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This category contains all of the Sonic games of the racing genre.

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‎Sonic Racing on the App Store

Description

The world’s fastest hedgehog is back in SONIC RACING! Take control of one of 15 playable characters from the Sonic universe and compete in the ultimate multiplayer racing experience. COLLECT power-ups, SET traps and ATTACK competitors all while driving at high speed. Ready, Set, RACE!

DECIDE HOW YOU WANT TO PLAY! Enjoy single-player mode, play with your friends or go big and play with people around the world in multiplayer mode.

CREATE YOUR TEAM! Each character has its own unique advantages and brings a special Team Ability into the mix.

NUMEROUS TRACKS TO RACE! 15 tracks in total, each split across 5 zones.

WISPS ARE BACK! 15 spectacular creatures to help overcome rival teams and get ahead. They are always ready to offer help whenever needed.

KEEP RACING! Get more rewards the more you race. Complete challenges and earn even more prizes.

The ultimate speed experience is waiting for you! Ready, Set, RACE!

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Privacy Policy: https://www.sega.com/privacy_aa
Terms of Use: https://www.sega.com/terms_aa

© SEGA. All rights reserved. SEGA, the SEGA logo, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG and SONIC RACING are registered trademarks or trademarks of SEGA CORPORATION or its affiliates.

Version 2.0.1

Bug fixes and refinements

The developer, SEGA, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy.

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© SEGA. All rights reserved. SEGA, the SEGA logo, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG and SONIC RACING are registered trademarks or trademarks of SEGA CORPORATION or its affiliates.

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You Might Also Like

Top 20 Android Racing Games for Unforgettable Driving Experience

When you search for any racing games on the Google Play store, you will find at least a thousand. So, it must be hard for you to find good ones. Most of these games are nothing but bad copies of other games. That is why they are not worthy of your precious time. In such a situation, an honest, transparent and descriptive list of the best racing games for Android can be of great help. So, I decided to help you compile this definitive list of the top 20 racing games for Android.

The best racing games for Android

People naturally love to race and win. Thus, free racing games have become very popular among Android users in a short time. But for you to participate in the race on Android, the Android racing game must be installed with amazing graphics, high-quality visual and sound effects, quality and speed optimization, and the ability to make you addicted. With them all in my mind, I collected them and compiled a list of the best racing games for Android.

1. Real Racing 3

Real Racing 3 deserves to be the first on this list. This is truly a mood changing game that takes your excitement to the highest level. This amazing game is easy to play and comes with amazing resolution and sound effects. A large number of other features are also included. Let’s look at them.

Important Features of

• Including tons of real vehicles such as cars, trucks, etc. for the performance.
• There are many real roads animated to shape this game.
• Provide satisfactory graphics and sound effects.
• Here you can challenge your friends in races.
• Offers some in-app purchases that are completely optional that you can try to become a premium member.
• Very fast and the strategies are in order.

More information and downloads

2. Crazy for speed 2

The second one I chose for the list is Crazy for Speed ​​2. Another exciting game. The players who love it often call it one of the best racing games for Android. It is easy to understand, but difficult to become a master. The strategies and features are also commendable. So let’s take a look at them.

Important Features of

• Provides many real vehicles to use in the race.
• There are many real and dangerous roads to choose from for the race venue.
• They provide a driver’s license test.
• Superb 3D resolution and sound effect.
• Let you customize your car to race with it.
• Provides many incredible levels with different strategies.

More information and downloads

3. Asphalt Nitro

No list of racing games would be complete without one of the best racing games for Android, Asphalt Nitro. This is a very popular game with impressive resolution and challenging experience. In this game, you can drive many licensed cars such as Ferrari La Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, Lamborghini Veneno, etc. However, let’s see what else it will offer.

Important Features

• Offers 8 different game modes with a large number of opponents.
• Enables police chase mode to make it more exciting.
• Provides many dangerous tracks and race areas.
• Includes numerous shortcuts and game change codes.
• Offers nice graphics and an interactive interface.

More information and downloads

4. Racer Underground

Racer Underground is another mind-blowing and addictive racing game. According to player reviews, this is another of the best racing games for Android. It’s free and with clear strategies. This game includes a large number of mood-changing features. You can look at them.

Highlights

• Challenging game with obstacles such as chasing a criminal, chasing a policeman, jumping over a truck ramp, etc.
• You can unlock many cars with new skills.
• Provides racing qualified components.
• In addition to racing, you can move around the map.
• Provides daily tasks for leveling up.
• Stunning resolution and real engine sound effects.

More information and downloads

5. Asphalt 8: Airborne

Again, this is asphalt. Actually, almost all asphalt racing games deserve to be considered the best. However, this is Asphalt 8: Airborne, another must-try game that users consider to be one of the best racing games. The tactics of the game are easy to understand and you will soon become addicted to it. To be more specific, you may come across important features.

Important Features

• Provides over 220 vehicles and 14 trucks for your operation.
• Many dangerous roads are available for racing.
• Great video and sound effects.
• To get more points, you can crash into truck ramps.
• Offers about 400 events and 9 seasons to enjoy the game.
• You can customize and update your cars as you wish.

Additional information and downloads

6. GT Racing 2: Real Car Experience

If you are looking for a very addictive and realistic racing game for your Android phone, then I would like to suggest Game-loft’s real-time racing game, GT Racing 2: The Real Car Experience. This is one of the best racing games for android. In addition, this is the best game with an amazing control system and interface. In addition, there are a lot of amazing features. Let’s check them out.

Highlights

• Provides one of the best handheld racing game experiences.
• Includes over 70 different vehicles from different brands.
• Integrated with exquisite graphics and numerous customizable race tracks.
• Includes numerous events, classic races, duels, knockouts and more.
• Provides weekly challenges to improve your racing skills.

More information and downloads

7. Need for Speed ​​No Limits

Get ready to play one of the best racing games from your favorite Electronic Arts game — Need for Speed ​​No Limits. You will be captivated by the cinematic graphics and first-class interface. Experience the best racing game experience on the Android platform. In addition, many excellent features are waiting for you. Let’s take a look at them.

Important Features

• Includes many races, knockouts, valley races, classic races, bounties and free races.
• Integrated with a simple interface and customized rides for your personality.
• You can drive rough and reckless as you can crash and drive at incredible speeds.
• Provides a variety of vehicles of different brands, fully customized and always up to date.
• Compete face-to-face or in a group in a huge, open-world environment-like environment.

More information and download

8. Cars: Lightning League

And now get to know another of the best racing games for Android — Cars: Lightning League. This is a very popular racing game from Disney. Since this is a League that supports the game, this will require a connection to a social network. Needless to say, the resolution and sound effect will amaze you. However, let’s get acquainted with the features of this game.

Important Features

• Lightning McQueen, Cruz Ramirez, Jackson Storm with cars available.
• Exciting races with challenges and obstacles.
• Sound effects that change mood and picture quality.
• Funny car sounds and styles.
• Additional in-app purchases for premium membership.
• You can chat with your friends through a league connection.

More information and downloads

9. Hill climb racing

Hill climb Racing is not only one of the best racing games, but also one of the most popular and downloaded games for Android. Here, the racer is Newton Bill, with whom you have to race on dangerous roads. The strategies are clear, but it will be difficult for you to master them. In addition, it includes many unique features. View feature lists.

Important Features of

• More than 27 exciting levels.
• You are allowed to play with over 28 different features.
• True turbo sound amplifies your excitement.
• Offers stunning resolution and graphics.
• Provides amazing animated environments and simple strategies.
• Also looks great in low resolution smartphone cases.

More information and downloads

10. Angry Birds Go!

Are you an Angry Birds fan? I have good news for you. Now you can race with angry birds. Meet Angry Birds Go, another exciting game for you. Here you have to participate in downhill skiing on Pig Island with birds. The strategies in this game are full of fear and fun. It also includes amazing features such as:

Important Features of

• You can improve your level and skills.
• Provides many time limited tournaments.
• Exit background history and visual effects.
• Includes fun sound effects.
• You must crush your opponents to win matches.
• You can enjoy the multiplayer mood.
• You can teleport a character while running in a race.

More information and download

11. Racing Fever: Moto

Now get ready to enjoy a whole new motorcycle racing experience with Racing Fever. Some of you think that cars are only vehicles in racing games. But don’t forget the bikes. Bicycle racing can be even more fun. The best part of this game is the perfect combination of adrenaline, excitement and fun.

So you won’t get bored while playing this game. With excellent graphics and detailed environment, there is an exciting sound truck. A collection of modern high-tech bikes is also there for you.

Important Features

  • There are 10 different levels with 4 different gangs.
  • You can enjoy this racing game with 4 different control systems.
  • 16 different types of motorcycles are available to you.
  • If you don’t know English, it refers to 23 different languages.
  • Realistic weather conditions, traffic, speed, etc. are also available.

Download

12. Bike Racing 3D

Meet the most popular BMX racing game for your Android device. This is Bike Racing 3D. This addictive game with HD physics and graphics and addictive gameplay will never let you put your phone down. In addition, the realistic cycling strategy will give you a true feeling.

But don’t relax. It may seem like this game is very easy to master, but it’s really hard to master. You can take part in the race, jump over blocks and crash down. So, do you realize how exciting this is going to be? I think you are.

Important Features

  • You can practice and improve your skills in career mode.
  • 60 different types of racing trucks are available to you.
  • You can play in different modes with different difficulty levels.
  • Very realistic graphics and authentic physics.
  • There are 5 unique motorcycles in total and you can choose your favorite one.

Download

13. Fun Race 3D

You can also try Fun Race 3D. It has become very popular in a very short period. Even this is not a game released many years ago. But soon people get into it and become big fans. However, the main objective of this game is to reach the destination.

Sounds very simple, doesn’t it? Well, it’s not much easier than you think. There are obstacles at every step, and you have to successfully overcome them. In the middle of the race, when it becomes more difficult for you, you will find it difficult and eventually complete it successfully.

Important Features

  • There are many levels to unlock.
  • Very attractive 3D background with funny looking obstacles.
  • It’s easy at first, but it’s hard to be a master.
  • Lots of new characters and features are waiting for you.
  • To work at the same time, you need to continue to hold, and to stop, just release.
  • Unique and new features will appear on each new level.

Download

14. Street Racing 3D

Street Racing 3D is another popular racing game for your Android device, so I can’t help but make it to the top list. However, this fun and addictive racing game will never let you get bored. Because there you will find many racing asphalts and tracks.

Also, you can just wander around the city when you don’t want to race. Isn’t it like a simulation game? Yes. However, there is a huge collection of top class racing cars and you can use any of them. So stop wasting time on monotony and start racing down the street.

Important Features

  • You can challenge your friends in multiplayer modes.
  • There are over 30 cars that you can use during street racing.
  • There are many PVP events that you can win if you try.
  • Realistic drift racing with high speed driving.
  • Ultra HD graphics and excitement, enhanced sound effects.
  • Lots of diamonds and coins to collect.

Download

15. City Racing 3D

The next game is City Racing 3D, another exotic racing game for your Android device. It will be fun to play this game as you will become the king of street racing. Your fast driving and safe driving skills will be the first requirement of this game. Because you need to move very quickly among traffic, other racers and various real objects on the road.

If you want to crush your friends in races, just invite them here. Try the multiplayer mode and bite them. There is a leaderboard and a list of achievements. This way, it will be easy for you to know how you are progressing and where you are doing.

Highlights

  • Cars, traffic and other objects in the background and on the street are very realistic and modern.
  • Tons of expensive supercars are available for you to race.
  • Cars and some other functions can be configured.
  • Wi-Fi connection required for multiplayer mode.
  • You can race all over the world and it’s called a global rally tour.
  • Racing modes such as knockout tournament, 1 vs. 1, time trial, etc. are available.

Download

16. Horse Racing 3D

Let’s try racing. In addition to cycling, the horse can also make fun of the racing field. However, to experience the very best horse racing, you can try Horse Racing 3D. Have you ever watched a show about horseback riding or horse racing on TV or with your own eyes?

The game will give you the same sensations as real racers. This 3D racing game is full of fun and excitement. The racing field and background are very good to explore. Again, the graphics are satisfying and you will get addicted to the game very soon.

Important Features

  • Over 60 different levels for you to enjoy.
  • Very realistic sound with Ultra HD graphics.
  • Very smooth touch controls and fast operating system.
  • Choose your favorite horse from the collection.
  • The background environment here is also very realistic.

Download

17. Car racing 2

Here’s another recommendation for you. This is Car Racing 3D. With this game, you can take the racing competition on Android phones to a whole new level. The strategy of this game is simple and convenient. At first, you may think that this is easy. But surely it will make you addicted and you won’t be able to put down your phone due to the addictive gameplay.

This multiplayer car game has a very compact size that doesn’t even contribute to battery life. So, are you interested in this? I hope you will, at least when you learn about its features.

Important features

  • The environment of this game includes realistic objective characteristics such as weather, traffic, etc.
  • You can earn more coins and improve your cars.
  • You need an internet connection to play multiplayer mode.
  • Let you race in different cabs and locations.
  • Scoreboards and achievement lists are also available.
  • A simulator like control will help you have fun.

Download

18. Stock Car Racing

If you want to play a multiplayer racing game for your android device to top up your friends on the road, you can try Stock Car Racing. In this breathtaking room, you can enjoy the game with absolutely amazing 3D graphics and amazing soundtracks. You will get a more natural effect with smoke and sparks when the car is damaged.

You can also decorate your car with different types of equipment, numbers and colors in the paint shop. Just like real-time car driving, you can change and upgrade tires, engines, etc. for better performance. You can play in different modes to test your skills.

Important Features of

  • You can set different difficulty level, multiplayer game structure and other exciting game modes.
  • You can drive the full 400 laps and practice racing.
  • Choose from a collection of 18 cars from different eras.
  • Enjoy collected tracks from 1 to 4 miles, cash to repair, upgrade, purchase and tune the quality of the car.
  • 5 exciting tracks, day and night, where you can race with your friends to reach the championship on the leaderboard.

Download

19. Beach buggy racing 2

If you like playing a community racing game for your Android device, I have a suggestion for you. You can try Beach Buggy Racing 2. Here you can join a league and participate with other cars and drivers around the world. Get your engine ready to race through dragon-infested palaces, Egyptian pyramids, alien biolabs and pirate ship ruins.

In this game you can collect your collection of funny and exciting bonuses. Assign new drivers, build a garage full of obsessive racing cars. You will be able to compete with different racers in online mode and tournaments. So, join the league, race to bite the world famous players.

Important features

  • More than 45 bonuses are available.
  • You can customize your power-ups such as Chain Lightning, Boost Juices, Donut Fires and Killer Bees.
  • 3 new drivers with other crew members will make the game better.
  • You can collect more than 40 vehicles, such as beach buggies, muscle cars, monster trucks, etc. to open.
  • Exciting paint and decal kits like tiger stripes, skulls, polka dots, etc. of your choice.
  • Daily obstacle courses, weekly tournaments and challenges await you.

Download

20. Traffic Racer

Finally, this is a fun arcade-style racing game that will help you improve your skills. You can earn money, improvise your car and get new cars for cash. Want to join other fast drivers from all over the world? Then Traffic Racer is the game for you. Here you can enjoy 3D graphics with best physics and enjoy the realistic action environment.

Now choose from endless racing cars and crash the road. The sound quality will surprise you and you have no doubt about it. Now set a high score on the leaderboard and watch your progress. Drive recklessly on the highway.

Important features

  • You can choose from over 35 vehicle variations.
  • 5 decorative environments such as desert, rainy, snowy, city night, etc. are available.
  • Initial setup for both paint and tires.
  • 5 different game modes are available such as Two-Way, Police chase, Endless, Time trial and free ride.
  • Overtaking will give you a bonus and driving fast will get you a higher score.

Download

Results

It’s a good investment of money and data to check out the list of the best racing games for Android and try one or more of them. I’m pretty sure they won’t disappoint you. But I suggest you just take a look at the descriptions and features of these games that I have already mentioned. Then it will in no way leave a risk for you to choose the wrong one. I hope you have already done this and made your choice too. If you want to try something more exciting, you can also try horror games.

If you have any questions or confusion, don’t forget to hit me. In addition, leaving your valuable feedback, always stay with us. Thanks in advance.

racing games — DTF

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Becoming a race car driver in reality is not an easy task, but trying yourself in this role in the virtual world is not at all difficult. In this article, we will see how racing games appeared and developed, what types they are divided into and, of course, we will talk about the most influential and popular projects. Everyone buckle up!

Brief history

1970-80s

The history of racing games begins in arcades. One of the first was Atari’s Space Race (1973), which had previously made its name with the legendary Pong (1972). Calling Space Race a racing game in the full sense of the word is difficult — to win, you just had to fly the distance without crashing into asteroids. A similar game was released by Taito, without any hesitation calling it Astro Race (1973). Here the control became more complicated — instead of two directions (as in Space Race), the joystick allowed you to move in four.

Space Race (Astro Race) (1973) Gameplay

Soon the time has come for the car racing familiar to modern gamers. Taito launched Speed ​​Race automatics (1974) with steering wheel, accelerator and shift lever. What is happening on the screen has not yet been distinguished by the same degree of realism: two-dimensional cars moved along the road-tape. Gran Trak 10 (1974) from Atari (automatic machines are still appreciated and restored by collectors). In 1976, Taito decided to anticipate Carmageddon (1997) by releasing Crashing Race (1976) for two players. Here it was required not to avoid collisions, but, on the contrary, to arrange and get points for it.

The F-1 (1976), a joint product of Atari and Namco, made a small revolution. It had a third-person view and a semblance of 3D. Images of the road, vegetation and other objects were projected onto the screen from the inside, and the “driver” was sitting in a chair, which added realism. In the same year, the first machine with a motorcycle racing game appeared — FONZ from Sega. By the way, when colliding with obstacles, the steering wheel vibrated. A serious claim to realism for its time.

In 1979 came the first 3D racing game made with vector graphics and one of the early first-person titles, Speed ​​Freak. You could play it on an arcade machine, but it looked like this:

Speed ​​Freak (1979) Gameplay

«Racing» slot machines could be found in the Soviet Union. For example, «Avtoralli-M» (1981) with a TV screen, «Auto Racing» based on TIA-MTs-1 (1986-88) and «Magistral», which can boast several modes (tracks) of the game.

In the 1970s and 1980s, consoles began to appear in First World households, and with them racing games. The first mainstream console, the Magnavox Odyssey (1972), came with a simple game that very roughly simulated ski racing. Coleco Telstar Arcade (1977) had a steering wheel and shifter for Road Race (a top-down line racing game).

Nintendo Color TV owners could buy Game Racing 112 (1978) — a console with the game of the same name (as well as with the usual steering wheel and lever). «Racing» did not bypass the super-successful Atari 2600 (1977) — it was playable in Indy 500 (1977), Street Racer (1977), Night Driver (1978), Pole Position (1983). The latter was not inferior to slot machine games, but in some ways even surpassed them. The creator of Pak-man Toru Iwatani took part in the development. The game became commercially successful, and an animated series was even shot to support it.

Pole Position Gameplay

Users of personal computers also got the opportunity to become racers. BBC Micro (1981) released REVS (1981), Commodore 64 (1982), Commodore Amiga (1985) and ZX Spectrum (1982) with Sega Master System (1985) ported Out Run (1986). It was on the PC of those times that the Test Drive simulator (1987) was released, which gave rise to a series that lasted until 2012. The third generation of consoles was able to please the players of Rad Racer (1987), as well as ports from arcade machines like Chase HQ (1988). In this game, users were transferred from racing cars to police cars and turned from reckless drivers into those who, on duty, are obliged to catch them.

In 1986, Turbo Espirit was released on the ZX Spectrum, Namco’s game that foreshadowed open-world racing games. While it was only about relatively large maps with urban landscapes, but for the eighties it was a step forward.

In two decades, racing games have come a long way from two-color and two-dimensional projects with a top-down view to pseudo-3D, color graphics and many modes. Virtual races more and more resembled real ones — gradually the environment, damage, weather conditions and real cars appeared in them. A division into arcades and simulators was formed.

1990s

The 1990s brought new graphics and sound capabilities, the fourth and fifth generation of consoles, and the spread of home computers. Gyms with slot machines started to become a thing of the past, and racing games continued to develop.

One of the «big names» of the new decade — Formula One Grand Prix 1992, imitating the real season of «Formula One» and released on computers. Sega has unveiled its first 3D racing game, Virtua Racing (1992). In order for the console to cope with the graphics, the cartridge was equipped with its own graphics processor. The owners of the PlayStation (1994) also had something to ride: Namco ported their Ridge Racer (1994) to the console, and Atari released San Francisco Rush (1998). Motorcycle racing came out — in 1991, Road Rash appeared, imitating illegal street competitions.

The popularity of science fiction made it clear to developers that they can experiment with settings, and gamers will be interested not only in rallies. At 1990 Nintendo released F-Zero, a futuristic racing game included in the SNES Starter Pack along with Super Mario World. The chips of the project were pseudo-three-dimensionality, a powerful soundtrack and the ability to save achievements. By the way, Blizzard also entered the same territory at that time with the combat races Rock n’ Roll Racing (1993) for the Sega Mega Drive and SNES.

F-Zero Gameplay

The British Stainless Games continued the theme of destruction on the road with its multi-platform hit Carmageddon (1997). The player participated in survival races in urban and industrial areas, getting points for wrecked cars of rivals and downed pedestrians (it is not necessary to repeat this in real life). In some countries, versions have been released where people were replaced with robots and zombies.

Another interesting example from the nineties is Sega’s Daytona USA, released in 1993. The game boasted very high-quality three-dimensional graphics for its time, and the “driver” could also switch between “automatic” and “mechanics”.

Daytona USA Gameplay

In the nineties, a new phenomenon of the arcade world appeared — simple and colorful kart racing in the settings of popular games (especially platform games for children). In 1992, Super Mario Kart was released on the SNES. It was possible to play as one of 8 characters (in addition to the brothers themselves — for Yoshi, Peach, Bowser, Donkey Kong Jr., Koop Troop and Toad). The screen was divided into two parts — the game itself was shown in the upper one, and the route scheme with the participants’ icons was shown in the lower one. Four years later, players got a sequel — Mario Kart 64, this time for the Nintendo 64 (1996) and in 3D.

Super Mario Kart Gameplay

Sega was not going to be left behind and in 1994 released Sonic Drift, where the heroes of the corresponding franchise sat in the pilot’s chairs. True, there were only four playable characters, and the game itself received a less warm reception than Super Mario Kart. In 1999, the platformer world star Crash Bandicoot joined the “racing game”. The creators of Crash Team Racing focused on developing the narrative and setting.

In 1994, the first game from perhaps the most famous “racing” series in history came out, and it still feels pretty good. Of course, we are talking about Need For Speed ​​(the original game was called The Need For Speed), which was released on 3DO, and then on the PlayStation. Players could choose cars and tracks, switch between first and third person views, and explore the built-in encyclopedia of cars. Electronic Arts has relied on realism, but at the same time, the game turned out to be arcade enough to conquer the mass audience.

NfS 1 Gameplay

Three more games in the franchise were released in the nineties: Need For Speed ​​II (1997), Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit (1998) and Need For Speed ​​High Stakes (1999). All — for personal computers and PlayStation. The reviews for the second were mixed, which gave rise to a fan theory about the “curse of even parts” of Need For Speed, but it added interactive music, new cars and modes. Hot Pursuit focused on pursuit racing and scored higher. High Stakes has a new “Career” mode, but it could not repeat the commercial success of its predecessor.

Another «racing discovery» of the decade was Gran Turismo (1997), which was released on the PlayStation and became its exclusive. Unlike the more arcade-style NFS, GT was immediately positioned as a simulator with an emphasis on realistic physics, a large selection of cars and tuning.

Gran Turismo (1997)

Worth mentioning is the Colin McRae Rally (1998), in the development of which the hereditary racing driver Colin McRae helped. The player could choose one of three difficulty levels (and one of the corresponding cars) by taking part in the stages of the World Rally Championship 1998 years. The game was released on PlayStation, PC and GameBoy Color, launching a whole series that was renamed DiRT after Colin’s death in a plane crash in 2007.

Finally, in the late nineties, the first open-world «racing» appeared on the shelves. In Crazy Taxi (1999), the player drove passengers around San Francisco (the game was ported from the machines to the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube). Driver (1999) was based on the story from the movie Driver, in which the role of an undercover cop had to perform missions in several American cities. The game had a big impact on Grand Theft Auto, and in 2000 got a sequel.

2000-2010s

The new century finally closed the question of two-dimensional graphics, and the growing power of platforms made it possible to make racing games more beautiful and realistic.

Need For Speed ​​continued to win the hearts of gamers. In 2000, Need For Speed: Porsche Unleashed was released, completely dedicated to the cars of the corresponding brand and timed to coincide with its 50th anniversary (which took place in 1998). Hot Pursuit received a sequel (2002) and settled not only on the PC, but also on the sixth generation consoles. However, the real superhit of the series was destined to be Need For Speed: Underground (2003), in which the player was transported to the night Olympic City and became a street racer (just like the Fast and the Furious). Many people remember the game for its soundtrack, which included compositions by Rob Zombie, Static-X, Rancid and other artists.

NFS Underground Gameplay

Need for Speed: Underground 2 (2004) introduced an open world but was less successful than the original. After that, Electronic Arts decided to combine the successful aspects of several previous ones in one project and in 2005 released Need For Speed: Most Wanted. The already familiar pursuit with the participation of police cars has been added to street racing. Carbon (2006), ProStreet (2007) and Undercover (2008) were met with less enthusiasm by the audience, and EA Black Box was removed from development (with the exception of Need For Speed: The Run). NFS: Shift (2009)) closer to simulations was created by Slightly Mad Studio, and modern remakes of Hot Pursuit (2010) and Most Wanted (2012) were created by Criterion Games.

Unfortunately, in the tenth NFS fell into decay. Rivals (2013) proved to be rather secondary, while Payback (2017) was criticized for microtransactions and attempts to copy Forza Horizon. In 2022, the third game of the franchise, called Need For Speed, is expected — perhaps on the second attempt, EA will be able to restart the series.

Racing simulators also continued their evolution. Gran Turismo received a sequel in 2000. Gran Turismo 7 was released on PlayStation 5 on March 22. Microsoft decided to jump into the game with Forza Motorsport (2005), a driving simulator with 200 cars, lots of tracks and tuning options. Thus was born another notable franchise, an Xbox/PC exclusive and the answer to Gran Turismo. Forza was divided into two sub-series — more «simulator» Motorsport and more arcade Horizon.

FORZA HORIZON 5 Gameplay

The most recent of the games in the series is Forza Horizon 5 (2021), and the namesake of the original project, Forza Motorsport, is expected to be released in 2023.

The 10s and 2000s turned out to be a favorable period for casual arcade racing as well. The most famous bandicoot in the gaming world continued his racing career in Crash Nitro Kart (2003). The game had six modes, sixteen playable characters, and in the portable version, Spyro the dragon also cameo.

Crash Nitro Kart Gameplay

Also released a sequel to Lego Racers — Lego Racers 2 (2001) with an open world: «Legoland», composed of several themed locations. In 2002, Drome Racers appeared, where players drove cars «built» from Lego Technic, a line of construction sets aimed at teens and adult connoisseurs. Finally, our favorite Italian plumber hasn’t given up on his racing career either — modern gamers can enjoy racing in Mario Kart 8 (2014).

Varieties of racing games

A) for gameplay

Assetto Corsa Gameplay

1) simulation racing games aiming for maximum realism: Gran Turismo series, Forza Motorsport, Colin McRae Rally / DiRT, Assetto Corsa. Real cars, tracks, competitions and organizations are presented here, and the threshold for entry is quite high due to complex controls.

2) arcade games — projects with a simplified physical model and gameplay, and, if necessary, with unrealistic mechanics such as shooting, using accelerations, non-standard tracks, etc. In these «races» the pleasure of the player is prioritized over the simulation of real competition. Examples: Midnight Club, Mario Kart, most games in the Need For Speed ​​series, Blur, Burnout.

B) by mode of transport

Aqua Moto Racing Utopia Gameplay

1) car — the most common type of racing games. There are a lot of examples: from the well-known Need for Speed ​​to Project CARS.

2) motorcycle racing — games in which the player controls motorcycles: MGXP, MotoGP, RIDE, Road Rage, etc.

3) cycling — all the same, but on bikes: Downhill Domination, Descenders, Tour de France 2021, MTB Downhill Simulator.

4) water racing — games that simulate the control of boats, sailboats, jet skis: VR Regatta, Riptide GP: Renegade, Aqua Moto Racing Utopia.

5) air racing — here you will have to transfer to the pilot’s seat: Skydrift, Tail Drift, Wing Breakers (fans of small unmanned aircraft can try their hand at Liftoff — drone racing simulator).

As a result:

Racing games — a lively, dynamic and internally diverse genre that has long taken its place in the world of interactive entertainment. It is impossible to tell about all the projects in one article, but we tried to highlight the most interesting and important ones.

Sources:

1. Ivan Sychev. The evolution of racing games, part 1 — https://habr.com/ru/post/398353/

2. Ivan Sychev. The evolution of racing games, part 2 — https://habr.com/ru/post/398647/

3. Ivan Sychev. The evolution of racing games, part 3 — https://habr.com/ru/post/369849/

4. Games about motorcycles on the PC — https://cubiq.ru/motogonki/

5. Julia. Cycling games on PC — https://cubiq.ru/igry-pro-velosport-na-pk/

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