The Nintendo Switch has been out for about five years, and it’s still a great gaming console, especially for gaming on the go. A staple genre in gaming is racing, and the Switch complements that genre perfectly with its ability to take games with you wherever you go.
Whether you’re in the middle of a race or want to roll around on the bus for a while, racing games and the Nintendo Switch go together like cars and gasoline. While it might not have Forza or Beam.NG, the Switch has a wealth of classic and modern racing games to fuel your desires.
ten Sonic Racing Team
Kart racing games are a classic way for games that traditionally belong to other genres to mix things up effectively. The classic example is Mario Kart, but Sonic has had a number of racing games over the years in both karts, on foot, and on hoverboards.
Of course, Sonic is the perfect subject for a racing game given his speed and Team Sonic Racing is a prime example. While it definitely shares a number of things in common with Mario Kart, Team Sonic Racing has enough unique content to be enjoyable.
9 star wars episode one runner![Star Wars Episode 1 Runner]()
The surprising thing about Star Wars Episode One Racer is that it stands up to many other racing games on the Switch despite being 20 years old. There aren’t even any cars in it, instead you race pods like in the movie. Still, this game lives up to its legacy and more.
It’s not a remaster, although there are some quality of life improvements like motion controls. This means that while the gameplay is solid, some things clearly show its age, like the somewhat loose controls, compressed music, and especially the N64-era graphics. it’s a good bit of retro fun, though.
8 Crash Team Racing nitro fueled![A photo depicting Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled gameplay]()
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is a perfect example of a remastered game done right. It has everything you might expect from a remaster, like modern graphics, tighter controls, and even online multiplayer, while still sticking to the vision of the original game.
While it also shares a number of things from the Mario Kart formula, CTR Nitro-Fueled has a few key differences that make the experience different. The best way to describe it would be that it’s more of a competitive game requiring more skill, whereas Mario Kart is more of a board game tied to chance.
7 Asphalt 9: Legends![asphalt 9 legends blue car race against rivals near castle]()
There is a phenomenon on the Nintendo Switch in which mobile games are ported. Most of these games are best played on your phone, but Asphalt 9: Legends is a game in its own right and definitely worth downloading on the console.
Not only does it have realistic graphics, but there’s online multiplayer, a huge selection of cars and tracks, and most importantly a full career mode to play. In fact, cross that off, the best part is that it’s 100% free.
6 Hot Wheels Unleashed![Jump into Hot Wheels Unleashed]()
Hot Wheels is the perfect toy to turn into a video game, and Hot Wheels Unleashed proves it. Rather than trying to make Hot Wheels a realistic racing game, Hot Wheels Unleased revels in its arcade-style ride and gives you a taste of the toy’s perspective.
The best part about Hot Wheels Unleashed is that it takes place on real Hot Wheels tracks in houses that feel massive compared to the cars’ small size. You can even create your own tracks and relive every child’s dream of getting in their favorite car and racing around the track they made in the backyard.
5 Need For Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered![A green Lamborghini Gallardo drives neck and neck alongside an Aston Martin police car chasing it]()
.jpg)
There is a Need for Speed game that is unilaterally recognized as excellent. That game is Need For Speed Hot Pursuit, and you can play the remaster of this classic cops and robbers arcade racing game on the go with the Nintendo Switch port.
You can switch between being a cop or an illegal street racer whenever you want, which means things never get stale. Add to that a competitive leaderboard where you’re encouraged to beat all of your friends’ times and this game has a ton of replay value.
4 Autosport grid![auto sport grid screenshot]()
Looking at the games so far, it’s easy to assume there aren’t any realistic racing games on the Switch. This is where Grid Autosport comes in and steals the top spot on the podium. Not only does it feature a wide variety of tracks and cars, they all look as realistic as the Switch can handle without blowing up.
Grid Autosport definitely opts for a more simulation-like experience, but there’s a wide range of options to customize your vehicle’s difficulty and controls. Best of all, the game includes local and online multiplayer, which is what every racing game worth its salt needs.
3 rocket league![Rocket League - promo images cars in battle with ball]()
Never before has such a perfect combination of two seemingly unrelated things come together so well. Rocket League combines racing cars and soccer, and while technically it’s more of a sports game, it’s worth mentioning because it eliminates any potential competition.
Rocket League has everything a racing game needs, including a massive amount of cars, cross-platform online multiplayer, and most importantly, the fact that it’s free to play. It’s always fun to see the ball fly into the goal after pushing it at high speed.
2 Burnout Paradise Remastered![burnout paradise logo and vehicles]()
Burnout is one of the racing series known for its high-octane rides on crowded city streets, rather than taking place on an isolated track. Burnout Paradise has taken that to the next level with its open-world city absolutely filled to the brim with races, crashes, and secrets to find.
Burnout Paradise Remastered is available on the Switch, and the playstyle it sets up for driving around the open world or taking part in a fast-paced race complements the Switch’s portability perfectly. Best of all, the crashes are totally glorious. This is Criterion at its best.
1 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe![Mario drifts towards item boxes during a race on the Mario circuit in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.]()
Super Mario Kart set the standard for kart racing games with its original release on the SNES. It then set the standard each time another entry in the series was released, and that continued to be the case for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Although the game is also available on Wii U, this Deluxe version is the definitive experience.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe excels at just about everything. From solid online play to fair scaling of items based on where you are currently located, this go-kart racing party game is the go-to game for any gaming get-together. you don’t even need a TV since the switch can be used as a screen.
Read more
About the Author
Comments are closed.