Best Driving Games of All Time

Imagine the following scene, it is a breezy summer sunset and you are going fast on a big, empty road, nobody else around but you and the rush from the speed accumulating from a shiny and powerful latest model race car, the audio system is blasting a playlist of your favorite tunes and it is all just perfect, sounds great right?

Well, this is the exact image that did get us inspired to do the following list for Best Driving Games of All Time and share it with you, so it could inspire you too and check out if our opinion matches with yours! Have in mind that even though this is a list of some of the most outstanding driving games it is far from a chart and they are not in a particular order, just our picks for impressive racing titles in gaming, but in order to qualify for our list, the entrees would need to have any of the following features: exciting tracks, awesome cars, cool multiplayer modes, options to be played with peripherals and of course to be available on the list of Steam games.

So, get ready and start your engine, because this one is going to be a long drive with lots of intense moments and high-speed routes! There will be many drags, chases, and races all throughout, so be sure to arrive with the best gear and focus! Ready! Set! GO!

Forza Horizon 4 [2018]

Developer: Turn 10 Studios | Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios

Published on Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S

We are starting our list with Forza Horizon 4, which has so many great qualities that it could easily be one of the best arcade racing games of all time. The visual graphics are simply magnificent and the open-world scenic environments are created to depict a combination merge between Edinburgh and the Lake District, both places being a home of some of the highest-quality roads in the United Kingdom.

Like in most of the best Forza games, the selection of cars is quite huge and every one of them has a custom set of improvement options, what is new to Forza Horizon 4 are the whole-body kits designed after the realistic model versions.

This entry in the Forza series was a total hit regardless of the bits of negativity around its release, the multiplayer mode was team-based, so it was not possible to reach the victory alone and it all depended on how well your team performed during the race.

Another cool feature for this particular title was the game's second expansion, which was created in a partnership with LEGO. Players were able to drive around a re-modeled environment styled in LEGO-fied versions of real-life cars, such as the game's cover car - the McLaren Senna.

Forza Motorsport [2005 - 2023]

Developer: Turn 10 Studios | Publisher: Microsoft Studios

Published on Xbox Cloud Gaming, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows

Staying on track with Forza game titles, we should definitely mention one more and it may be a bit surprising that the first game in a series would outrank a game a couple of generations ahead of it, but just like it was the case with some of the other original and initial franchise entries such as for example Gran Turismo, the first ever Forza Motorsport game was actually incredibly good for the time it was made in.

Even though it got released all the way back on the original Xbox, the reception was full of glaring and there were tons of rave reviews praising the game about its steadily increasing difficulty level and appealing gameplay. Forza Motorsport was rather accessible for players to enjoy even the ones that were new to the genre but also managed to deliver some harder tracks for the more experienced audience.

Another really well received aspect was the dynamic soundtrack and this turned out to be a major selling point not only for this initial entry in the Forza series but also for the first three Forza Motorsport games as a whole. It was later reinvented in the Forza Horizon series as the main point of the game's theme, which was based on an imaginary festival in the Australian outback titled Horizon; this all eventually turned into a Forza brand of its very own.

Burnout 3: Takedown [2004]

Developer: Criterion Games | Publisher: EA Games

Published on PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Xbox

Burnout 3 is referred as one of the best driving games of all time even though it heavily restricted the options to customize your vehicle and did not focus on creating a realistic handling experience. It is still a leading title that racing game fans have a special place for in their hearts and souls.

Burnout 3: Takedown brings the complete package of great visual graphics, gameplay that would keep you glued to the screen for days and an awesome soundtrack, we can definitely say it brings us many incredible memories because this type of games is not something that is produced often these days.

Criterion games used to create and compile their own soundtracks, but it all changed when they started working with EA, allowing them to incorporate licensed music from popular bands, thus boosting further the action-fueled craze, paired with an extra-aggressive gameplay experience that made Burnout 3 to be much more about the violence on the road than racing - players could fight their way through the civilian traffic as opposed to race through it. The main objectives became to knockout and eliminate the other opponent drivers into a huge crash that leads to their oblivion and to this way rush your body full of crunchy adrenaline.

This more intense and action-driven concept became such an inspirational theme for racing games of the future that it later created titles such as Blur and Split/Second: Velocity.

Gran Turismo [1997]

Developer: Polys Entertainment | Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Published on PlayStation 1

Here it comes, another titan that could easily be the number one racing game of all time... the original in the Gran Turismo series. If you were around for the original PlayStation era, this was the game to put your skills to the ultimate driving test.

The five-year-long development cycle time was absolutely worth the wait as it was quite revolutionary for its period. The concepts Gran Turismo introduced were so new and rich for its time that you could actually play it on and on for a number of hours and still not get bored or exhausted at all.

As a franchise, it is one of the longest running titles in the racing games genre right next to the likes of the Need for Speed series with each next title raising the bar higher with great new graphics, more new cars to drive and experience and updates to make the AI opponents even more challenging.

Coming with two different modes - Arcade and Simulation - the original Gran Turismo features 140 cars to choose from and 11 different tracks to race on with them.

Arcade mode gives you much more freedom of choice about the car and course which you could use in order to unlock even more vehicles and locations as a reward. Simulation mode on the other hand was focused around getting various drivers’ license types so that you are able to enter certain events and is more championship based – you could say that this was the game's career mode of sorts.

Trials Evolution: Gold Edition [2012]

Developer: Redlynx | Publisher: Ubisoft

Published on Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360

Let us turn to something else now, on bikes with two wheels to be more specific, next on our list comes the Trials Evolution: Gold Edition, which marks the grand coming to the PC gaming platform for the Trials franchise. As one of RedLynx’s most popular franchises, the Trials series made its first more significant hit in the games industry with the release of Trials 2 SE on the PC back in 2008.

That indie breakout later led to even further success on the Xbox platform, but ever since it arrived on PC, gamers have been on the lookout for more of the same and Trials Evolution: Gold Edition is what they had been waiting for so long. So, the time has come to rise to the challenges, beat the clock and yourself while performing some awesome tricks at the same time!

The Gold Edition is actually two Trial games merged in one; it contains all of the content from the original, best-selling XBLA game Trials Evolution. In addition to that, all of the single player tracks and skill challenges from Trials HD could be found in Trials Evolution – in effect doubling the amount of content offering players with two complete games in one, neither of which has actually ever before been accessible for the PC gamers.

Trials Evolution: Gold Edition is fully optimized and enhanced to the maximum for the PC. All of the amazing features of its forerunners – from the in-game editor, player sharing of tracks, and global Leader Boards are going to be integrated into the game in a way that fits the new platform perfectly. There is no way around it, if you have not yet tried this entry, then it is surely time to do so as soon as possible!

Colin McRae Rally 2.0 [2000]

Developer: Codemasters | Publisher: Codemasters / Ubisoft

Published on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 1, Game Boy Advance

The classic Colin McRae games are somewhat now having a life of their own in the vast shadow of the popular DiRT Rally games franchise, but back in the days when the release of Colin McRae Rally 2.0 on the original PlayStation 1 was the thing, it had a splendid reception with both critics and players at the same time because of the realistic graphics and damage effects the vehicles were getting, with perhaps the single downside of the game having difficult tracks that players had trouble mastering to perfection, since it does have a reputation of being quite tedious and demanding in this regard.

It is however a commonality with this type of off-road rally gaming titles though, as they are notorious for being quite a bit more merciless when compared to other racing games based on the streets and professional tracks. When speaking about tracks, CMR2 has 8 different ones to master based in countries all around the world, with the option to have a go at them during different weather conditions and time of day. You are able to race on these with a decent selection of 22 real-life car models with a detailed system for fine-tuning your vehicle stats according to the environment and levels.

Coming strong as the second installment in the Colin McRae game series its release was far from having no rivals, but maybe the most notable competitor was Gran Turismo 2, which actually released a year earlier in 1999.

And in case you are feeling a bit of a nostalgia for this classic title but do not have a working PlayStation 1, Codemasters have released a remake version of CMR2 with a variety of improvements in 2013, which is available on Steam, Android, and iOS.

Forza Horizon 5 [2021]

Developer: Turn 10 Studios / Playground Games | Publisher: Xbox Game Studios

Published on Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now

For the next entry we got Forza Horizon 5 simply because it absolutely delivers on an impressive racing game journey with incredibly fast speeds and intense experience. Forza Horizon 5 offers players an array of fantastic locations for players to race on with the beautiful selection of supercars from various prestigious manufacturers from around the globe.

Forza Horizon 5 has visually stunning graphics and effects, which comes as no surprise, adding greatly to the excitement as players manage to go through the various obstacles, avoid traffic, and surpass the cars of their opponents on the motorways.

Your next Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits you! Get to explore the lively and picturesque landscapes of Mexico while driving in some of the world’s greatest car models ever in deserts, lush jungles, old cities, secret ruins, beach coastlines, wide canyons and even a volcano in various weather conditions and settings.

Immerse yourself in the complex campaign containing tons of challenges each of them coming with a reward for engaging in the activities you love. Meet with and go against new characters and then choose the possible outcomes of their missions in this Horizon Story.

Play together with other players and enter the Horizon Arcade, create your own tracks with the new EventLab gameplay toolset that would allow you to make custom races, challenges, stunts, and even completely new game modes. You are able to customize your cars in a lot more ways with new options such as the feature to open and close convertible tops, paint different details, and so many more.

Forza Motorsport 7 [2017]

Developer: Turn 10 Studios | Publisher: Microsoft Studios

Published on Microsoft Windows, Xbox One

There is definitely space for one last Forza entry on our list, since if you are into racing games just for the pure kicks and thrills of the race, then surely Forza Motorsport 7 is the right racing game for you. Having more than 700 cars included, dynamic weather settings available, and this time the details go as far as even the options for customizable drivers, this title offers you with absolutely everything that you could want in a hit racing game.

The levels of visual detail that Microsoft delivers with this game are certainly hard to be matched, and it is not a surprise that the game won “Best Racing Game” at four different award ceremonies and was even nominated as the Xbox Game of the Year when it was released back in 2017.

Experience the marvelous thrill of motorsport races like never before with one of the most comprehensive, beautiful, and authentic racing games ever made.

Forza Motorsport 7 is the exact gaming title in which the Racers, Drifters, Dragsters, Tuners, and Creators all come together to join in a community of devoted to everything automotive enthusiasts.

Forza Motorsport 7 comes in 60fps and native 4K resolution in HDR and lets you drive any of your dream cars, with more than 700 different vehicles available to pick from, with the list including the largest possible collection with digital versions of popular Ferraris, Porsches, and Lamborghinis models. Challenge yourself around the 30 famous locations and the 200 tracks they got to offer you, all while the road conditions could change greatly every time you choose to return to them, which would be happening quite frequently.

Assetto Corsa Competizione [2018]

Developer: KUNOS-Simulazioni Srl | Publisher: 505 Games, Game Source Entertainment

Published on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, GeForce Now

Assetto Corsa Competizione is a famous racing simulator that is wholesomely regarded and praised as a masterfully crafted gem of virtual motorsport games. This entry on our list is intended to realistically represent the astonishing performance and experience of driving GT World Challenge cars. Assetto Corsa presents numerous exclusive high-performance car models with stunning designs and exceptional acceleration capabilities, leaving players impressed in deep awe.

Assetto Corsa Competizione manages to replicate each and every of the major vehicle components such as steering, grip of the tires, level of suspension, aerodynamics, on-board computer systems and of course the mechanical damage the car takes during the races. When together in combination all of the listed aspects accurately influence the car’s ability to maneuver and it is capable of bringing out one of the best possible digital driving simulations available on the market.

The simulation level is remarkable and in a league of its own with crisp graphical performance and stunning visual effects, thanks to the Unreal Engine 4 that makes it possible to create a truly photorealistic rendering on all car materials, track environments and even the weather conditions making the game an incredibly realistic racing experience that is definitely worth checking out!

The game is fully compatible with steering wheel systems, pedals, shifters, handbrakes, thus providing the closest to real-life and impressive experiences. With the complete set of gaming accessories for driving simulations on a computer, you can be sure that Assetto Corsa is going to give you sensations similar to these of an F1 racetrack.

MotoGP24 [2024]

Developer: Milestone | Publisher: Milestone

Published on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S

Embark on an unpredictable career and experience your very own quest to become a legendary MotoGP racer and create your epic saga in this next entry. Begin from scratch and reach for the ultimate triumph, the path is all yours to make. Be a part in thrilling rivalries; bring your reputation to the top and most of all make sure to leave your legacy in the history of your team.

As the new season approaches ever nearer, sudden changes could shake the crews as riders could now transfer teams and seriously reshuffle the deck all while they stir some unpredictability into the competition!

The Official MotoGP24 Championship comes with a variety of new features and online competitions to conquer. Real riders must take choices on and off the track. Define your path with Turning Points and Rivalries. Enjoy every next season with an updated roster and new scenarios in the gameplay. Only pure talent is able to make a real difference: you need to prove it!

No matter if you are after the professional thrills or just beginning your journey, MotoGP24 is ready to welcome you! Join in the MotoGP24 Academy and be sure that you will have the ride of your life with adaptive difficulty depending on your performance. It is going to individually tailor each gaming experience according to your skills and showcased results, thus making sure that every ride is a delight!

Bring your personal flare to the track with the graphic editor: including Bike Stickers, Rider Stickers, Numbers and Helmets. This way you are going to certainly stand out with style that really represents you as you go through the finish line! All of this coming with regular monthly campaigns, events, and challenges to keep you excited!

Dirt Rally 2.0 [2019]

Developer: Codemasters | Publisher: Codemasters

Published on PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Amazon Luna

Get ready to rise to the challenge as DiRT Rally 2.0 is going to put a massive dare on you to make your way through a fine selection of emblematic race locations from all around the world, in the most realistic off-road race cars ever produced, but have in mind that even the slightest mistake could ruin your run and cost you the victory.

Enjoy one of the most immersive and truly off-road focused experiences with a refined and stunning selection of new exciting locations and powerful vehicles, plus the return of beloved fan favorites from the past to try and measure up to their latest counterparts.

Relive a lot of Colin’s greatest moments as he managed to triumph over adversity in competition, going against the odds at everything that the world of rally racing had to throw at him in order to come out on top and win big time. You are going to be taken through 40 new scenarios, as you get to play throughout his whole career; from the start in 1984 all the way forward to his grandest victories across the world and far beyond.

Take on the world in two brand new cars and push the pedal to the metal. Colin McRae’s exciting story has given the cars he has driven iconic status in their own right and with the Colin McRae: Flat Out Pack, it is now your turn to try out the legendary SUBARU Impreza S4 Rally and the SUBARU Legacy RS.

Your next offroad adventure is waiting for you as you are heading to Colin McRae’s homeland and will tackle the Scottish Highlands of Perth and Kinross, as they could provide you with some of the most challenging roads in DiRT Rally 2.0.

“Straight roads are for fast cars, turns are for fast drivers”.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 [2012]

Developer: SCS Software | Publisher: SCS Software

Published on Microsoft Windows, GeForce Now, Linux, Mac operating systems

And now is the time to move on to some heavier vehicles in Euro Truck Simulator 2 which offers you with the opportunity to experience what it is like to be a real truck driver from the very comfort of your living room!

This entry on our list features all sorts of licensed truck models coming with numerous customization options and their specific driving physics and settings; the game definitely brings you an unprecedented experience which has placed it directly into the spotlight among the most renowned truck driving simulators available on the market today.

The in-game world has various landmark locations and very true to the original areas in order to deliver the ultimate trucking experience, giving you a feel as close as possible to driving the trucks in real life!

Euro Truck Simulator 2 is not limited to driving alone - the in-game economy allows you to establish and expand your very own logistics and transport company the way you think as best - the possibilities are limitless!

Experience the challenges of being a truck driver for yourself in Euro Truck Simulator 2, as it features 22 high-quality licensed trucks from 7 different manufacturers and diverse routes worldwide. Each truck can be further adjusted in a number of ways - ranging from choosing the cabin size and chassis, through the engine and transmission settings all the way up to the cosmetic elements such as side skirts, decals, and mirrors as well as various lights and paint types that would give your vehicle a personal and unique feel.

Remember the more distance you cover, the more experience you are going to gain; this then translates to skill points which you could use to boost your stats and skills. Having better skills would allow you to unlock new jobs as the companies would be more certain of your experience and would offer you jobs with more rewards so that you bring your career to new heights.

Dirt 5

Developer: Codemasters | Publisher: Codemasters / Electronic Arts [2020]

Published on Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S

Who does not want a bit of more off-road action right? Then look no further because DIRT 5 is one of the newer and much more polished arcade racing experiences created by Codemasters.

You would need to navigate through the astonishing routes and all this while driving any of the powerful cars included in the mighty roster. This entry in the Dirt series comes with a thrilling Career mode, four-player split-screen options and the Playgrounds arena creator mode where you would be able to design your own levels that you could then share and play on with other members of the community!

Race your way in all kinds of weather and seasons, all over the planet: you will have the chance to visit more than 70 routes in the beautifully crafted digital versions of Brazil, South Africa, Norway, Morocco, Nepal, Italy, Greece, China, and even New York City to name just a few.

Take part in numerous championships as you play through career mode, or race against your friends in the four-person split-screen mode. No matter what you choose Dirt 5 is certainly going to set you up with a top-notch experience on the professional racing tracks and highly-performing supercars department.

Prepare yourself to be overwhelmed by the sheer power, danger, and difficulty of controlling the vehicles in Dirt 5 which would without any doubt elevate your steering skills to new glory. Push the limits with the wide range of different incredible car models, each designed with true to life features, powerful engine capabilities of up to 900bhp, GT, muscle cars, trucks, buggies, and more are all yours to unleash and soothe your need for speed.

Need for Speed Heat [2019]

Developer: Ghost Games | Publisher: Electronic Arts

Published on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now

Speaking of Need for Speed is just a pure delight, because it would not be a list of Best Driving Games of All Time if there is no entry dedicated to one of the longest running racing franchises out there – namely the Need for Speed games. To keep things compact we would have to pick just one entry and our choice came down to Need for speed Heat – an exciting racing experience that puts you up against a city’s corrupt police force all the while you are doing your best to get into the elite ranks of street racing. In Need for Speed Heat you would need to hustle hard throughout the day and put it all on the line at night, when the lines of the law get kind of blurry as the sun starts to set. All of the action takes place in Palm City, which is the host of the Speedhunter Showdown, a sanctioned competition where you can earn big money in order to customize and improve your collection of high-performance cars.

At night, drive up the intensity by taking active part in illegal street races that can build your reputation, allowing you access to higher-stake races and better parts. But always be prepared since the police units are on the lookout, waiting for you to show up and not all of them go by the book.

If you are a racing game fan, you simply cannot miss out on Need for Speed Heat with its blazing fast speeds and intense action. The game effectively simulates almost all real-life cars it features including the likes of Ferrari Mercedes, Porsche, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, Pininfarina, Bugatti, Hennessey, Aston Martin, Rimac Nevera, Pagani, McLaren, Nissan and many more.

Each of the cars in the game has a beautiful and stylish design and powerful stats that allow for high-speed action on the highly-detailed racetracks, providing a mesmerizing show of speed.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown [2024]

Developer: KT Racing | Publisher: Nacon

To be published on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows Expected release date: September 12, 2024

Last but most certainly not least with over a decade since the last installment comes one upcoming title, we would like to steer your focus to –Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown. Test Drive seems to be partaking in an entirely different race, set in Hong Kong, the game is centered entirely around the Solar Crown competition, a challenge for drivers from all over the world to prove themselves as the ultimate Solar Champion. You have a single very simple aim – to be the very best possible as well as a simple path ahead to do it – drive as fast as you can!

The driving experience in Test Drive would certainly not fail expectations circulating around it as it is described as fun, immersive, and even a bit silly at times but also grounded whenever necessary because of its commitment to realistic car design and controls.

So far, the preview build has teased plenty of dealerships, races, and diverse events that would be accessible when the game gets released to market but rumors are that it would not be that easy to unlock new cars and parts like it may be in other titles on our list, but the invested efforts into reaching new unlockables would certainly feel as worth and much more rewarding it once you get there!

It is clear from developer talks and commentary that the driving and role-playing experience were thought of as equally responsible for the game’s ‘fun’ factor and appeal. Another major factor that the game boasts is the one-to-one accurate replication of the Hong Kong area the action takes place in, so if you have never been there then this could pose a great opportunity to try out the roads digitally since after all video games present a wonderful option to escape reality a bit! One thing is for sure though; we cannot wait to see it available on the list of Steam games.

Wow! What a ride this was!

We could probably have a massive blast with so much horsepower packed in one article and hopefully you agree with our picks for Best Driving Games of All Time! Do you think we missed any major franchise or a favorite you would have liked to see on the list?

The world of racing Steam games is so vast and covers so much ground it would simply be impossible to encapsulate into a list of just 15 entries, so perhaps in the future we would extend our list with a second part for it, so if you have any suggestions that we should add, do not hesitate to send us a message and let us know about it!

As always, we ask you to stay tuned for more important news in gaming coming from us in the very near future, because there are lots of interesting things to come ahead!