The best racing games to play right now are Forza Horizon 6, Gran Turismo 7 and Mario Kart World, followed by F1 25, Assetto Corsa Competizione, EA Sports WRC, BeamNG.drive and Forza Horizon 5. If you just want the most fun with the least friction, start with Forza Horizon 6 on Xbox or PC, Gran Turismo 7 on PlayStation, or Mario Kart World on Switch 2.
Below, what each pick does best, which platforms it is on, whether you need a wheel and how to choose between arcade racers and simulators.
How we picked the best racing games
We looked for games that are still actively sold and supported, that cover a different style of racing each, and that work well on a regular controller. Platforms and release details come from each game's official store page. We have not ranked by price, since prices change constantly; where a price matters, it is labeled with the month we checked it.
The 8 best racing games right now
1. Forza Horizon 6: the best open-world racer
Playground Games moved the series to Japan, with more than 550 real-world cars, according to its official Steam page. It launched in May 2026 on Xbox Series X|S and PC, including Game Pass, and reaches PS5 on January 26, 2027. It is the best pick for almost anyone: generous assists, a huge map and races that take minutes, not hours.
2. Gran Turismo 7: the best racing game on PlayStation
Polyphony Digital's simulator has been out on PS4 and PS5 since March 2022 and is PS5 Pro Enhanced. PlayStation lists more than 420 cars at launch, with over 100 added since, plus Sport Mode for online competition and full PS VR2 support. It balances realism and accessibility better than any other sim on console.
3. Mario Kart World: the best racing game for families and parties
Released alongside Nintendo Switch 2 in June 2025, Mario Kart World supports up to 24 racers per race. Beyond Grand Prix and Battle, its Knockout Tour mode eliminates the back of the pack at each checkpoint, and you can explore the connected world at your own pace. Online play requires Nintendo Switch Online.
4. F1 25: the best Formula 1 game
Codemasters' F1 25 came out in May 2025 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Instead of a new yearly game, EA now sells it with a 2026 Season Pack, so the current edition covers the new season. Choose it for career mode and realistic race weekends.
5. Assetto Corsa Competizione: the best GT racing simulator
Kunos Simulazioni's game is the official GT World Challenge title, built around GT3 cars, teams and circuits. It released on PC in 2019 and is also on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. It is demanding and shines with a wheel, so treat it as the next step after Gran Turismo rather than a starting point.
6. EA Sports WRC: the best rally game
Also from Codemasters, EA Sports WRC launched in November 2023 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S and later added the 2024 season's locations and cars. Rally is about reading pace notes on narrow stages, which makes it tense in a way circuit racing is not.
7. BeamNG.drive: the best driving sandbox
BeamNG.drive is less a racing game than a physics playground, simulating every part of a vehicle in real time. It has been in Early Access on PC since 2015 and arrived on PS5 in Early Access in October 2026 for $24.99 (US price checked October 2026), with four-player split-screen but no mods on console.
8. Forza Horizon 5: the best budget pick
The previous Horizon, set in Mexico, has been out since November 2021 on Xbox and PC and is also available on PS5. It is often discounted and still has a huge amount of content, so it is a smart choice if you want the Horizon formula without paying full price.
Which racing game should you play?
- New to racing games: Forza Horizon 6 or Mario Kart World.
- PlayStation owner who wants realism: Gran Turismo 7.
- Motorsport fan: F1 25 for Formula 1, EA Sports WRC for rally, Assetto Corsa Competizione for GT3.
- Couch multiplayer: Mario Kart World on Switch 2, or BeamNG.drive's split-screen on PC and PS5.
- Tight budget: Forza Horizon 5 or BeamNG.drive.
Arcade vs simulation: common mistakes
The most common mistake is starting with a hardcore simulator on a controller and quitting after an hour of spinning out. Arcade racers like Forza Horizon and Mario Kart forgive mistakes; simulators like Assetto Corsa Competizione expect smooth throttle and braking. Gran Turismo 7 and F1 25 sit in the middle, with assists you can switch off one by one as you improve.
The second mistake is buying a wheel before you know you like the genre. Every game on this list is playable on a controller; a wheel only becomes close to essential for serious sim racing.
FAQ
What is the best racing game for beginners?
Forza Horizon 6 on Xbox or PC and Mario Kart World on Switch 2. Both have strong assists and short events.
What is the most realistic racing game on console?
Among the picks here, Assetto Corsa Competizione is the most demanding simulator on PS5 and Xbox, while Gran Turismo 7 is the most complete realistic racer on PlayStation.
Do I need a steering wheel?
No. All eight games work with a controller. A wheel adds immersion and precision, especially in Assetto Corsa Competizione, Gran Turismo 7 and EA Sports WRC, but it is an upgrade, not a requirement.
