The Top Racing Games You’ve Never Heard of (But Should Try)

18 March 2025

Alright, buckle up, folks! Racing games aren’t just about the juggernauts like Need for Speed, Forza Horizon, or Mario Kart. Sure, those are fun and all, but what about the hidden gems? The sleek underdogs that are quietly burning rubber while most gamers zoom right past them? They’re out there, waiting, lurking in the shadows of the gaming industry, like the sleeper car at your local drag strip that looks like it couldn’t beat a golf cart but then obliterates a Lamborghini.

If you’re craving something new to rev your gaming engine, keep reading. Here’s a list of top-tier yet criminally underrated racing games that deserve a spot in your pit crew!

1. Distance

If Tron and Hot Wheels decided to have a neon-lit baby, it would probably look something like Distance. This futuristic racing game takes you to a dystopian world packed with glowing highways, psychedelic visuals, and heart-pounding obstacles.

Imagine this: You're not just driving a car. Oh no, you're piloting a vehicle that can jump, rotate, drive upside-down, and even sprout wings like a mechanical Pegasus (because sometimes tires aren’t enough). Plus, the game tosses in parkour elements for your car—yes, CAR-parkour. Honestly, how cool is that?

The vibe is as if someone fed your Gran Turismo disc a Red Bull, turned off the gravity, and cranked the EDM up to eleven. Oh, and the community-made maps? Straight-up wild.

Why You’ve Never Heard of It:
It’s an indie game, so it didn’t get the massive marketing push of mainstream titles.

Why You Should Play It:
Nothing screams adrenaline like boosting through a loop-de-loop while dodging lasers in a glowing digital void. Trust me, you’ll feel like a hacker on wheels.

2. Art of Rally

You know how most racing games are all about speed, sharp corners, and nitro boosts? Well, Art of Rally takes a chill pill and goes, "Nah, let’s vibe." This stylish indie racer is basically a love letter to classic rally racing—but with a minimalist, artsy twist.

The top-down perspective might take a hot second to get used to, but once you do? Oh man, it’s a zen-like experience. Picture yourself drifting through Scandinavian forests, Japanese countryside, or the Kenyan savannah, all while a retro synthwave soundtrack lulls you into a blissful trance.

It’s less about cutthroat competition and more about perfecting the art of the drive (hence the name). Think of it as the Bob Ross of racing games—happy little accidents included.

Why You’ve Never Heard of It:
It’s lowkey marketed and doesn’t scream “LOOK AT ME!” like the big-budget racers.

Why You Should Play It:
Sometimes, slowing down and enjoying the scenery is more thrilling than winning a million-dollar race.

3. Redout

If Wipeout and F-Zero had a lovechild, fed it protein shakes, and then sent it to Space Camp, you’d get Redout. This gem is an anti-gravity racer that throws physics out the window and says, “Let’s go FAST.”

Set in the far-off future, Redout churns out super-slick visuals, dizzying tracks, and speeds that’ll make your palms sweat. The game feels like you’re riding a rollercoaster built by someone who clearly has no regard for human safety—and we’re here for it.

The handling is buttery smooth, the competition ruthless, and the sound effects? Oh, they slap harder than a bass drop at a dubstep concert. This is high-octane chaos at its finest.

Why You’ve Never Heard of It:
It’s overshadowed by bigger names in the genre like Wipeout.

Why You Should Play It:
Because you secretly want to know what it feels like to break the sound barrier in a spaceship. Admit it.

4. Absolute Drift

Ever thought drifting was the coolest thing you could do in a car? (Aside from actually parallel parking successfully on your first try, of course.) Well, that’s the entire concept behind Absolute Drift.

This minimalist indie game doesn’t care about fancy visuals or massive open worlds. It focuses on one thing and one thing only: perfecting your drifting technique. Whether you're sliding through tight corners on mountain roads or doing donuts around cones, Absolute Drift is a masterclass in precision and patience.

And the soothing electronic soundtrack? Absolute perfection. It’s like yoga for your thumbs—if yoga involved a ton of screeching tires and the smell of burning rubber.

Why You’ve Never Heard of It:
Released quietly without much fanfare.

Why You Should Play It:
Because mastering the perfect drift is more satisfying than landing a killer trick shot in Call of Duty.

5. Burnout Crash!

Let’s take a detour from the traditional racing path for a second. Remember the Burnout series? Known for its high-speed vehicular carnage and chaos? Well, Burnout Crash! is like its quirky little sibling who doesn’t care about winning races but LOVES creating massive pile-ups.

Instead of zooming to the finish line, your goal is to cause as much destruction as humanly (or vehicularly) possible. You crash into traffic, chain explosions, and wreak havoc in the most creative ways possible. Think of it like bowling, but instead of pins, you’re knocking over taxis and semi-trucks.

It’s weird, it’s hilarious, and it’s oddly therapeutic. Go ahead, unleash your inner chaos goblin.

Why You’ve Never Heard of It:
It was more of a spin-off and didn’t get the love the main series did.

Why You Should Play It:
Who doesn’t want to be an agent of chaos occasionally? Plus, it’s a perfect stress reliever after a long day.

6. GRIP: Combat Racing

Take a moment to imagine Mario Kart… but way angrier. That’s the energy GRIP: Combat Racing brings to the table.

This high-speed, gravity-defying combat racer feels like a modern-day successor to the cult classic Rollcage. You’re piloting cars that can flip upside down, drive on walls, and unleash devastating weapons on your opponents. Oh, and the tracks? Absolute insanity. One second you're speeding across a tranquil beach, and the next, you're soaring through an underground lava cavern.

It’s fast, it’s furious (pun intended), and it’ll have you yelling at your screen in the best way possible.

Why You’ve Never Heard of It:
It’s a niche title that didn’t hit mainstream popularity.

Why You Should Play It:
Because flipping your car at 200 mph and still winning is oddly satisfying.

7. Hotshot Racing

Retro vibes, anyone? Hotshot Racing throws it back to the good ol’ days of polygonal visuals and arcade-style gameplay. Think Daytona USA, but on steroids.

This colorful racer is all about fun, with tight handling, quirky racers, and a lighthearted tone that’ll remind you of the glory days of arcade gaming. Unlike some modern racers that drown you in overly technical adjustments and stress, Hotshot Racing keeps things simple—and that’s where it shines.

It’s pure, unfiltered joy wrapped up in a 90s aesthetic. Oh, and it’s great for multiplayer sessions. Trash-talking your buddies has never been so satisfying.

Why You’ve Never Heard of It:
Released quietly in the indie scene without much noise.

Why You Should Play It:
Because everyone deserves a hit of nostalgia (and arguably, a good laugh).

8. KartRider: Drift

Tired of Mario Kart but still itching for some wacky, kart-based action? Meet KartRider: Drift. It’s like the cool indie band version of Mario Kart—just as good, if not better, but with way less recognition.

The game features colorful tracks, crazy power-ups, and karts that’ll make you smile with their sheer charm. It also has a surprising level of depth to its mechanics, which means you’ll need more than luck to win.

And here’s the kicker: It’s completely free to play. No strings attached. Like, who doesn’t love a freebie?

Why You’ve Never Heard of It:
It’s relatively new compared to its competitors.

Why You Should Play It:
Free. Fun. Frantic. Do you really need more reasons?

Final Lap

There you have it, racing enthusiasts! A list of under-the-radar gems to scratch that racing itch. Whether you're craving chaos, perfect drifts, or anti-gravity madness, these games have got you covered. Think of them as the secret menu of the gaming world—hidden treasures only the true connoisseurs know about.

So, which one are you going to try first? Or better yet, why not try them all? Your virtual garage is about to get a whole lot cooler.