As well as driving Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars and watching the odd bit of NASCAR and FI racing, a devoted petrolhead has generally enjoyed the odd car-related game over the years. In recent times, we have been inundated with driving games on an impressively regular basis, too.
In the gaming sphere, driving games have always been popular. Given the increase in gaming devices in the modern world, this particular category of gaming has been treated to an extensive selection of releases on a range of different platforms. There have been some truly classic games on iconic consoles, alongside a range of titles from the mobile gaming sphere. These past creations accompany popular modern-day options, such as Forza Horizon 5 on Xbox One and the Highway Kings online slot, and have helped shape what is a remarkable offering for fans of fast cars and exhilarating racing experiences. Racing games aren’t just fun and entertaining, but they provide car enthusiasts with another way of enjoying motor vehicles in their full glory while racing against online rivals or family and friends.
With new games of this type being released on a fairly regular basis, we thought we’d take a look back over the last decade and highlight some of top driving releases during that time. These games, plus others, have played an integral role in making driving games one of the best gaming options around.
F1 2019 (2019)
Last year’s F1 Championship was certainly a memorable occasion overall, hence why games such as F1 2019 will always be fondly remembered by fans of the sport. Offering F1 fans a full dose of racing action, the game is one of the best of its type ever and offers driving gamers a wave of adrenaline and some excellent gameplay in what is a great driving product. F1 2019’s appeal will eventually wane given the array of games we’re exposed to in the modern world, but diehard F1 fans will always remember it, especially when factoring in its superb AI.
Rocket League (2015)
A 2015 release, Rocket League isn’t a traditional driving game as such, but it’s certainly a modern take on one. Combining elements of motorsport thanks to the featured cars, Rocket League also champions chaos and mayhem as players rush to make contact with a giant football in an attempt to score as many goals as possible. Essentially a game of football with cars instead of humans, Rocket League is a driving game in the very loosest sense of the word, but it deserves a mention because of its prominence in the modern world. In fact, the game is now a hugely popular option in the esports gaming arena.
Assetto Corsa (2014)
As far as sim racing games go, not many are as fondly remembered as Assetto Corsa is. Released in 2014, the game offered a realistic driving experience thanks to its fantastic handling capabilities, range of cars, and large choice of tracks to experience. The Ultimate Edition of the game is even more impressive, too, offering players over 170 vehicles to choose from.
Mario Kart 8 (2014)
No Mario Kart game can replicate a real-life driving experience, but in terms of driving games, the overall Mario Kart product has been one of the most entertaining releases ever. The 2014 version of Mario Kart is the best for many, with players enjoying the chaos as they race cars with 200cc engines and fire red shells and lay bananas in their quest for the very top.
Other memorable driving games include Forza Horizon 4 (2018) & 5 (2021), GT Sport (2017), and Dirt Rally 2.0 (2019).