If you're looking for a virtual racing experience, there are plenty of fantastic options, from wild arcade titles to realistic simulators. These types of games revolve around the idea of racing or driving. Yet, the ability to race isn't solely contained within these titles. Many other games provide racing entertainment, too.
They put less focus on the concept and make it an optional activity or mini-game. And these modes, while sometimes barebones, can be a very enjoyable way to pass the time. In a few cases, they're even more fun than some out-and-out racing games. Here are several of the most notable examples.
8 Cyberpunk 2077
With all the great vehicles in Cyberpunk, you may expect street racing to be a significant activity in the open-world title. However, competing against other drivers in Night City only becomes an option in The Beast Of Me quest.
It's a multi-part mission where you participate in several races with the hope of qualifying for the final. You do all this alongside your friend Claire, who has an invested interest in the competition. During the races, she attacks your fellow drivers, which is legal in this dangerous form of racing.
7 Assassin's Creed Origins
Racing has been in a few different Assassin's Creed games over the years. And in each one, it takes a different form, from free-running contests to carriage racing. The most unique is the chariot racing in Origins.
It's rare to see this type of event in the video game world because not many titles take place when or where the sport was popular. In Origins, you can participate in the event at the Greece Hippodrome. Besides the occasional obstacle to dodge, there's no special gimmick tied to this one. You just guide your chariot around the track multiple times at a quicker pace than your opponents.
6 The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3 is often regarded among the best RPGs in recent memory for a number of reasons. Out of everything it garners praise for, racing usually gets overlooked. It's understandable as it's not a significant part of the adventure, but it's still an enjoyable side activity.
The type of racing that the protagonist Geralt gets involved in is horse racing. There are many of these events in the game in different areas of the world. They can be a little tricky because the tracks are usually thin, meaning it can be hard to bypass an opponent. Plus, if you don't have a good saddle, your horse will get tired quickly. Thankfully, good horse equipment is the reward for winning races, along with money.
5 Watch Dogs 2
There are plenty of optional things to do in the world of Watch Dogs 2. For instance, the fictionalized version of the San Fransico Bay Area includes several options for racing fans. Drone racing, sailboat racing, eKart racing, and motocross are all available on the map.
The drone and motocross serve as time trials, where you have to go through a bunch of checkpoints trying to achieve the quickest time possible. As for the sailboat and eKart races, you have to beat opposing drivers. In the case of eKarts, you also have to modify and alter your vehicle for the best results.
4 Sleeping Dogs
Sleeping Dogs is one of the more underrated open-world games ever. Not only does it provide exciting combat and an engaging story, but it offers you some enjoyable street racing.
Each event only allows certain vehicles to compete. The options you have are dependent on the race class. There are three classes in total, known as A, B, and C. Naturally, the quickest cars and bikes fit into class A. But they're all fun to play due to the game's smooth driving mechanics and ability to easily crash into your opponents.
3 Yakuza Zero
One of the best things about the Yakuza series is the number of optional activities and mini-games each entry provides. Yakuza Zero has one of the best collections, which includes pocket circuit racing.
In this one, you control the speed of a little car as it goes around a circuit. You have to make sure it stays ahead of the opposition without going so fast that it flies off the track. Part of your success will depend on your vehicle, as you can modify every part of it to make it as efficient on the track as possible.
2 Super Mario Odyssey
Mario does most of his racing in his signature karting game, but there are also some races in Super Mario Odyssey. For example, the Snow Kingdom hosts the Bound Bowl Grand Prix, which sees a collection of Shiverian Racers bounce around a track, hoping to get first place. You can join in on the fun by using Cappy to take over the large body of one of the participants.
Plus, after beating the game's story, you will find Koopa Troopas at various worlds, who are looking to challenge Mario to a freerunning race. The goal of these contests is to reach the finish before the Koopas in any way you can.
1 Grand Theft Auto 5
For many years, the Grand Theft Auto series has provided some of the best video game racing experiences outside of the racing genre. In GTA 5 alone, you can compete in a few different types of races.
As you'd expect, there's the standard street race, where you can make use of some of the game's fastest vehicles to reach the finish line before your opposition. The offroad races share similar rules, except they take place on rougher terrain. There are even some triathlons to do in Los Santos, which test your swimming, running, and biking skills.