The Best Racing Games on Steam

Steam offers a wide range of racing games for everyone, from those who enjoy quick, casual races to serious simulation fans. You’ll find everything from fast-paced street racing and realistic circuit simulations to chaotic demolition derbies. Many of these games are at the forefront of technology, boasting features like dynamic weather and incredibly detailed cars. Whether you prefer exploring vast open worlds or mastering precise time trials, there’s a racing experience on Steam for you.

‘MotoGP 23’ (2023)

Milestone S.r.l. created the official video game for the top motorcycle racing series. The game includes a new career mode where your choices impact the experience, including managing a social media presence. It also features realistic, changing weather and race conditions that force you to make strategic pit stops. You’ll have access to all the official riders and tracks from the 2023 season, across various racing classes.

‘GRID Legends’ (2022)

This racing game was created by Codemasters and published by Electronic Arts, aiming for a fun experience that combines the excitement of arcade-style racing with the realism of simulation. It has a story mode called ‘Driven to Glory’ that was filmed using advanced virtual production methods. Players can race on more than 130 different tracks with a wide variety of vehicles, including everything from large trucks to fast, open-wheel race cars. A unique feature is the AI system – opponents will remember how you race and react accordingly, becoming more aggressive if you repeatedly challenge them.

‘Need for Speed Unbound’ (2022)

This racing game was created by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts. It’s part of a popular street racing series and features a unique look – realistic cars combined with cartoon-like characters and graffiti-style visuals. The game takes place in the made-up city of Lakeshore, where players compete in risky, illegal races while trying to outrun the police. Players can heavily customize their cars, and the game’s soundtrack includes music from well-known hip-hop artists.

‘Redout 2’ (2022)

Okay, so I’ve been playing this new racing game, and it’s seriously awesome! It’s made by 34BigThings and published by Saber Interactive, and it totally throws back to those classic futuristic racers I grew up with. You’re basically flying around super-fast on a kind of wrecked Earth, racing on these semi-abandoned tracks. The best part? You can tweak everything on your ship – engines, stabilizers, wings, the works – to really make it your own. There’s a full career mode to play through, and you can also race against up to 12 other players online. It’s a blast!

‘Burnout Paradise Remastered’ (2018)

This updated version of the 2008 racing game, developed by Stellar Entertainment and Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts, lets players experience the original on today’s consoles. You can freely roam and race through the huge open world of Paradise City, starting challenges from almost anywhere. Known for its realistic crashes and exciting ‘Takedown’ system, this release also includes all eight major downloadable content packs and boasts improved graphics running smoothly at 60 frames per second.

‘Hot Wheels Unleashed’ (2021)

This fast-paced arcade racer is based on a popular toy brand and lets players race miniature cars through giant environments – think kitchens, garages, and skyscrapers! Players can create their own challenging tracks with a user-friendly editor and share them online. The game also features a large collection of cars to unlock and collect, each with unique stats and rarity.

‘Ride 5’ (2023)

This motorcycle racing game, created by Milestone S.r.l., puts you in the driver’s seat of authentic road bikes. It boasts a dynamic weather system that realistically affects track conditions. You can build a career across 35+ tracks with over 200 licensed motorcycles. A new “Endurance” mode challenges you to manage stamina and strategy during long races, complete with pit stops.

‘Art of Rally’ (2020)

I’m really excited about this new racing game from Funselektor Labs! It’s all about classic off-road racing, taking you back to a really cool vintage era. What I love most is the way it looks – it’s got this awesome top-down view and a simple, stylish design that reminds me of old travel posters. You get to drive legendary cars from the 60s and the Group B days, racing through stages set in Finland, Sardinia, and Japan. It’s surprisingly easy to pick up and play, but it also has a really detailed physics engine, so if you want to get good, you can really master drifting and controlling the weight of the car. It’s a great balance!

‘Automobilista 2’ (2020)

Reiza Studios created this detailed racing simulator, powered by the Madness Engine for stunning graphics. While it especially highlights Brazilian motorsports, it also includes famous tracks and cars from racing history. You’ll experience changing weather conditions and can race everything from go-karts to vintage Formula 1 cars. The game is constantly being improved with new content and more realistic physics.

‘Wreckfest’ (2018)

This game, created by Bugbear Entertainment and published by THQ Nordic, is all about demolition derbies and fast-paced racing. It features a realistic damage system where vehicles bend and break convincingly when they crash. Players can race on traditional tracks or battle it out in arenas using a wide variety of vehicles, from powerful cars to even lawnmowers! You can also customize and upgrade your vehicle, improving both its speed and its ability to withstand damage.

‘F1 23’ (2023)

As a huge F1 fan, I’m really excited about the official game for the 2023 season! Codemasters made it, and Electronic Arts are publishing it. One of the coolest things is that ‘Braking Point’ is back – it’s a story mode with made-up characters and a really immersive, cinematic feel. They’ve also tweaked the physics to make the handling feel better, especially if you’re using a controller. Plus, you can race on the brand new Las Vegas and Qatar tracks! If you like getting really involved, you can build and manage your own team in ‘My Team’ mode, or jump into some seriously competitive online leagues.

‘iRacing’ (2015)

As a racing fan, I’m blown away by iRacing! It’s a really competitive online racing platform on Steam that you subscribe to. What’s cool is the matchmaking – it doesn’t just throw you in with anyone, it pairs you with drivers who are around your skill level and also race safely. And the tracks? They’re unbelievably realistic – they actually laser-scan real-world courses, so every little detail is spot-on. It’s so legit that official racing organizations like NASCAR and IMSA even use it for professional virtual races!

‘DiRT Rally 2.0’ (2019)

Codemasters created this realistic racing game that puts you in the driver’s seat of off-road rallying and rallycross competitions. You’ll race on challenging tracks in famous locations around the world, like New Zealand, Argentina, and Spain. The game is known for being difficult, and the tracks actually change as cars drive over them, making it even more realistic. It features officially licensed content from the FIA World Rallycross Championship and a huge collection of classic rally cars.

‘Assetto Corsa’ (2014)

Created by Kunos Simulazioni and published by 505 Games, this racing game is still considered the gold standard for how realistic a driving experience can be. It features a huge variety of officially licensed cars, from vintage sports models to the latest GT3 race cars. What really sets it apart is its open design, which has allowed a massive community of players to create and share modifications. This means there are thousands of cars and tracks made by fans, constantly adding new content and keeping the game exciting.

‘Forza Horizon 5’ (2021)

Forza Horizon 5 is an open-world racing game created by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. Players explore a huge and varied Mexico, complete with volcanoes, ancient cities, and different landscapes. The game boasts a collection of over 700 cars, and is constantly updated with new seasonal events and challenges. It’s known for being easy to pick up and play, its beautiful graphics, and its unique ‘EventLab’ feature, which lets players create their own custom races and game types.

Let us know in the comments which racing games you’ve added to your Steam library and continue to enjoy!

2026-02-17 23:23