Best Racing Games for Low-End PCs

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As a seasoned gaming enthusiast with over two decades under my belt (and a few grey hairs to show for it), I must say that each of these games offers a unique and exhilarating experience tailored to different racing preferences.

Companies like Nvidia and AMD frequently release updated graphics cards, but according to Steam’s hardware survey, many gamers continue to use older GPUs. Since these outdated GPUs can’t keep pace with the latest technology, a significant number of players may find themselves unable to access numerous games. However, for those saving up for a new custom PC, there’s no need to feel left out of the gaming world. In fact, there are plenty of excellent games that perform smoothly even on older hardware.

Specifically designed for computers with mid-range specifications, racing games excel in performance. Here are eight standout titles boasting immersive driving experiences, along with distinct gameplay modes and additional features. Pay attention, those using laptops or PCs without dedicated gaming capabilities.

11 Re-Volt

Metascore: 62

  • Minimum CPU Requirements: CPU with 1.8GHz clock speed or better
  • Minimum GPU Requirements: 3D graphics card compatible with DirectX 9.0c and 256 MB VRAM

Revisiting the classic game Re-Volt, you’ll find a blast from the past as you steer remote control cars through various exciting and engaging courses. To reach the end, players must skillfully maneuver around everyday items such as toys, chairs, tables, and other household objects. With 28 unique RCs to select from, you can race them on 13 tracks that span museums, supermarkets, and beyond.

The game offers an enjoyable combat system that’s easy to grasp, but still exciting. You can pick up power-ups such as rockets and others to throw the enemy off balance. Re-Volt is the least demanding game in this collection, making it suitable for running smoothly on even older PCs and laptops without dedicated graphics cards.

10 WRC 7 FIA World Rally Championship

Metascore: 70

  • Minimum CPU Requirements: Intel i3 4th Gen, AMD A8
  • Minimum GPU Requirements: Nvidia GT 730 / AMD HD 5600
  • Available on Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

Enthusiasts of the Dirt series might find the WRC 7 FIA World Rally Championship appealing, as it focuses on the 2017 World Rally season. The game provides multiple play modes, such as an immediate match option for those who wish to dive right into the action, and a career mode where players embark on their rally driving adventure starting as a junior WRC racer.

This game showcases an array of authentic vehicles, stunning tracks, and exceptional realism in its physics, making each race more demanding. Additionally, there are Epic stages, which consist of extended races lasting approximately 15 minutes. Despite being meticulously crafted for realism, the game offers assistance for less experienced players. Keep in mind that this game can be quite demanding, but it should run smoothly on most recent non-gaming laptops, although you may need to adjust graphics settings to lower levels.

9 Road Redemption

Metascore: 70

  • Minimum CPU Requirements: CPU with 1.4GHz clock speed
  • Minimum GPU Requirements: DirectX 9 compatible GPU with 1.5GB VRAM
  • Available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4 and Android

Among various destructive racing games listed, none surpass Road Redemption quite like it does. Drawing inspiration from Road Rash, this game narrates the tale of a motorcycle gang in a post-apocalyptic setting. After the leader of an arms cartel is slain, a substantial bounty is announced for the killer’s capture. Players embark on a journey into hostile territories, track down the assassin, and claim the rewards.

Different from other racing games on this roster, Road Redemption offers a variety of bikes for players to obtain in its campaign. As they progress, players can enhance their stats and select from permanent upgrades that influence aspects like health, strength, and the bike’s efficiency. The game is optimized to run smoothly even on systems with 2GB VRAM GPUs.

8 Assetto Corsa

Metascore: 73

  • Minimum CPU Requirements: AMD Athlon X2 2.8 GHZ, Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHZ
  • Minimum GPU Requirements: AMD Radeon HD 6450 or Nvidia GeForce GT 460
  • Developed by KUNOS-Simulazioni Srl, the game is available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One

Assetto Corsa is a highly acclaimed racing simulation game that hit the market in 2013. Its main objective is to deliver lifelike vehicle handling, with significant differences between various car types, all based on accurate physics. Every detail, from tire-asphalt interaction to temperature effects on the car’s movements, is dynamically updated in real-time. This ensures that racing enthusiasts get an authentic driving experience.

In the game ‘Assetto Corsa’, you’ll find more than 170 distinct vehicles to choose from, but a significant number of these are only accessible through DLC purchases. The unique selling proposition of this game lies in its commitment to authenticity – each car in the game mirrors its real-world counterpart perfectly. For instance, driving an F1 car feels just as it would on a real track, and treating it like a standard race car could lead to disappointing results. This game is tailored for dedicated racing enthusiasts; casual players seeking a quick arcade experience might want to explore other options. The primary reason ‘Assetto Corsa’ stands out among racing simulators is its robust online multiplayer feature. With approximately 15,000 active players daily, finding a fair and speedy match is straightforward and enjoyable.

7 Descenders

Metascore: 75

  • Minimum CPU Requirements: Intel Core i5
  • Minimum GPU Requirements: Nvidia Geforce GTX 550 or equivalent

The game called “Descenders” offers an exciting twist on downhill bike racing, as it features randomly generated tracks for each competition. When starting a fresh campaign, the game constructs a world map complete with numerous nodes. Each node corresponds to a unique, procedurally generated racing course with distinct level designs. Players are provided with a summary of the track characteristics, such as steepness and curviness, but little else. Given that every new map is different, “Descenders” provides ample opportunities for replaying and discovering new experiences.

In Descenders, completing a track involves merely reaching the end, but what sets it apart is the opportunity to earn points by executing tricks such as front and backflips. These points can then be traded for additional team members who offer passive advantages in future tracks. Not landing a trick usually results in a crash or wipeout, which is equivalent to death. Each run has a specified number of allowed wipeouts before it comes to an end. The game’s main allure lies in its accurate portrayal of momentum while racing downhill, making players feel like they barely have control over their bikes as they descend steep slopes, more so pulled by gravity than the player. Additionally, Descenders does not feature a timer, instead focusing on rewarding points for executed stunts, making it an excellent choice for those who love the thrill of dirt rally-style racing but dislike being pressured by time constraints.

6 Need For Speed: Most Wanted (2012)

Metascore: 78

  • Minimum CPU Requirements: Core 2 Duo or Athlon X2
  • Minimum GPU Requirements: DirectX 10.1 compatible GPU with 512MB VRAM

The 2012 version of “Need for Speed: Most Wanted” stands out as a legendary racing game, offering one of the finest open-world racing experiences. Unlike its original counterpart, this edition lacks a traditional narrative. Instead, players are immersed in an open world where they have the freedom to race according to their preferences. A key distinction from other games in the series is that virtually every car in the game can be unlocked within just a few hours of gameplay.

Hey there fellow gamer! This game I’m playing right now has a secret stash of speedy rides tucked away within its vast open-world. To get my hands on a new set of wheels, all I need to do is locate it and park it in my personal garage. It’s got all the signature thrills of a classic Need for Speed game: heart-pounding police pursuits, exhilarating races with huge jumps and sneaky shortcuts, sleek vehicles, extensive customization options, and much more. Since it’s been around for a while, you should be able to run it smoothly on most laptops that aren’t dedicated gaming machines, as well as older PCs.

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4 Motor Town: Behind the Wheel

Metascore: TBD

  • Minimum CPU Requirements: Intel Core i5-4460 or AMD FX-8120
  • Minimum GPU Requirements: GeForce GTX 750 4GB, Radeon RX 460 4GB
  • Developed by P3 Games, the game is available on PC

If you’re seeking a tranquil driving experience, don’t forget to add Motor Town: Behind the Wheel to your wishlist. Despite being in Early Access, it already offers a wealth of content that can be enjoyed right away. It’s important to mention that this game isn’t a traditional racing title. Instead, it’s more of a driving simulation, allowing players to perform various jobs related to different vehicles. For example, if you choose a police car, you’ll be able to assume the role of a law enforcement officer.

Unlike conventional racing games, this one offers the flexibility for players to exit and re-enter their vehicles, as well as manipulate time by going indoors. It boasts authentic driving dynamics and can be enjoyed using a racing wheel. Although it doesn’t follow a main narrative, it does feature a race mode where players can challenge AI opponents on various tracks. The game is optimized to perform smoothly on PCs and laptops with relatively lower hardware specifications.

3 Art of Rally

Metascore: 79

  • Minimum CPU Requirements: Core i3 2.9GHz or AMD equivalent
  • Minimum GPU Requirements: Nvidia GTX 650 or AMD equivalent

The appealingly straightforward, yet sophisticated low-poly art design in ‘Art of Rally’ might lead one to assume it’s a leisurely racing game. However, this assumption would be misleading as the game offers an intuitive learning process and includes intricate driving mechanics particular to rally racing. These include techniques such as the Scandinavian flick, counter-steering, left-foot braking, among others.

As a gamer, I’m utterly thrilled about this game! It boasts over 70 diverse racing tracks, each inspired by real-world hotspots like Italy, Finland, Tokyo, and numerous other countries. Using the game’s photo mode, I can capture my exhilarating journeys and save them as keepsakes. To top it off, its soothing soundtrack adds to the overall experience, making Art of Rally one of the finest racing games out there. Surprisingly, it performs smoothly even on lower-end machines.

2 F1 2023

Metascore: 81

  • Minimum CPU Requirements: Intel Core i3-2130 or AMD FX 4300
  • Minimum GPU Requirements: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti or AMD RX 470

For those eager to challenge racing legends like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton for podium spots, consider giving F1 2023 a try. This game offers multiple modes to keep you entertained for extended periods. In the MyTeam mode, you can join a team and help them claim the Championship. Alternatively, the Driver mode allows you to race for various teams. The game also features a story mode titled Braking Point 2, which continues the narrative from its predecessor in F1 2021.

The game’s allure is enhanced by its daily challenges, authentic driving dynamics, and the option to compete as or with popular driver characters. It’s built to take advantage of modern technology, offering ray-traced graphics, but it can also run on older computers at reduced resolution and quality settings.

1 Burnout Paradise Remastered

Metascore: 82

  • Minimum CPU Requirements: Core-i3 2120 or Phenom II X4 965
  • Minimum GPU Requirements: Nvidia GT 450 or ATI Radeon HD 5750

In essence, Burnout Paradise Remastered shares many similarities with NFS: MW 2012, as both games do not focus on a narrative. Instead, they concentrate on enhancing the player’s driving license, which grants access to an array of vehicles. These cars are categorized into different levels, with Class A tier vehicles offering superior performance. Additionally, one of the key features is the ability to roam freely across the expansive game world.

The game provides multiple scenarios, including typical races and exclusive options like Road Rage challenges, where participants are tasked with eliminating a certain number of vehicles within a given time frame. Be confident, as the game is brimming with activities and promises to keep players gripped with excitement.

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2024-09-26 19:55