The best racing games have always been technical showpieces on each generation of hardware, with most console makers having their own prestigious franchise to parade around in front of the competition. But the sheer breadth of options has never been wider than in 2025, with a sub-genre for everyone looking to get a high-speed thrill.

The beauty of the racing genre is that it can be so many different things to different players. Mario Kart World brings with it all the nostalgic kart racing fun that Nintendo has offered across its console generations, but now with a colorful open world to explore thanks to the power of the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s an experience that couldn’t be further from Forza Motorsport–a technically-demanding simulation racer that is all about the little details, from the fine-tuning of your accurately recreated racing machine to the individual tracks you’re free to race it on, offering a petrol-filled fantasy only games can deliver. You’ve got a wide range of options that sit between these two too, ranging from racers with isometric camera views to stunningly detailed, futuristic tracks that play host to lightning fast on-track duels between vehicles without any wheels, letting you tear through chicanes whichever way you want.

Racing games have also transcended the simple nature of doing laps around a track. Games like Forza Horizon 5 and The Crew Motorfest have given players the ability to explore massive open worlds, enjoying races of all varieties on the streets that pierce that gorgeous landscape. Modern hardware has also afforded a level of technical artistry that brings you even closer to the real thing, with highly accurate tracks and vehicles presented in incredible detail in games like Gran Turismo 7, Forza Motorsport, and more. Nostalgia is also well represented, with homages to visual styles of old and physics models that will have you recalling fond arcade racing memories. But 2025 has also brought about the end of some fan favorites, with some series like EA Sports WRC seemingly on pause indefinitely.

With so many options to choose from, it can be a little daunting to sort through which rise to the top as some of the best racing games to enjoy in 2025. We’ve selected what we think of the best of the best, in no particular order, spanning over a decade of releases that goes to show that a fantastic racing game rarely ages poorly. For more, check out our lists for the best RPGs, the best PS5 games, the best Xbox games, and the best Nintendo Switch games.