10 Most Underrated Racing Games

by

It pains me to say it, but racing games seem to be facing a nearly unavoidable decline, joining a growing number of genres that are struggling.

Compared to older consoles like the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2, I don’t think modern gamers are as interested in games focused on vehicles or fast-paced action. In fact, it seems like many players are actively trying to avoid those types of games.

It used to be all about fast-paced split-screen racing with friends or rising through the ranks in campaign mode, starting as an underdog and becoming a top racer. Now, those features are often just added extras within more complex games.

It’s always a good moment to remember classic racing games that truly defined the genre, which now mostly consists of simulations and simple minigames. Here’s a list of ten fantastic racing games that deserve a second look.

10. Aqua GT

We Don’t Race On Water Anymore

Racing games used to be incredibly competitive, and developers constantly pushed boundaries to stand out. One example of this innovation was Aqua GT, which featured unique and dramatic environments.

Forget cars on roads – this game put you in charge of powerboats on the water. These weren’t just visually unique; they handled completely differently, offering a thrilling new control experience.

When I was younger, I figured just being somewhere else would be enough to make things special. But driving a speedboat? That was different. It wasn’t just the location, it was the feeling – the way you had to constantly adjust, figuring out each turn and how much power to use. Honestly, it took me years to really understand how unique that experience was.

Maybe I have a personal connection to this game, which is why it feels overlooked. However, it’s clear that Aqua GT really showcases the innovative spirit of racing games from that era.

9. Super Runabout: San Francisco Edition

A Chaotic City

Going back to the classic style of racing games, Super Runabout – San Francisco Edition offered an open-world experience that I always enjoyed. What really stood out was how vibrant and bustling the streets felt while you were racing.

Navigating bustling streets and figuring out the best routes to your destination used to be a really special experience. It felt amazing to truly connect with your surroundings and mentally chart your course, making you feel completely immersed in the environment.

While most early racing games kept you on a fixed track, Super Runabout – San Francisco Edition let you explore the entire city, much like the ‘open world’ games we enjoy today. It did this over twenty years ago, and all from the driver’s seat!

While the tasks themselves were often predictable and solved in similar ways, it didn’t detract from the experience. The game felt comfortable and familiar, like revisiting a well-loved place – something you enjoyed simply because you knew it so well.

8. Vanishing Point

Speed ​​and Nothing More

Sometimes, a game didn’t need to be radically different or innovative to be enjoyable. Simply executing familiar ideas well, like the game Vanishing Point did, could be enough to create something fun and relatable.

This racing game was surprisingly simple – no fancy cars, elaborate backgrounds, or complicated gameplay. The goal was straightforward: the fastest lap time won.

What really stood out to me about the races was that they used ordinary cars – the kind people actually drive. This made them feel much more accessible and ‘family-friendly’ because they weren’t like the over-the-top, unrealistic street races you see in movies like Fast and Furious. They focused on simplicity, both in the vehicles and where the races took place.

The band was a joy to listen to, with a really cool atmosphere. Their music was captivating, and even the little sounds within their recordings were comforting – they favored a quiet, nuanced approach instead of the bombastic style that was popular at the time. Maybe that’s why they weren’t widely remembered, but it’s exactly what makes them stand out to me now.

7. Re-Volt

Toy Story, But With Cars

I grew up during the huge Toy Story craze, and I was completely obsessed with toys back then. So, when I stumbled upon Re-Volt, you can bet I was hooked!

I loved remote-controlled cars, and building amazing tracks for them was so exciting that I couldn’t wait for school to end so I could play more.

Re-Volt was known for its unique style and gameplay. It featured brightly colored, over-the-top car designs and creative tracks that turned familiar environments—like toy stores and supermarkets—into exciting race courses, helping it really stand out from other games.

The game did get an update on Steam a few years back, suggesting it hasn’t been completely forgotten. Still, I wanted to mention it because it’s disappointing that such a well-made and creative concept didn’t remain popular.

6. Project Gotham Racing 4

An Underrated Simulator

Over time, I noticed racing games were shifting from simple, arcade-style gameplay toward more realistic simulations, but it was Project Gotham Racing 4 that really highlighted this change for me.

This game was my first experience with a new trend in racing games: a move towards realism. It wasn’t easy to control, especially at high speeds, and demanded precision, but that challenging handling, combined with its responsive controls, was actually quite enjoyable and set it apart.

[…] precise controls, challenging handling at high levels, and tight tracks […]

I was a big fan of games like Need for Speed, but Project Gotham Racing 4 really changed how I thought about racing. It wasn’t just about speed – it actually made me feel like I was a driver, and I realized there was a lot more to the genre than I’d ever imagined. It really opened my eyes to how complex and rewarding racing games could be.

While it was one of the first games of its kind – a genre that would become much more popular later on – it still deserves recognition. Racing game enthusiasts appreciate how challenging and well-made it is, even if there aren’t as many of those original fans around today.

5. Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition

Rockstar’s Overlooked Gem

Before racing games focused on realistic driving, a style featuring street racing, vinyl records, and bright neon lights was incredibly popular. However, the significant role Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition played in establishing that trend is often overlooked.

The game was incredibly fun and easy to pick up, with simple, arcade-like controls that let you drift endlessly and feel like a real street racer. Each race was more thrilling than the one before, and the rewarding progression system kept you hooked.

I remember being completely hooked by the idea of starting with just any old car and working your way up to these incredible, futuristic machines. They weren’t just cars anymore – they looked like they were ready to blast off into space! It really captured my imagination, and I know I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. It was a whole generation’s obsession.

There was a unique excitement to speeding through a city at incredible speeds, barely able to see the roads, all while listening to amazing music. But that feeling has faded. People don’t really talk about or play games like Midnight Club anymore, and I believe that’s a real shame for anyone who loves open-world racing.

4. POD: Speedzone

Battles on Wheels on Saturn

Imagine a racing game set on Saturn, featuring cars that seem alive and a richly detailed environment as captivating as the race itself. That’s POD: Speedzone – a truly stunning experience.

I can still clearly recall the crunch of metal as cars collided, the rush of flying through the air, and the unique world of this unforgettable video game – it’s easily one of the most memorable games I’ve ever played in its category.

While the driving isn’t amazing, the game’s overall style and sound really make up for it. Any issues with how it plays are easily overlooked because it’s still enjoyable.

While realistic games can be amazing, I’ve always loved titles like POD: Speedzone, with its unique and strange style. It’s faded from memory over the years – a game like that probably wouldn’t be made today – but I still find it incredibly memorable.

3. Zusar Vasar

Truly Unique Racing

Developer(s) Real Vision
Publisher(s) Real Vision
Release Date July 27, 2000
Platform(s) Dreamcast
Genre(s) Racing
ESRB E

If you’ve heard of Zusar Vasar, you’re one of the few – and I’ll instantly consider you a kindred spirit! It’s a strange, obscure game that feels like it came straight from the wildly imaginative mind of a director with an unlimited budget.

I’m not sure where I first encountered this idea, but I vividly remember being captivated by the concept of robotic animals acting as futuristic chariots. I loved imagining them racing across water, land, and air in completely unpredictable ways.

The controls were terrible, and the game was incredibly hard. I lost every single race and fight. But despite all that, the amazing experience of piloting a robotic menagerie through different environments made it all worthwhile.

Zusar Vasar is definitely one of the most unusual games I’ve ever experienced, and I actually appreciate that. It’s a quirky and interesting game, and while it doesn’t necessarily reach a higher level of polish, that’s okay. It serves as a good reminder of how unique and creative human-made works can be when they aren’t limited by needing to be practical or widely appealing.

2. FlatOut 2

Joyful Destruction

I might be a little partial to FlatOut 2 because I have so many fond childhood memories of playing it with my friends. We especially loved the mode where you’d eject the driver to earn points in fun little games, and it’s still one of the racing games I think about often.

Among the many gaming genres that have come and gone, demolition and car combat games are often overlooked. Despite being incredibly popular for over ten years – with a wide variety of titles like the explosive FlatOut – they’ve largely faded from memory.

Compared to modern games, this one feels a bit rough around the edges and old-fashioned. It doesn’t try to be overly serious, though – its main goal is simply to provide the kind of simple, enjoyable fun that classic video games were known for.

The over-the-top crashes and physics-based mayhem of FlatOut 2 – like ragdolls flying through broken glass and cars getting completely wrecked – just wouldn’t fly today. It’s a game that wouldn’t succeed in the current gaming landscape, and that’s a loss for everyone who remembers and loved it.

1. San Francisco Rush 2049

Versatility Made Video Game

Okay, so I already thought getting really good at driving games was tough. But then I started playing San Francisco Rush 2049, and it’s amazing how many different things it asks you to do well – all the driving skills are there, and it expects you to nail them. It’s seriously impressive how much the game throws at you and expects you to master it.

As a racing game, this is just incredible! The tracks are absolutely gorgeous – so much variety, from beautiful scenery to crazy jumps and hidden shortcuts. And if you’re like me and love to shave seconds off your best times, there’s tons of room to improve and really master each course. It’s a blast discovering all the secrets!

Whether you think of it as a fast-paced car battle game with lots of weapons and player-versus-player action, or a stunt driving game where you can pull off amazing flips for high scores, you’ll find it’s really good at a lot of things – which is unusual and impressive.

Most driving games concentrate solely on realistic racing, and even trying to do much more than that feels unrealistic. San Francisco Rush 2049 brilliantly achieved something that was rare then and is virtually impossible now, and I’ll always remember it fondly.

Read More

2025-12-15 02:42