Memorable racing titles are built on four pillars: a satisfying sense of speed; graphics that construct an enjoyable game world; tight controls; and excellent sound effects and cruising music. It doesn't matter if the genre is arcade, sim, or kart; if a racing game masters those elements, it'll go down in the annals as one of the greats. The question is, which PC games qualify? Our list sorts the few winner’s-circle games from the many runners up.
Racing Games on PC
There is a full field of games in the race. At the time of this writing, Steam alone has a ridiculous number of pages devoted to competitive driving (that's not factoring in racing games from other game stores). Granted, some of the listed titles most certainly are not racing games. For example, Rocket League features wheeled vehicles literally speeding toward a goal, but it is unquestionably a sports game (anyone who says otherwise is lying and is not your friend). Likewise, EmergeNYC, a simulation game in which you jump into the shoes of the EMS, FDNY, or NYPD and attempt to save lives, is not a racing game.
A racing game is a title that puts you in control of a vehicle as you attempt to outrun the competition to place first at the finish line. That's our definition, and we think it's pretty reasonable.
What About Playing Racing Games on the Steam Deck?
If you're playing on a Windows PC, all you need to do is download and install these games. If you're playing on the Steam Deck, check Valve's game compatibility list to see if your racing games of choice work in the Proton-enhanced, Linux-based environment. So far, hundreds of Steam games are Steam Deck verified, according to info pulled from SteamDB. A green checkmark indicates that game is fully verified to run well on Steam Deck; a yellow checkmark indicates that the game is playable on Steam Deck, “but requires extra steps or manual work from the user.” Keep in mind that racing games that haven't been reviewed still may work with Steam Deck.
Pedal to the Metal
If you're reading this article, you're probably got the need for speed. Fortunately, we do, too. The PCMag pit crew loves a good racing game, so we have several recommended titles that you should try. Admittedly, our tastes lean deep into the arcade and kart side of things. We're expanding the field with upcoming reviews that explore hardcore racing simulations, such as Assetto Corsa Competizione, Automobilista, and Project Cars. Look for those soon. Right now, you should check out our favorite racing games on PC. Happy driving.
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