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Added by ape on 4 Sep 2012 09:50
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Racing Games - ranked by preference

Sort by: Showing 1-50 of 114
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People who added this item 47 Average listal rating (30 ratings) 8 IMDB Rating 0
R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 - PlayStation
Release Date: December 3, 1998 (JP)
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Namco
Genre: Racing

Never before and quite possibly never again have I ever been so obsessed with a racing game in my life than I was with R4. It takes an obsessed person like myself to unlock each and every car in the game, including the fancy-schmancy Pac-Man car. There's a reason I was so obsessed...This is the pinnacle of Ridge Racer games. The little stories included with each team that you race for, the large variety of cars to choose from, the fun courses to race on, and the amazing soundtrack make this the total package when it comes to arcade-style racing games. Gran Turismo got most of the attention during the PS One days, but Ridge Racer Type 4 is just as good in my opinion...And in some ways, even better.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 245 Average listal rating (150 ratings) 7.5 IMDB Rating 0
Gran Turismo - PlayStation
Release Date: December 23, 1997 (JP)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Polyphony Digital
Genre: Racing

I can thank my car-fantatic friends for getting me into Gran Turismo. I've never been big into cars, and I've never been big into realistic racing video games...But dang it, the original Gran Turismo took hours upon hours of my life away. The concept of starting with the least powerful and most basic of cars (after obtaining your driver's license, of course), and through winning races, slowly build your way up to buy more powerful, faster cars and modify them to make them go as fast as possible until you're essentially the king of the racing world turned out to be a great idea for a racing game. Later Gran Turismo games added much, much more to the table, but the first one is still my favorite to this day.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 57 Average listal rating (41 ratings) 8.1 IMDB Rating 0
Rock N' Roll Racing - Super famicom and SNES
Release Date: September 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Interplay
Developer: Silicon & Synapse
Genre: Racing

When it comes to racing games, there aren't many titles that I've put as many hours into as I have with this gem. I've beaten the game countless times, on all difficulty settings, and every time it has been an absolute joy. I went to play it a bit to nab some screenshots for this list, and found myself playing it for a few hours all over again. With the solid, enjoyable, isometric-style racing found in RC Pro-Am and a variety of weapons and power-ups to purchase and make the races a little more exciting, Rock N Roll Racing is a racing game that will likely appeal to the Mario Kart audience that doesn't want to play a realistic racing title. If you haven't played Rock N Roll Racing yet, do it...And thank me in the form of an envelope full of cash.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 152 Average listal rating (99 ratings) 7.8 IMDB Rating 0
F-Zero X - Nintendo 64
Release Date: July 14, 1998 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Racing

I adore F-Zero on the SNES, so when I saw that a sequel was made for the N64 and the playable characters went from four to a whopping thirty-one, with the generic diver opponents replaced with drivers with names, I was quite pumped. I wasn't disappointed when I played it, either. The fun, but flat-as-paper tracks of the original were replaced with tracks that twist and turn, making an already enjoyable experience much more enjoyable. To this day, F-Zero X is still one of my favorite racing games that I've ever played.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 69 Average listal rating (27 ratings) 7 IMDB Rating 0
ModNation Racers - PlayStation 3
Release Date: May 20, 2010 (AU)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: United Front Games
Genre: Racing - Kart-Style

ModNation Racers, at first glance, doesn't really look like anything special. It basically looks like a Mario Kart clone with an odd art design...Then when you play, you quickly find out that ModNation Racers is basically the LittleBigPlanet of kart racing games. The tracks and creations found within the game only scratch the surface of the game's content, as you can create and download an infinite number of tracks, racers, and vehicles to enjoy. It's not a perfect game, but it's pretty dang good and if kart racers are your thing, you can't go wrong with this game.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 30 Average listal rating (14 ratings) 8 IMDB Rating 0
Sega Rally Championship - Sega Saturn
Release Date: December 28, 1995 (NA)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega
Genre: Racing - Rally

I loved the two "Sega Sports" racing games released on the Saturn; Daytona USA and Sega Rally Championship. But, if forced to choose between the two, Sega Rally Championship gets the slight nod over Daytona simply because I prefer playing rally-style racing games over NASCAR-style racing games. I also enjoy racing games with an arcade feel, and this rally racer has that, which easily makes it one of my favorite racing games of all-time.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 29 Average listal rating (11 ratings) 7.5 IMDB Rating 0
ExciteBots: Trick Racing - Nintendo Wii
Release Date: April 20, 2009 (NA)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Monster Games Inc.
Genre: Racing

I played ExciteBots with a lot of skepticism. I wasn't expecting much...In fact, I was almost expecting it to be bad. But once I started to play it, I quickly fell in love with the gameplay that involved odd cars designed after animals and the tricks that you're encouraged to perform as you cruise around the tracks. I hadn't had this much fun with a racing title in a while and it's easily in my top 5 racing titles of this console generation.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 64 Average listal rating (26 ratings) 6.8 IMDB Rating 0
Ridge Racer - PlayStation Portable
Release Date: December 12, 2004 (JP)
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Namco
Genre: Racing

Though the recent Wii U launch lacked a Ridge Racer title, for quite a while, if a new system was being launched, a Ridge Racer game was expected to be part of the launch titles...And for the most part, they usually provided a solid title in the launch line-up that may not have necessarily been the best game of the bunch, but a very good one. In the case of Ridge Racer, it very well may have been the best title at launch and was the best game in the series since Ridge Racer 4, mixing up elements, tracks, and soundtracks from all of the previous Ridge Racer titles to create one of the best PSP games, that wasn't just one of the best at launch, it stayed near the top for the remainder of the handheld's life cycle.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 233 Average listal rating (161 ratings) 7.3 IMDB Rating 0
F-Zero - Super famicom and SNES
Release Date: November 21, 1990 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Racing

Until Rock N Roll Racing came out, this was the racing game that stole much of my childhood. I have no idea how many times I've beaten this game, but it's got to be close to 50. With each of the four drivers handling differently from each other, it added some much-appreciated variety and a reason for people to continue playing the game after initially beating it with a different character. It's one of the best racing games of the 16-bit era, and I'd even argue that it can still hold its own today.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 15 Average listal rating (8 ratings) 8 IMDB Rating 0
Hydro Thunder - Sega Dreamcast
Release Date: September 8, 1999 (NA)
Publisher: Midway
Developer: Eurocom Entertainment Software
Genre: Racing

I'm a sucker for racing games that don't involve cars. Maybe it's because I've always enjoyed games that stray from the beaten path, or maybe it's because games like Hydro Thunder are just so dang good that it makes me want more. Hydro Thunder takes the fun racing-on-water mechanics of Wave Race 64 and adds some speed and a more arcade-y feel to deliver an awesome experience for both casual and hardcore fans of racing games. It's not an incredibly deep racing experience, but it doesn't need to be - it's just pure fun.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 771 Average listal rating (570 ratings) 7.7 IMDB Rating 0
Release Date: November 7, 2003 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Racing - Kart

Mario Kart: Double Dash!! was a game me and my roommates were hooked on. We didn't have a second controller and didn't play multiplayer...Instead we honed our skills and constantly tried to beat each other's fastest times. That said, Double Dash has a special place in my heart for the competition it created. It's also a solid racing game with a unique gimmick of having two characters on the kart at a time, which also let you hold more power-ups at once, which led to some pretty chaotic (and fun) racing. When it comes to kart-style racing on the Gamecube, nothing comes close to this title.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 31 Average listal rating (12 ratings) 6.8 IMDB Rating 0
Release Date: March 4, 2002 (NA)
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Developer: Digital Illusions
Genre: Racing

I'm a sucker for Rally-style racing games...There's just something about racing off-road that I find extremely fun in a video game. Anyway, RalliSport Challenge was Microsoft's attempt at a rally game, and they actually did a very good job with it. There's a decent amount of race types to play, and they're all quite fun to play. I prefer the Dreamcast's Sega Rally Championship to this, but only by a slight margin. It's definitely worth a look if you're into racing games, especially rally racing games.
ape's rating:
Release Date: August 25, 2000 (EU)
Publisher: Codemasters
Developer: Codemasters
Genre: Racing

Well, I'll eat my words here...I've had friends recommending this to me since it was released and I never bothered trying it. They're car fanatics, afterall. I'm not. That said, I should have listened to them. Codemasters has a very good track record, pun intended, with racing games. This is no exception. If you like racing games, and if racing on tracks around the world sounds interesting to you, then you can't do much better than Jarrett & Labonte Stock Car Racing.
ape's rating:
Release Date: November 25, 1996 (NA)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: AM2
Genre: Racing

After the disappointing Daytona USA, Sega fixed all the issues and released a much, much better version that lived up to many of the expectations that the first version dropped the ball on. Championship Circuit Edition is an improved product in absolutely every regard, and one that lives up to the hype that the arcade version got. I still enjoy Sega Rally Championship a little more, but quite frankly, Daytona USA Championship Circuit Edition is right up there as one of my favorite racers of all-time.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 80 Average listal rating (53 ratings) 7.6 IMDB Rating 0
Carmageddon - PC Games
Release Date: June 30, 1997 (NA)
Publisher: Interplay
Developer: SCi
Genre: Racing

Carmageddon had a bit of controversy to it...Afterall, a racing game where you get rewarded for veering off the track to plow over innocent pedestrians is probably gonna garner some sort of negative attention from someone. The beauty of Carmageddon, though, is that unlike a lot of games that go for controversial tactics, Carmageddon is actually pretty dang good. Leaving the course and exploring each level is fun in itself - there's nothing like driving into a football field and tackling the players with your car. The violence in Carmageddon isn't necessary for the fun - but it has a charming, cheesy B-movie feel to it that adds to the overall experience.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 929 Average listal rating (849 ratings) 7.6 IMDB Rating 0
Mario Kart DS - Nintendo DS
Release Date: November 14, 2005 (NA)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Racing - Kart

I love me some Mario Kart DS. I tend to avoid online gaming just because I don't like folks who cheat...And there are a TON online. Yet, I still played a ton of this game online. Yeah, people would leave the race if they were going to lose because they didn't want their record soiled with a loss, but for the most part, I enjoyed racing folks on there. But anyway, Mario Kart DS had an assortment of tracks from other Mario Kart games making it almost like a best-of Mario Kart game. Since it was portable, it was like a dream come true to play some of these tracks while on the go. In my opinion, this is one of the best Mario Kart games that Nintendo has put out.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 238 Average listal rating (154 ratings) 7.9 IMDB Rating 0
Gran Turismo 2 - PlayStation
Release Date: November 30, 1999 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Polyphony Digital
Genre: Racing

Gran Turismo is one of my favorite racing games that I've ever played, so when a sequel came out, naturally I was looking forward to getting it. Despite having a few tweaks and improvements, more customization options, and a lot more vehicles to choose from, I just never got into this game like I did the original. It's not a bad game by any stretch of the imagination - it's very good. But since I'm not a car nut, I felt like I already did a lot of this before, even if much of the content is new. Anyway, if you liked the first Gran Turismo, you'll probably like the second. If you're like me, you'll like and appreciate the second, but still prefer the first.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 144 Average listal rating (83 ratings) 7.3 IMDB Rating 0
Wave Race 64 - Nintendo 64
Release Date: September 27, 1996 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Racing

Oh, that Miyamoto...Everything he touches seems to turn to gold. I like water-based racing games to begin with, but Wave Race 64 isn't just a racing game, as it almost doubles as an obstacle course at the same time, making you weave in and out of buoys in the water while trying to pass your opponents. Ignore the directions of the buoys and you'll find yourself disqualified. It sounds kind of lame, but once you start to play, you'll see that it's done very, very well. It's still one of the best jetski racers that you can find, nearly 20 years later.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 6 Average listal rating (4 ratings) 7.8 IMDB Rating 0
Release Date: December 5, 2012 (EU)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sumo Digital
Genre: Racing - Kart

I liked the first Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing on consoles. I adore this sequel even more. The first game delivered on a lot of nostalgia, allowing players to race on tracks based on various Sega franchises. This sequel adds more tracks, more drivers, more modes, more of just about everything. With Transformed, Sega and Sumo Digital may have finally done what nobody has really been able to do - created a kart racing franchise that can compete with the Mario Kart games. The fact that this Vita version is portable is just icing on the cake.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 4 Average listal rating (4 ratings) 7.8 IMDB Rating 0
Ridge Racer - Arcade
Release Date: 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Namco
Genre: Racing


Back when Ridge Racer came out in arcades it was pretty amazing. Not only was it a beautiful 3D game for its time, but it was just plain fun to play. The fact that it technically only had one track made no difference - it was still fun. A personal fond memory of mine was when I was driving along and purposely slowed down after passing someone because I swore that the car I had just passed was a Dig Dug car. Sure enough, each car had the logo of Namco franchises, like Mappy in the screenshot above. Trying to figure out what game was on each car as you sped past them was a fun little game in itself.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 237 Average listal rating (134 ratings) 7.7 IMDB Rating 0
F-Zero GX - GameCube
Release Date: July 25, 2003 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Amusement Vision
Genre: Racing

I like the F-Zero series. I loved the first F-Zero on the Super NES. I loved F-Zero X on the Nintendo 64. I like F-Zero GX, but I don't love it. F-Zero GX is a decent futuristic racing title and all, and it looks gorgeous, but it lacks something I can't quite put my finger on....But whatever it is, it's minimal in regards to the quality of this game. F-Zero GX is still a great racer with plenty of characters to unlock if you're willing to put the time into unlocking 'em. It also features a few extra modes to help ensure that you'll keep coming back for more. It may be my least favorite of the console F-Zero games, but it's still one of my favorite racing games that I've ever played.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 5 Average listal rating (3 ratings) 7.7 IMDB Rating 0
Eliminator Boat Duel - Famicom and NES
Release Date: November 1991 (NA)
Publisher: Electro Brain
Developer: Sculptured Software
Genre: Racing

Eliminator Boat Duel doesn't seem to get mentioned much when listing off some of the best NES games. I think that's a shame because this is one of the best racing games of the 8-bit era, in my opinion. Mixing the top-down racing style of Micro Machines with upgrading your boats between racing like in RC Pro-Am, and a few of their own, unique game aspects tossed in, Eliminator Boat Duel is just tremendous. If you haven't played it, go get a copy and give it a try. If you're a fan of racing games, I bet you'll have a blast here.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 179 Average listal rating (125 ratings) 7.4 IMDB Rating 0
Mario Kart 7 - Nintendo 3DS
Release Date: December 1, 2011 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Retro Studios
Genre: Racing - Kart-Style


Technically speaking, I think that Ridge Racer 3D is the better racing game, but what I like about Mario Kart 7, and what places it higher on the list than Ridge Racer, is what a difference the items you pick up and use on the track can be. You can race against a beginner and have them still put up a decent fight if they're lucky enough to get the right items. It essentially means that there's always a challenge to be had, even if you master a track, as your opponents are often just one or two item uses away from taking away your lead and/or sending you back a few positions.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 5 Average listal rating (2 ratings) 8 IMDB Rating 0
Cart World Series - PlayStation
Release Date: September 16, 1997 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment
Genre: Racing

Two of my closest friends are racing freaks...They live and breathe racing, including when it's in video game form. A few years ago, I had a hobby of making video game videos and they loaned this game to me so I could make a gameplay sample for it...Surprisingly, I fell in love with it. I generally like arcade-style racing over the realistic stuff, but Cart World Series is done so well that not only did I keep playing it well after the video was made, I went out and bought my own copy shortly afterward so I could continue to play.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 7 Average listal rating (5 ratings) 5.4 IMDB Rating 0
Speed Devils - Sega Dreamcast
Release Date: October 14, 1999 (NA)
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Genre: Racing

Speed Devils is a deceptively good game. At first glance, it just looks like your average racer with a pretty coat of paint and (mostly) interesting levels. Each level is hiding shortcuts and hidden routes and you've got turbo boosts to use at your disposal and you can customize the levels prior to racing, like what the weather will be like and if it's a regular course or a mirror course....There's just so much to do and discover that any fan of arcade racing can easily lose hours upon hours here. Some folks don't like this game for some reason, but I fail to see what isn't to like here. If you get a chance to play it, give it a shot and find out for yourself.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 3 Average listal rating (2 ratings) 8 IMDB Rating 0
Racing Lagoon - PlayStation
Release Date: June 10, 1999 (JP)
Publisher: SquareSoft
Developer: SquareSoft
Genre: Racing

Racing Lagoon is basically SquareSoft's attempt at a racing RPG, and it's mostly successful. Knowledge of the Japanese language is necessary to fully understand the story, but from what I could piece together from the few hours I played, you're basically a street racer working your way up the ladder...It could be, and probably is deeper than that, but understanding it or not doesn't really have an effect on how well the game plays, which is well. The game isn't as solid racing-wise as Gran Turismo or Ridge Racer Type 4, but it's still very good and the RPG-like leveling up and customization options help enhance the experience further. Racing Lagoon isn't a perfect blend of racing and RPG genres, but it's still a very good one and well worth looking into if it sounds interesting at all to you.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 273 Average listal rating (169 ratings) 6.9 IMDB Rating 0
Mario Kart: Super Circuit - Game Boy Advance
Release Date: July 21, 2001 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Genre: Racing

When I was in college, Mario Kart: Super Circuit came out...And I knew that I needed it. I was a huge fan of Super Mario Kart, and to have a portable game from the franchise was like a dream come true. There's nothing quite like hurling red koopa shells at the racer in front of you while you sit on the comfort of your toilet. I look back fondly at proclaiming victory while in the bathroom, only to walk out and find my roommate looking at me with a very puzzled face. Playing this fantastic portable racer was well worth making my roommate thinking I was crazy...And I guess I was crazy - crazy over this game.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 8 Average listal rating (2 ratings) 7.5 IMDB Rating 0
Road Rash: Jailbreak - PlayStation
Release Date: February 1, 2000 (NA)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Redwood Shores
Genre: Racing

I'll be honest - I thought that this would be the worst of the Road Rash series...A last-ditch effort to make some money off of the franchise with little effort. I was dead wrong. Road Rash: Jailbreak, in my opinion, is the best Road Rash game ever made. It mixes my favorite aspects of the original Road Rash with my favorite aspects of Road Rash 3D and it results in a surprisingly good game. If you're a fan of the Road Rash franchise and haven't played this yet, find a copy. You might be pleasantly surprised like I was.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 13 Average listal rating (9 ratings) 7.2 IMDB Rating 0
Daytona USA - Sega Dreamcast
Release Date: December 21, 2000 (JP)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Amusement Vision
Genre: Racing

Daytona USA on the Sega Saturn was an attempt to bring the fantastic arcade racer into homes that fell short. Daytona USA: Championship Circuit Edition was a much better attempt, but still fell a tad short. Was the third time the charm with Dreamcast's Daytona USA? Yes and no. This game has several extra features like new tracks and cars to race as, but the gameplay itself still isn't quite as tight and fluid as the wonderful arcade original. It's the closest thing you can get to the arcade game on a home console, though, so that alone makes this a worthy purchase for racing fans - but plopping quarters in a Daytona USA arcade cabinet is still the way to go for the best Daytona USA experience.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 9 Average listal rating (5 ratings) 7.2 IMDB Rating 0
Motor Toon Grand Prix - PlayStation
Release Date: May 24, 1996 (JP)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment
Genre: Racing - Kart

Motor Toon Grand Prix is a decent kart-style racing game that's actually pretty hard to find a copy of here in North America. It's kind of confusing if you're playing it for the first time since most of the tracks seem to have the number 2 after them...That's because this was actually Motor Toon Grand Prix 2 in Japan. But anyway, the game is okay. It plays really smoothly, and the idea of collecting coins to use as power-ups is interesting, allowing the player to stock up on up to 15 (I think) coins/power-ups to use. You can basically use power-ups non-stop for most of the race if you stock up enough coins on the first lap and continue to pick more up as you race around. What makes this game really nice is how each vehicle drives totally different from one another, meaning that each time you play through the game, it's going to be a little bit of a different experience. If it had a few more modes to it I'd happily give it a higher score, but for what it is, it's still a very good racing game well worth checking out if you happen to stumble across a copy...or feel like picking it up on the Playstation Network.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 9 Average listal rating (7 ratings) 7.7 IMDB Rating 0
Road Rash - 3DO
Release Date: January 1, 1994 (NA)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Monkey Do Productions
Genre: Racing - Arcade-Style


I don't remember the exact quote, but I remember reading that the guy in charge of marketing for the 3DO stated that had Road Rash been a launch title, he believed that the 3DO would have been much, much more successful than it was. I don't know if I'd go that far, but Road Rash was pretty amazing for its time...A 3D racing game where players can use bats, nightsticks, and fists to knock other racers out of the picture. It was a blast to play, and it may have been at its best on the 3DO console.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 8 Average listal rating (6 ratings) 8 IMDB Rating 0
Ridge Racer 3D - Nintendo 3DS
Release Date: February 26, 2011 (JP)
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Namco
Genre: Racing - Arcade-Style


I've been a huge fan of the Ridge Racer series since R4: Ridge Racer Type 4...However, I also haven't played a game from the series since that got me as hooked as R4 did. Ridge Racer 3D isn't a game that will de-throne R4 as my favorite from the series, but it's still a good, solid racing game for the 3DS. If you want a racing game, but don't like banana peels on the track that make your car spin out, then Ridge Racer 3D may be the 3DS game for you.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 20 Average listal rating (13 ratings) 6.2 IMDB Rating 0
Rage Racer - PlayStation
Release Date: December 3, 1996 (NA)
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Namco
Genre: Racing

The third Ridge Racer game, Rage Racer, was the best of the bunch...until a few years later when R4 came out, that is. Pretty much everything from the graphics to the controls are tweaked a bit from the previous two releases to make this a pretty enjoyable overall experience. However, if you've played any Ridge Racer game since, I probably wouldn't recommend this. While it was good for its time, you can still enjoy some of the tracks and music from the game via later games in the series, with a perfected control scheme to boot. Still, if you're curious about Ridge Racer's roots, it couldn't hurt to take a peek at this game.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 31 Average listal rating (21 ratings) 6.7 IMDB Rating 0
Destruction Derby 2 - PlayStation
Release Date: October 31, 1996 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Reflections Interactive
Genre: Racing

Destruction Derby was a decent racing game with some good ideas, but the gameplay wasn't quite all there, in my opinion. The sequel improves on pretty much everything and the end result is one of the most fun racing titles in the Playstation library. With an emphasis on not just winning races, but racking up points by wrecking your fellow racers, the formula of Destruction Derby 2 often leads to lots of fun.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 52 Average listal rating (37 ratings) 7.7 IMDB Rating 0
Road Rash II - Sega Genesis and Mega Drive
Release Date: January 1993 (EU)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Electronic Arts
Genre: Racing

The original Road Rash on Genesis was passable. It was kind of twitchy and while fun, it just didn't feel right. Road Rash II fixes all of that. With smooth controls and a difficulty that slowly ramps up after each race, the learning curve here is just right. While later games in the series are what the Road Rash series are most remembered for, this 16-bit sequel can be ranked right up there as one of the best in the franchise.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 30 Average listal rating (12 ratings) 6.8 IMDB Rating 0
Jet Moto - PlayStation
Release Date: October 31, 1996 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: SingleTrac
Genre: Racing

Jet Moto certainly wasn't the first game to have product placements in it...But there weren't many before it where it was so blatant. Jet Moto has various product advertisements plastered on billboards and even on the vehicles themselves. Once you get past all the ads, you've got a decent jet ski-ish racing game that spans across various terrains...and while it's not as good as Nintendo 64's Wave Race 64, it certainly gave Playstation owners a decent jet ski racing game that they could call their own.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 25 Average listal rating (9 ratings) 6.7 IMDB Rating 0
OutRun 2 - Xbox
Release Date: October 1, 2004 (EU)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sumo Digital
Genre: Racing

Call me crazy, but when I got my Xbox, I didn't buy it because of Halo or Fable...I bought it because of OutRun 2. I am a HUGE fan of the original OutRun. I have very fond memories of playing the arcade version. So when I saw a sequel of sorts was an Xbox exclusive, I wanted it badly. That said, it's everything I wanted it to be...Unfortunately, it wasn't anything more than that. That's not to say it was a bad game by any means, but I basically just wanted a game like the one I played in the arcades, and this was like that...But aside from the beautiful graphics and scenery, it wasn't much more than that. That's fine by me for my tastes, but to review it objectively, it really doesn't make it much more than a game that's simply on par with any other good, but average, game out there.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 48 Average listal rating (27 ratings) 7.1 IMDB Rating 0
F-Zero: Maximum Velocity - Game Boy Advance
Release Date: March 21, 2001 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nd Cube
Genre: Racing

If you liked the original F-Zero on the Super NES, then you'll feel right at home with Maximum Velocity. Some folks may need to get used to how the game controls a bit, as the vehicles do slide around a little, but once you get the hang of when to let off the gas, hit the brakes, etc. you'll be having a blast with this futuristic racer. With a few secret cars to unlock, the game also provides some replay value, to keep you coming back for more. This is a solid racing title not just for the Game Boy Advance, but it stands up well against just about any racing game from any 16-bit console as well.
ape's rating:
Release Date: May 27, 2004 (JP)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sims
Genre: Racing

My earliest memory of an arcade game was climbing into the driver seat of an arcade cabinet in Wausau, WI popping in two quarters that my grandmother had given me, and playing a neat-looking game called OutRun. Ever since then, I've been a fan of the series, so naturally, I'm a fan of the Sega Ages remake on the Playstation 2. Aside from new backgrounds and "rivals" to try to stay in front of, this is basically the same game that was in arcades...and that's not a bad thing. In fact the arcade original is here as well, so if you don't wanna waste quarters on an OutRun machine or aren't lucky enough to be by one, this game is a nice substitute.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 658 Average listal rating (707 ratings) 8 IMDB Rating 0
Mario Kart 64 - Nintendo 64
Release Date: December 14, 1996 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Racing - Kart

I like Mario Kart 64, but I feel that it's my least favorite game in the franchise. In my eyes, it lacked the charm of the original, and many of the courses that you race on just feel bland in comparison to other games in the series. That's not to say that this is a bad game - it's very good - it' just my least favorite in the series...and looking at the other Mario Kart games, that's nothing to be ashamed of.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 13 Average listal rating (8 ratings) 6.1 IMDB Rating 0
ModNation Racers: Road Trip - PlayStation Vita
Release Date: February 15, 2012 (US)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment
Genre: Racing - Kart-Style

I loved the PS3 ModNation Racers, and I'm hooked on this one, too....But it's not without a few flaws. First, the load times are horrible...Sometimes being forced to wait around 60 seconds before the race starts. Secondly, playing against others is dumbed down to the point where you can't have a head-to-head race online...The best you can do is race against the ghost data that others upload to the internet. Honestly, that doesn't really bother me, as I'm not much of an online fellow, but I can see (and have seen) plenty of people throw a fit due to the way they handled that online stuff. But anyway, this isn't as good as the PS3 version of ModNation Racers, but it's still pretty fun and a nice addition to the Vita library for anyone who loves kart-style racers.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 25 Average listal rating (18 ratings) 6.3 IMDB Rating 0
Release Date: February 26, 2010 (EU)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sumo Digital
Genre: Racing - Kart

Sonic and Sega All-Stars racing is a decent kart racer that's pretty good, but still no match for the kart racing series that seemed to spawn the genre...You know, the one named after the plumber clad in red. Despite not reaching that level of quality, Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing can provide a lot of fun for those people who have done it all in the Mario Kart games and are looking for an alternative until the pudgy plumber gets a new kart game. It also gives a decent amount of fan service to the players, too, so if you want some Sega nostalgia, it might be a game worth playing for that reason alone.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 5 Average listal rating (3 ratings) 6 IMDB Rating 0
Lotus II - Sega Genesis and Mega Drive
Release Date: 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Gremlin Interactive
Genre: Racing

Lotus II is basically more of the same from Lotus Turbo Challenge. The controls have been tweaked a tad, and the overall game feels a little more polished...But for the most part, this is pretty much just the same game as before. If you enjoyed Lotus Turbo Challenge, you'll probably like this. If you didn't, you probably won't. If you never played the original, this is a decent racing game worth checking out, and with its minor tweaks, it's slightly better than the original.
ape's rating:
Release Date: June 24, 1999 (JP)
Publisher: Crave
Developer: Genki
Genre: Racing

Tokyo Xtreme Racer is almost like a hybrid between a fighting game and a racing game. The concept of the game is to drive around the highways of Tokyo and challenge people to street races. Once in the race, two health bars pop up on the top of the screen - one for you and one for your opponent. Whoever is ahead in the race is fine, but whoever is behind constantly has their health bar drain. The loser is the one who has an empty health bar first. It's a neat concept and fun game, but doing the same thing over and over again gets repetitive. If there were more modes or options in the game, I'd give it a higher score, but for what it is, it's still well worth a look from any street racing fanatics out there.
ape's rating:
Release Date: 1994 (NA)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Pioneer Productions
Genre: Racing

The original Need for Speed was a pretty solid street racing title for its time. While it's not as polished as later games in the franchise, it's easy to see why Need for Speed became such a popular game series from playing this. If street racing isn't your racing game genre of preference, the Need for Speed isn't going to convert you into being a fan or anything, but if street racing sounds fun, or if you just want to see how the franchise got its start, the original Need for Speed is well worth playing.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 2 Average listal rating (2 ratings) 8 IMDB Rating 0
Release Date: December 11, 2009 (NA)
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Polarbit
Genre: Racing - Kart

Krazy Kart Racing, the sequel to Konami Krazy Racers on the Game Boy Advance, is really a well done game. The motion controls work very well, the graphics are bright and good for its time for a 3D iPhone game, and the kart racing is as hectic as you'd expect from a kart racer. It might not be Mario Kart, but Krazy Kart Racing has enough going for it where it's a very worthy replacement for folks itching for a kart racing game on their iPhones.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 9 Average listal rating (3 ratings) 7 IMDB Rating 0
Ridge Racer DS - Nintendo DS
Release Date: December 7, 2004 (NA)
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Namco
Genre: Racing

Ridge Racer DS is essentially Ridge Racer 64 in portable form, which isn't necessarily bad, but considering that PSP owners got one of the better Ridge Racer games ever made just a few months later when Sony's handheld launched, it does kind of feel like a disappointment. It's a decent racing game that does everything well and if you're a fan of the genre, you'll enjoy the time you put into this game, but the Ridge Racer series had already reached its peak a few years prior with R4: Ridge Racer Type 4, so playing a portable Ridge Racer 64 does feel like a little bit of a step backwards.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 25 Average listal rating (15 ratings) 6.5 IMDB Rating 0
Trials Fusion - PlayStation 4
Release Date: April 15, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: RedLynx
Genre: Racing

Trials Fusion may remind one of Excitebike. Basically, you race the clock to the end of a course, trying to prevent from crashing along the way. You've also got the option of creating your own tracks, which again, may remind one of Excitebike. While Trials Fusion's tracks are definitely more interesting than those found in the 8-bit classic, I feel like it lacks the overall quality of Nintendo's beloved dirt bike game. But still, if you enjoyed Excitebike in the past, you'll probably find a few things to enjoy about Trials Fusion.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 4 Average listal rating (2 ratings) 7 IMDB Rating 0
Vanishing Point - Sega Dreamcast
Release Date: December 21, 2000 (NA)
Publisher: Acclaim
Developer: Clockwork Games
Genre: Racing

Vanishing Point has a pretty steep learning curve...So steep that most folks will likely give up after only a few races...Especially considering that you have to unlock nearly everything in the game, so you're very limited in what you've got to do early on. But if you stick with it, you'll find a racing game with an intelligent AI, and while it's annoying early on to have to unlock everything, it also increases the longevity of the game, sometimes driving you to keep playing in order to unlock the next track or car. I was never a big fan of how the vehicles feel when driving, but learning to control them is all part of the learning curve. If you've got the patience to stick with it, you've got a decent racing game here.
ape's rating:
People who added this item 13 Average listal rating (9 ratings) 7.8 IMDB Rating 0
MotorStorm RC - PlayStation Network
Release Date: February 22, 2012 (EU)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Evolution Studios
Genre: Racing

MotorStorm RC was a game that I had expected to not be all that great, or very long. Sony was giving it away for free, after all. But, once you start playing MotorStorm RC, you find out that it's actually a very fun, top-down, RC car racer that everyone should get...Especially when the price tag says free. The game's races and challenges all go quickly enough for you to get a race or two in while waiting at a bus stop or something, but there's also enough content here to keep you occupied for a while.
ape's rating:
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Voters of this game list - View all
kathyCD SmilesmarcgogogoPauliusNirotmaquiLordDarkrai
Like the "ranked by preference" lists I do for systems, I'm doing for genres now as well. The comments and such are the same as found in those lists, unless the comment(s) were list-specific, in which case, I wrote up a new little diddy for it.

Games will be added regularly as I play 'em.

Added to

18 votes
Video Games - ranked by preference (55 lists)
list by ape
Published 12 years, 1 month ago 8 comments



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