Driving through the streets of metropolitan cities in superfast cars is a dream come true for many gamers. Getting behind the wheels of supercars and motorbikes in a heated tournament can set the soul on fire.
Game developers have taken it upon themselves to recreate the rush of modernmuscle cars and sports vehiclesin a bid to make street racing a fun-filled fantasy for people of all ages. These racing games offer players an ultra-realistic simulation to put the pedal to the metal on tracks that can turn heads and push the limits of speed.
Updated on August 04, 2025 by Usama Ali:Racing fans absolutely love the thrill of realistic driving games that put their skills to the test. Unlike arcade racers, these racing sims focus on lifelike physics, detailed car tuning, and tracks that feel like the real thing. From adjusting tire pressure to mastering sharp corner turns, every decision counts in these games. The most realistic racing games make players feel like they’re behind the wheel of a high-performance car, navigating through dynamic weather conditions and stiff competition. They’re perfect for anyone who enjoys the challenge of perfecting their laps and pushing their limits. We’ve updated this guide with a few more highly realistic racing games that blur the lines between virtual and real-world racing.
While sim racing games are pretty engaging in their own right, there’s no denying that a lot of titles aim for mainstream appeal after investing so much in making their games as detailed and realistic as possible. For these players, the best course of action to take would be to check out a simcade racing game that lets players enjoy the best of both worlds, with theForza Horizonseries being a great example of the same.
Many people considerForza Horizon 4to be the best game in the series, which is hefty praise given the waves that its sequel made. Exploring the region of Great Britain and witnessing how the open world changes as the seasons pass make for a great time. With numerous vehicles and tuning options to mess around with, it’s easy to see why racing aficionados will love whatForza Horizon 4brings to the table.
Platform
Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Mobile
Need for Speed: ProStreetwas a new direction for the series to take. Fans took a while to digest the fact that a series focused on illegal street racing and breakneck cop chases would take things in a whole new direction with this game, with the mechanics being improved upon in bothNeed for Speed: Shiftand its sequel,Shift 2: Unleashed.
Players who love realistic car physics and challenging gameplay mechanics will love whatShift 2: Unleashedbrings to the table. Players must familiarize themselves with the game’s in-depth racing simulation before they can think of winning a race, with the steep learning curve ultimately letting people enjoy a rewarding experience that players will get hopelessly addicted to after a point.
Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S
Codemasters is known as a master of the racing sim genre, letting players enjoy numerous driving simulations across a host of different verticals. In the case ofEA Sports WRC, players can check out the challenging nature of rally racing and how players must navigate courses with great finesse to attain victory.
Fans of theWorld Rally Championshipwill love the detailed racing mechanics of this title and how players are encouraged to take it slow and come to grips with the gameplay before attempting to win championships. To make things even better, players can customize their rally cars to make things more authentic.
Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One
NASCAR Heat 5is a racing video game that simulates the 2020 NASCAR season. It features all the official teams, drivers, and cars from the three NASCAR National Series and even the Xtreme Dirt Tour. Players can race on 39 authentic tracks and compete to become the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion.
NASCAR Heat 5is the perfect racing game for everyone who wants to experience the thrill of stock car racing with realistic physics and handling. It strives to replicate the real-world physics of NASCAR racing, including factors like tire wear, fuel consumption, and aerodynamic downforce. Players can fine-tune their car’s setup to suit different track conditions, making each race a unique challenge.
Microsoft Windows
Racing games need to do something unique to set themselves apart from the rest of the pack, especially with the majority of games looking and feeling the same. So, it’s clear thatAutomobilista 2’s gameplay is brilliant if it has such a dedicated fan community.
The game’s focus on Grand Prix Racing certainly paid off, with its wide variety of cars being a blast to engage with. Players who are new to racing sims will findAutomobilista 2to be a bit daunting, but it won’t take long for them to get the hang of things and leave their opponents in the dust.
The excellent racing sim gameplay ofAsseto Corsais a huge reason why this game blew up in the racing community. These fans were more than elated to find out that the title had extensive mod support, opening the floodgates for some truly new and engaging experiences to impress fans.
The online races are whereAsseto Corsashines. The game wastes no time in enticing players with its amazing gameplay, and players will be more than immersed in this game after a few play sessions.
Those who enjoyedGran Turismo Sportwill surely loveGran Turismo 7.It’s the eighth main installment in the Gran Turismo series and aims to replicate the feel of real-world driving, with detailed car handling and physics. The game also retains the exciting features from Gran Turismo Sport, like GT Sport Mode, Brand Central, and the now-called Showcase.
Besides that,Gran Turismo 7brings back the beloved single-player campaign, GT Simulation Mode, and features an impressive collection of classic tracks and cars. Players can enjoy Special Events, race other players in Championships, or hone their skills in Driving School.Gran Turismo 7is praised for its stunning visuals, realistic driving physics, and extensive content. It’s considered a must-play for all racing game enthusiasts.
Easily one of the more entertaining racing sims players can check outBeamNG.drivefeatures one of the most impressive physics systems seen in a racing video game. Players who start out playing this game will love crashing their car to see just how accurate the damage model is.
Once players are more adept at playing this game, crashing will be the last thing on their minds. A single wreck can completely ruin a car, destroying all the hard work players put into a stage.
PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S, and Microsoft Windows
Ride 5is an exhilarating racing bike game. It will make players feel energized by mounting a number of bikes that let riders race at break-neck speed. There are 35 hot tracks withinRide 5that make each race rewarding. With over200 superbikesto choose from,Ride 5offers gamers plenty of options to find their edge.
The Endurance mode inRide 5allows riders to take part in races on long roads. People can race in Endurance mode without keeping track of time as they refuel between laps to reach top speeds for practice.
WRC Generationsis a revolutionary racing game for rally fanatics. Drivers need to adapt quickly to their map as they race across opponents inWRC Generations. Gamers must preserve their battery in order to beat their competition and perform exceptionally well in special stages.
Players can pick from more than 40 teams from the 2022 season and cruise through miles of unique tracks in 22 countries.WRC Generationsoffers up to37 legendary carsto rip through rallies to climb up the ladder. Enthusiastic drivers can create their own teams and manage members to emerge victorious inWRC Generations.
