15 BEST Racing Games of 2022

There’s a good range of racing video games released each year. We have more arcade-style racing games, niche-specific titles like motocross, and simulation-based racers trying to recreate an authentic racing experience. 2022 has quite a few racing games we’re personally looking forward to checking out. Likewise, you’ll find that there are some bonus titles at the end, which you may want to keep tabs on as well.

Disclaimer: Forza Motorsport, Outlaw Driver Simulator, Nano Racing, KartRider: Drift and NASCAR 22 were removed from the list as no longer expected in 2022.

#15 F1 Manager 2022

Developer: Frontier Developments
Publisher: Frontier Developments
Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S
Release date: August 30, 2022

While many racing games allow you to drive through some of the most challenging courses in the world, F1 Manager 2022 allows you to do that while also managing your team.

You’ll become the new manager of an F1 racing group. Pick the club you want to be on, then start working your magic to prove your worth and make the team successful.

We’re not just talking about success on the track. That’s only part of the goal. You need to work through each race and ensure your car is ready, that your team is in a prime position to help the driver, that your finances are all squared away, and more!

The better you manage, the better your team will be.

#14 WRC Generations

Developer: Kylotonn / KT Racing
Publisher: Nacon / Bigben Interactive
Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S November 03, 2022
Release date: Switch December 1, 2022

In the real world, the rally car racing series underwent a major style shift. They went from pure gas engines to hybrid engines. That means drivers had to learn a whole new way to control their cars to get the most out of them. In WRC Generations, you’ll get the opportunity to take on that challenge and see how you do.

You’ll battle in races that span 22 countries and have 49 teams you can be a part of. That doesn’t even mention the 37 cars you can drive through these intense courses.

So strap in. You have a tough drive ahead of you!

#13 Need for Speed Unbound

Developer: Criterion Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc.
Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S
Release date: December 2, 2022

Who’s ready to put your driving skills to a new challenge? If so, get Need for Speed Unbound.

The latest in the beloved racing series takes you to Lakeshore, where an intense racing competition called The Grand is about to start. The competition takes place over four weeks, and you’ll need to be on top of your game to get through it.

Battle through the qualifiers and earn money so you can keep going. Of course, you’ll also need to upgrade your car to handle the greater challenges coming your way. The better you do, the more the police will be on your tail.

Oh, and don’t forget to customize your car to fit your personal style!

#12 Chocobo GP

• Developer: Square Enix
• Publisher: Square Enix
• Platform: NS
• Release: March 10, 2022

Square Enix is looking to get into the kart racing genre with Chocobo GP. This is actually a sequel to a game that came out back in 1999 called Chocobo Racing. You can expect different characters and locations around various Final Fantasy video games. Racers are joining a massive tournament where the winner gets anything their heart desires. If you played a kart racing game before, you know what to expect here. It’s a game based on drifting around wacky courses and several items that players can grab during the race. These can help provide a buff like a speed boost or attacks that you can use against opposing players. We also know that online races are included in this game with up to a 64 player elimination tournament mode.

#11 Knightfall: A Daring Journey

• Developer: Landfall Game
• Publisher: Landfall Games
• Platform: Microsoft Windows
• Release: April 1, 2022

Knightfall: A Daring Journey is quite honestly a hilarious twist on the battle royale genre. Because in this game, you’ll be playing as a set of knights, up to 28 knights amongst 28 players to be clear. And you are all on a journey to get a rose.

Sounds simple, right? Except, the journey will take days to complete, and as such, you must rest in nearby towns. But as the journey goes on, access to those towns will become less and less! Thus, you must joust with your fellow knights to come out on top and get to the next rest spot first!

Will you be able to overcome the odds?

#10 Need for Speed 2022

• Developer: Criterion Games
• Publisher: EA
• Platform: TBA
• Release: 2022

Need for Speed is a staple racing franchise, and we know that there is an installment coming this year. We just don’t know anything about it yet. The developers handling the game, Criterion, had dropped the project for a period to aid Battlefield 2042. Now that the game has shipped, the studio is back to work with this upcoming Need for Speed installment. With the next-generation console hardware out, this should be a big jump in visuals and performance from the previous installments. But, again, all we can do is wait and see just what the developers are bringing out with this IP. Because we don’t know anything about this game, we’re leaving ranked on top for now.

#9 Monster Energy Supercross 5

• Developer: Milestone
• Publisher: Milestone
• Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
• Release: March 17, 2022

Another motorbike game coming out this year is Monster Energy Supercross 5. This game has had several iterations in the past. It’s a simulation supercross game, and this installment will have a new Career Mode. Players will start out as an amateur in the 250SX Future Class. From there, you have to work your way up the ranks to reach the professional level. However, you’ll want to be mindful of your racing as the developers have included a Shape System feature. Now when players take some nasty falls and injuries, you might find that it will actually have an impact on your performance. That will also mean training afterward and completing different task goals to get your character in the racing form once again.

#8 GRID Legends

• Developer: Codemasters
• Publisher: EA
• Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
• Release: February 25, 2022

Grid fans are getting another game installment this year with Grid Legends. This fast-paced racer throws players into different locations around the world, whether it’s racing in London to Moscow. However, developers have a Race Creator mode if you find that the challenges are not as enticing. Within this mode, players can craft up their own races to challenge friends. These will range from races centered around drifting, boost races to elimination-based challenges.

#7 MX vs ATV Legends

• Developer: Rainbow Studios
• Publisher: THQ Nordic
• Platform: PC, XBO, X/S, PS4, PS5
• Release: June 28, 2022

MX vs ATV is back at it again with a new entry to the franchise. MX vs ATV Legends is another installment that puts players into off-road races. These games feature different bikes, ATVs, and UTVs to race around in. While the courses are done through different man-made tracks or natural tracks across scenic environments. There have been several of these games released in the past, and the developers behind the project have worked on several MX vs ATV games. Outside of just going through different races, there is a career mode in place here. Players can become their legend through a career with branching paths, sponsorship opportunities, and promotional events.

#6 Dakar Desert Rally

• Developer: Bigmoon Entertainment
• Publisher: Saber Interactive
• Platform: PC
• Release: October 4, 2022

Another off-road racing game you might be interested in is the Dakar Desert Rally. This is another series of racing games, but this one is based around an actual event. Dakar Rally is an annual rally raid based on off-road endurance races. During this event, racers are barreling down different dunes, rocks, and camel grass to reach the finish line. With Dakar Desert Rally, this is another take on the annual event where you’ll have different dune-based vehicles to race around in, including motorbikes. Developers are crafting this game up with different seasons and dynamic weather conditions. As a result, there might be points in a race where a vehicle gets stuck. You’ll be encouraged to tow and rescue a vehicle if this happens to earn some additional points and perhaps some good favor if the same situation happens to you.

#5 Assetto Corsa Competizione

• Developer: Kunos Simulazioni
• Publisher: Kunos Simulazioni
• Platform: PC, XBO, PS4, X/S, PS5
• Release: February 24, 2022 X/S, PS5

Assetto Corsa Competizione is not a new game. This title has been around since 2019. The video game was developed by Kunos Simulzaioni, who had previously released Assetto Corsa and is working on a new installment that won’t be available for a couple of years. This is a racing simulation game primarily focused on higher-end sports cars. You’ll race through different championships, whether it’s the Porsche Carrera Cup or the Audio R8 LMS Cup. Meanwhile, different game modes and race sessions are available, so you can expect some races that can last an hour. While this is not a new release, we have it on our list because the developers are bringing out a port for the game on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 platforms. This might even spark some interest in the game returning for a big Esports run again.

#4 CarX Street

• Developer: CarX Technologies
• Publisher: CarX Technologies
• Platform: PC
• Release: September 8, 2022

If you’re looking for more arcade-style racing, then CarX Street might be one to keep tabs on. We are still waiting for more details, but the visuals are already giving off the classic Need for Speed Underground vibes. This game is all about night street racing, where you’ll barrel down the roads featuring bustling streets and coastal highways. Drift, avoid other cars, and beat the competition out in your vehicle. Chances are you’ll get to customize your vehicles as well since the promotional marketing photos have a few cars decked out with custom paint jobs and even neon light strips under the car chassis. Again, however, we’ll have to wait for more details to come out on this upcoming title.

#3 Redout 2

• Developer: 34BigThings
• Publisher: Saber Interactive
• Platform: PC
• Release: June 16, 2022

Redout was a surprise hit when it launched in 2016. The game was developed from the inspirations of other fast-paced and futuristic racers. This included franchises like F-Zero and Wipeout. Now Redout is getting a sequel this year. If you played the previous title, you could expect more of the same type of gameplay here. It’s high-speed and fluid racing with bright neon lights and hues throughout the course. We know that a lengthy career mode has hundreds of events to race through and online multiplayer races to participate in. Players can even customize their hovership to their liking. You can swap the chassis, wings, flaps, rudders, intercoolers, rocket engines to adjust the paint color scheme. We might not get another F-Zero game, but Redout had shaped up to be a solid alternative. Here’s hoping that the sequel also delivers in a big way.

#2 F1 2022

• Developer: Codemasters
• Publisher: EA Sports
• Platform: TBA
• Release: August 30, 2022

The F1 series has always been popular for those that enjoy simulation racing. As the name suggests, this is a racing game based around the F1 racing sport. Players are going through the season of racing. Typically, the game follows the racing season of racing but the past couple of years have been off because of the worldwide health pandemic. We know that several races are planned out this year with some returning tracks and a brand new circuit. So if these races don’t actually happen, we can likely expect to see them on the official F1 2022 game installment. Players can also expect My Team to appear again with this year’s video game release. If you want a break from the actual racing, you can take over the management side. You’ll create a driver, go through the different sponsors, suppliers, and crew working on the season. For now, we’re waiting for more information to hit the internet regarding F1 2022, but again these games have been a fan favorite with players, and expectations are high with the upcoming release.

#1 Gran Turismo 7

• Developer: Polyphony Digital
• Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Platform: PS4, PS5
• Release: March 4, 2022

It’s been a very long time since we received a new mainline Gran Turismo game. While Microsoft has the Forza franchise, Sony has been delivering the Gran Turismo series since 1997. The last mainline installment for the franchise was Gran Turismo 6 in 2013, although we did have Gran Turismo Sport in 2017. This year we should be getting our hands on the next number iteration, Gran Turismo 7. Fans can expect a more redefined GT experience with the development team working to bring out the past and present to this game and their views of the future. Outside of the traditional racing tracks and modes, we know that there are special events, championships, a tuning parts feature, and even different means to purchase in-game vehicles to race around in, such as a used car dealership. Perhaps you’ll find a diamond in the rough to race. While the game will be available on the PlayStation 4, more players might find some interest in PlayStation 5. For instance, we know that the game will offer 4K resolution and 60 FPS, but the DualSense controller will likely play around with the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.

Bonus

Bonus WRC 11

• Developer: Kylotonn
• Publisher: Nacon
• Platform: TBA
• Release: NA

We do have some bonus games to make mention of for this year, with the first being WRC 11. This is a World Rally Championship game, and if you’ve been a fan of this series, you’ll want to pick this game up. The developers are going through the past installments and offering a retrospective mode to give this game the best of experience for the series. After all, this is set to be the very last WRC game that the developers will get to craft up and release into the marketplace. Afterward, the IP will be handed off to Codemasters.