5 Best Racing Games Like Gran Turismo 7

With the upcoming release of Gran Turismo 7, the popular racing series is once again in the limelight. Over the years, the franchise has given us some of the most memorable racing games.

Of course, racing games aren't new. They are as old as the bulky desktops (remember Road Rash? Yeah, it's been that long). Of course, with ultra-modern technology and powerful GPUs, the vehicles look fine as hell. With multiplayer modes and several maps, the drive has only gotten better.

If you were looking for some adrenaline-pumping cop chases and nail-biting finishes, we have made your job easier. We have handpicked some of the best racing games to check out.

Top 5 Racing Games Similar to Gran Turismo 7

Here are our top picks for racing games that are as good as Gran Turismo 7. Get ready to show off your driving chops.

5. Burnout Paradise Remastered

Burnout Paradise, the original game, became massively popular when it came out in 2008. The racing game was praised for its vast open-world and new game mechanics. To some, the huge open world may seem “too much” at first, especially to a complete newbie.

Burnout Paradise happens mainly in the ‘Paradise City' which players can explore at their own pace. Players can compete in several races online and also try different modes. The game keeps an impressive track of players' stats. Just like other Burnout games, players can customize the races and the cars.

In 2018, a remastered version of Burnout Paradise was rolled out for PS4 and Xbox One. This version supports higher resolution and comes with all the downloadable content. Two years later, the game was ported over to Nintendo Switch.

4. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (1998)

The Need for Speed franchise has been dishing out action-packed movies and video games for years now. But the 1998 NFS game remains iconic to this day. ‘Hot Pursuit‘, the third Need For Speed entry, made the franchise a household name. Even today, fans will tell you that this is the best racing game from the NFS series.

When the game first out in 1998, it became a massive hit. Of course, half of the credit goes to the elaborate collection of cars, but the cop chases take a chunk of credit too. The game is important as it introduced us to the cops and cop chase. As the title might indicate, much of the gameplay is filled with thrilling chases. The enhanced AI only added to the fun.

Once again, the game was full of exotic sports cars. North American locations only add to the charm of the game. Players could also customize and tune their cars before races.

3. Dirt Rally 2.0

Dirt Rally 2.0 is the direct successor to the 2015 hit game, Dirt Rally. The games in the franchise are well-known for realistic physics and action-packed races. Just like the name suggests, the video game is all about rallying and rallycross.

As a player, you will be racing across various terrains and the weather will be testing your driving skills too. The events will take you to the US, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, and more. Fans would immediately notice that the maps are revamped from the original Dirt Rally game. The damage to the car is not only visual but also mechanical. For instance, you will actually feel your car getting wobbly after the tire gets damaged.

Unlike most other racing games, Dirt Rally 2.0 really demands your focus. The weather, terrain, and shifting visibility affect your grip, which, in turn, affects your overall driving experience.

2. F1 2021

Formula 1 fans will definitely love the official F1 2021 game by EA and Codemasters. Players get to live the life of an F1 driver and even establish their careers in the game. It features everything you can ask for in a Formula 1 video game. You get to race on the professional circuits. F1 2021 career mode enables two players to take part in it.

Much to the delight of fans, the 2021 title also has a story mode. The ‘Braking Point' has a gripping story, so players will be hooked onto the campaign mode. The fictional story kicks off after the 2019 Formula 2 Championship. Players step into the shoes of Aiden Jackson, the winner of the 2019 cup. The plot then follows the spat between Aiden Jackson and teammate Casper Akkerman.

Through the campaign, players get an almost first-hand experience of the off-track drama and rivalry. Players who'd like to witness the lifestyle of pro drivers and make their careers in the online mode can give this game a shot.

1. Forza Horizon 4

Just like Gran Turismo, Forza is a popular racing game franchise. Recently, Forza Horizon 5 received immense praise for its stunning landscape of Mexico. However, several players couldn't decide which one is better.

It actually depends on what platform you play the game on. Forza Horizon 4 looks absolutely stunning on Xbox One. In fact, it's one of the best-selling games on Xbox One. Players reviewed the game very positively. However, things were not the same for PC users. Not everybody was happy with the visuals.

Forza Horizon 4 features a fictionalized version of Great Britain. So you'll be zipping past landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, Edinburg, and other beautiful places. With the dynamic weather system, the lakes in the Lake District freeze in winter. Further, the route creator lets you pave your own racecourse and invite friends over.

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