Racing is one of the most fundamentalgaming genresout there. The term “racing” can encompass literally anything from high-speed car racing to riding a bike down a mountain road. As long as there are some other drivers on the track alongside the player, a drive from point A to point B would turn into an adrenaline-pumping race on who reaches the finish line first.
7 Best Open-World Racing Games
Open worlds fit perfectly with racing games, and these titles are the best ones in the genre.
The Switch might not sound like a console for the hardcore gamers out there, but surprisingly it has a good selection of racing games for every kind of fan. There are kart racers for the players who like to play split-screen co-op with their friends, rally racers for those who don’t mind getting their tires dirty and sim racers for the more patient and methodical racing fan. These eight racing games on the Switch are guaranteed to keep racing fans hooked to their screens while they’re out and about.
8WRC Generations
Grip It And Rip It
WRC Generations
The final officially licensed WRC game by KT Racing before EA and Codemasters took over, WRC Generations is the culmination of years of refinement in the series. This installment demands precision as usual, across dynamic weather conditions, treacherous dirt roads and some of the most technical rally stages ever put into a game. Featuring the new hybrid Rally1 cars, WRC Generations adds an extra layer of depth by forcing players to manage energy deployment alongside the already-complex handling model.
With over 750 km of real-world rally stages, including legendary locations like Monte Carlo and Sweden, the game doesn’t hold back on content. The Switch version inevitably cuts down on visual fidelity, but it retains the core physics and stage design that make every race feel like a genuine motorsport event. There’s also an online multiplayer to hop into and cross-platform leaderboards which ensure that the competition never stops, while a deep career mode gives rally fans the chance to climb through the ranks of WRC history.
7Horizon Chase Turbo
An Ode to the Arcade Classics
Horizon Chase Turbo
In an era ofhyper-realistic racing sims, Horizon Chase Turbo unapologetically embraces the golden age of arcade racing. Inspired by OutRun and Top Gear, the game brings back the thrill of high-speed, checkpoint-based racing with vibrant visuals, exaggerated turns and a killer soundtrack composed by Barry Leitch, the same composer behind Top Gear’s legendary music.
With over one hundred tracks spanning locations from Brazil to Japan, the game offers a ton of variety while keeping the gameplay refreshingly simple. Handling is smooth and responsive, allowing players to weave through traffic and master every corner with precision. Split-screen multiplayer for up to four players is a major highlight, bringing back the couch-competition energy of classic arcade racers. For Switch players looking for a fast-paced, retro-inspired ride, Horizon Chase Turbo delivers pure, unfiltered fun.
6NASCAR Rivals
Left Turns Have Never Been This Competitive
Stock car racing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the Switch’s best racers, but NASCAR Rivals ensures that oval-track enthusiasts aren’t left behind. Featuring all teams, drivers and cars from the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series, this game delivers the full experience of the sport, from drafting strategies to high-speed crashes at Daytona. The AI does a solid job of emulating pack racing, making every lap a tense battle to maintain positioning.
5Grid Autosport
The Most Realistic Racer on Switch
Grid Autosport
While most racing games on Switch lean toward arcade-style gameplay, Grid Autosport stands out as the closest thing to a full-fledged sim racer on the platform. Originally released by Codemasters in 2014, this port brings the realistic handling model, diverse car selection and intense AI competition to a handheld console without sacrificing too much in the transition.
Players can switch between multiple racing disciplines, including touring cars, endurance races and even street racing, each with unique handling characteristics. The game also offers extensive control customization, including motion controls and touchscreen options, making it one of the most adaptable racers on the system. While it lacks online multiplayer, the sheer depth of the career mode and the AI’s aggressive racing style keep every race engaging. It’s not a full sim like Gran Turismo, but for Switch players craving something more serious, Grid Autosport is as close as it gets.
4Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled
The Hardest Kart Racer You’ll Ever Love
Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled enhances the PlayStation classic in every way. Combining the best tracks from Crash Team Racing and Crash Nitro Kart, the game offers some of the most technical kart racing mechanics ever designed. Unlike Mario Kart, where accessibility is key, CTR Nitro-Fueled rewards players who master its advanced drift-boosting system, turning every race into a skill-based challenge.
The single-player Adventure Mode brings back the nostalgic boss battles and time trial challenges that made the original so beloved. Meanwhile, online multiplayer keeps the action going with competitive lobbies, even if server stability has been inconsistent. With a huge roster of characters, unlockable karts and customization options, CTR Nitro-Fueled is a love letter to classic kart racing, but only for those willing to put in the time to master its demanding mechanics.
3Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered
The Ultimate Cops and Racers Showdown
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered brings back the high-speed chases and heart-pounding police pursuits that made the 2010 original one of the best entries in the franchise. The Autolog system returns which dynamically recommends rival times to beat, keeping every race feeling competitive, even in single-player.
10 Best Need For Speed Games
There are a lot of Need for Speed games and every game tries something new, but these ten titles are the ones that do it right.
The two main modes, racer and cop, offer drastically different experiences. As a racer, it’s all about outmaneuvering the law with turbo boosts, spike strips and aggressive driving. As a cop, players get access to roadblocks and EMPs, making every pursuit a battle of wits and reflexes. The Switch version retains all the content from the original, including online multiplayer and free post-launch updates that added new cars and events.
2Burnout Paradise Remastered
Speed, Destruction and Endless Mayhem
Burnout Paradise Remastered
There are arcade racers and then there’s Burnout Paradise Remastered. Thisopen-worlddestruction derby lets players roam the streets of Paradise City, engaging in high-speed races, performing ridiculous stunts, and most importantly, causing spectacular crashes. Unlike traditional racing games, Burnout Paradise encourages chaos, rewarding players for risky driving and perfectly-timed takedowns.
The seamless open-world design allows players to drive anywhere, discovering shortcuts, smashing billboards and challenging other racers on the fly. Online multiplayer is also fun and lets friends team up for stunt challenges or engage in high-speed wreck fests. While the Switch version runs at a lower resolution compared to other platforms, the buttery-smooth 60 FPS performance ensures that the high-speed action remains smooth.
1Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
The King of Racing Games on Switch
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
It’s hard to imagine a better racing game on the Switch than Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. An enhanced version of the Wii U’s Mario Kart 8, this installment offers a massive roster of characters, refined mechanics and some of the best track designs in the series. The anti-gravity sections introduce a fresh twist to races, while the inclusion of all previous DLC tracks and the new Booster Course Pass ensures that the content never runs dry.
Multiplayer remains the heart of the experience, withsplit-screen, online and even LAN support for large-scale races. The accessibility means anyone can pick it up and have fun, but there’s still plenty of depth for competitive players who want to master drifting and item management.
8 Driving Games That Are Best Enjoyed with a Wheel
A racing wheel is always preferred to play a driving game if supported, but the best games in this list will make a wheel almost a necessity.
