When it comes to game genres, racing games are arguably one of the best, and most varied. While some racing games such as Forza Horizon 3 are great for casual, light-hearted fun, racing sims such as Assetto Corsa are more of a solitary affair, and see you spending hours trying to get the most of your car. After quite a few years in the wilderness, racing games are making a comeback in 2016. Whether it’s Driveclub VR on the PS4, Forza Horizon 3 on the Xbox One, or Assetto Corsa on both consoles, there are loads of great racing games to choose from this year. But which ones should you buy? Here we’ve put together the best racing games you can buy in 2016, on the PS4 and Xbox One.
Forza Horizon 3 (Xbox One)
I’m usually a fan of more realistic racers, but even I couldn’t ignore the fun to be had in Forza Horizon 3. Simply put, Forza Horizon 3is a throwback to games such as Need For Speed, Burnout and Ridge Racer– but it has the gorgeous graphics you’d expect from a game in 2016. Realism isn’t the main agenda here – your first race is against a jeep attached to a helicopter – but that doesn’t really matter that much, because Forza Horizon 3 promises countless hours of entertainment. If you’ve got a Xbox One, this should be one of the first games you check out – even if you usually prefer more hardcore-style racers. Read our full review here.
F1 2016 (PS4, Xbox One)
Every year Codemasters releases a brand-new F1 game, but for the past few years, they’ve been a bit off the pace. Happily, F1 2016 represents a return to form for Codemasters, partly because it gives hardcore racing fans the features they’ve been asking about for years. This time around, F1 2016 includes a safety car, a full start-up procedure, and an in-depth career mode that makes you feel like a real Formula One driver. Of course, there are modes and difficulties levels for beginners too, so F1 2016 is great whether you’re a sim racer or Sunday driver. It’s available on both the PS4 and Xbox One. Read our full review here.
Assetto Corsa (PS4, Xbox One)
If you’re the sort of person tries to improve your lap times in an almost obsessive manner, Assetto Corsa is the game you’ve been waiting for. Simply put, Kunos Simulazioni's game packs in some of the best handling you’ll ever experience outside of an actual car, and with the right gaming setup it’s incredibly addictive. Sure, it’s not the prettiest game by any means, but after a few laps, you’ll be so overwhelmed by the sound and feel of Assetto Corsa you’ll barely notice. Thankfully, Assetto Corsa is out on both the PS4 and Xbox One too, so you won’t miss out if you’re a Microsoft or Sony fan. Read our full review here.
DiRT Rally (PS4, Xbox One)
Colin McRae Rally is still regarded as one of the best racing games ever made, and DiRT Rally should be considered its spiritual successor. As its name suggests, DiRT Rally isn’t about sports cars or slick tyres – it trades circuits for snow, gravel and mud on some of the world’s most demanding roads. Throw in great graphics and a renewed focus on endurance, and DiRT Rally is the ultimate way to experience off-road racing.
