Head-to-head duels or just chasing the fastest lap by any means: racing games are always pure adrenaline. It doesn’t matter if you’re into fun racers like Mario Kart or realistic simulations of an entire motorsport. And like with every genre, the big question is: which game is actually worth your money and time?
#5: Gran Turismo 7
That question isn’t so easy to answer, because there are tons of differences, of course: Need for Speed, for example, is only comparable to iRacing in a limited way, even though both are all about cars. So, don’t see our ranking as the ultimate list, but more as a collection of simply fun racing games.
Starting off our list of the best racing games is the latest entry in a franchise that first hit the scene in the 90s: Gran Turismo 7 from Sony and Polyphony Digital. Since 2022, this classic has been burning rubber on the PS5—and doing it pretty well.
GT7 might not be the absolute best entry in the series, but even with a few weaknesses in career mode and a bit too much grinding, it shines where it matters most for a racing game: on the track. The graphics are fantastic, and the driving feel is even more impressive—even if you’re playing without a racing wheel.
Three years after launch, Polyphony hasn’t abandoned GT7. New—and most importantly, free—updates keep dropping, bringing new tracks and cars into the game. One of the latest additions? The Opel Corsa GSE Vision, which the automaker just revealed at IAA 2025 in Munich. In-game, you can already take it for a spin:
That makes Gran Turismo 7 still a top recommendation in 2025 for anyone looking for a realistic racing game on PlayStation 5 that doesn’t go too hardcore on the simulation side. A sequel is probably already in the works, but will likely take a while to arrive.
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#4: Wreckfest
If you think a racing game should be about epic crashes and twisted metal, you’re in the right place. Wreckfest is basically the spiritual successor to the once-popular Flatout series—in fact, it’s made by the same team.
You’ll have to do without minigames like baseball or darts, but even seven years after release, you’ll still get awesome destruction. No other racing game makes it feel so satisfying to smash into other cars or roll your own vehicle through the countryside tracks.
The career mode could definitely be more exciting and upgrading vehicles sometimes feels a bit fiddly. But once you’re on the track again, the dirty, just-right driving physics make up for it. Wreckfest isn’t too concerned about rules, and that’s exactly why it’s so much fun.
There’s even a sequel since March 2025, though it’s still in Early Access on Steam. The original, on the other hand, is now often available at a great price on pretty much every platform, whether you’re on PC or console.
On the next page, we continue with the top 3 picks.
#3: F1 25
Officially licensed sports games are often hit or miss: one year is great, and twelve months later, things might go downhill. That’s not just true for the EA Sports FC series, but also F1. Codemasters has been in charge since 2009, delivering both highs and lows.
With F1 25, things are finally looking up again. Backed by the big FIA license, this racing game delivers in several areas: the driving physics feel sharper, there’s plenty of solo content with Breaking Point and My Team 2.0, and the multiplayer is always engaging.
Sure, F1 25 isn’t a revolution. With the increasingly expensive and restrictive license, it can’t really be. But for fans of the sport, F1 25 is finally a step in the right direction, with the biggest new features keeping you hooked.
But even if you’re not a huge fan and just want a good racing game, you’ll have fun here—unless you’re looking for an ultra-hardcore simulation. In the end, Codemasters sticks to its philosophy: authentic feel, without going overboard on complexity. Mission accomplished, once again.
#2: Assetto Corsa Competizione
We’ve already covered simcade, crash derby, and Formula 1—so what’s missing from a list of the best racing games? Of course, a truly challenging and realistic sim. You’ll find that, nearly perfected, in Assetto Corsa Competizione, which is also the official game of the GT World Challenge.
So you’ll take on the role of a GT3 racer, and the goal is clear: win the championship. But that’s easier said than done, because ACC—as fans lovingly call it—is pretty demanding. Cars handle realistically, with an unbelievable number of aspects simulated and represented. A good racing wheel is pretty much a must.
Under the hood, Assetto Corsa Competizione offers even more: laser-scanned, precisely recreated tracks, a strong and fair multiplayer mode, a solid campaign, and even support for VR headsets. If you want to dive deep into a racing sim without spending money on iRacing every month, ACC is the one to check out.
By the way: Yes, we’re recommending Assetto Corsa Competizione here. There’s a sequel called Evo out since January 2025, but it’s still in Early Access—and honestly, it’s just not good enough yet.
#1: Forza Horizon 5
Sony kicked off this racing game roundup, and Microsoft is closing it out. Few entries in this generation have managed to capture that instant rush and excitement like Forza Horizon 5. Sure, Playground Games’ open world isn’t much of a simulation, but the arcade racing action is an absolute blast.
In the open world of Mexico, you’ll speed through deserts and sandstorms, across highways, and even around a volcano. Always chasing more horsepower, new cars, and track records. FH5 always finds a way to reward you—even if you mess up. The “carrot on a stick” motivation works brilliantly.
The same goes for the wonderful, fast driving feel. Forza Horizon 5 is far from realistic, but still feels just right. There’s really not much to complain about—except maybe the story bits, which are sometimes packed with annoying dialogue that can briefly spoil the fun.
Thanks to countless free updates and two paid DLCs, Forza Horizon 5 has a seriously packed trunk even four years after release. We’ve rarely had more fun with a racing game. The franchise is set to continue in 2026: Forza Horizon 6 will take us to Japan for the first time. We can’t wait.
Source: YouTube / Gran Turismo TV, THQ Nordic, EA Sports F1, Assetto Corsa Official, Xbox
This article was originally published on futurezone.de / 4P.de and has been carefully translated.