15 Upcoming Racing Games We Can’t Wait to Play in 2026 and Beyond

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Modern gaming consoles are making racing games look and feel incredibly realistic, offering a truly immersive experience. The racing simulator genre has seen a lot of exciting new games recently, and 2026 promises to continue that trend with even more impressive titles.

Looking for the best racing games to get your adrenaline pumping? We’ve put together a list of confirmed titles, and a few upcoming games that could be released in 2026 or later. Get ready to hit the gas!

1. Forza Horizon 6

We have good news and bad news regarding the next Forza game. It’s confirmed to come out in 2026, but Playground Games hasn’t announced a specific date yet. This fourteenth installment is a big project, and it’s moving the action to Tokyo, featuring famous landmarks and a focus on authentic Japanese racing culture.

Tokyo City is set to be the most detailed and challenging driving environment in the game series so far, and it’s also the biggest map they’ve ever created, making it a highlight of the year.

2. RIDE 6

Milestone Games is releasing a thrilling motorcycle racing game in February. It features over 340 bikes and offers gameplay for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced racers. Players can enjoy a robust Career Mode with both accessible Arcade and more challenging Pro modes.

The game looks fantastic, and we’re eager to find out if driving the virtual tracks feels as authentic and enjoyable as the real experience.

3. Screamer

Even from the early demos, this fast-paced arcade racer is shaping up to be a really enjoyable and visually striking game. Screamer features a fresh control system – steer with the left stick and drift with the right – and a vibrant anime art style. It builds on what made previous games in the series good, while pushing the franchise forward with a modern experience.

You can also get speed boosts for making precise gear changes, and even use shields or special abilities to eliminate your opponents. It sounds amazing!

4. Gear.Club Unlimited 3 (Switch 2)

The Switch 2 version of this game features over 40 cars you can fully customize, plus a thrilling Highway Rush mode and a story mode set in France and Japan. It’s a great game to play with friends and is sure to be a hit at your next game night!

This game will initially be available only on the Switch 2, which should attract early buyers when it launches later this year. It will then be released on other gaming systems at a later date.

5. Tokyo Xtreme Racer (PS5)

We really enjoyed Genki’s updated take on this classic arcade racing game when it came out on PC last year. It looked and sounded fantastic, offering a blend of nostalgia and new experiences by staying true to what made the original Tokyo Xtreme Racer so popular.

Experience thrilling, fast-paced racing on the PS5 as you navigate the busy Shuto Expressway. This game is a real test of your speed and reactions, and mastering it is incredibly rewarding.

6. Star Wars: Galactic Racer

If you enjoy fast-paced racing in cool vehicles, set in a familiar but distant galaxy, you probably noticed this arcade-style racer when it was revealed at TGS 2025.

This racing game offers a variety of vehicles, each handling differently, and includes both a solo campaign and the ability to compete with others. It’s worth checking out when it releases later this year.

7. LANESPLIT

If you want a bike you can just get on and ride, easily navigating city streets, this is a great choice. It might not be the fanciest option available, but it’s incredibly easy to use.

The early test version of the game didn’t have many bikes to select from, but the complete version, coming out later this year, will offer a good variety of bikes for its simple, straightforward gameplay.

8. Super Woden: Rally Edge

This racing simulator offers a complete and enjoyable experience with realistic driving, a deep career mode, unique events for each car class, and exciting head-to-head races. It’s easily one of the best racing games of 2026, and you can even enjoy split-screen racing with up to four friends.

With plenty of cars and tracks to pick from, this racing game is a lot of fun and well worth trying. It’s not perfect, but it’s so well-made and enjoyable that any small flaws are easy to ignore.

9. Assetto Corsa EVO 1.0

This game gained a lot of attention when it was first released in early access in 2025, and we’re really looking forward to seeing the final version with all its planned improvements.

This game offers a lot to enjoy for racing fans, with various game modes, a great variety of cars and tracks, and realistic physics that make every race feel truly authentic.

10. Carmageddon: Rogue Shift

Get ready for Carmageddon to come back bigger than ever! This arcade-racing game throws you into a chaotic, post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. It’s a fast-paced, unpredictable experience where survival is key.

This game offers a constantly changing challenge thanks to its randomly created levels. With a variety of cars, weapons, and tons of other unlockable content, it’s a chaotic and enjoyable experience that will remind players of classic games in the genre.

11. Wreckfest 2 1.0

Wreckfest 2 is shaping up to be an incredibly destructive and exciting racing game, just like the original! It features updated graphics thanks to the ROMU Engine, and delivers the same chaotic, demolition-filled gameplay fans loved before. Look for it to be released soon.

The game features plenty of destruction and lets you customize a car for exciting driving. Get ready for a thrilling experience where you can really let loose and enjoy the ride!

12. Endurance Motorsport Series

This driving simulator offers a truly realistic experience thanks to its accurate physics and detailed tracks modeled after real-world locations. What sets it apart is that success isn’t just about how fast you drive – it also depends on your ability to work with your team and adjust to changing track conditions.

Be prepared to think on your feet and act quickly to stay ahead of rivals, creating a remarkably realistic experience.

13. F1 2025 Paid Expansion

A new F1 26 game won’t be released this year. Instead, F1 25 will receive a paid expansion pack that adds a lot of fresh content and updates the game’s rules and systems to match the current Formula One season.

That’s fantastic! It’s especially good to hear the developers will have more time to work on what promises to be a really exciting new game in the series, planned for release in 2027.

14. Akina

If you still love the fast-paced drifting from the movie Tokyo Drift, you’ll likely enjoy this new arcade racer. It’s set in the beautiful mountains and countryside of Japan and recreates the classic Japanese racing scene that many fans remember with fondness. It’s scheduled to be released later this year.

If you love drifting, Akina could be the best racing game out there, thanks to its beautifully designed world and exciting, challenging tracks.

15. CarX Drift Racing Online 2

If you’re looking to take your drifting to the next level, this game could be exactly what you need. It features realistic physics and gameplay that closely follows real-world competition rules. With both single-player and multiplayer options, it’s a strong alternative to games like Akina and a serious competitor for the best drifting games available.

This new version improves on what we already loved about the previous one, and we’re excited to see it released in early 2026.

That concludes our look at the racing games we‘re most looking forward to playing in 2026 and the years after! We hope to see you racing with us!

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2026-01-29 16:43