Today, console racing is one of the most popular. Among the many options available, most players prefer Gran Turismo and Horizon. They stand out from their competitors and are ahead of them in many respects. However, besides the two famous races, there are dozens of exciting and no less cool games of the same genre. After spending just a few hours on them, you’ll quickly fall in love with them and won’t want to stop playing.
Assetto Corsa Competizione
Many players call Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC) the main competitor of Gran Turismo and Horizon. It appeared relatively recently and immediately became extremely popular. Anyone who uses PS4, PS5 and Xbox consoles can play it. The main advantage of ACC is unanimously called realism. It was achieved due to excellent graphics, which are not equal to Gran Turismo and Horizon. Another significant advantage is the variety and excitement of the gameplay. ACC has quite a lot of sports cars. Each gives the player a pleasant feeling of control and helps them get the most out of the process. This game is equally suitable for beginners and experienced gamers, allowing it to become one of the top racing games on the console.
Need for Speed Unbound
The Need for Speed series, which has long become legendary, continues to exist, and its developers periodically delight gamers with good new products. One is the Unbound version, currently available on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles. This game is a classic Need for Speed. Unlike some, not the most successful versions, Unbound is addictive from the first minutes. The developers achieved this effect by returning to the traditional street racing format, which many players consider ideal. In Need for Speed Unbound, beginners and experts alike will find a variety of legendary gaming cars and will be able to enjoy their familiar performance on city tracks.
F1 24
One of the youngest competitors for Gran Turismo and Horizon is F1 24. This game, created by EA Sports, was released at the end of May 2024. Even the most demanding players immediately liked it and received many positive reviews. You can play it on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4 consoles. There are several changes in F1 24 compared to the 2023 version. It has an updated career mode, which has become much more exciting. Some problematic issues were also improved. In F1 24, players can choose their favorite driver and lead them to the world title. Along the way, you must complete various tasks and upgrade your existing car.
Dirt 5
This game, released back in 2020, was a real discovery. She quickly gathered many fans around her and received hundreds of good reviews from experts. To appreciate all its strong qualities, you need to use Xbox consoles and PS4 and PS5. Dirt 5 fully lives up to its name. When playing it, you will have to race a lot with opponents on the dirtiest tracks, which, most often, have a complex configuration and force the player to take every turn carefully. Compared to the previous version, Dirt 5 has many new events that diversify the gameplay and make it more exciting. The graphics have also been improved, making the game even more realistic.
Burnout Paradise Remastered
Buying at an online auction an old version of a crashed Supra and then restoring and modernizing it, you seem to go on a journey from the past to the present. The same thing happens when you play Burnout Paradise Remastered. This version is an update of the famous game released in 2008. It is available to owners of Xbox One and PS4 consoles. This game is interesting because it does not limit the player to rigid boundaries. This allows you to choose your path and achieve the desired results. Burnout Paradise Remastered cannot be called hyper-realistic. However, most fans of this game do not pay attention to such a trifle. But they notice the variety of gameplay, good sound effects and many other advantages.
EA Sports WRC
Rally racing fans have waited over 20 years for the next game with an official WRC license. Their wait finally ended in 2023 when EA Sports WRC was released. This game is now available on Xbox Series X/S and PS5. The new version, released after a long break, has become cool. It gave players access to almost 80 modern and 70 classic rally cars. Some of them were present in games 20 years ago, so experienced players cannot avoid nostalgic memories. The developers significantly improved the graphics and made driving a car more like the real thing. This made it possible to achieve maximum realism, which was so lacking in previous versions of rally racing.
Need for Speed Heat
Another version of Need for Speed could be a great alternative to Gran Turismo and Horizon. This game is for Xbox One and PS4. It can also be played on computers with the Windows operating system. The Heat version is slightly inferior to Unbound in realism but surpasses it in various game maps. You must participate in many legal daytime races and illegal night competitions in this game. This combination makes the gameplay more varied and exciting. There are 127 vehicles you can drive in Need for Speed Heat. All of them are licensed and as close as possible to real cars. This only adds to the game’s appeal and makes it popular among racing fans.
Burnout Crash!
This game is one of the best in the Burnout series, even though it came out over ten years ago. It is suitable for PS3 and Xbox 360 and has also been released for mobile devices on iOS. In this game, you can choose one of three game modes. Each has its characteristics so that players can use the most suitable one. Control process in Burnout Crash! Quite simple, making the game suitable even for beginners. Its main advantage is the ability to compete with other real players. This becomes available thanks to an expected results table, where everyone ranks according to the points they earn. The game also has its shortcomings. However, most of them become invisible immediately after you start the gameplay.
Project Cars 3
Released in 2020 for the Xbox One and PS4 consoles, Project Cars 3 was the best version of the game. She was far ahead of her two predecessors, whom many called not the most successful. The main difference between the newest version and its counterparts is realism. It is observed in everything from the movement of cars on the highway to the sound of their running engine. Another essential advantage of Project Cars 3 is the variety of gameplay. In this game, you must race on various tracks, upgrade your car, and participate in multiple events. In total, this version features 140 different racing tracks. They are divided by seasons and weather conditions. This feature adds intrigue to each race and forces players to adapt to certain conditions. The only significant drawback of Project Cars 3 is the lack of need to monitor the condition of the tires and the amount of fuel remaining in the tank.
Wreckfest
An exciting and varied game called Wreckfest is deservedly one of the best racing games on the console. It is available to owners of Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, and PS5 and can run on Windows computers. This game stands out for several significant advantages. The first of these is the broadest possible gaming possibilities. This means the player has many racing options and dozens of available tracks. Next, it is essential to note that Wreckfest is a realistic game. Every detail is worked out perfectly, making obtaining the expected effect possible. Another plus is the excellent sound design. This game has virtually no flaws. Only some players do not like the monotony of ways to achieve the primary goal.
Gran Turismo and Horizon, although many players consider them to be the best racing game on a console in the world, have many worthy competitors. Each has its positive qualities, thanks to which these games also gather a vast army of fans. Try to pay a little attention to them, and you won’t regret the time spent.