
High frame rates, intense speeds, and stylish cars are part of the best PC racing games you can play right now. Put your pedal to the metal in these adrenaline-inducing experiences with different races and virtual landscapes.
While this list isn’t based on any ranked order, it serves an important purpose: understanding the best racing games for PC you can dive (and drive) into. While most games support a keyboard and mouse input, they’re best enjoyed with a traditional controller. This article will cover some of the best PC racing games to try, with a variety of subgenres to keep in mind.
The 11 Best PC Racing Games
1. Forza Horizon 5

Genre: | Racing, open world |
Release Date: | November 9, 2021 |
Platforms: | Windows, Xbox |
Gameplay features: | Rewind mechanic |
Developer | Playground Games |
Payment model | $59.99 (Windows), part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription |
Rating | 92/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Players looking for a mix of arcade and realistic racing experience set in a vast open world |
So, you’re a car enthusiast who likes to keep it safe while also driving across dangerous terrains? Forza Horizon 5 has got you covered. Its breathtakingly gorgeous open world spans a fictional version of Mexico, where you can collect, customize, and race different vehicles. Thanks to its availability on Xbox Game Pass, the small entry fee almost gives it a free PC game vibe.
Forza Horizon 5’s online features give the game an MMO driving experience when racing against other players or simply cruising together. The game features a blend of arcade mechanics with realistic vehicle handling, making it a perfect entry-level game in the genre.
2. BeamNG.drive

Genre: | Simulation |
Release Date: | May 29, 2015 |
Platforms: | Windows |
Gameplay features: | Realistic driving mechanics, dynamic terrains and weather, several gameplay modes |
Developer | BeamNG |
Payment model | $24.99 |
Rating | Metacritic 9.6 (user scores) |
Best for | Players looking for realistic driving mechanics and a solid game engine with believable physics |
BeamNG.drive blurs the line between realism and video game physics. It’s one of the most realistic driving games available right now and makes for an ideal driving simulator. From sedans to trucks, you can drive across various landscapes with precise handling and vehicular damage that feels believable.
The intricate vehicle movements add to the dynamics of the game, making every turn and drift feel calculated yet risky. It may feel punishing at first, but as you get good at the game, it works like an ideal simulator.
3. F1 24

Genre: | Simulation |
Release Date: | May 31, 2024 |
Platforms: | Windows, PlayStation, Xbox |
Gameplay features: | Dynamic lighting and weather conditions, updated circuits, F1 World game mode |
Developer | Codemasters |
Payment model | $69.99 |
Rating | 72/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Formula 1 fans looking for a simulator that’s a faithful adaption of the sport |
Things take a serious turn for motorsport fans as F1 24 takes the spotlight. It’s a high-octane racing simulator centered around Formula 1, with drivers and circuits inspired by the real world. It’s an easy entry into the realm of highly realistic games, thanks to its dynamic weather and vehicle customization that add another layer of depth.
As one of the best racing sim games on PC, F1 24 includes modes like My Team that let you create and manage a team of your own. Weaved together by a solid Career mode, multiplayer, and other racing options, this one’s a no-brainer for casual and professional players alike.
4. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged

Genre: | Racing, arcade |
Release Date: | October 19, 2023 |
Platforms: | Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch |
Gameplay features: | Over 130 vehicles from the Hot Wheels collection, extensive track editor, driving mechanics pertaining to stunts, and arcade-style physics |
Developer | Milestone S.r.l. |
Payment model | $49.99 |
Rating | 77/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Fans of Hot Wheels looking for an arcade racing game |
For many players, this game is like a childhood dream come true. It’s filled with intense arcade racing elements that bring Hot Wheels vehicles to life. A large pool of vibrant tracks, customization options, and creative environments make it a highly engaging racing game to dive into.
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged offers both solo and multiplayer modes. It’s the ideal game if you enjoy racing Hot Wheels cars in colorful worlds where laws of physics can take a backseat.
5. WHAT THE CAR?

Genre: | Racing, adventure |
Release Date: | September 9, 2024 |
Platforms: | Windows, iOS, MacOS |
Gameplay features: | Funny game design mechanics, creative and challenging levels |
Developer | Triband |
Payment model | $19.99 on Windows, part of the Apple Arcade subscription |
Rating | 76/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Players looking for a fresh and fun racing experience unlike any other game they’ve ever played |
If there were a genre called “funny games about cars,” this would take the top spot. In fact, WHAT THE CAR? is the best game to play when you’re bored. It’s a quirky and humorous take on traditional driving elements, where your car can walk, jump, and even fly now and then.
Each level is creatively designed as if it’s a joke that you’ll only understand once you complete it. The controls may feel awkward and unique based on each level and only get better (and more whimsical) as you progress through the game.
6. Burnout Paradise Remastered

Genre: | Racing, open world |
Release Date: | August 21, 2018 |
Platforms: | Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch |
Gameplay features: | Open world gameplay, arcade racing elements, detailed crashes |
Developer | Criterion Games |
Payment model | $19.99 (Windows, PlayStation, Xbox), $29.99 (Nintendo Switch) |
Rating | 82/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Fans of high-octane stunts set in an open-world environment with arcade elements |
Racing experiences can of varying types and may leave you wondering about which game to play next. This game is the best answer, as it combines every element of what makes a racing game so much fun — high energy, risk-or-reward factors, a variety of cars, and destruction.
Burnout Paradise Remastered encourages you to take the risk of driving your car through places that are clearly not meant for high speeds. Breaking those rules leads to more cars, events, and satisfying destruction physics. This game’s all about mayhem, and you’ll likely spend many hours driving through Paradise City.
7. TrackMania 2

Genre: | Racing |
Release Date: | September 14, 2011 |
Platforms: | Windows |
Gameplay features: | Custom tracks, online modes that support 200 players, track editor |
Developer | Ubisoft Nadeo |
Payment model | $19.99 |
Rating | 81/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Players looking for an arcade racing experience with creatively designed tracks |
TrackMania 2 is all about time trials and neatly designed tracks that test your mettle in many ways. You’ll be racing through gravity-defying loops, driving past obstacles, and experiencing creatively built tracks you’ve probably never seen in any other game.
If you’ve got that creative itch, you can share your tracks with the community with the track editor, making it an interesting multiplayer game to explore. These custom courses keep the game fresh and let you experiment with your skills, never letting the novelty factor fade away.
8. Forza Motorsport

Genre: | Simulation |
Release Date: | October 10, 2023 |
Platforms: | Windows, Xbox |
Gameplay features: | Over 500 cars and 27 tracks, dynamic weather changes, fine-tuning, and detailed car customization |
Developer | Turn 10 Studios |
Payment model | $69.99 (Windows), part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription |
Rating | 84/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Players looking to dive into the world of motorsport simulators and want a vast collection of cars to drive |
With realistic driving controls and meticulously detailed cars, Forza Motorsport makes itself known as one of the best sim racing games ever created. It focuses on precision, track conditions, dynamic weather, and car customization, giving you control over little details that many racing simulators tend to overlook.
Its solo and multiplayer modes cater to gamers who want the thrill of competitive play. There’s no better feeling than enjoying that “perfect lap” as you race in a car that’s fine-tuned to you, making the overall experience feel unique and exciting.
8. Forza Motorsport

Genre: | Simulation |
Release Date: | October 10, 2023 |
Platforms: | Windows, Xbox |
Gameplay features: | Over 500 cars and 27 tracks, dynamic weather changes, fine-tuning, and detailed car customization |
Developer | Turn 10 Studios |
Payment model | $69.99 (Windows), part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription |
Rating | 84/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Players looking to dive into the world of motorsport simulators and want a vast collection of cars to drive |
9. Wreckfest

Genre: | Demolition derby |
Release Date: | June 14, 2018 |
Platforms: | Windows, Xbox, PlayStation |
Gameplay features: | Soft-body damage modeling, solo and multiplayer (cross-platform), in-depth vehicle upgrades and customization |
Developer | Bugbear Entertainment |
Payment model | $29.99 |
Rating | 81/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Players looking for highly detailed destruction physics in a racing game |
This one’s a demolition derby kind of game that revolves around chaotic, physics-based car destruction. Its variety of vehicles includes everything from compact cars to heavy trucks, some of which you’ll be racing against other players in traditional races and demolition events.
Thanks to its availability on multiple platforms, you can enjoy this game on your preferred platform. It’s not just a regular arcade-style game — you have to find the right balance between strategy, aggression, adaptability, and chaos, making for a memorable experience.
10. Assetto Corsa

Genre: | Simulation |
Release Date: | December 19, 2014 |
Platforms: | Windows, PlayStation, Xbox |
Gameplay features: | Laser-scanned tracks, solo and multiplayer modes, extensive support for modding |
Developer | Kunos Simulazioni |
Payment model | $19.99 (Windows), $26.99 (PlayStation), $29.99 (Xbox) |
Rating | 73/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Players looking for a realistic racing game with a large modding community |
Assetto Corsa is another entry on the list of highly detailed racing simulators, which are beloved for their lifelike handling, precise physics, and detailed cars and tracks that replicate real-life scenarios. It’s a game designed to provide a driving experience akin to racing in real life.
A variety of cars, tracks, and mods make it one of the most trending games on PC right now. It’s also one of the best car games you can play since everything from tire grip and aerodynamics to suspension behavior is part of the car handling, giving it an edge over other games in the genre.
11. iRacing

Genre: | Simulation |
Release Date: | August 26, 2008 |
Platforms: | Windows, MacOS |
Gameplay features: | Hyper-realistic mechanics with accurate physics, focus on online multiplayer, detailed car and track models |
Developer | iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations |
Payment model | Subscription-based |
Rating | 79/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Racing enthusiasts looking for a highly realistic online simulator |
With an eSports-focused environment and genre-defining realism, iRacing may as well take the crown for being the best driving game in the hyper-realistic category. It heavily focuses on track knowledge, precision, and other motorsport elements. There are organized online leagues and strict rule enforcements that keep things less fictional and more functional.
The professional-grade structure makes it one of the best PC games to play if you’re into sim racers that stop at nothing when it comes to hyper-realism. The community-driven approach to its gameplay design also makes for a high skill ceiling that will require a lot of practice to understand and master.
The Best PC Racing Games at a Glance
The best racing games on PC are all about getting behind the driving wheel and not stopping at anything. Based on the game, you’ll come across various tracks, vehicle options, rules, and destruction physics. Here’s a quick glance at some of the best titles you can explore.
Game | Best for | Platforms |
Forza Horizon 5 | Players looking for a mix of arcade and realistic racing experience set in a vast open world | Windows, Xbox |
BeamNG.drive | Players looking for realistic driving mechanics and a solid game engine with believable physics | Windows |
F1 24 | Formula 1 fans looking for a simulator that’s a faithful adaption of the sport | Windows, PlayStation, Xbox |
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged | Fans of Hot Wheels looking for an arcade racing game | Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch |
WHAT THE CAR? | Players looking for a fresh and fun racing experience unlike any other game they’ve ever played | Windows, iOS, MacOS |
Burnout Paradise Remastered | Fans of high-octane stunts set in an open world environment with arcade elements | Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch |
TrackMania 2 | Players looking for an arcade racing experience with creatively designed tracks | Windows |
Forza Motorsport | Players looking to dive into the world of motorsport simulators and want a vast collection of cars to drive | Windows, Xbox |
Wreckfest | Players looking for highly detailed destruction physics in a racing game | Windows, Xbox, PlayStation |
Assetto Corsa | Players looking for a realistic racing game with a large modding community | Windows, PlayStation, Xbox |
iRacing | Racing enthusiasts looking for a highly realistic online simulator | Windows, MacOS |
What To Look For in a PC Racing Game
To find the best racing game of your choice, here’s a look at some aspects of game mechanics and world settings to make the most of your experience:
- Find a game with the right amount of realism: Based on how eager you are to “break the rules,” a driving game can have accurate driving and world physics, but it should be at a level that satisfies your curiosity.
- Look for a game with track variety: Certain games, like TrackMania 2 and Hot Wheels, have a large pool of custom tracks that add creativity to their world, while others draw inspiration from real-world scenarios. Choose the one that intrigues you the most.
- Make sure you can customize your ride: Depending on the game you pick, you should be able to fine-tune, select, and customize a car of your choosing. This adds novelty to your driving experience.
- Ensure it has multiplayer if you like to compete: If you’re looking to race against other players, check if the game has online or co-op modes that support multiple players on the same track. A game like Forza Horizon 5 even has online support for simply cruising its open world.
As you explore a vast collection of PC games and pick a game that suits your style of gameplay, it’s essential to keep the basics in mind: variety and fun factor. After all, wondering which game to play often leads to the discovery of titles you may have never come across otherwise.
Best PC Racing Game FAQ
It’s natural to have questions about the game genre you’re diving into, and these FAQs will give you a better glance at the titles you’d like to explore.
What Is the Most Realistic PC Racing Game?
iRacing is fueled by game design that constantly supports new ideas for realism and keeps players engaged for a long time — not just hours but years on end! It works on a subscription model that keeps players interested in its live-service gameplay system.
What’s the Best Racing Game for a Low-End PC?
Despite its highly detailed environments and destruction physics, it may be surprising to believe that Burnout Paradise Remastered can run flawlessly on low-end PCs. Thanks to its immaculate game engine and optimization, the title never demands high-end settings to run well.
What Is the Difference Between Arcade and Simulation Racing?
An arcade racing game (such as Burnout Paradise Remastered) often focuses on the “rule-breaking” factor. You’ll be driving across risky environments, bashing your car often, performing stunts, and even driving in creative game modes. On the other hand, a racing simulator (such as F1 24) draws inspiration from real-life scenarios and driving mechanics.