Arcade games sit at the core of the racing genre, removing simulation sophistication to bring pure, unadulterated enjoyment. Started in the 1980s with coin-ops, titles included under this genre have always brought some of the most enjoyable gaming experiences out there, bringing entertainment to the world of racing rather than only focusing on the realism and technicalities.
What stands out about arcade racing is that there’s always something for everyone. It doesn’t matter whether you're an avid racing fan or a casual gamer looking for quick doses of fun; arcade racing games have something for everyone. If you fall in the latter, though, here’s a quick guide on the best arcade racing games for pure fun.
Top 5 Best Arcade Racing Games
The history of arcade racing is interesting. With each generation comes new advancements and improvements in multiple aspects of the game. An appreciable characteristic of arcade games, though, is the fact that they retain their core fundamentals while introducing new advancements simultaneously.
While the genre in particular has come a long way from its inception, some titles have outperformed others. Below, we’ll be looking at five high-rated arcade racing games for you to enjoy.
1. Trackmania
Rated a 7 on Steam, Trackmania is one of the most fun games on the market. Despite being around for more than a decade, the latest version of the title was released in 2020. What stands out about Mania is its preference and focus on a thrilling arcade experience rather than being a company that dares not defy any laws of physics in their titles.
There are four game modes to play from: Solo, Multiplayer, Custom, and Competitive. While each mode has its specialty, there’s one thing that stays constant: precision driving, insane gravity-defying loops, and skill-based challenges.
Another appreciable feature here is that the game adds to its fundamental racing experience with track creation and sharing features, enabling players to design and share their own racing challenges. This—alongside seasonal content updates keeps the game fresh and up-to-date with modern trends.
2. Asphalt 9: Legends
With a rating of 9/10 on Steam and 4.9/5 on the App Store, Asphalt 9: Legends is yet another crazy-good arcade racing game for players looking to have some fun. Released in 2018, the game comes as the latest installment in the long-running Asphalt series.
At its core, there are some things you’ll never run out of while playing this game: a high-speed, over-the-top racing experience, with drifting, nitro boosts, and insane stunts to add to the overall experience. With around 80 race tracks to choose from, spanning across multiple localities, it’s unlikely you’d not enjoy this title.
Finally, with frequent updates, multiplayer competitions, and jaw-dropping graphics, Asphalt 9: Legends remains a top choice for fans of high-speed, over-the-top racing experiences.
3. Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled
Rated 4.4 out of 5 on PlayStation, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is a remaster that blends the precision of kart racing and the ease of arcade controls, providing a vintage kart racing experience enhanced by power-ups and item boxes.
The perfect blend of racing skill and item-caused chaos creates limitless entertainment, particularly through its local multiplayer feature that allows friends and family to race together. With its remastered visuals breathing new life into the old formula, the game offers a retro yet new experience, offering something for both solo players and groups of friends to enjoy.
A pretty great feature of the game is the amount of variety it has. From a gamer’s perspective, we’re always on the lookout to try new modes that keep us on our toes. And with the four modes in Crash, this is highly possible.
Another interesting feature is the character roster, where there’s a tier-based structure. The more you progress, the more characters you unlock, and the better Kart you can race with.
4. Burnout Paradise Remastered
As the title says, Burnout Paradise Remastered is a refined version of the 2008 Burnout Paradise, developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts. With a decent rating on Steam, the high-speed racing with takedown missions and high-speed smash-ups offers an extremely enjoyable experience that never wears off.
Unlike its predecessor, the game introduced Open-World elements and features in the latest title. And while most games encouraged and endorsed this version, some gamers prefer the nostalgic vibes and fundamentals that the initial game had.
5. OutRun 2
Last but not least—OutRun 2. With a decent rating across different platforms, this arcade icon embodies the spirit of 80s racing games without losing any modern-day appeal. The game has time-attack racing that tests players on beating the fastest times possible, mixed with a traditional arcade experience that is boosted by its ground-breaking branching paths system.
This intriguing feature provides several ways to get to the finish line and results in varying endings, making for a fresh experience that challenges both players and explorers alike.
An interesting part about OutRun 2 is its car roster. Unlike other racing games, there’s not a broad catalogue of cars spanning different manufacturers—OutRun 2 solely focusses on Ferrari vehicles, officially licensed from Ferrari.