There are countless racing games on the market. Each year, players jump into the driver’s seat, with most titles offering a great time for newcomers and longtime fans of the genre alike. However, those that want a more realistic approach to driving will find the list of available titles to be a bit more limited.
Below, we’re focusing on simulation-style driving games rather than arcade racing games. It’s might not be a lengthy list, but these titles have held up incredibly well over the years and are well worth playing today.
#8 Driving Essentials
Driving Essentials is a unique game when compared to some of the other driving simulation games on this list, but it’s a solid choice for those that aren’t old enough to get behind the wheel just yet. By using Driving Essentials, young people can grasp a more intricate understanding of all aspects of driving. Think of this as a teaching aid for those that are about to take driver’s ed and want to be the star pupil.
This title offers a look at different beginner lessons such as using signals, the meaning of different signs, driving within a certain distance from another vehicle, using your mirrors, and checking blind spots. It even shows different accident scenarios that may occur when a driver is distracted. This is a great way to start getting younger people to understand the responsibility of being behind the wheel.
#7 Assetto Corsa: Ultimate Edition
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Assetto Corsa was initially released in 2014, but it’s still a fan favorite when it comes to racing simulators. This game is packed with content thanks to the long line of DLC releases that introduced well over 100 different vehicles into the mix. You’ll find cars from all styles and eras, all of which are incredibly detailed. There’s plenty of immersion here, and finding the right car for the right race is key.
It’s not all about the speed and design but instead predicting how a car will behave once on the road. For a slightly older title in this list, this is one game that we can still recommend if you’re wanting something more realistic. With that said, it’s best to go for the Assetto Corsa: Ultimate Edition which comes with all previously released DLC.
#6 DiRT Rally 2.0
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Dirt 5 may be the most recent mainline installment available–and the last game to be released by Codemasters as an independent company–but those wanting a simulation-style game might want to divert their attention to the 2019 release of DiRT Rally 2.0. This is a strict simulation racing game where players must pay close attention to the course and closer attention to their vehicle. If you’re not the biggest Dirt Rally enthusiast, it might be best to enjoy Dirt 5 which offers more accessibility options. With that said, DiRT Rally 2.0 still delivers a serious simulation challenge.
The courses found in this title are not only gorgeous to look at but are designed to mimic some of the most white-knuckle races around. Your vehicle will react with each bump in the road and if you’re not careful, you can very well run off the course or flip your car over. This game does feature the ability to make several tweaks to your car along with hiring crew members that can fine-tune your ride before races.
#5 SnowRunner
PC | Xbox | PlayStation | Nintendo
SnowRunner is a driving simulator that puts more of a focus on difficult terrains. Players will embark down different paths, from muddy mountains to snowy tundras. While driving around these courses is the main focus of the game, there are a series of different challenges available to try as well, from assisting another vehicle out of a difficult position or helping out a stuck truck that’s out of gas.
Of course, to get through these different terrains, you’ll need to ensure your vehicle is suitable for the job. That may require some serious fine-tuning or the addition of some extra goodies such as an exhaust snorkel. There’s even four-player cooperative gameplay, meaning you can have a bit more fun driving through these rough pathways.
#4 Project Cars 2
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
The Project Cars franchise has three solid installments available, but there have been some debates about which is the best–the latest installment, Project Cars 3, or the previous release, Project Cars 2. The latest installment gives players a more arcade-style feel, so we opted to select Project Cars 2 for this list. Just because this is an older title doesn’t mean it doesn’t hold up. A fantastic simulation-style racing game, it allows players almost endless options to choose from. Featuring a ton of different vehicles and a wide range of race track courses from around the world, Project Cars 2 even allows players to tweak the weather.
Whether you want a calm sunny morning, a late-night race, or some additional chaos with heavy rain and blizzard-like conditions, the sky’s the limit. These conditions will alter the driving experience and give players a hefty dose of realism. For those who like to tinker under the hood, there are options for making a variety of adjustments. Even if you’re not a pro, there are guides to give tips and suggestions.
#3 F1 2020
2020 was a loss in countless ways, but at least we got a solid F1 title. F1’s series of video game titles always deliver some unreal simulation-style races, but F1 2020 took things to a new level. The simulation is on point and players will find a stunning amount of realism to give F1 sports fans the feeling of racing through some of the most well-known courses around.
Where the game shines is not just the driving simulation itself, but the management component of its career mode. Players are not just the driver of an organization but the owner of one as well. You’ll create a team and begin hiring for various staff positions. From there it’s all about building your organization up–not just tweaking your vehicle.
Keeping an eye on your profits and gaining sponsorship deals to ensure you’re able to compete against other iconic teams is key. However, if you’re a newcomer to the franchise and may feel that this game will be a bit too much to handle, there are some assist modes to help you along the way. There are plenty of options available to help with different aspects such as aiding in fuel, DRS, and more traditional assist settings such as braking and driving proficiency.
#2 Nascar Heat 4
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Nascar has a strong following and the most recent game available is Nascar Heat 5. However, Nascar Heat 4 edges out the latest installment for quite a few fans out there. This is a simulator requiring a staggering amount of focus and it can be a bit much for newcomers, who might find all the tweaks and tuning options to be cumbersome. The game offers two career-style modes, one of which asks players to control the driver and another that gives you access to building up your team. The latter also adds its share of challenges such as hiring staff, ensuring your facility makes improvements, gathering sponsorship deals, and controlling your finances.
Fortunately, players can begin the game with any series they’d like, rather than having to complete each series in succession to progress. If you’d rather jump right to the Xfinity Series, you can. Meanwhile, as we mentioned earlier, there is quite a comprehensive tuning selection for your vehicle and each course will require certain additions to your car. Players will be able to tweak several aspects of their vehicle including tires, springs, shocks, and weight.
Giving players plenty of realism, those that are new to the series or might not have as much Nascar knowledge may find it a struggle to tune for each race. With all that said, if you’re wanting more task-driven races, there are a variety of challenges implemented into the game as well. These challenges can vary, and include things like starting a race with a car already having a massive lead.
#1 Gran Turismo Sport
The Gran Turismo franchise has been popular for decades, with all titles available on the Sony PlayStation line of consoles. Each installment highlights the power of their respective consoles with an incredible amount of detailed vehicles, courses, and stunning backdrops. One of the more recent installments to the franchise is Gran Turismo Sport, and its creator Kazunori Yamauchi noted that this was the first installment of a brand new era of Gran Turismo games. There are three main game modes featured in this title: campaign, sports mode, and arcade mode.
While gamers can race both online and offline with Gran Turismo Sport–just like the previous installments of the franchise–this addition lacks dynamic weather and a day-night cycle. One of the biggest new features for the Gran Turismo series introduced in this game was VR option. Players can engage in a much more immersive game experience with a VR headset (though we do recommend a fan or chewing gum–motion sickness is a thing).
