Since Gran Turismo on the first PlayStation, or even Super Mario Kart on the SNES, racing games have come a long way.
Racing games nowadays have highly realistic and beautiful graphics, to the point where pictures could be confused for real-life photography.
If you have an Xbox One and are looking for some fantastic racing games, you have a lot of alternatives.
Although you won’t be able to play PlayStation’s exclusive Gran Turismo series, Microsoft’s Forza series has its own winner.
Racing games are more diversified than you might assume as a genre. Hardcore racing simulators are a terrific way to get to know a new racecourse, put your abilities to the test against digital and real-life opponents, and, for many of us, are the closest we’ll get to push the boundaries of rare and exotic cars.
On the other hand, Arcade racers prioritize fun, style, accessibility, and the sensation of speed above a strictly realistic representation of racing reality.
Off-road driving games, for example, include anything from high-speed rally racers to bizarre demolition derbies to super-slow trucks and carrying simulators.
This isn’t an exhaustive list; rather, it’s a selection of the greatest driving and racing games for Xbox One.
All of these games are playable on any Xbox One generation machine, although some can also be played on the Xbox One Series X.
They should also work with the future Xbox Series X and Series S next-generation consoles, with many of them receiving graphic and performance upgrades.
This list contains the best racing games for Xbox One, and it includes;
1. Forza Motorsport 7
The Forza Motorsport games are Xbox’s response to the popular Gran Turismo series on PlayStation. If you’re searching for a realistic racing simulator, go no further than Forza Motorsport 7, which is a console exclusive to the Xbox One.
You may race in over 30 world-famous locations and even play in the Forza Racing Championships esports league with over 700 cars to select from.
Those who own an Xbox One X can play at 60 frames per second in real 4K resolution with HDR.
Although Forza Motorsport 7 was launched in 2017, it is presently the most recent game in the series; however, Forza Motorsport 8 is expected to be announced in the coming months.
What happens on the track is the most crucial aspect of any racing game. Handling, vehicles, and tracks all contribute to the success or failure of an experience. Forza Motorsport 7 is one of the best racing games for Xbox One as it manages to provide an incredible gaming experience.
Your car’s handling has been fine-tuned to make it more responsive than ever before. Drifting has also been updated, highlighting how Forza Motorsport manages to strike a balance between actual realism and pure arcade driving for an experience unlike any other.
It focuses on having fun while also being demanding for both new drivers and long-time enthusiasts. The graphical upgrades are absolutely breathtaking.
To begin with, Forza Motorsport 7 looks better than it has in the past by a long shot. Lighting and weather updates bring every viewpoint of the cars you drive and the tracks you drive them on to life.
There’s even more detail inside the car, even down to the warning stickers on the doors. If you play with a view inside the automobile, you’ll notice that it rattles, which adds to the game’s realism.
2. F1 2019 Anniversary Edition
While most of us can get in our vehicles and attend a local track day to get a taste of racing, only a small percentage of us will ever have the opportunity to race in Formula 1.
Grab a copy of F1 2019 if you’ve ever wanted to experience what it’s like to compete in the Formula 1 racing championship.
With the F2 narrative mode in the latest installment of this series, you may go head-to-head with your best opponents in both F2 and F1.
That means you can start your F2 career before moving up to the entire F1 competition. Choose your replies carefully during post-race interviews; what you say affects how your fellow drivers and your team regard you on track and in the pits.
Meanwhile, the game integrates an AI-driven “rivals” system (similar to Grid’s “nemesis”) so expertly with its compelling storyline that you may find yourself taking your rival’s trackside snips and on track slights, very personally.
There’s a new league function for multiplayer players that lets them select and create their own tournaments, compete in weekly challenges, and even customize a 2019 F1 Regulation Car.
3. Forza Horizon 4
The Forza Horizon games are distinct from the Forza Motorsport series. Instead of racing on world-famous tracks, you’ll be racing in an open world environment in Forza Horizon.
Take a ride in the world of Forza Horizon 4 if you want a more “arcade-style” racing experience while still enjoying the realism that Forza has to offer.
With over 450 automobiles to drive around historic Britain, the latest installment in the iconic series is one of the best racing games for the Xbox One.
The season in-game changes every week, bringing new trials, Forzathon challenges, and hourly co-op online tasks with it. All of this is on top of Forza Horizon 4’s massive selection of races and activities.
Unless you’re racing against friends or in a co-op challenge, you’ll be racing against AI drivers, but all players share the landscape of Horizon.
You’re never obliged to play online, but it is an option, and you won’t lose any progress if you lose connection. The emphasis on seasons is one of the game’s coolest elements.
You’ll have access to specific activities throughout the spring, summer, winter, and fall seasons without having to wait an entire year.
The weather will change each week, bringing new sights to see and new ways to race, helping to keep the material fresh.
Going’s worth it to witness the differences between the icy winter races and the sunny summer races on each track because Forza Horizon 4 is so beautiful, the seasons work so beautifully.
The automobiles are sleek, bright, and chrome, the trees are detailed, and dozens of other small details combine to make a visually spectacular game.
4. Dirt Rally 2.0
What do red dirt roads, serpentine mountain trails, and a rain-soaked forest have in common? These are just a few of the tracks in Dirt Rally 2.0 that you can expect to fall in love with.
With stunning graphics, this game brings rally racing to your console.
The way this game looks, from the way light streams down through trees to the glitter off of cars moments before you hit them out of the way through corners, is easily the first thing you notice.
While it’s a lovely game to look at, getting dirty is half the joy of rally racing, and Dirt Rally 2.0 doesn’t shy away from it.
It throws you right into the thick of things, with races taking place all over the world, which makes it one of the best racing games for Xbox One.
There are six distinct countries with courses for you to go through, and it’s exciting whether it’s raining or not. However, this is one area where the game falters.
While each course appears to be distinct, some races duplicate track parts or have you race in reverse. It means you may become accustomed to hearing the same song over and over again, which might make gameplay tedious.
Improved handling and the terrain you’re driving on are two of the best upgrades to Dirt Rally 2.0. You don’t have to fight the controls nearly as much when whipping round forest curves or simply revving while tire deep in mud.
5. Need for Speed Heat
When it comes to old-fashioned racing games, the Need for Speed franchise is one of the best racing games for Xbox One Series, PlayStation, and other consoles.
It’s gotten so successful that it even has its own film. Need for Speed Heat, which was released in November 2019, is the most recent game to use the moniker.
You’ll play as a street racer and compete in the Speedhunter Showdown in Palm City during the day, just like in previous Need for Speed games.
The Speedhunter Showdown is a sanctioned tournament in which you may earn money to personalize and modify your vehicles.
Illicit street races, on the other hand, take place at night, and this is where you develop your name in order to gain access to bigger races and better parts.
But it wouldn’t be a Need for Speed game if there weren’t cops who don’t play by the rules. The Acura NSX, BMW M5, Ferrari and Lamborghini supercars, Porsche 911 variants, and even a good ‘ol 1975 Volvo 242DL are among the roughly 125 cars available Need for Speed Heat.
There is something for everyone.
6. NASCAR Heat 4
If you enjoy NASCAR, you should pick up a copy of NASCAR Heat 4.
The 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, and the fan-favorite Xtreme Dirt Tour are all featured in NASCAR Heat 4, the official video game of NASCAR.
As you battle for the championship, you’ll battle against over 150 official NASCAR teams and drivers across 38 courses.
This game is the only way to earn a spot in the NASCAR Heat Pro League, where you could race for a genuine NASCAR team. A $50 NASCAR race ticket is also included with NASCAR Heat 4.
A track map, unlockable paint schemes, control settings, and an upgraded career mode are among the new elements in this latest installment of the series.
7. Project Cars 2
When Project Cars first appeared on the scene a few years ago, it promised a realistic experience.
This meant dozens of excellent tracks and cars, but the game’s steep learning curve made it tough to enjoy for casual gamers.
Project Cars 2 builds on the roots of the first game, providing a more immersive experience without losing realism.
Every car’s handling has been improved, whether you’re racing with a controller or a wheel.
The traction issues have been resolved, cars are considerably more responsive, and you can feel it when your tires grab the pavement to take a tight turn or drift.
Career mode has back, with some fantastic new additions. It’s the same size as the last game, but you have more options and freedom now.
While you can skip some races, you’ll have to establish yourself in the lesser leagues before moving on to the more prestigious tiers.
After all, this is a career mode, not a free-for-all game. A full online mode is now available, which may suit certain gamers better than solo play.
The aesthetics, for the most part, add to the experience without overwhelming you. The weather is the star of the show. Puddles form on the track as it rains, and when the sun shines again, you can see them slowly dissipate.
This dynamic weather system enhances the gameplay experience while also adding a sense of realism.
8. Grid
Grid may not have the sheer volume of cars that Forza Motorsport does, but it does have a few unique features that are sure to pique the interest of players looking for something different, such as AI teammates that you can ask for help attacking or blocking opponents and a “Nemesis” system that adds personality to the competition by giving you AI-pow (or, occasionally, into a wall).
9. Gravel
Doesn’t racing in supercars on classic circuits appeal to you? Do you find it tedious and dull to turn left in a NASCAR race car? You have the voice of an off-road enthusiast!
Gravel is a video game that takes you on a tour across the world, complete with severe and untamed surroundings, stunning scenery, and no-holds-barred competition.
Gravel offers four different competitions in which you can compete against the most powerful off-road vehicles.
In Cross Country, you’ll traverse vast territories with varying layouts, all of which are built for checkpoint races set against stunning scenery.
You’ll participate in lap races over varied locations with natural obstacles, including mountain slopes, garbage, and quarry boulders in Wild Rush.
Real-world circuits from Europe to America are featured in the Speed Cross-discipline, where you can show off your off-roading talents in amazing leaps and chicanes.
Finally, the Stadium discipline includes both real and fictitious venues that are jam-packed with jumps and breathtaking layouts. Gravel features both offline and online gameplay options.
10. Wreckfest
Wreckfest is a game whose name says it all. It’s all about violating the rules and pushing full-contact racing to its limits in this game. So brace yourself for catastrophic wrecks as you race to the finish line in a race to the finish line.
As you compete in both demolition derbies and more regular track races in this demolition derby-themed racing game, you’ll see soft-body damage modeling, sophisticated driving dynamics, and in-depth car upgrades.
In this game, you can add strengthened bumpers, roll cages, side protectors, and a variety of performance improvements like air filters, camshafts, and fuel systems, among other things.
Wreckfest has your name written all over it if you’re seeking a competitive motorsport racing game.
