Best racing games

Kart racers, such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, are built for fun with friends on one screen. Items such as speed boosts and obstacles give players at the back a chance to catch up, so a family can race together even when skills differ. Simulation racers, such as the Gran Turismo series, try to recreate real cars and real tracks. They reward practice: learning braking points, the racing line and how each car behaves. Between these two poles there are arcade racers that keep realistic cars but allow more forgiving handling.

For each game in this category we explain how a race works, what modes exist, which platforms the game appeared on when we are certain, and whether it suits children, casual players or dedicated fans. We also share simple driving tips that help in almost every racing game, such as braking before a corner rather than inside it. Ratings are editorial opinions. We do not sell or host these commercial games; this guide only introduces them. For quick reflex challenges in your browser, try our free in-house arcade games with online leaderboards.