12 Memorable Classic Racing Games As Chosen By You

1. Need for Speed: Porsche 2000

Need for Speed: Porsche 2000 (Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed and Need for Speed: Porsche, as it was known outside of Europe) was the fifth instalment in the Need for Speed franchise. Unlike previous titles, it focused on a single manufacturer, and was released for PlayStation and PC in 2000.

2. Colin McRae Rally

The first game in the Colin McRae Rally series, it was launched in Europe back in 1998 and 2000 in North America. On PlayStation and PC, it quickly became a motorsport fan favourite, with eight drivers, three game modes and eight tracks.

3. Destruction Derby 2

Who doesn’t love a good destruction derby game? This was the sequel to the original Destruction Derby and was released for PlayStation and PC in 1996 and 1997. Its success was down to the fact it was fun to play and you got to smash stuff up… what’s not to love?!

4. OutRun

This is a real classic. OutRun was an arcade game launched in 1986, with players having to reach the end of each stage as soon as possible while avoiding traffic. It was a huge success and even won the Golden Joystick Award for Best Game of the Year in 1987/1988.

5. V-Rally

Released in 1997, this game was a bestseller in the United Kingdom for three months. Originally for PC and PlayStation, it later appeared for Game Boy, Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Colour. 10 locations and 11 cars were available to play.

Forza was Xbox’s answer to Gran Turismo. Project Gotham Racing had been a fun distraction for racing gamers, but it didn’t offer the same depth, realistic gameplay, or extensive car list seen in GT. Where Forza had the jump over its PlayStation rival was in its damage modelling and the livery editor, which continues to prove hugely popular in the franchise today.

7. Burnout 3: Takedown

Burnout 3: Takedown was available for Xbox and PlayStation 2 from 2004. It proved to be a big hit, largely thanks to the addition of new ‘Takedown’ game mechanics. Players gained boost from causing opponents to crash, and if they crashed themselves were treated to awesome ‘Impact Time’ cutscenes. Directing your mangled wreckage into traffic or other opponents for maximum carnage was actively encouraged!

8. Need For Speed III: Hot Pursuit

Another Need for Speed title, this time the third major release in the series, which was available from 1998 for PlayStation and PC. With police chases and racing some of the most exotic cars of the time, it’s no surprise that it become such a well-loved game.

9. Sega Touring Car Championship

Originally an arcade game, Sega Touring was then released for Saturn and PC and was based on the 1995 DTM and 1996 International Touring Car seasons. Giving gamers who’d loved the arcade version the opportunity to race at home whenever they liked proved a stroke of genius.

10. Crash Team Racing

Remember this? Given the success Nintendo had enjoyed with Mario Kart, it’s perhaps no surprise Sony want in on the quirky kartoon action. This veritable classic arrived in 1999 as the fourth instalment in the Crash Bandicoot series. It was only available for PlayStation but quickly gained a big fanbase.

11. Daytona USA

It is considered one of the highest grossing arcade games of all time, after being released in 1994 following a limited release one year previous. Players had to tackle three different tracks at the wheel of a stock car. It was ported to home devices in 1995, being made available for Sega Saturn and later PC.

12. F-1 World Grand Prix

This F1 game was released in 1998, and was based on the previous season. It was available for PlayStation, PC, Game Boy Colour and Nintendo 64. It received positive reviews when it was launched with many even preferring it to the game’s sequel.

Thanks for all of your comments in the first article, what other top racing games do you remember playing?