Racing games have always been about more than just speed. They’re about the thrill of the chase, the satisfaction of mastering a tricky track, and the fun of pushing your skills (and sometimes your luck) to the limit. Over the years, I’ve played everything from ultra-realistic simulators to goofy, physics-defying hill climbs, and in 2025, the variety of racing games has never been better.
If you’re trying to decide which one is right for you, I’ve broken down four of the best racing experiences you can play right now—each with its own unique style, strengths, and reasons to keep coming back.
1. Forza Horizon 5 – The Open-World Playground
If racing games were vacations, Forza Horizon 5 would be an all-inclusive resort. Set in a stunning, fictionalized version of Mexico, this open-world racer lets you switch between supercars, rally beasts, dune buggies, and even ridiculous novelty vehicles. The game’s magic lies in its freedom—you can join competitive races, tackle off-road challenges, or just drive into the sunset without worrying about lap times.
The handling strikes a great balance between realism and fun, meaning even casual players can have a blast while more skilled drivers can still push themselves to perfect every drift and jump. Seasonal events, online challenges, and constant content updates keep the game feeling fresh, making it one of the most replayable racing titles out there.
2. Gran Turismo 7 – The Precision Racer’s Dream
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Gran Turismo 7. If Forza is a party, Gran Turismo is a masterclass. This is the game for people who love precision—learning braking points, perfecting racing lines, and understanding how different tire compounds affect performance.
The level of detail is staggering. Weather conditions change the grip of the track, cars feel dramatically different depending on tuning, and the sound design makes every gear shift feel satisfying. It’s not the kind of game you casually jump into for five minutes—it’s a racer that rewards patience, practice, and a deep appreciation for motorsport.
If you’ve ever wanted to know what it feels like to compete in professional racing without the risk of blowing out a transmission in real life, this is as close as you’ll get.
3. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – The King of Fun Racing
While Gran Turismo demands discipline, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe demands… banana dodging skills. This game isn’t about perfecting your cornering technique—it’s about pure, chaotic fun. Whether you’re drifting through Rainbow Road or throwing a well-timed red shell to ruin someone’s perfect run, Mario Kart offers a kind of joy that few games can match.
It’s the perfect “party” racing game. You don’t need to be a car expert to have fun, and the variety of items means that even last-place racers have a shot at making a comeback. Local multiplayer is still one of its biggest strengths, but online races can be just as entertaining (and infuriating, in the best way possible).
4. Hill Climb Racing – The Simple, Addictive Classic
At first glance, Hill Climb Racing seems too simple to be on a list of the best racing games in 2025. It’s a side-scrolling, physics-based racer where you try to drive as far as possible without flipping over or running out of gas. But anyone who’s played it knows how addictive it can be.
Part of the charm is the constant push to upgrade your vehicle. Each coin you collect feels like progress toward better tires, stronger engines, and more stability for those unpredictable slopes. And then there’s the ongoing debate about the best jeep or truck in hill climb.
The Jeep is where everyone starts, and for good reason—it’s cheap, easy to control, and surprisingly capable with full upgrades. It’s the safe, reliable choice for most stages. But then there’s the Monster Truck, which can feel like a whole different game. With massive tires and better clearance, it eats rough terrain for breakfast. It’s more powerful but also trickier—you’ll need good throttle control to avoid flipping backward on steep climbs. For those who want a middle ground, the Super Diesel Truck offers both power and balance, making it great for longer runs on mixed terrain.
Hill Climb Racing may not have realistic graphics or licensed cars, but it nails something far more important: a gameplay loop that’s easy to start and hard to put down.
Which Racing Game Should You Play?
The truth is, there’s no single “best” racing game for everyone—it depends on what kind of racing thrill you’re after:
Forza Horizon 5 – Best if you want variety, freedom, and gorgeous open-world exploration.
Gran Turismo 7 – Best for players who love technical mastery and realistic simulation.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Best for casual, chaotic fun with friends and family.
Hill Climb Racing – Best for quick, addictive challenges with simple but rewarding progression.
Personally, I rotate between them depending on my mood. Some days I want to lose myself in the scenery of Forza’s open roads. Other days, I’m laser-focused on shaving a tenth of a second off a lap in Gran Turismo. Then there are nights when nothing beats the laughter of Mario Kart chaos—or the quiet satisfaction of getting just a little further up a hill in Hill Climb Racing before running out of fuel.
Final Lap
Racing games have evolved into a wonderfully diverse genre. We’ve got high-end simulations, arcade chaos, creative physics challenges, and games that are more about the journey than the finish line. In 2025, you can race in whatever style suits you best, and there’s never been a better time to explore different approaches to speed.
Whether you’re gunning for realism, looking for lighthearted fun, or just trying to figure out the best jeep or truck in hill climb, there’s a racing game out there that will hit the accelerator on your enjoyment. The only real question is—what will you drive first?
