Gaming in 2021 is the best it’s ever been. The only issue is that, with so many great platforms and services offering top-tier gaming experiences, it can be tricky digging through all the games on offer to find the genuine gold. Driving and racing games are no exception to this. Below, we take a look at the best driving and motorsport games on the market and explore what makes them uniquely worth your attention. Buckle up, it’s time to hit the road.
F1 2021
Few annual game series are as consistently deserving of our attention as developer Codemasters’ official F1 games. The newly released F1 2021 builds on the successes of previous years, while bringing an up-to-the-minute graphical refresh and ongoing refinements. F1 2021 obviously also features all the liveries, drivers and teams from the 2021 season. So whether you’re in the mood for stepping in the shoes of challenger Max Verstappen in the staggeringly quick Red Bull, or playing the mid-field in a McLaren, Ferrari or Alpine, F1 2021 lets you live out your wildest open wheel fantasies.
DiRT Rally 2.0
The second Codemasters title to grace our list, DiRT Rally 2.0 is arguably the best rally game you can get in 2021. While its competitor series, the officially branded FIA WRC games, are, in their own, right impressive gaming experiences, the DiRT games have always got to the essence of what makes rallying such a captivating sport to watch and participate in. That DiRT is not hindered by official certification enables it to cut loose and have fun with its premise, bringing together rally experiences from arena Rallycross to high octane hill climbs all together in one complete and thrilling package.
Drive: Multiplayer Mayhem
This slot title brings a fresh spin to a classic aesthetic. You’re put in the shoes of Jette, a street racer tasked with beating your rivals to pole position. This game incorporates all the familiar core elements of slots titles and updates it with modern visuals, a light narrative and great bonuses. Drive can be enjoyed at most reputable online platforms that cater to digital one-armed bandits. If you’re looking for a fresh experience with motoring flair, this is one to try.
Forza Horizon 4
The main series of Forza Motorsport games grew up in the Xbox gaming ecosystem as an alternative and competitor to the long running racing sim series Gran Turismo. Now building up to its 8th iteration, the series has garnered fans from all sides who praise its depth and realism. Alongside Forza Motorsport, developers Turn 10 have been causing a stir with their spin-off series, Forza Horizon. Horizon takes the basic gameplay of the Forza games and places it in a fresh and fun context. Whereas Forza Motorsport emphasizes track racing and realism, Horizon delights in real world settings and absurd challenges. Now in its 4th edition, Horizon manages to balance the best of believable car physics with the kind of arcade madness that made great games of the past, from Burnout to Need for Speed, such enduring classics.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
No list of awesome racing games would be complete with mentioning Mario Kart. Ever since the first iteration of this long running franchise came out nearly 30 years ago on the Super Nintendo console it has entertained and frustrated millions of gamers with its bizarre game mechanics, novel power-ups and utterly insane track design. The last true game in the series was Mario Kart 8, which is now available in a deluxe version for the Nintendo Switch which features all the DLC for the original game included, alongside a new battle kart mode. There are few multiplayer games that can generate half as much fun and hilarity when played locally. While there are a host of similar titles out there nowadays, including Team Sonic Racing, nothing can compare to the original and greatest. And let’s face it, Mario Kart is the greatest.
