A hearty greeting to our fellow Xbox racing games enthusiasts! We’ve got some great gaming suggestions to satiate that competitive racing spirit. As you’re aware that most Xbox news these days is dominated by upcoming exclusives like Starfield.
It’s sometimes easy to forget; there are other games that we can also look forward to and play now! Especially the ones on today’s list. So let’s see which racing titles are worth checking out in 2023. As always, we’ll throw in a couple of surprises to keep you all guessing cause it’s much more fun that way.
Anyway, let’s dispense with the suspense and kick off the party with our favorite modern Xbox racing titles. We’ve got a pretty good spread with a few exclusives thrown in for good measure. Alright, so here we go!
LEGO 2K Drive
We despise the tone-deafness of executives who are hellbent on pushing live service elements. When LEGO 2K Drive got announced, much to our dismay, it’s in the same boat. However, there’s genuine fun to be had in LEGO 2K Drive.
The writing and the clever chuckle-worthy quips go well with the game mechanics. The vehicle transitions during transformations are great. Cars turn into boats when touching the body of water, and vice versa when back on the road. You can even go off-road.
We had mixed feelings about this Xbox racing game because its customization was like a double-edged sword. You get some nifty designs with eye-catching Lego aesthetics, but LEGO 2K Drive also forces season passes to unlock everything.
Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart
Sometimes, all you really want are fun, goofy aesthetics, and wholesome vibes in your Xbox racing games. Say hello to Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart.
Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart is a one-of-a-kind co-op/multiplayer racing game that’s fun for the whole family. You play as one of the dinosaurs and race through pre-historic race tracks, with powers ups, within the same vein as Mario Kart. The experience is enjoyable, thanks to its incredible accessibility features.
You don’t have to grind either, and simply let the auto steer take over and only play the best parts. You can even use the colossal dinos to your advantage. Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart cements itself as one of the best Xbox racing games of 2023.
TT Isle Of Man: Ride On The Edge 3
There’s really no shortage of bike racing games these days on any platform, including Xbox. So, what’s TT Isle Of Man: Ride On The Edge 3 got, aside from an epic name? Well, the answer is simple, it’s perhaps one of the most immersive bike racing sims around.
You get realism with enjoyability, its learning curve isn’t super steep, but it’s no picnic either. It balances things perfectly, and we commend TT Isle Of Man: Ride On The Edge 3 for it.
We can’t think of a single bad thing to say about TT Isle Of Man: Ride On The Edge 3, aside from the lack of content. It’s the only thing holding back this otherwise fantastic Xbox racing game.
Disney Speedstorm
Some advice if you’re going with Dinsey’s latest racing game offering, Disney Speedstorm. Don’t go in expecting a deep, super realistic, and mindblowing experience. Also, if you’re playing the game on your PC, make sure to check out its system requirements for it.
Disney Speedstorm is a free-to-play game, and there are microtransactions, but it doesn’t actually feel like a cash-grab attempt. There’s genuine effort into making each character’s role, whether as a racer or a support member, stand out.
We appreciate that Disney Speedstorm also has an offline mode to play solo or local co-op in split-screen. The different modes offer unique takes on the standard racing variants, like Single Skill, where everyone can only use only one skill.
F1 Manager 2023
F1 Manager 2023 is one the most intriguing racing game on Xbox. The game has the pedigree to showcase the side of F1, which you don’t see often.
With full-on customization and micro-management tools at the player’s disposal, F1 Manager 2023 is just fantastic. With the pre-order bonuses on top of everything else, it’s practically a steal. The crux of the gameplay involves playing to your instincts by making sure the racers you’re managing win.
You can tweak aspects of past racing events, like adjusting the tracks or picking the appropriate tires during pit stops. In F1 Manager 2023, you can even fully change up the factory settings of racer’s cars to ensure a favorable outcome.
KartRider: Drift
A free-to-play racing game on Xbox without paywalls? Sign us up! Yes, you’ve read that right; KartRider: Drift is exactly what it advertises itself to be, which, honestly, feels refreshing.
KartRider: Drift offers plenty of exciting gameplay with tons of accessibility for players of all ages. You can play it together with kids and younger siblings, too, as it’s kid-friendly. Oh, another nifty feature is that KartRider: Drift is actually cross-platform.
The game is pure fun with skill-based progression, and everything in the game is unlockable without entering a grindfest. The fun racing modes test how fast and accurately you can drift and drive. KartRider: Drift is an amazing Xbox indie racing game that we encourage everyone to check out.
MotoGP 23
The next entry on our list of exciting Xbox racing games for 2023 is MotoGP 23. MotoGP 23 brings high intensity and pacing of the race circuit and combines that with highly immersive audio and sound design. You’ll actually feel like you’re on the tracks.
The bike handling in MotoGP 23 isn’t only visually stunning, but its fully responsive. You can select your favorite rider and play through the career mode, forming new rivalries and rekindling old ones. The dynamic weather system impacts the bike’s behavior on the tracks.
MotoGP 23 has customization so players can fully show off their bikes. The graphics editor is great for adding a more personal touch. Players can slap on stickers over rider’s helmets.
Need For Speed Unbound
Now before you hop on over to purchase a copy of Need For Speed: Unbound, hold your horses for a sec. You can try this new Xbox racing game for chump change thanks to its availability on Xbox Game Pass.
Need For Speed: Unbound is an excellent entry in the long-running racing franchise, and one fans will love. What’s great about this game, in particular, is that its focus is split evenly between car racing and character-driven stories. The protagonist and their companions feel like relatable and cool people to hang around with.
As for the racing element, it’s one high-octane police-evading adrenaline rush after another. The open-world map is great for just driving around at your own pace.
Dakar: Desert Rally
Alright, so we know Dakar: Desert Rally was last year’s game, but it still holds up. It’s genuinely one of the best racing games to come out on Xbox. Dakar: Desert Rally has incredibly vast off-road racing maps.
You’ll feel like you’re lost in the desert for real as you drive around seamlessly on the sandy tracks. The dynamic weather system makes a great change to the usually sunny day scenery in Dakar: Desert Rally.
The game also presents a host of authentic vehicles with genuine licensed appearances, which many enthusiasts will appreciate. Dakar: Desert Rally doesn’t hold the player’s hand or restrict them from invisible walls. You can fully explore any area; it’s the biggest appeal of the game.
Redout 2
Alright, so for a more challenging experience, we’re including a skill-based Xbox racing game on our list. Redout 2 is not for casuals, so don’t try it if you’re not willing to commit. On the flip side, that awesome, rewarding feeling when you win a race in Redout 2 is well worth the effort.
Redout 2 has a throwback feel to it, going back to the classic arcade days when games were tougher but also equally thrilling. You race across the tracks at hyper speed; everything else around you is a blur, so mind the curves and turns.
Up to 12 players can compete in a race, so you better have mastery over the courses and controls to get ahead.
Forza Horizon 5
For our runner-up choice for excellent Xbox racing games, we’re going with a Microsoft exclusive, Forza Horizon 5. Yeah, we know the 6th game is gonna come out eventually, but until then, we gotta make do.
Aside from drop-dead gorgeous graphics and stellar immersion of the driving experience, Forza Horizon 5 is rich with content. We’re so enthusiastic about the game that we’ve gone and ranked the fastest cars in Forza Horizon 5; check it out to compare notes.
The biggest thing going for Forza Horizon 5 is its huge world map full of diverse and scenic environments. There are also pinata pops to bash your car into if you’re feeling like taking a break from standard racing modes.
F1 23
Finally, we’re at the top spot, and the final entry belongs to the most cinematic racing on Xbox of 2023 so far, F1 23. There’s a massive improvement in F1 23 over its predecessors. The game offers a highly compelling character-driven story to along with the racing element. It’s a unique evolution of the simple racing game formula.
Players will get a high-speed thrill with the races with the option of activating certain modifiers to create a more challenging experience. The difference is night and day when you compare its vehicle handling to other racing titles.
F1 23 is extremely well made, and it can be tailored to your personal preferences, whether you’re seeking a competitive or a simple casual experience.
Final Thoughts On the Best Xbox Racing Games Of 2023
Well, that wraps up our list of the most amazing racing games on Xbox in 2023 so far. There are quite a few that have yet to release, so we’ll probably revisit this list at the end of the year. Anyway, what’re your thoughts on today’s selection? Think we’re missing out on any of your favorites? Please enlighten us in the comments below.
For more Xbox gaming goodness in 2023, we point you toward our coverage of Microsoft’s 2023 Gamescom plans. Well, that’s it for now; we’re signing off, so until next time, take care and happy gaming, everybody!
