6 realistic racing games to play in 2024

The world of racing games is vast, and the various titles in the genre have something for all players to enjoy. This ranges from open-world games that reward players for exploration along with racing, to simulation games that focus on serious virtual competition. The genre has seen a massive increase in popularity over the past few years, and it doesn't look like it's slowing down anytime soon (pun intended).

While games such as The Crew and Test Drive Unlimited may be popular for their open-world elements, today we'll be looking at some games that provide realistic racing experiences to gamers.

Note: This list is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinion. The entries are arranged in no particular order.

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6 realistic racing games to play in 2024

1) iRacing

iRacing is an incredibly realistic and immersive sim (Image via iRacing)

iRacing has cemented its reputation as one of the best simulation racing games presently available. Having debuted in storefronts in 2008, the game has received updates to its track and vehicle roster over the years to expand the available content for players.

iRacing also awards a virtual license to the player based on their driving skill in regards to speed and safety. Its most lauded feature is its physics and handling model. The game has often been used for professional sim racing events because of how authentically it can recreate the feeling of being in a racecar.

Available on: PC

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2) Assetto Corsa Competizione

ACC is among the most realistic games for GT sportscars (Image via 505 Games)

The Assetto Corsa series debuted in 2015 and received widespread critical acclaim. 2019's Competizione has become a staple for fans of sim racing, and often ranks high thanks to its realistic handling model for the track and vehicles. The title focuses on the GT2, GT3, and GT4 categories of racing, and is the official game for the 24 Hours of Spa and GT World Challenge Europe racing series.

It has both online and offline modes, with an incredibly detailed vehicle setup menu to allow drivers to perfect their car's handling by modifying the setup. With the launch of its sequel Assetto Corsa EVO imminent in 2025, now is a great time to try out this title.

Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

3) Gran Turismo 7

Gran Turismo 7 also features a detailed photo mode (Image via Sony)

Sony's headline racing game franchise, Gran Turismo, requires little introduction, having been around since 1997 on the original PlayStation. The series is highly and widely regarded for blending realistic racing with gameplay mechanics that make it accessible for racing newcomers as well.

Gran Turismo 7 is no different and allows players the freedom to make the game as easy or hard for themselves as per preferences. The tracks and cars are meticulously detailed, as are the flexibility settings for car setup. Being a PlayStation exclusive, the title is available for the current-gen as well as previous-gen consoles. It is also compatible with the PlayStation VR2 headset.

Available on: PS4, PS5

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4) EA Sports WRC

EA Sports WRC is a great rally game (Image via EA)

The successor to the popular Dirt series, EA Sports WRC is a great game for rally fans to pick up. The game's recreation of rally stages is brilliant, as are the vehicles on offer for players to choose from. The game also features a new "Car Builder" mode, which allows players to create their own rally cars.

With over 200 rally stages to choose from, the game's rendition of vehicle physics and tarmac realism is often lauded by fans. Additionally, as a recent 2023 game that's only available on current-generation consoles, EA Sports WRC's visuals are also striking.

Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

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5) Forza Motorsport 2023

Forza Motorsport features a wide vehicle roster (Image via Microsoft)

2023's Forza Motorsport is a soft reboot of the incredibly popular Forza franchise's motorsport arm. While the Horizon series is more popular in terms of vehicle choice and emphasis on open-world exploration, the Motorsport series has always appealed more to fans of more realistic racing. There are also over 500 cars for players to choose from.

The game's handling model has been the highlight, and despite a rocky launch, its performance seems to be on track, with bugs being quashed over time. It should, however, be noted that being a Microsoft exclusive, the game is available only on the current-gen Xbox consoles and PCs.

Available on: PC, Xbox Series X/S

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6) Ride 5

Ride 5 is a bike lover's dream racing game (Image via Milestone S.r.l.)

The Ride series is popular for its realistic rendition and recreation of incredibly fast bikes. Ride 5 continues this trend and takes place across racetracks real and fictional across four continents. Much of the gameplay aspects are similar to its predecessor (Ride 4), though the title includes a new split-screen mode for local co-op multiplayer.

Exclusively available for current-generation consoles and PCs, the game has stunning visuals. Its focus on the authentic handling of motorbikes makes Ride 5 a perfect experience for two-wheeler fans looking to play a realistic motorbike racing game.

Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

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• 5 best current open-world racing games
• Every Codemasters F1 game, ranked
• 5 most underrated racing games of all time