5 Racing Games You Should Play Before Need for Speed Unbound

If you’re a fan of racing games, then you’re in for a treat. Before you jump into the newest release in the Need for Speed franchise Need for Speed Unbound, check out these five racing games that will get you in the driving seat and put your foot on the pedal. With exciting new features, locations, and vehicles, Unbound is shaping up to be one of the best games in the series. But before you start your career as a street racer, check out these five other great racing games that will get you in the driving seat and put your foot on the pedal. 

From multiplayer mayhem to open-world exploration, there's something for everyone. So sit back, strap in and get ready to race. Here are five racing games you should play before Need for Speed Unbound. 

5. Driveclub

There's something for everyone at Driveclub. The racing game by Evolution Studios is a hybrid of sim-style and arcade driving. You can compete in club events with friends or other players online, race through single-player tour events, or just explore the game's many fascinating environments at your own pace. 

The game’s sense of speed is exhilarating, and the visuals are drop-dead gorgeous. Whether you're a diehard racing fan or just looking for a visually stunning driving game to chill out with, Driveclub is well worth your time.

Driveclub is a great racing game for fans of the genre. It has over 100 tracks and 50 cars to race in. If you haven't played it yet, you should definitely check it before jumping on the Need for Speed Unbound craze.

4. Burnout Paradise

Burnout Paradise is a high-octane racing game that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Like another title from the Criterion Games franchise, the game takes place in an open-world playground. 

Burnout Paradise is a reinvention of the Burnout series as the 7th installment with tight controls and intense speed levels. The game features stunning visuals, an intense soundtrack, and plenty of action-packed gameplay. You can pair up as eight racers and tear through the streets with less regard for the wanton destruction you leave behind. 

To start a race, stop at a traffic sign and push the pedal to the metal. The game allows you to venture to new routes for a competitive edge. What’s more, you can keep playing the game after a few crashes. Just be sure not to lose your vehicle’s chassis, or else you’ll lose precious minutes waiting for your vehicle to self-repair. You'll never get bored with this one!

3. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010)

In the fictional world of Seacrest Country, your only limit is your breakneck speed. The open world in Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010) is remarkably four times larger than Criterion’s previous title, Burnout Paradise. What’s more, the tracks feature uniform ground with loads of exciting shortcuts. 

The game has both single-player and multiplayer gameplay modes. The single-player mode features two types of races; the first type is a circuit race where you complete laps around a track; the second type is a point-to-point race, which starts at one point on the map and ends at another. The multiplayer mode includes three types of races: a standard race with no special rules or objectives, an elimination race in which the last place car is eliminated every lap, and a hot pursuit race in which players must either avoid or apprehend police cars.

You can earn in-game currency by winning races and completing challenges. This currency can be used to unlock new cars and upgrades. With so much to offer, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010) is definitely a racing game to play before Need for Speed Unbound.

2. Project CARS

If you're looking for a racing game with amazing graphics and realistic gameplay, look no further than Project CARS. This racing game is one of the most popular and demanding racing games out there, for a good reason.

With over 140 cars to choose from and over 30 tracks to race on, you have plenty of content that keeps you busy. The career mode is also very well done, allowing you to gradually progress through the ranks as you earn more money and unlock new cars. The only downside to this game is that it can be quite difficult to master, especially if you're new to racing games. But if you're willing to put in the time and effort, Project CARS is definitely worth checking out.

Slightly Mad Studios' developers were keen to provide a realistic game that puts you in the shoes of a real race car driver. The game does not have a blasting soundtrack or renegade takedowns. Neither are there rewinds. This racing game is well thought out, with an exciting interface to meet all your racing needs.

1. Forza Horizon 2

Forza Horizon 2 is one of the current generation's most critically acclaimed racing games. It's an open-world racer set in a fictionalized version of southern France called the Horizon Festival. You'll race through the beautiful countryside, mountain roads, and city streets of Northern Italy, which adds to the challenge. 

This racing game features stunning visuals and realistic driving physics that will make you feel like you're behind the wheel of a high-powered sports car. If you're looking for an immersive and challenging racing game experience, Forza Horizon 2 is definitely worth checking out before playing Need for Speed Unbound.

So, what do you think of our list of racing games you should play before Need for Speed Unbound? Do you agree with our top five picks? Are there any games we should know about? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.