The Xbox One contained a large quantity of fantastic racing games, but only a handful rate as the best, according to Metacritic.
Nothing beats getting behind the wheel of an automobile and traveling at high speeds. Of course, that’s difficult to accomplish in real life without putting yourself in danger, but it’s simple in video games. There are several excellent racing games available on all platforms, but the Xbox One is one of the greatest consoles for experiencing the adrenaline of the race.
The last-generation console’s racing game library was strong, ranging from realistic experiences to cartoonish mayhem. However, no matter what kind of racing game players preferred, there is something for everyone to try.
1. Wreckfest (83)
For players who enjoy racing with a side dish of destruction, Wreckfest is a solid installment to check out. A spiritual successor to the FlatOut series, the game features two different modes that weigh the racing and destruction in different ways. There is banger racing, which pits vehicles together in a lap race. Then there’s a demolition derby mode, in which players can win by either win the race or survive long enough to be the last one standing. Players can buy and sell vehicles as well as customize them.
2. Inertial Drift (84)
Realistic racing games can be a lot of fun, but the mechanics for these games tend to be rather similar and not very innovative. Inertial Drift, an indie racing game by Level 91 Entertainment, adds a unique twist to its games by introducing the twin-stick driving mechanic.
The left stick is used for driving while the right is used for drifting. Beyond the controls, each vehicle in the game has its own style that makes playing each one its own challenge. There are 20 tracks, plus local co-op and multiplayer modes.
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3. Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled (84)
Bringing back classic games has become routine in the gaming world and one of the best racing games of all-time got a reboot nearly two decades after its release. Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled is an excellent reimagining of the 1999 Playstation-exclusive as it gives people the entire Crash Team Racing experience while also throwing in courses and characters from its successor, Crash Nitro Kart. The course-design is held in high regard and the race mechanics themselves could rival any kart racers, including the popular Mario Kart franchise.
4. Project CARS 2 (84)
If players like lots of content in their racing games, Project CARS 2 is filled to the brim with it. There are 189 cars for players to choose from and can race in up to 60 different locations. The unique element of this game is its LiveTrack 3.0 system in which each track can change its format between each lap so that each go-around is completely different from the last, including the changing of the weather. There is a total of 140 track layouts implemented in the game. Off-road racing is also introduced in this installment of the series.
5. Trials Rising (85)
Taking a break from cars for a bit to pull off some tricks on a motorcycle. Trials Rising is the most recent installment of a franchise that focuses on 2.5D fault-based racing. The game focuses on a player’s ability to navigate obstacle courses and reach the end quicker than other players. There is also a heavy focus on time trials, with players earning points depending on how fast they are able to get through a course. There’s also a mode in the game called “Tandem Bike,” which puts two players in control of the same bike.
6. DiRT Rally (86)
Going back to rallying, no game is more known for driving around in the mud quite like DiRT, and DiRT Rally is rated the highest of any installment on the Xbox One.
Players had access to 17 cars and 36 locations when the game first came out but has since expanded both rosters to feature car brands spanning six decades and locations that include those added in partnership with the FIA World Rally Championship. The game features multiple modes, which includes asynchronous and regular multiplayer modes as well.
7. Forza Motorsport 6 (87)
The first of two mentions of Forza on this list, which makes sense as this is Microsoft’s biggest racing franchise. Forza Motorsport 6 is the sixth installment in the series of games that is more focused on professional racing tracks. There’s a total of 22 different racing tracks based on real-life locations in the game, plus four based in fictional settings. Players can compete in a variety of tournaments that range in focus on a variety of categories, such as vehicle age and racing discipline. There’s also downloadable content, including a Fast & Furious pack.
8. F1 2020 (91)
The best-licensed racing game on the Xbox One is F1 2020. This game is the official video of the 2020 Formula 1 and Formula 2 Championships, which were both heavily affected by COVID-19. Like WRC 9, the game features events that weren’t held. The game features a team management mode that expands the number of teams the player can have to 11. In the game’s career mode, players can choose different tournament lengths for both championships, with Formula 1 having three season-length options and Formula 2 having just two to choose from.
9. Forza Horizon 4 (92)
Not only is Forza Horizon 4 the best racing games on the Xbox One, but it is also listed as the best simulation game ever made, according to Metacritic. Compared to Motorsport, Forza Horizon focuses more on an open-world environment rather than individual tracks. The fourth game in the Horizon series features well over 700 cars for players to choose from as well as the ability to buy a property to store these cars at. In addition, this installment introduced constantly changing seasons for players to drive through and experience.
10. Dirt 4
Those who fancy the exhilaration of FH4‘s speedy street and drag races are almost sure to get a kick out of this 2017 driving romp. The popular rally-themed racer from Codemasters manages to respect its appealing roots while going above and beyond with new features and more depth than ever.
Among the new inclusions in Dirt 4 are a variety of awesome new cars, well-crafted rallycross circuits—and a new feature called “Your Stage.” This addition amps up the already healthy replay value by producing procedurally generated rally stages based on player-selected conditions. This keeps the experience feels fresh as well as unpredictably fun.
11. SnowRunner
At least when it comes to the ample off-road bouts offered by FH4, this free-wheeling sim from Saber Interactive should satisfy that same itch with its comparable gameplay. Released in early 2020, this game draws upon the sandbox foundations of that franchise while exploring some new terrain, granting an experience both familiar and unique.
Players are tasked with delivering cargo to different locations while traversing rough, off-road terrain. This is done in a variety of trucks that are generally well-equipped for the bumpy ride. The game also offers a similarly organic feel with a dynamic system of weather, vehicle damage, and deep customization as players progress through various missions.
12. Cyberpunk 2077
Taking a turn into more unorthodox territory—this dystopian sci-fi ARPG may seem like a far cry from the more relaxed, realistic racer that is FH4. Still, even outside of its comparable deep gameplay and open-world elements, there are moments where CD Projekt Red really does capture that Forza feel.
This comes in the form of the game’s ample driving portions, which blend frantic arcade gameplay with the nuance and free-roaming found in sandbox romps. The developers have blurred the lines even further in early 2021, with a mod that improves the fairly shaky driving and car handling mechanics, giving a more refined open-world racing vibe. While it may lack that serene feel of Forza‘s natural landscapes, zipping through the bustling neon streets of Night City proves similarly thrilling.
13. Driver: San Francisco
Featuring a comatose protagonist with the ability to possess most drivers in the game’s titular city, Driver: San Francisco uses its absurd central mechanic to craft one of the most insane and freeing racers ever conceived.
While the central plot is nothing to write home about, the “Shift” system is a godsend that turns the game’s open-world into the ultimate sandbox. Driver: San Francisco could have benefitted from having more missions or side content, but this arcade racer can easily match Forza Horizon 4 when it comes to sheer madness.
14. Midnight Club: Los Angeles
Rockstar might be mostly known for its story-driven epics, but the studio used to have a racing franchise in its back pocket. Midnight Club was a staple of the console racing scene for close to a decade, with Los Angeles being its final entry.
A challenging arcade racer with visuals that still look decent in 2021, Midnight Club: LosAngeles gets its handling spot on, with each of its 40+ vehicles feeling unique. Rockstar’s expertise in crafting immersive open-worlds is on full display here, as the game’s Los Angeles is a sight to behold and experience.
