The 25 Best Racing Video Games Of All Time

Intro

Here at Complex, we like going fast. We assume you do too, or else you wouldn't be reading this. We're also all about giving back during the holidays. In the spirit of giving, we've assembled a helpful list of our top 25 best racing video games to help raise your adrenaline after eating all those cookies.

Final Lap

25. Final Lap

Year Of Release: 1987
Developer: Namco
System(s): Arcade
Complex Says: If you wanted multiplayer arcade Formula One action in 1987, Final Lap was it. If you were lucky enough that your arcade had more than one machine, you and up to seven friends could race head-to-head around the historic Suzuka F1 circuit in Japan. We knew it was the closest we'd ever get to racing in F1, so we enjoyed it while we could. If you're a hardcore arcade gaming fan, you can still find old Final Lap machines for sale, but you'd have to really love it to spend arcade cabinet money. Still, we remember it and its sequels fondly, from the days when Namco had its own exclusively branded arcades to lose your quarters in after school.

Virtua Racing

24. Virtua Racing

Year Of Release: 1992
Developer: Sega AM2
System(s): Arcade, Sega Genesis, Sega 32X, Sega Saturn, PS2
Complex Says: Sega's foray into 3D graphics via a Formula One arcade-style racer was cutting-edge in its day. What was particularly cool was that it gave you the opportunity to choose from a range of four different views to play the game, instead of locking you into a single one. As many as eight arcade cabinets could be linked together so you could play head-to-head with seven of your closest frenemies.

Indianapolis 500

23. Indianapolis 500: The Simulation

Year Of Release: 1989
Developer: Papyrus Design Group
System(s): PC, Amiga
Complex Says: With Indianapolis 500, Papyrus took a bold step away from the arcade racing games of the past, and headed off in the direction of a true-to-life racing simulation based on the most recent running of the Indy 500. That's what the company would later be known for: all it ever did was incredibly realistic PC racing sims throughout its 17-year run. The company's games were so good that professional racers allegedly used them in training. Right from the start, the ability to customize your car's setup in minute ways set the game apart. The game also featured damage, and allowed you to choose between running shorter races vs. the full Indy. Video game versions of open-wheeled racing never had it so good.

Grand Prix 4

22. Grand Prix 4

Year Of Release: 2002
Developer: MicroProse
System(s): PC
Complex Says: One of the coolest things about Formula One is that drivers race even in the rain. In some racing series, a few drops of rain shuts down the whole spectacle. Not the case with F1, unless it's absolutely torrential. Rain is what separates the men from the boys on track, and it can shake up an entire field because it's nothing like racing on a dry track. What Grand Prix 4 did better than any other game before--and many since--was make that rain real for you as you played. We loved it for that, and also for the fact that smart programmer-types found ways to make updates available after MicroProse stopped officially supporting the game. From new tracks to different cars, your fellow fans have you covered.

OutRun

21. OutRun

Year Of Release: 1986
Developer: Sega
System(s): Arcade, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, several computers, Sega Game Gear, Sega Saturn, Mobile phone, PS2, Sega Dreamcast, GBA, XBOX (as a Shenmue II and OutRun 2 extra)
Complex Says: To differentiate itself from other racing/car games of the time, the arcade version featured a cabinet that moved. Playing a modern system, you're used to controller vibration to enhance your senses while playing. We're thankful for OutRun for introducing that feature into our lives. Like so many things that make life better, we didn't even know we needed it until we got it. Driving around in a Ferrari Testarossa wasn't something we knew we needed, either, but it sure looked like a good idea.

Hang On

20. Hang On

Year Of Release: 1985
Developer: Sega
System(s): Arcade, Sega Master System
Complex Says: If you played this game in the arcade, you actually controlled the game by riding a motorcycle. Today, that's nothing special if you go to an arcade, but Hang On was the game that started the ride-on arcade game trend. Who wants a boring controller when you can actually ride a bike? You're welcome.

Sega Rally 2

19. Sega Rally 2: Sega Rally Championship

Year Of Release: 1998
Developer: Sega AM5, Smilebit
System(s): Arcade, Sega Dreamcast, PC
Complex Says: Almost a full decade before the Dirt series, Sega Rally held the keys to your heart if you were a rally racing fan. This was even more the case if you liked weird non-supercars we never got here, such as the Lancia Delta HF Integrale. It's an arcade-style racer, which meant it was more accessible for casual racing game fans than a hardcore rally sim would have been. Good times getting dirty? We say yes. The same team that developed this game went on to develop the Initial D game series as well.

Star Wars Episode 1: Racer

18. Star Wars Episode 1: Racer

Year Of Release: 1999
Developer: LucasArts
System(s): Arcade, N64, GBC, Sega Dreamcast, PC, Mac
Complex Says: The pod racing sequence in Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace was easily the best thing about that movie, and that's luckily what this game was about. The arcade version let you sit in a pod and control it with a proper pod control panel, but it only had four tracks. To make up for the lack of your own personal pod controls at home, the console versions featured more tracks. If your main concern when playing a racing game is feeling like your flying, this is one of the best gaming possibilities for you. This game felt insanely fast--and isn't that what you want out of a racing game?

Ridge Racer 7

17. Ridge Racer 7

Year Of Release: 2006
Developer: Namco Bandai Games
System(s): PS3
Complex Says: Every time a new PlayStation has been released, the Ridge Racer series has been around to help launch it. If you like drifting, this is the series for you--and RR7 is probably the best incarnation of the series. What's that you say? You want realistic racing physics? Go play another game. Ridge Racer 7 is like the fabled honey badger: it is crazy and it just doesn't give a shit. As a launch title, it did what it was supposed to do: it made you want a PS3. Well played, Namco. Well played.

Pole Position

16. Pole Position

Year Of Release: 1982
Developer: Namco
System(s): Arcade, Atari 5200, PC, just about every Namco Museum release for every system ever
Complex Says: Even if you've never played Pole Position, and you can't instantly call to mind the music from the game like we can, you can still thank it for the format of pretty much every racing game that came after it. Have you ever wondered why most arcade racing games feature a third-person view from behind the car, so you're guiding it forward down the track as far as the eye can see? Pole Position introduced that concept. Sure, it seems obvious now, but think about games like RC Pro Am, where you're viewing from much further away. Now imagine if all racing games had remained like that. More than half this list wouldn't exist.

Diddy Kong Racing

15. Diddy Kong Racing

Year Of Release: 1997
Developer: Rareware, Ltd.
System(s): N64
Complex Says: The game was simple: outrace the nefarious Wizpig, or get turned into something nasty. After all, dude's got “Wiz” in his name, so what do you expect? After the success of Mario Kart, Nintendo wanted another kart-racing title with loads of colorful characters and tracks that it could successfully franchise. Critics rated this game more highly than Mario Kart 64, since it built on the karting premise instead of merely swiping it. In 2007, the game was re-released and updated for the Nintendo DS--but unfortunately, not updated enough, despite a new multiplayer online mode. If you have a N64, stick to the original and invite friends over to play in person instead of online.

Crazy Taxi

14. Crazy Taxi

Year Of Release: 1999
Developer: Hitmaker, Strangelite, Sega Studios Shanghai
System(s): Sega Dreamcast, PC, PSN, XBOX LIVE Arcade
Complex Says: A lot of time and thought goes into being a taxi driver. In the world of Crazi Taxi, no rules apply but picking up passengers to get them wherever they're going as quickly as possible. If you're playing within most commonly accepted rules of the road, this gets real boring real fast. The key to enjoying yourself while playing this game is putting the emphasis on the “Crazy” rather than on the “Taxi.” Speed. Run red lights. Do crazy maneuvers to get your passengers to the church on time. Take everything you've ever wanted to do on the road (but usually don't do so you can avoid jail time), and do it in this game. It's cathartic, it's addictive, and it's just plain fun. Sure, it's not as much fun as it was when it first came out, but it still has a place in our hearts. Crazy Taxi drivers everywhere, we salute you.

Need For Speed: Most Wanted

13. Need For Speed: Most Wanted

Year Of Release: 2005
Developer: EA Canada
System(s): PS2, XBOX, Game Cube, GBA, PSP, PC, Mobile Phone
Complex Says: Want police chases, a slick urban environment, and a few cool features you couldn't find in other racing games at the time? NFS:MW is your game. At a time when every other game was moving away from using full-motion video cut scenes, NFS:MW stood that idea on its head and made it look cool. The car list isn't huge, but it makes up for its diminutive size in quality. Want to race a Lamborghini Murcielago against a Dodge Viper? You can.

Super Mario Kart

12. Super Mario Kart

Year Of Release: 1992
Developer: Nintendo EAD
System(s): SNES, Virtual Console
Complex Says: Sure, we take Mario Kart's existence for granted now, but this was the first entry into the series. Beloved Miyamoto-era NES characters racing around colorful environments on karts? Check. Power-ups? Check. Combat-style kart racing? Check. Power slides? Check. It's all there. If this is your sub-genre of racing games, Super Mario Kart was the blueprint.

RC Pro-Am

11. RC Pro-Am

Year Of Release: 1988
Developer: Rare
System(s): NES, Sega Genesis
Complex Says: We knew we liked the NES the moment we got our hands on one. But before RC Pro-Am, we'd never before experienced the unique phenomenon known as video game time suck. You know, where you look at the clock and it's 3pm, and the next thing you know, your mom's calling you down for dinner and you didn't even know any time had passed? Maybe it was just us, but we're pretty sure it wasn't--this game consistently makes best-of lists for NES, and it's easy to see why if you play it. You control an RC car and your only goal is to try to get to the next race by placing in the top three of the race you're currently running. To get there, you have to avoid obstacles (oil slicks, puddles, etc.) and simultaneously try to take out your competition. Sure, it SOUNDS simple, but it's bloody eight-bit warfare when you're playing.

Project Gotham Racing 3

10. Project Gotham Racing 3

Year Of Release: 2005
Developer: Bizarre Creations
System(s): XBOX 360
Complex Says: Might as well call this PGR: Supercars Edition, because who considers an Acura NSX to be a good starter car for anyone? Bizarre Creations, apparently. PGR is known for its kudos system of awarding style points to certain moves you undertake with your car while racing. It's kind of like the X-Games that way, only you get to use cars rather than perform crazy stunts using skateboards and bikes. Oh, and no Porsches allowed in this round.

ModNation Racers

9. ModNation Racers

Year Of Release: 2010
Developer: United Front Games, SCE San Diego Studio
System(s): PS3, PSP
Complex Says: This is a kart-style racing game with a difference. Not only do you get the bright colors and cute characters you'd expect out of any other kart racer worth its NOS. You also get the ability to customize EVERYTHING. Other games let you customize cars and characters within the game. ModNation Racers lets you build whole race tracks, then go racing on them. Don't like the tracks the game gives you? Make your own. This is the perfect game for those holiday family gatherings when your little cousin wants to play video games with the big kids. Everyone needs one of those this time of year.

Burnout Paradise

8. Burnout Paradise

Year Of Release: 2008
Developer: Criterion Games
System(s): PS3, XBOX 360
Complex Says: When we're playing racing games, we like well-constructed tracks. We like that transmutation of sight, sound and controller vibration that makes us feel like we're really racing, not just playing a game. What better way to do that than to create a racing world in which you can do whatever the heck you want at any time? With metric tons of hidden stuff to find, in addition to a multiplayer mode that's easily accessible from within the game, this'll keep you happily occupied for a long time. We know we were.

Midnight Club 3

7. Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition

Year Of Release: 2005
Developer: Rockstar San Diego & Rockstar Leeds
System(s): PS2, XBOX, PSP
Complex Says: Why can't cars and bikes ever race in the same game? Apparently Rockstar asked themselves the same question, and Midnight Club II was the answer it came up with. Then the company made Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition and made the concept even better. Makes sense. It's a street-racing game, based on the ability to heavily modify your vehicle and race it against anything else that comes along. Of course there should be bikes--and there are. That alone is enough reason to love this game, but add the killer jams while we enhance and race our rides, and we're sold.

Blur

6. Blur

Year Of Release: 2010
Developer: Bizarre Creations
System(s): XBOX 360, PS3, PC
Complex Says: Bizarre Creations, the game developer that brought you Project Gotham Racing, decided to up its game with Blur. Instead of resting on its laurels with another entry in the PGR series, BC decided to toss reality and fantasy in a blender together, throw the results over the PGR engine, and see how gamers responded. The resulting game let you race production vehicles while gathering power-ups--like a less futuristic Wipeout, or a more realistic Mario Kart. Don't like your stock vehicle? Mod it. Don't like your power-ups? Mod them, too. An interesting game, to be sure--but “interesting” and “popular” don't always go together. Bizarre Creations closed in February, 2011, and the game can be picked up for next to nothing secondhand. With single and multiplayer options available, this is one to check out if you haven't already. If you have a system that will play it, you don't have anything to lose.

Dirt 2

5. Dirt 2

Year Of Release: 2009
Developer: Codemasters, Sumo Digital (Wii/PSP), Firebrand Games (Nintendo DS), Feral Interactive (Mac OSX)
System(s): PS3, XBOX 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP, PC, Mac OSX
Complex Says: Originally called Colin McRae: Dirt 2, this second entry into the series was the first McRae game released after the rally legend died in a freak accident in 2007. At its heart, the series was originally about rally style racing: taking heavily-modded cars that bear resemblance to road-going versions in name only, then running them as quickly as possible over any and all terrain. Dirt 2 expanded this mode, so there's a little something for everyone even remotely interested in racing games. This isn't a bad thing. It's a funner, more well-rounded game. The multiplayer online mode is a huge step forward from the first Dirt as well, since you can race against friends on the same track--imagine that.

Tourist Trophy

4. Tourist Trophy: The Real Riding Simulator

Year Of Release: 2006
Developer: Polyphony Digital
System(s): PS2
Complex Says: Polyphony Digital. GT4 engine. Motorcycles. Polyphony's insane attention to detail. GT4's ability to screencap anything and everything during game replays, then save on a memory card or USB drive. The ability to customize your riding gear, featuring options from several real-world manufacturers such as AGV, Dainese, RS Taichi, Kushitani, and Alpinestars. Need we say more?

WipEout HD

3. WipEout HD

Year Of Release: 2008
Developer: SCE Studio Liverpool
System(s): PS3
Complex Says: WipEout HD is the most recent and possibly best entry into the venerable WipEout futuristic anti-gravity racing series. The premise is simple: choose an anti-gravity ship and glide over power-ups. Beat your enemies through combat, speed, or a combination of the two. Race over some detailed and excruciatingly beautiful tracks that may initially distract you from what you're doing. The included soundtrack is good, but if you don't like it, don't worry. Another cool feature of this game is that you can load music onto your PS3 and use your own custom soundtrack for the game. Studio Liverpool rose from the ashes of intriguing longtime UK video game developers Psygnosis--and we're very glad it did. Add on the WipEout HD Fury expansion pack and you've got twice the game...how can you go wrong?

Gran Turismo 5

2. Gran Turismo 5

Year Of Release: 2010
Developer: Polyphony Digital
System(s): PS3
Complex Says: Polyphony's Gran Turismo series has handily smacked down its competition ever since it was first introduced. With GT5, the series introduced an online multiplayer mode for up to 16 people at once, as well as a brand new damage mode. Those boring old production sportscars and supercars not holding your interest? GT5 lets you play with NASCAR, Super GT, and WRC cars as well. What we love most about it isn't any of this, though. It's the sounds of the cars. If you're the kind of person who can identify cars by the sounds of their exhausts, this is the game for you. If you, like us, get annoyed when some lazy-ass TV producer dubs in a completely wrong engine noise for a motorcycle scene onscreen, this is the game for you. Sure, it looks gorgeous. But if you love cars, we think it may be your ears that get the biggest treat of all.

Forza Motorsport 3

1. Forza Motorsport 3

Year Of Release: 2009
Developer: Turn 10 Studios
System(s): XBOX 360
Complex Says: Stunning. Jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Smooth. Insanely detailed. Tight, precise controls. This game hits the sweet spot between highly technical racing for hardcore race gamers and more casual racing for those who are frustrated by overly hardcore race games. You might think that results in the dirty word “compromise,” but we assure you it doesn't. If you or a friend have a 360, you need to play this as of yesterday. We don't care if you even like racing games. While Forza Motorsport 3 certainly is a fine example of one, it's also just fantastic eye candy for the automotively inclined.