2020 might have brought a worldwide health pandemic, but 2021 will likely get an entire catalog of video game titles. Several video game projects that were supposed to hit the market in 2020 were pushed out of the calendar year. As developers got back on track with their video game projects, most of them were pushed towards a launch in 2021. As a result, you should see quite a few video game titles releasing throughout the year. For now, please take a look at a few of our most anticipated racing video games coming out in 2021.
Update Disclaimer: We removed Dangerous Driving 2, Gran Turismo 7 and Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown because they were delayed. Monster Energy Supercross: The Official Video Game 4 was also removed because it didn’t quite hit expectations.
#12 Circuit Superstars
- Developer: Original Fire Games
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO, NS
- Release: March 5, 2021 (Early Access)
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: Yes
Just from looking at Circuit Superstars, you may have written this game off as an arcade racer. However, with a bright, colorful visual standpoint and viewing the game from a top-down perspective, developers Original Fire Games is bringing out what they hope is a motorsport racing title that will give players plenty of thrills. There will be a large selection of vehicles to choose from when racing down the track. It’s also noted that the developers attached to the game have over fifteen years of real motor racing experience so this game will incorporate the skills learned to bring out an authentic racing experience. Everything from knowing the track you’ll be racing on to the car you’ll be controlling will play a significant role in taking first place. Currently, the game is not entirely out into the marketplace. Instead, this is an early access title, so you can expect some updates while the developers continue to work on the game.
#11 Monster Jam Steel Titans 2
- Developer: Rainbow Studios
- Publisher: THQ Nordic
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO, NS
- Release: March 2, 2021
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: Online
Come on, who doesn’t love monster trucks? If you’re a fan and want to dive back into a new game full of massive jumps and car destruction, then you’ll want to check out Monster Jam Steel Titans 2. Not only do you have an enormous collection of trucks, such as some of the notable ones like the iconic Grave Digger and Whiplash. It’s some tremendous mindless fun with large maps and some huge head-to-head challenges if you want some multiplayer competition. You can also expect some improved gameplay mechanics from the AI to the physics. It might not have the biggest following out there, but this title has a pretty solid reception from players.
#10 Cruisn’n Blast
- Developer: Raw Thrills
- Publisher: Raw Thrills, GameMill Entertainment
- Platforms: NS
- Release: September 14, 2021
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: Local
If you frequented the arcades back in the 1990s, then you might recall Cruis’n. This was a popular arcade racing game, and it eventually found its way onto consoles. Now, years after its initial 1994 release, the franchise has a new sixth mainline installment available. Cruis’n Blast launched back in 2017 for arcades but has just made its way onto the Nintendo Switch this year. This is a traditional arcade racing game where it’s fast and colorful. You’ll go through a series of different themed tracks while having the ability to sit behind the wheel of a tuned-up sports cars. We don’t know if this game will hit other platforms, but players can go through this game on the Nintendo Switch today. Unfortunately, there’s no online multiplayer, so if you want to get competitive, you’ll need to race against your friends through local multiplayer.
#9 Car Mechanic Simulator 2021
- Developer: Red Dot Games
- Publisher: PlayWay
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
- Release: August 11, 2021
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: N/A
Chances are you might be familiar with this franchise. With Car Mechanic Simulator 2021, players are once against stepping into the role of a mechanic. Instead, you’ll purchase an old beat-up car to fix to flip. There are currently over seventy vehicles to repair and thousands of unique parts. This latest 2021 installment release, there are a few new enhancements to the game. For instance, players have an open-plan garage, car washing tools, salvage auctions, to even car fluids. For those of you who enjoy getting their hands dirty and fixing up their cars, then this might be a game worth investing in. Now you can avoid beating your hands up and losing real money when fixing up a vehicle.
#8 Hot Wheels Unleashed
- Developer: Milestone SRL
- Publisher: Milestone SRL
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, X/S, XBO, NS
- Release: September 30, 2021
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: Online/Local
Everyone played with Hot Wheels growing up, collecting the cars, building the tracks, and going through makeshift races. Now we can relive some of the childhood fun through modern platforms. Hot Wheels Unleashed is a new racing game coming out later this month. You’ll have iconic Hot Wheels cars to race around in, and the tracks are made up of the bright orange Hot Wheels tracks. Of course, everyone who played with Hot Wheels also had a barrage of track pieces to make courses. We know that there is a track builder option in this game where players can customize their own unique tracks and share them online. Ideally, you can find something new to race around in every day, but we’re still waiting for the game to launch. As it stands, the game is slated to release on September 30, 2021.
#7 RiMS Racing
- Developer: RaceWard Studio
- Publisher: Nacon, Bigben Interactive
- Platforms: PC, NS, XBO, S/X, PS4, PS5,
- Release: August 19, 2021
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: Local
If you enjoy motorbike racing, then RiMS Racing is worth checking out. It’s another simulation game as well. That means there’s a bigger focus on knowing the ins and outs of your ride. You do not only have to compete in races but there are many managing elements to take care of when you’re not racing. Knowing what to tweak on your vehicle, replacing parts, and just overall trying to get the best performance possible. If you like spending some time in the garage and analyzing your performance to get an edge on that next big race, then you’ll want to pick this game up. Again, this might not be a game for everyone. Still, for those that genuinely enjoy tinkering with motorbikes along with more simulation-style racing, then this year’s RiMS Racing could be a game you’ll easily sink countless hours into.
#6 Milestone MotoGP 21
- Developer: Milestone SRL
- Publisher: Milestone SRL
- Platforms: PC, NS, X/S, XBO, PS5
- Release: April 22, 2021
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: Online
We have a few video games on this list that’s about managing and tweaking your vehicles. Included in the mix is Milestone MotoGP 21. This is a game series that you might already know, but if not, this is another motorbike racer. However, this simulation racing game is centered around the 2021 MotoGP season. Not only will you have official riders and bikes, but there are over twenty tracks to race in, and even some iconic historical riders and their iconic bikes. Outside of racing and tweaking the actual bike you’ll be running with, there is also a career managing mode. This includes having control of your team, selecting staff, and dealing with the various contracts. With that said, if you’re looking for an arcade racer, then this is not the game for you. You’ll find that this game will take some time for players to grasp how to set their bikes up for a competitive race properly.
#5 Riders Republic
- Developer: Ubisoft
- Publisher: Ubisoft
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, XSX/S, Stadia
- Release: October 28, 2021
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: Online
Riders Republic is a new open-world style extreme sports game. The same developer working on this game brought out Steep, but this game throws in a mix of snowboarding, biking, skiing, and wingsuits, to name just a few activities players will have access to. Furthermore, this is made to be a competitive-style game as well if you watched the trailer announcement. The trailer released looks like this game will feature players attempting to race down a massive map. However, we’ll have to wait a bit before we get a chance to try this game out. Initially, Ubisoft was developing this game for a launch this February. However, the game did end up getting pushed back. Right now, the launch is set for October 28, 2021. That’s, of course, just as long as there are no more unexpected delays.
#4 F1 2021
- Developer: Codemasters
- Publisher: EA Sports
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
- Release: July 16, 2021
- Co-op: Online
- Competitive Multiplayer: Online
F1 2021 is available for players to pick up today, and if you’re a fan of the sport, you might know that there were a few circuits that were canceled. This was because of the worldwide health pandemic, and while these circuits didn’t happen, players can experience them in F1 2021. You’ll find courses including Marina Bay and Suzuka. This is a racing simulation game, so that it might be a bit too much for some casual racing players. Players can still go through the My Team feature, which allows players to own an F1 team. This includes having to work with sponsors, tweaking the car, and managing your actual team like the drivers. However, what’s new in F1 2021 is that the career mode offers two players options. Players can go through the game as either teammates or rivals. It is worth noting that some tracks have yet to make their way onto the game, but they are coming.
#3 DRIFT21
- Developer: ECC Games S.A
- Publisher: 505 Games
- Platforms: PC
- Release: June 10, 2021
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: N/A
Come on, just about every racing game features drifting, but few make it the center focus. One of those games that came out this year which is all about the drift, is Drift 21. This game puts players in control of different Japanese legendary tuner vehicles. It’s a single-player game, and again the tracks are all about drifting. Although, it’s not just an arcade drifting game. This is a simulation title so that players will be getting under the hood and making a wide variety of upgrades. These are tuner cars, so there are several elements to swap out and enhance to perform better during the next run. Some players have made note that the physics is a bit iffy. However, there’s still plenty of feedback online that hopefully convinces some players to give this title a chance.
#2 NASCAR 21: Ignition
- Developer: Motorsport Games
- Publisher: Motorsport Games
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
- Release: October 28, 2021
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: Online
NASCAR fans are looking forward to the upcoming video game installment, NASCAR 21: Ignition. New installments of video game franchises typically strive to bring out something bigger and better. However, with NASCAR 21: Ignition, the developers are redefining the series. It’s coming with a new game engine, and with it comes plenty of work to ensure that the game handles realistically. This will feature drivers, teams, and tracks from the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. However, we are still waiting for this title to come out. Right now, the release is set for October 28, 2021, just as long as there are no unexpected delays that pop up.
#1 Forza Horizon 5
- Developers: Playground Games
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
- Platforms: XBO, X/S, PC
- Release: November 9, 2021
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: Local/Online
I think most would have assumed the next Forza game would have been Forza Motorsport, but instead, fans are getting Forza Horizon 5. Playground Games has a strong track record for this franchise, and this November, we’ll finally get our hands on the next installment. This is a bit of a mix between simulation and arcade-style racing. So even if you’re not a massive racing fan, this is still a game that you can pick up and have an easy time playing. We’re told that this will be the most extensive map for players to race around in for a Forza Horizon game. Also, the game is based in Mexico. Players will have some diverse environments to drive around in and even some new seasonal weather conditions to deal with. For instance, there might be dust storms to lower visibility or massive tropical storms. Unfortunately, the game is not out yet, so we still have to wait until we’re given a chance to try it out. However, we don’t have to wait too long as it’s set to launch on November 9, 2021.
