Racing game genres guide

Racing games sit on a spectrum. At one end the car forgives almost anything and the fun is speed. At the other, the car behaves like its real counterpart and the fun is precision.

The spectrum

• Arcade. Forgiving handling, strong grip, quick restarts and big boosts. Items and stunts are common. Examples include the kart racers and the one-button drift games.
• In between. Realistic car behaviour with generous assists, so a gamepad is comfortable. Many open-world and career-based games sit here.
• Simulation. Detailed tyre and weight behaviour, with assists optional. Racing simulators model tyre grip and weight closely, so gentle inputs matter.

Styles of racing

Structure of the game

• Career. A path of events that unlock cars and tracks.
• Open world. A large map to drive across, with races as markers. Examples include the Forza Horizon and Test Drive Unlimited games.
• Single events. Pick a track and a car, race, and leave.
• Online. Races against other people, sometimes with seasons and rankings.

Choosing where to start

If you are new to racing games, try an arcade-style game first and then move toward realistic handling as you learn the vocabulary. The getting started guide covers the basics, and the glossary explains the terms.