your speed constantly increases.

8. iRacing

Straightforward Motorsports

Racing games offer a lot of variety – from wild kart racing and demolition derbies to more realistic experiences. If you’re looking for a truly authentic racing simulation with proper cars and tracks – and maybe even a steering wheel to enhance the experience – iRacing is a great option for building a complete digital racing career.

iRacing is a realistic online racing simulator that lets you compete in virtual leagues and Grand Prix events. It’s backed by official sponsors like NASCAR and Ford, and features a wide variety of cars and tracks based on real racing history.

This game aims to perfectly recreate the feel of professional racing. You’ll drive realistically-handled cars on tracks that change as the race goes on. It simulates everything, including the work done by pit crews. You can even team up with friends to manage car maintenance during a race, then jump back into the action when you’re ready. While you can use a controller, the game is also designed to work with most racing wheels for a more immersive experience.

7. Horizon Chase 2

Speedy and Colorful

Okay, so I love racing games, and it’s not just about speed. A big part of it for me is how good the game looks while you’re actually racing – the tracks need to feel fast even as a blur. That’s honestly what Horizon Chase 2 nails. It feels like the whole game is built around going fast and looking amazing while doing it.

Horizon Chase 2 is a fast-paced, arcade-style racer reminiscent of older games like Cruis’n. It’s easy to pick up and play – just choose your car and track and start racing! The game isn’t focused on realism; it prioritizes simple controls, quick acceleration, and a satisfying nitro boost for extra speed. It’s all about having fun and enjoying the vibrant visuals as you race across diverse locations, including the mountains of Vermont and the beaches of Olinda.

The game offers a balanced mix of single-player and multiplayer experiences. You can enjoy a solo campaign called the World Tour, where you race at your own speed, or head to the Playground for constantly updated multiplayer races and special challenges.

6. Assetto Corsa

Now That’s Italian

I don’t know much about professional racing in the real world, but I know a lot of major races happen in Europe, especially Italy. The Italians are famous for their skill on the racetrack, and if you want to experience that excitement, you can find it in the video game Assetto Corsa. The name actually means ‘race setup’ in Italian.

Assetto Corsa is a racing simulator focused on realism, aiming to perfectly capture what it feels like to drive a real race car on a real track. The game features incredibly detailed recreations of famous racetracks worldwide, like the Nürburgring and Trento-Bondone, and accurately modeled cars from manufacturers such as Lamborghini, McLaren, and Mercedes.

Before each race, you have a lot of control over how your car handles. You can adjust things like gear ratios and tire pressure to fit your driving style. These adjustments work in all sorts of races, including traditional circuit races, drag races, drifting, and both single-player and multiplayer modes.

5. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

Fast on his Feet, Fast Behind the Wheel

Mario is often seen as the king of kart racing games, but he’s not the only one. Sonic has been steadily improving his own racing games for over ten years, with titles like Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing proving surprisingly strong. Now, Sonic and his friends are seriously challenging Mario with the new game, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.

CrossWorlds is a classic kart racing game where players drive around tracks and use fun power-ups to compete. It has a unique spin, though: halfway through each race, the track changes and combines parts of two different courses. Plus, instead of just karts, you can also ride on hoverboards, similar to those in Sonic Riders. Both karts and hoverboards can transform, allowing you to race on land, in water, and in the air.

This kart racer is a blast, packed with fun, quirky features and competitive gameplay. What really stands out is the obvious passion for the characters and worlds it includes. You’ll hear fully voiced lines from Sonic and his friends, along with characters from other popular games – and yes, you can even race as Hatsune Miku, which is always a plus!

4. Fast Fusion

Like Welding Two Cars Together

Here’s a tip: if you’re looking at a car and notice the hood or body panels are a noticeably different color than the rest of the vehicle, it’s likely been built from parts of multiple cars. That usually means it isn’t structurally sound. I wouldn’t trust it for serious driving, like on a race track, but in the game Fast Fusion, it doesn’t seem to matter as much.

Fast Fusion is a futuristic racing game played in zero gravity, much like the classic WipEout. Players speed through a variety of visually impressive tracks, set in locations ranging from colorful canyons to the emptiness of space. It was quietly released as a launch title for the Switch 2 and boasts impressive graphics.

The core of the game is a mechanic called Fusion. You combine two vehicles to create a new one that’s ideally more powerful. The new vehicle’s overall stats will be based on the two originals, and it might even get a little extra boost if the vehicles work well together. Visually, the result is a polished, futuristic machine – not just two old cars clumsily stuck together, though that could have been fun!

3. Kirby Air Riders

A Deciding Factor in My Switch 2 Purchase

I loved playing Kirby Air Ride on the GameCube as a child, and I’d been hoping for a new version of it for years. So, when Kirby Air Riders was announced for the Switch 2, it instantly made me want to buy the console, and I’m really glad I did.

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Kirby Air Riders is a fast-paced and chaotic racing game featuring Kirby! It builds on the original game with three fun modes: Air Ride, City Trial, and Top Ride. You can compete on standard race tracks, try a unique top-down racing style, or participate in a wild, city-wide demolition derby. The simple two-button controls might feel strange at first, but mastering them and unlocking everything the game offers reveals a surprisingly complex and enjoyable experience.

Air Riders features a special Road Trip mode where you complete missions and challenges to gain power and reach a final goal. It’s a great tutorial for learning how the game works, and it’s genuinely enjoyable. Plus, like many Kirby games, the story has a surprisingly dark and unsettling side.

2. Tokyo Xtreme Racer

Worth the Traffic Ticket

In the 1980s, illegal street racing exploded in popularity on a specific highway in Tokyo. While it’s much less common now due to security cameras, the excitement of underground racing continues, especially in games like Tokyo Xtreme Racer.

Tokyo Xtreme Racer puts you behind the wheel in a thrilling street race on a detailed recreation of Tokyo’s Shuto Expressway – a highway usually closed to the public. Challenge other drivers simply by flashing your headlights, and you’ll instantly be competing for the fastest time. Winning isn’t just about speed, though; the game also tracks your ‘Spirit Points,’ which decrease if you fall behind or get overtaken, measuring your determination to win.

The game features a diverse cast of racers, each with unique personalities and driving styles, presented in a vibrant, anime-inspired aesthetic. There are even some downloadable content racers modeled after well-known streamers. Of course, you can also skip the story mode and simply race against other players online if you prefer a more traditional experience.

1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The Kart Racing Gold Standard

I really had fun playing Mario Kart World on my Switch 2! It’s just as enjoyable as other Mario Kart games, with bright tracks and a lot of characters, and I thought the new features were well done. However, if I’m being honest, I still think Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a better racing game. That’s probably why so many people are still playing it, even with the new version out.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the ultimate version of Mario Kart 8, first released on the Wii U. It includes everything from the original game, plus all the extra characters, karts, and tracks that were added later as downloadable content. It even features tracks from almost every other game in the Mario Kart series!

Okay, so the actual racing in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe feels pretty similar to Mario Kart World, with just a few small changes. But honestly, I think the real reason this game is still so popular is the tracks. World had that system where tracks split and changed, and it didn’t quite click with everyone. Deluxe kept the tracks separate, and I think that’s brilliant! It makes each track way more memorable, and it’s honestly better for competitive play. There’s just something so much more exciting about racing three full laps around a single track, really learning it, and then trying to pull off a last-minute win!

2026-01-09 22:42