10 Best Racing Games To Play While Waiting for Forza Horizon 6

I remember the first time I played a Forza Horizon game – it was amazing! I’ve been a huge fan ever since I first picked up the third one on my Xbox 360. Now, with the sixth game almost here (couldn’t resist the pun!), I know a lot of you are probably already itching to pre-order and download it. I definitely am!

If you’re a racing game fan with some free time, you’re in the right spot! The best way to pass the time while waiting for something new is to dive into more racing games – or any content related to the sport.

I’ve always loved cars, ever since playing Need for Speed: Most Wanted as a kid and trying to escape Sgt. Cross. I especially love Japanese and tuner cars. I hope that doesn’t bother any fans of American muscle cars! If you’re looking for a great racing game to play now, or to revisit while we wait for Forza Horizon 6, these are some of the best.

10. The Crew Motorfest

The Fun Never Ends in Hawaii

Don’t be misled by its position on the list. I wanted to start with a strong racing game that, like Forza Horizon, focuses on a festival atmosphere – that’s Ubisoft’s The Crew Motorfest.

This game is very similar to its predecessors, though it could use a little refinement. Adjusting the driving settings to find the right balance between realistic and simulated handling unlocks a huge amount of content to enjoy. If you have the Year 3 Pass, you’ll also get access to even more playlists on top of the content from the previous passes.

Now is a great time to start playing! While there’s a lot to explore, don’t feel rushed. Begin with the introductory playlists that let you discover Hawaii and the different racing styles at your own pace.

I was hesitant about this game myself, but don’t let anyone tell you the driving isn’t great! Once you get into The Crew Motorfest, it’s genuinely a lot of fun.

9. Test Drive Unlimited 2

Fancy a Cruise Through the Exotic Beaches?

Although the original Test Drive Unlimited on PlayStation 2 was also very popular, and the newest installment, Solar Crown, didn’t quite hit the mark, I felt Test Drive Unlimited 2 deserved a mention. Despite being released in 2011, it still delivers that same sense of open-world freedom as the Forza Horizon series – the joy comes from exploring and driving wherever you please, not just winning races.

A key part of what makes this game special is how it combines racing with a realistic lifestyle. You don’t just select cars – you actually go to dealerships to buy them, purchase houses, and create a garage across different locations. This makes your progress feel more meaningful and personal, as if you’re building a true car-collecting experience, not just completing races.

I understand the game launched with a lot of technical problems, but the ability to freely explore detailed recreations of Ibiza and Oahu is worth giving it a few hours of your time to see what it offers.

8. F1 23

So, Hamilton or Verstappen?

Although Forza Horizon 6 will probably be quite different from a realistic racing simulator, F1 23 is a good option to play in the meantime. F1 23 offers a good balance between being realistic and being easy to pick up and play.

The cars are still quick and require skill, especially for beginners, but they’re more forgiving on this track. This makes it easy to quickly hop in and race without feeling stressed. Plus, if you practice, you’ll naturally learn how to take the best turns and brake effectively.

What really makes this racing game special is its story mode, Braking Point 2. It’s packed with intense rivalries, team conflicts, and a look behind the scenes, making the racing season feel incredibly immersive. It’s a refreshing take on the usual career modes in racing games and helps the game stand out from the competition.

7. Driver: San Francisco

Ubisoft’s Cult-Classic Hit

While Driver: San Francisco might not look as modern as the Forza Horizon games, it’s still packed with style and unique ideas. It’s a great reminder of a time when Ubisoft consistently made fantastic games.

Forza aims for a realistic driving experience, but Driver: San Francisco prioritizes fun and fast-paced action. Cars drift around turns effortlessly, giving you a real feeling of speed, and the game’s physics are built for thrilling chases and stunts, rather than strict realism.

The most exciting part of the game is the ‘Shift’ feature – you’re not limited to a single car. You can instantly possess any vehicle you see on the street! One second you might be pursuing someone in a powerful sports car, and the next you’re hijacking a taxi or truck just to create some mayhem. It’s a simple idea, but it’s a refreshing reminder of how imaginative and fun this type of game can be when developers aren’t afraid to experiment.

6. FlatOut 2

Stunts, Crashes & Derbies!

I first got into pop-punk, metal, and heavy rock thanks to the game FlatOut 2! It’s funny to think I was only eight years old when I discovered Nickelback while playing it – those were some memorable moments.

This racing game from my PlayStation 2 days is a personal favorite I’ve enjoyed replaying. It holds up remarkably well over time, and it’s a refreshing change of pace for anyone tired of today’s racing games.

FlatOut 2 stands out because of its wild, crash-heavy gameplay. It’s full of over-the-top moments, like ejecting your driver into fun mini-games and participating in intense Demolition Derbies with beat-up cars. Combined with a driving rock soundtrack, challenging opponents, and environments you can smash to pieces, the game creates a fast-paced and exciting experience that’s still hard to find in modern games.

5. Burnout Paradise Remastered

All Thrills, No Brakes

It can feel like a while to wait for a new, expansive open-world racing game. While we anticipate those titles, Burnout Paradise Remastered is a fantastic way to get your fix. It still delivers that exciting feeling of fast, free-roaming driving that makes today’s open-world racers so enjoyable.

Paradise City is incredibly fun and exciting, offering a huge, open world designed for fast and daring driving. It’s packed with ramps, hidden shortcuts, and opportunities to perform stunts, making it a perfect place to let loose and drive however you want.

Unlike some games, you won’t have to spend a lot of time grinding to unlock the best cars, but you also won’t get them handed to you right away. You’ll earn cars by completing events, just like in other Burnout games, while still enjoying the fast-paced, over-the-top driving experience.

4. Wreckfest 2

A Perfect Successor to FlatOut

Wreckfest 2 and Flatout are very different racing games, but that’s what makes Wreckfest 2 so enjoyable – especially for fans of the original Flatout. It turns out they’re made by the same developers, which I only discovered after playing it on PS Plus after several years!

Wreckfest 2 delivers realistic and impactful vehicle physics, so even crashes feel significant. The game continues the series’ tradition of incredibly detailed damage, taking it to a new level.

Even though Wreckfest 2 is still in early access, it already feels remarkably polished. Plus, playing with friends is a blast thanks to the game’s exciting multiplayer, and you can even customize it further with dedicated mod support if you want.

3. Gran Turismo 7

The Finest Racing Sim in the Genre

I always preferred fast-paced arcade racers, so switching to realistic simulation racing was tough. But after watching a friend who’s played the series for years stream Gran Turismo 4 to me over Discord, and with a little practice, Gran Turismo 7 immediately hooked me.

Gran Turismo 7 differs from Forza Horizon in how you progress. Instead of being able to jump right into races, you’ll start by earning licenses and learning the fundamentals. Getting new cars also requires effort – you’ll need to earn in-game currency, and checking the auction house for used cars is a good way to find affordable options.

Subscribe to the newsletter for top racing-game picks

Level up your waiting game – subscribe to the newsletter for curated racing-game recommendations, tuning and setup guides, standout mods and remasters, and can’t-miss classics to play while you wait. Get hand-picked coverage that fuels your passion for cars and racing.

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Still unsure about buying the game? You can try it out first with the free “My First Gran Turismo” demo on PlayStation Network. It lets you learn the fundamentals and experience GT7’s driving with time trials and a selection of over 18 cars.

2. CarX Drift Racing Online

Just Have Em Call Me The Drift King

CarX Drift Racing Online doesn’t try to be a sprawling racing game with big maps or lots of events. It focuses entirely on drifting, and does it incredibly well. If you enjoyed the drifting mechanics in Need for Speed Carbon, this game feels fantastic – it really captures that same satisfying experience.

The game feels great to drive – it’s weighty but responds well to your inputs, and drifting is truly satisfying. Unlike many arcade-style racing games, you actually learn how to control the car through corners by carefully managing the throttle, steering, and angle, instead of the game doing it for you.

If you like customizing and improving cars in Forza Horizon, CarX offers a similar experience. You can fine-tune things like suspension, gears, tire pressure, and steering to get a car handling exactly how you want.

A big part of what makes the game so enjoyable is its online community. There are tons of servers dedicated to relaxed drifting, where players focus on linking turns together instead of racing. It’s incredibly calming and satisfying to join a lobby and cruise around with others, trying to follow their drifts.

1. Need for Speed Carbon Online

The Definitive NFS Carbon Experience

NFS Carbon Online (NFSCO) isn’t the same as the original game’s multiplayer. It’s a complete fan-made remake of the entire game, designed to be much more challenging. It features an expanded career mode for dedicated players and a reworked drifting system that’s harder to master – and that’s just a small part of what’s been changed.

Career mode now features double the number of events, with redesigned tracks offering highways and special head-to-head challenges. The police are also a more serious obstacle, requiring you to either disable them with pursuit breakers or skillfully avoid them.

As you add more cars and face more challenging AI opponents, the game gets significantly harder. For those feeling adventurous, you can even use custom cheat codes to really test your skills. If you’d like to learn more, HokiHoshi created a fantastic video that goes into all the details.

You can also create or join custom servers to enjoy fast-paced races with friends and other players. While it might not be the most famous fan-made project, it fixes many of the issues people had with the original Need for Speed: Carbon, which felt unfinished. A big thanks to Lead Developer RX and the entire team of modders who are constantly improving it.

2026-03-12 17:42