Summary
Back during the era of theXbox 360, there wasn’t quite as much of a heightened emphasis on visuals and realistic gameplay when it came to racing games as there is nowadays. Sure, there were still plenty of grounded racers that felt both immersive and fun to play, but a lot of developers also took bold risks with their games, resulting in plenty of high-speed thrilling games within the genre being released at this time.
Racing games only grew in popularity asthe seventh generation of consoleswent on, and this is largely thanks to Microsoft’s console, which became the home of plenty of incredible titles over its long and celebrated lifespan. With such a vast catalog of racers to choose from, the following games are often considered by fans to be among the most fun and exhilarating to take for a spin.
8Split/Second: Velocity
Metacritic User Score: 8.0
Even to this day, there really isn’t a game out there quite likeSplit/Second: Velocity. The main gimmick of the game that makes it stand out from others in the genre is the “Power Play” system, which allows players to interact with the environment in a myriad of ways to take out their opponents. Drafting and drifting throughout a race will charge up the Power Player meter and allow each racer to pull off a specific trigger depending on how much they’ve got in reserve.
For example, level 1 Power Plays would include things like a gas tank exploding or a construction crane swinging across the track. It’s when players save up for the level 2 Power Plays where things really get exciting though, as entire skyscrapers and planes start crashing down onto the track, eliminating any unlucky racers who get caught in the collision. The limited car and track selection are small drawbacks, but the unique core gameplay ofSplit/Secondstill makes the game one of a kind.
7F1 2010
Metacritic User Score: 8.1
F1 2010was being advertised as one ofthe most realistic and immersive racing games ever made, primarily thanks to the unique weather system which would drastically change how each car felt when gliding across a track. The brand-new game engine, which was designed specifically with this game in mind, also helped to make every vehicle feel realistic and weighty, encouraging players not to get too carried away with bumping into their opponents during a race to keep things fair.
Though the content is admittedly a little lacking, it does still feature a fantastic career mode where players can cruise through either three or five seasons, upgrading and modifying their car as they go to try and get a leg-up over their peers. Its dedication to realism might not be for everyone, but Formula 1 fans will still have an absolute blast when jumping into what this game has to offer.
6Mayhem 3D
Metacritic User Score: N/A
Anyone who enjoys the adrenaline-pumping thrill of ademolition derbyowes it to themselves to playMayhem 3D. The game primarily revolves around its explosive action, with it being a common sight in most races to see cars being blown to smithereens and cut to pieces while trying to reach the finish line. When the game first launched in 2011, it came with a pair of 3D glasses that were designed to further emphasize the striking comic-book visuals, which add a lot of charm to the presentation.
Because of the sheer amount of carnage that occurs duringMayhem 3D’s races, it does mean those who prefer a more true-to-form realistic approach might not be the ideal audience for the game. However, anybody looking for a truly unique demolition derby game need look no further than this excellent hidden gem.
5Blur
Metacritic User Score: 8.2
Bluris a bright and beautiful homage to the arcade racers of old, featuring a vibrant visual aesthetic that perfectly blends with the chaotic core gameplay. Though the game does feature plenty of real cars for players to choose from, it alsotakes a note out ofMario Kart’sbook by including power-ups and itemsto help racers get ahead of their opponents. The simple addition of these abilities makes every race intense, and while there are definitely some that are far more powerful than others, especially the Shunt boost, they still help to freshen up the gameplay regardless.
The speed of the vehicles, mixed with the tricky track designs, also grantsBlura steep learning curve, which is either a curse or a blessing, depending on who’s asked.Blurmight not be the most balanced racing game ever made, but there’s still so much mindless fun that can be had when jumping into a race with a few buddies and blasting them away with devastating power-ups.
4Driver: San Francisco
Many developers have struggled over the years to incorporate the racing and open-world genres into a single game, but Ubisoft arguably perfected this back in 2010 with their cult classic,Driver: San Francisco. Players assume the role of John Tanner, a police officer gifted with the ability to “Shift” into other people’s bodies, which becomes a core mechanic of the game as Tanner must switch between multiple different vehicles on the fly to complete certain missions.
This adds a unique layer of strategy to the gameplay which hadn’t really been seen in these types of games before, and when paired with thecompelling narrativeand lovable characters, it makes for a game that was far ahead of its time. The optional side races mixed with the challenging main missions are more than enough to keep players engaged in this wonderful world that Ubisoft has created for this game.
3Forza Motorsport 3
Even to this day,Forza Motorsport 3is still one of the most beautiful racers to look at, with its staggering sense of scale and breathtaking lighting effects all coming together to createa visually stunning game. Of course, being aForzagame, it also contains plenty of content, with over 400 fully customizable cars and a plethora of modes to enjoy. While the game does attempt to feel a little more grounded, the introduction of the “Pressure” system, which allowed racers to make mistakes in certain intense situations, still ensured races felt unpredictable and hectic, making them a ton of fun to participate in.
The Racing Calendar is the main single-player mode which features over 200 activities and events to jump into, but as if that wasn’t enough, the game also features a highly competitive multiplayer mode with a Rules Editor feature to boot. There are unfortunately a few bugs that can become a little annoying, but these are otherwise minor issues that shouldn’t overshadow this groundbreaking racing title.
2Test Drive Unlimited
Test Drive Unlimitedis another early attempt at trying to create a racing open-world hybrid, and it’s fair to say that Eden Games knocked it out of the park, with the game being a huge commercial success upon its release. Once players boot up the game and purchase a car and a house, they will be granted the freedom to explorethe large and luxurious Hawaiian island of O’ahuat their leisure. Each time players venture into a new area, new activities will start popping up on the map, including street races, time trials, and plenty of NPCs who can offer their personal missions and resources.
The game even mixes in some light RPG elements by giving the player a specific level depending on how much they’ve played the game. Each time the player reaches a new level, they’ll have access to a few new challenges which they will be able to take on.Test Drive Unlimitedalso features a thrilling police system that is made all the more intense because of how much money it can cost if the player gets caught, making for some of the most exhilarating races in the entire game.
1Burnout Revenge
Metacritic User Score: 8.9
Burnout Revengemay not be very realistic in its presentation, but this certainly isn’t a bad thing as developers Criterion ended up making one of the most creative and downright chaotic arcade racing games ever made. As players blitz their way across 13 beautiful tracks, they’ll be heavily encouraged to ram their fellow racers into oncoming traffic, or in some cases, off the track entirely. Needless to say,Burnout Revengeisn’t a game about playing fair, but this scrappy playstyle is what makes it so addictive to play since there’s a staggering number of ways an opponent can be taken out.
Throughout a race, players will also be assigned a “Rival” that they can try and take down to increase their maximum boost gauge. This not only ramps up the chaos even more, but it also makes each race feel a little more personal as two racers are constantly trying to outdo one another to come out the victor. Pair this with over 40 popular licensed music tracks and a unique art style that still holds up to this day, and it’s no wonder whyBurnout Revengeis often consideredone of the greatest racers out there.
