Many hardcore gamers take issue with the Xbox for the limited range of exclusives or the dodgy way it handles shooters, but even they admit that, when it comes to racing games, there’s nothing quite like the Xbox. Racing games are much more immersive when you play them with a controller and even if you’re not the bigger car fanatic out there, you should still try the experience at least once. Whether you just want to have wacky fun crashing cars with your friends or you’re more interested in a realistic racing experience, these are the top 7 Xbox race games you should install right now:
- 1. Forza Horizon 4
Forza Horizon 4 is one of those visually stunning games that will pull you in even if you don’t know the first thing about cars. The game has an offline, single-player mode that doesn’t compromise on any features, although there’s no reason why you shouldn’t try the online multiplayer mode, which is as fun as it is addictive. Set in an open world environment with shifting seasons and locations that range from gorgeous countryside hills to exact replicas of city centers, Forza Horizon 4 may very well be played just for the jaw-dropping visuals. As for the racing itself, there’s a lot to love. You have dozens of cars to choose from, a customizable career mode, and every season has its unique challenges to keep you on your toes. Forza Horizon 4 is arguably the most diverse and people-pleasing Xbox racing games out there, as it caters for players of all levels and preferences. And the best part? The game has no microtransactions and you won’t be conditioned by any payments to enhance its performance.
Rating: 9.6/10 IGN.com
4/5 Eurogamer
- 2. Project CARS
If you’re more than a casual racing gamer and you’re looking for something as close as possible to the real racing experience, then you’ll love Project CARS. Although it’s not as eye candy as Forza Horizon 4, Project CARS compensates in difficulty. Unlike many other games, which force you to start with the basic cars and basic tracks and work your way up to the hardest challenges, Project CARS doesn’t impose any timeline limits and lets you try everything at once. You can access all the cars and tracks in the game from the very beginning, which makes the game very challenging, but rewarding at the same time. As you’ll soon find out, the key in crossing the finish line first is understanding your cars down to the smallest parts, thorough testing, and making the right customizations depending on the race type, track, and weather.
Rating: 8.9/10 IGN.com
8/10 GameSpot
- 3. Onrush
Here’s an interesting one: a racing game where you don’t have to complete laps, come in on the first place, or be a good driver. If you just want to join in on a massive stampede and crash into other players, this is the game that lets you do that. In many ways reminiscent of Overwatch, Onrush places you in an arena with all the other players and you win depending on what mode you’re playing on: take out other cars, do all sorts of flips, pick up bonuses from other players, or keep your boost active for as long as possible. Onrush is chaotic and full of adrenaline, which is exactly what makes it fun. If you’re looking for exciting racing games to play with your friends on a Friday night, Onrush is an awesome choice because it doesn’t ask you to be an experienced driver, car geek, or serious gamer to have fun.
Rating: 8.2/10 IGN.com
9/10 GameSpot
- 4. DiRT 4
Fans of dirt rallies will love playing DiRT 4, the installment which revived the DiRT series and gave Forza a run for its money. Unlike most racing games, which are either fun or realistic, DiRT 4 lets you choose that at the beginning, so you can adapt your experience depending on how hardcore you want the game to be. The developers compromised the “wacky” element in racing games for more realism, and you’ll notice that whenever you crash or race through water, the effects are exacerbated. At times, DiRT 4 can get pretty challenging, especially when competing against the aggressive AI.
Rating: 9.2/10 IGN.com
9/10 GameSpot
- 5. F1 2018
Similar to FIFA, Madden, or NBA, F1 2018 is as much about the sport, as it is about recreating its atmosphere. Although visually there aren’t too many changes from its predecessor (some cutscenes and commentaries have even been recycled), fans of Formula 1 will appreciate the detailed 10-season career mode and the improvements made to the AI. The tracks and steering experience feel more lifelike than ever before and if you add the fact that your management decisions and press interview answers can influence team morale, this is the most realistic F1 game to date.
Rating: 8.5/10 IGN.com
9/10 GameSpot
- 6. Cars 3: Driven to Win
Even if the reviews don’t make Cars 3: Driven to Win a worthy competitor for the other games on this list, this is a great family-friendly game with your kids, who may not be so interested the realistic mechanics of DiRT 4 or the career mode in F1 2018. The style is similar to Mario Cart, and your kids will love unlocking new content to play with beloved characters such as Lightning McQueen, Jackson Storm, and Cruz Ramirez.
Rating: 72% Metacritic
7/10 Gamereactor
- 7. Burnout Paradise Remastered
If you’re nostalgic about playing Burnout Paradise as a kid, now you can play the remastered version on your Xbox. The modern interpretation of the classic arcade game manages to stay fresh and relevant, combining the realism of racing with fast and furious fun that keeps you entertained for hours. Revisit the vibrant, open-world of Paradise City, and race through a variety of boulevards, alleyways, and passages, or just explore the city in one of the 70+ cars. Bonus: for added nostalgia, the remastered version is set against the same soundtrack of the original Burnout Paradise, including Guns N’ Roses – Paradise City (obviously), Alice in Chains, and Twisted Sister.
Rating: 8.8/10 IGN.com
5/5 Eurogamer
