Want for Velocity is taken into account lifeless, and the arcade racing recreation style is in decline. However hope is coming from a not possible nook.
Sorry for the pun, however the racing recreation style appears to be fairly caught proper now. Positive, the trade nonetheless has its prime canines. Within the simulation sector, Assetto Corsa, Automobilista, iRacing, and others are reaching their hardcore communities, Gran Turismo 7 is fishing within the pond of passion fans, and within the arcade sector, everybody needs to be like Forza Horizon.
The sixth installment, set in Japan, has simply been introduced, The Crew Motorfest has been emulating Microsoft for a yr and a half, and Check Drive Limitless Photo voltaic Crown additionally needs to be like Forza and is subsequently cruising round in largely unfavorable Steam ranking areas.
What I discover so unlucky is that the traditional arcade racer is dropping by the wayside. A lot of the present racing video games require an enormous time dedication from me. However typically I simply wish to drive cool races like within the good previous days™️, once I fired up Want for Velocity to finish a couple of programs towards picturesque backdrops.
Video games just like the previous Check Drives or Ridge Racer or—God forbid—Autobahn Raser. After the presumed finish of Want for Velocity, I had already given up hope that these gems would nonetheless get loads of love within the age of service video games and multiplayer hype.
However I used to be mistaken! Entertaining arcade racers are usually not solely making a comeback, they’re returning with a bang. Let me introduce you to 3 video games which might be presently making my racing recreation coronary heart sing.
1. Tokyo Xtreme Racer
- Launch: September 25, 2025
- Subgenre: Freeway speedster (I simply invented this style)
- Steam Critiques: 94 p.c optimistic
Nobody on this nation is aware of Tokyo Xtreme Racer, particularly for the reason that sequence was recognized internationally below dozens of names. Shutokou Battle, Import Tuner Problem, 首都高バトル – however you don’t want to fret about any of that, as a result of the sequence has been gathering mud for 20 years, however now it’s again for a spectacular revival!
Tokyo Xtreme Racer has a well-deserved 94 p.c optimistic evaluation ranking on Steam, as a result of this racer presents you a gaming expertise you gained’t discover anyplace else: you thunder down the Tokyo freeway in strictly Japanese vehicles and problem different speedsters to duels.
Nonetheless, in contrast to different video games, this doesn’t happen on circuits or in dash races the place it’s important to come first, however the races are freeform
and strictly 1-on-1. You need to get as far forward of your opponent as attainable to win the race.
And in reality, every of the effectively over 100 rivals has their very own automobile and their very own backstory. Tokyo Xtreme Racer stays extremely accessible: you select a stretch of freeway, race down the asphalt, problem somebody, the race is over in a couple of minutes, you purchase upgrades with the cash, and the enjoyable continues.
Tokyo Xtreme Racer is an arcade racer by means of and thru, uncomplicated, beginner-friendly, and it merely occupies a really contemporary area of interest: the Japanese avenue racing scene away from all of the drifting that you just normally see in Preliminary D and Quick & Livid 3. Talking of which…
2. JDM: Japanese Drift Grasp
- Launch: Might 21, 2025
- Style: Drift Racer
- Steam Critiques: 74 p.c optimistic
JDM: Japanese Drift Grasp has lots to be forgiven for. The open-world racer comes from a comparatively small staff, however has extremely large ambitions. In any case, you drift by means of a whole Japanese open-world panorama full of various areas. Regardless of numerous updates, there are nonetheless many tough edges: the driving physics take some getting used to, the AI of civilian automobiles is… tough, and so forth.
However should you issue that in, you additionally get a novel gaming expertise in return: JDM is all concerning the well-known Japanese drift sport. You slide round corners, maneuver your skidding rear finish round obstacles, and turn out to be the king or queen of the Japanese countryside.
JDM additionally tells a reasonably cool story in manga type, so the sport has lots to supply and continues to be getting new updates and DLCs. For instance, an America Pack with six new US vehicles was launched on November 6, 2025.
3. Screamer
- Launch: 2026
- Style: Sci-fi racer
- Steam Critiques: Not but launched
I’m actually trying ahead to Screamer. There’s a reasonably fascinating publication historical past behind this Italian speedster (it’s mainly the brand new Bleifuss), however that’s not what that is about, as a result of I’m primarily within the recreation itself: Screamer will likely be a linear sci-fi racer wherein your character is firmly linked to your automobile. And I do know that lots of you aren’t into anime aesthetics, however for my part, a couple of loopy results actually do the style good.
Screamer takes arcade gaming to the following degree, and never simply with a capital A: for instance, I can use the precise stick with drift the rear finish at any time whereas driving. That’s about as lifelike as shopping for a home in Munich, but it surely appears like much more enjoyable. Once I recharge my vitality, I may assault opponents with every kind of sci-fi gibberish assaults.
Mixed, it lastly seems like a racing recreation harking back to the great previous Blur or Break up/Second, these shoot-’em-up racers the place issues are always breaking. Positive, I can’t say but whether or not it performs effectively, as a result of Screamer gained’t be launched till 2026, however I’ve already circled the date in my calendar. And people are simply three examples of a racing recreation trade that’s turning into increasingly numerous once more. Mario Kart is getting competitors from a brand new Sonic Racing and Nintendo’s personal Kirby Air Riders, Wreckfest 2 has been out there in early entry for all of the Flatout followers on the market for a couple of months now – and even within the very company simulation section, there’s strong competitors on the horizon with Challenge Motor Racing, which is ready to be launched on the finish of November 2025. So it’s extra thrilling than it’s been in a very long time to be a racing recreation fan.
