Racing Games To Try When The Petrol Price Keeps You in the Slow Lane

As the economy remains flat we as consumers have to tighten our belts and look for ways to reduce our monthly spending, one of the first items to go would be things considered luxuries, of which having a fast car is often regarded as one.  If you and your Migos love to Motorsport, put that thing in sport, but the petrol prices have got you more than a little deflated it doesn't mean you cannot get your fix in other ways. Gaming can be a great alternative to keeping your itchy throttle foot from burning through your monthly salary. 

So if you are in a situation where you're looking for options to scratch that itch, then here is a list of racing games that won't break the bank as the petrol price does to your wallet when you fill up the tank.

Cross-platform racing

• Need for Speed: Payback (2017) - PC, PS4 & XBOX ONE

It really wouldn't be a racing game list without an NFS title the EA games backed franchise has been a staple in racing game libraries for years with payback being the 23rd instalment. This open world game labels itself as an action driving game with three playable characters and 74 cars to drive. If you're keen on a story based racing game with tasks that involve driving at high speeds to get the job done, then payback is what you should be playing.

Need for Speed: Payback Trailer

• The Crew 2 (2018) - PC, PS4 & XBOX ONE

This one is a little different from other titles on the list as the Crew 2 is an open world game. You can explore the whole America which is split up in 5 regions, The Midwest, East Coast, The South, Mountain States, and the West Coast. Thew Crew 2 is not just about racing but a hybrid RPG with a gripping and interesting storyline that will take you on an adventure and some wild rides.

The Crew 2 Trailer

• Dirt 4 (2017) - PC, PS4 & XBOX ONE

Quite a few rally games pop up on this list so it needs to be a solid title for me to list and that's what Dirt 4 is. It provides a grounded and thrilling racing experience with customisable difficulty options that should appeal to newcomers and veterans alike. If you enjoy off-road racing and don't mind a bit of dirt, this one will be a firm favourite

Dirt 4 Trailer

• F1 2018 (2018) - PC, PS4 & XBOX ONE

F1 2018 is a racing video game and the tenth instalment in the Formula One video game franchise. F1 2018 is an excellent racing game and strongest sports video game franchises on console and PC. The game is based on the 2018 Formula One World Championship and includes all twenty-one circuits from the calendar and all twenty drivers and ten teams competing in the season. Great fun for anyone who is an F1 fan.

F1 2018 Trailer

• WRC 17 (2017) - PC, PS4 & XBOX ONE

An improvement in the series but by no means a masterpiece WRC 7’s strongest feature comes in the form exceptional stage design. The races are spread across 13 countries this time around, but they’re extremely varied and feel very authentic. WRC 7 doesn’t unseat Codemasters’ Dirt 4 as this year’s premier rally game, but it continues Kylotonn’s upward trajectory in the genre.

WRC 17 Trailer

• MotoGP 18 (2018) - PC, PS4 & XBOX ONE

Enjoy an immersive high-speed gaming experience as you compete as a professional rider and race against all the champions of the MotoGP on 19 official tracks. MotoGP 18 is a game geared towards the diehard fans of the sport. The learning curve is extremely steep, and this isn't an easy, pick-up-and-play title, nor does it have enough quality to appeal to a broader base, this one is for Moto GP fans only.

MotoGP 18 Trailer

• Project Cars (2017) - PC, PS4 & XBOX ONE

Building on the success of 2015’s chart-busting debut, Project CARS 2 pushes the franchise and its fans into a blistering new era of motorsport by combining the authentic realism of the world’s most advanced simulation racing game with the pure joy of racing action fun. With 180 cars carefully curated from the world's most elite brands to reflect the nine disciplines of motorsport and 29 motorsport series to choose from there is something for every racing fan.

Project Cars 2 Trailer

• Assetto Corsa (2014) - PC, PS4 & XBOX ONE

Assetto Corsa is a racing video game simulator developed by the Italian video game developer Kunos Simulazioni. Assetto Corsa's designed for the purist racer with an emphasis on a realistic racing experience with support for extensive customisation and modding-ability with 178 cars tailored to perfection are available to race with.

Assetto Corsa Trailer

• Wreckfest (2018) - PC, PS4 & XBOX ONE

As the name suggests, Wreckfest is a demolition derby themed racing game with soft-body damage modelling, sophisticated driving dynamics and is jam-packed with in-depth vehicle upgrading. If you're not looking to play nice on the road, then this is the game for you.

Wreckfest Trailer

• Grid Autosport (2014) - PC, PS3, XBOX 360 & Nintendo Switch

What may seem like a strange entry considering this game is five years old and not available on current consoles Grid Autosport is still a standout game. It is the last entry and the 9th game in the TOCA series, a racing series many fans will be familiar with if you've been playing racing games for some time. 

Grid Autosport offers you a realistic AI experience for competitive driving on 100 routes across 22 locations. You can also choose from contemporary to classic high-performance race cars as you take on the world of professional motorsport.

Grid Autosport Trailer

• Flatout: Total insanity (2017) - PC, PS4 & XBOX ONE

Flatout 4: Total Insanity is all about hard-hitting, fast-paced action in the form of demolition derby style racing game. The game offers bigger, louder, better and more outrageous stunts and collisions than we've seen before in Flatout series'. Chaos on the racetrack has always been a cornerstone of these games ad Total Insanity certainly is chaotic. 

That being said, Flatout 4 doesn’t bring anything too noteworthy to the series, with the Flatout and party modes only being good for some low stakes enjoyment.

Flatout: Total insanity Trailer

• TrackMania 2: Lagoon (2017) - PC, PS4, XBOX ONE, Nintendo DS & Wii

This one removes us a bit from the realism and takes us on a thrill ride that is nothing short of crazy.  Trackmania² Lagoon has you racing on raised tracks above a tropical island filled with insane activities which make for some silly fun in both single and multiplayer mode.

TrackMania 2: Lagoon Trailer

• TT Isle of Man (2018) - PC, PS4 & XBOX ONE

The annual Isle Of Man TT is regarded by some as the most dangerous motorsports event in the world, as motorcyclists test their nerves, racing as fast as they can on the open roads of the 37 3/4-mile Snaefell Mountain Course. Now it's your turn riding on the edge is what you'll get to do as this game captures the thrill of riding at speeds of up to 200mph on the winding country roads and bumpy straights of this course.

TT Isle of Man 2 Trailer

• Mad Max (2015) - PC, PS4 & XBOX ONE

Max Rockatansky, a former highway patrol officer, known in the wasteland of Australia as Mad Max, has his V8 Interceptor stolen by Immortan Joe's warlord son, Scrotus. You play as Max who goes on a bloody crusade to take back his prized car. While not a racing game I included on this list because it got plenty of elements of great racing experience. This open world game based on the movie of the same name sees you play in a post-apocalyptic world where vehicle combat is a way of life. 

Mad Max Trailer

• Spintires: MudRunner (2017) - PC, PS4, XBOX ONE, Nintendo Switch

This indie game hit is an off-roading simulation video game, and some may find it dull due to its realism, but others might appreciate the craft gone into this game.  This game offers an incredible off-road vehicle simulation, taking players on the most hostile roads and harsh environments. It's even received praise for its immersive and accurate driving and physics models; the first edition has enthralled over a million players on PC

Spintires: MudRunner Trailer

• Onrush (2018) - PC, PS4, XBOX ONE

Onrush is not for the racing purist and is more of a vehicle combat game but its great fun in both single and multiplayer modes. As I've mentioned these games step away from serious racing shouldn't come as a surprise when you consider that Onrush is created by the team behind PS4 off-road racing series Motorstorm.

Onrush Trailer

• Gravel (2018) - PC, PS4, XBOX ONE

Gravel offers you a distinctive off-road experience and tries to play out as an extreme racing game that will let you try out amazing stunts in the wildest places on the planet. Gravel isn’t a simulation racer, nor does it have a particularly robust set of modes to play. However, what Gravel does include is a fun arcade-style racing game.

Gravel Trailer

• Dirt Rally 2.0 (2019) - PC, PS4 & XBOX ONE

DR 2.0 is the 13th title in the Colin McRae Rally series and the 7th with the name Dirt Rally. The Game is scheduled for release on the 26 February 2019. Fans will again be able to jump behind the wheel of various Rally cars and carve their way through a selection of iconic rally locations from across the globe, knowing that the smallest mistake could end your stage.

Dirt Rally 2.0 Trailer

• GTR 3 (2019) - PC, PS4 & XBOX ONE

GTR 3 is an upcoming title scheduled for release in Q2 of 2019 and is the third full-fledged instalment of the popular racing game series, created by SimBin Development Studios. Racing fans will be able to enter the world of a professional GT racing and take on tracks across the world in various Endurance racing championships.

GTR3 Trailer

• Distance (2018) - PC & PS4

Distance is a futuristic racing game which benefits from conventional arcade mechanics, mixed with a beautiful visual style, ambient yet archaic music. Racers should note that there's quite a bit more of a learning curve than in most racing games, as players teleport, fly, and defy gravity using multiple different abilities. At times it literally feels like parkour with a vehicle and its insanely fun.

Distance Trailer

If you're a PC owner

If you're one of those racers who prefer to get behind the wheel on PC, then here are some PC exclusive titles to get your  the race fumes going

• iRacing (2008) - PC

If you're not familiar with this racing game you'd look at the release date and think but this is 11 years, why would I want to play something so dated? Well, iRacing is a subscription-based racing simulation released by iRacing.com with all special events, league races and practice sessions run and hosted on their servers. The game is continuously patched and updated with new cars, tracks and more.

iRacing Trailer

• rFactor 2 (2013) - PC

rFactor 2 is a realistic, easily extendable racing simulation that offers the latest in vehicle and race customisation, great graphics and outstanding multiplayer. rFactor's claim to fame is the ability to run any type of four-wheeled vehicle from street-cars to open-wheel cars of any era.

rFactor 2 Trailer

• Drift 19 (2019) - PC

Labelled as “the world's first realistic drift driver simulator“, DRIFT 19 is the first real driving simulator with a point to prove. Rebuild your car, train your skills and take part in the world championships to beat your friends! You will have to wait to get your hands on Drift 19 as the release is set for March 2019.

Drift 19 Trailer

If you're a PS4 owner

If you're one of those racers who adore their PS4, then here are some Playstation 4 exclusive titles to get your wheels in motion.

• Drive Club (2014) - PS4 Exclusive

Drive Club was the first game I purchased when I got my PS4 and is not your typical arcade racer. It doesn't try to be too much and offers probably one of the best visual experience for any racing game on the PS4 to date. The game offers immaculately detailed cars and I think Driveclub’s tracks are doubly breathtaking. The game also offers various racing events from circuits to drifts and keeps it interesting as you progress through the levels and contiue to unnlcok new tracks and vehicles. The social element of competiting with others is unique and really gives the game added dimension.

Drive Club Trailer

• Gran Turismo Sport (2017) - PS4 Exclusive

Personally one of my favourite racing franchises of all time. GT is all about realism and attention to detail and aims to give you a driving simulation second to none. However, it doesn't exclude non-racers with Gran Turismo offering the perfect balance between being a racing simulator game and being an arcade-style racing game. It features two modes namely "Sports mode” and “Arcade mode”

Gran Turismo Sport Trailer

If you're an Xbox owner

If you're one of those racers who like to run back to their X, then here are some Xbox exclusive titles to get your engines going.

• Forza: Horizon 4 (2018) - XBOX ONE Exclusive

I know I should not say and compare the two but what Gran Turismo has been to Playstation, Forza has undoubtedly been XBOX's counter-offer. Forza Horizon 4 is a story based open world racing game that lets you explore Britain like never before, the game is populated with racers who are online and with over 450 cars to collect and drive, you won't soon be bored by this title.

Forza: Horizon 4 Trailer

Tell us your racing story

Have you parked your racing car for the time being? What is your favourite game? Is it on the list? Is there a game you feel should be on the list? Leave a comment and let us know.

Find automotive experts with nichemarket

Automotive businesses render various services from repairs, sales to modifications and more. If you need expert advice on vehicle-related queries, then check out automotive businesses currently listed with us.

List your automotive business for FREE

Create your free business listing on nichemarket. The more information you provide about your business, the easier it will be for your customers to find you online.

Registering with nichemarket is easy, all you will need to do is head over to our sign up form and follow the instructions. If you require a more detailed guide on how to create your profile or your listing, then we highly recommend you check out the following articles.

• Get Your Auto Related Business Listed Online
• How to create a nichemarketer profile
• How to create a nichemarket business listing

Tags: racing , gaming , cars