Racing games are some of the most popular choices for automotive enthusiasts all over the world. These types of games are more popular on gaming consoles compared to PCs, mostly because they’re meant to be played either on controllers or gaming wheels, but also because gaming consoles can be connected to a TV which usually has a much larger diameter than any monitor.
XBOX is among the most popular gaming consoles in the world, partly because of its amazing capabilities, but mostly because there are countless games you can get and play in your spare time.
Why Are Racing Games On XBOX So Popular?
One of the main reasons why racing games are popular not just on XBOX but on gaming consoles altogether is the fact that you don’t need to upgrade components as soon as a new game is released. PC players need to upgrade their gaming machines much more often because games are evolving rapidly, and more powerful components are required to play them.
When it comes to gaming consoles, the only thing you can upgrade is the internal memory, but only if you want to keep more games installed at the same time. You can also play your favorite games on a much larger screen by connecting your XBOX to your TV.
Types Of Racing Games
Before we start our list of the best XBOX racing games, we should talk about the types of racing games available on the market.
Racing games are extremely entertaining, however, you should know what type of racing game will be the best for you. The most difficult to play are racing simulators. They require more focus, and learning the mechanics compared to all other racing game types.
A more popular type than simulators are arcade-style racing games. Graphics aren’t as realistic as in simulators, and can even be cartoon-like, however, they’re made for the more casual gamers that don’t want to spend more time than they need to learn the mechanics of the game. Controls are simple, and these games are made purely for fun.
Lastly, there are also games that incorporate both types. Depending on the settings you choose, you can either play the game with realistic physics and controls, or you can choose the easier option and play the game as an arcade.
List of The Best XBOX Racing Games
Some of the best XBOX racing games include titles such as:
- Forza Horizon 5
- Need for Speed Heat
- GRID Legends
- Dirt 5
- Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled
If you’re a fan of open-world racing games, you need to get Forza Horizon 5. This game offers a huge variety of iconic cars to choose from, and with both multiplayer and career modes available, it will keep you entertained for a very long time.
The game was released in November of 2021, and it has amassed more than 10 million players in the first week. It takes place in a fictional area in Mexico, and the map is the largest one in the Forza Horizon series. The map offers a lot of diversity, which is a great thing considering the types of races and cars available in the game.
One of the reasons why so many players enjoy Forza Horizon 5 is the high level of customization options. The moment you start the game, you’ll get to customize your main character, but you’ll also get to customize every vehicle with personalized liveries, and performance upgrades such as engine swaps, suspension tuning, ECU tuning, and much more.
The next title in the list is Need for Speed Heat. Just like the previous title, it’s an open-world racing game that puts an emphasis on street racing. This title from the Need for Speed franchise is available both online and offline, with a very interesting career mode that will keep you playing for hours at a time.
Aside from a great story in career mode, Need for Speed Heat offers a wide diversity of customization options for both the cars you drive, and the character you choose. With a list of 127 cars in the base game, there’s no question whether or not you can find your ideal car and customize it exactly to your taste.
The game was released in 2019, and it takes place in a Miami-lookalike area called Palm City. There are day and night modes in the game, and playing both is crucial for accomplishing all the missions and achievements.
GRID Legends is a true racing game. It’s all about racing, and nothing more. The graphics are beautiful, and the selection of vehicles in the game is pretty impressive. What’s more impressive is the number of tracks you can choose to race on. Unlike previous GRID titles, GRID Legends is the first to include a career mode. If you’re a true racing game fan, this game will be ideal for you, however, if you’re looking for more than just racing, you’ll probably enjoy the before-mentioned games more.
Our list of the best XBOX racing games wouldnćt be complete if it didn’t include at least one rally title. Dirt 5, as the title suggests, is focused on offroad racing, and is one of the most famous titles in this racing genre. The game was released by Codemasters in November of 2021, and it includes racing disciplines such as rallycross, stadium super trucks, off-road buggies, and ice racing.
Dirt 5 is definitely an arcade-style racing game, but it can be challenging depending on the difficulty you choose. There’s also a career mode available. What attracts players to this game are incredibly-looking graphics and easy gameplay.
The last game on our list is Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled. Compared to all the other titles in the list, this game is the only one that’s a true arcade with cartoon-like graphics. It doesn’t offer much in terms of customization aside from changing colors on the vehicles you choose, but it’s such a fun game that you’ll be able to play it for hours at a time. The great thing about Crash Team Racing is that it allows up to four players in split-screen mode, so you can have your friends over and enjoy battling for the podium position.