When it comes to video games, people enjoy playing titles across many genres. We're interested in those who love speeding through the countryside in a souped-up motor. Racing games are incredibly popular, from those casually passing the time to competitive esports, and the landscape wouldn't be the same without them.
Racing games themselves wouldn't be as memorable without the actual tracks you race on. Every twist and turn and straight sets the scene for podium placements and trophy hoisting. They are where driving heroes are made, and there are truly some iconic tracks that have helped that happen.
10 Coconut Mall
Coconut Mall may have become a bit of a meme, but there is no denying that it is a top-tier track in the Mario Kart series. A viral TikTok trend made its popularity explode even further. With its origins in Mario Kart Wii and appearances in multiple other entries since, Coconut Mall has etched its place in racing game history.
The track is pretty self-explanatory based on its name — it is a mall with a coconut theme. There's a giant coconut-looking balloon hanging from the center of the location that you'll often find yourself distracted by. As you drive through, you'll see plenty of posters showcasing shops run by Mario Kart characters.
9 Daytona International Speedway
The Daytona 500 is one of the most iconic races of all time. It has been in countless NASCAR games. From Kyle Petty's No Fear Racing in 1995 to NASCAR Heat 5 in 2020, the Daytona 500 has been as important in racing video games as it has been in real life.
The race itself derives its name from the 500 miles racers drive around the circuit in Daytona Beach, Florida, in order to complete it. You can experience the oval track and test your endurance like NASCAR's finest in a long list of titles.
8 Hot Air Skyway
Arcade-style racing games are arguably more popular than more realistic ones. People absolutely love the likes of Mario Kart and Crash Team Racing, and some of the best racing tracks in all of video games come from those titles. Enter Hot Air Skyway from CTR.
The circuit appeared in both the original CTR and its remake, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled. It takes place on Cortex's airship and gains a casino theme in the remade version. The view from above is beautiful as you whip through the circuit, but be careful not to get too enamored. There aren't many rails guarding you against falling, making the track as difficult as spectacular.
7 Vertigo
Hot Wheels is one of the most recognized toy brands on the planet. The small cars can be placed on tracks that send them zooming around your living room. Then, in 2021, we were given the chance to control the tiny cars on a range of colorful and stunt-filled tracks.
Vertigo is a track in Hot Wheels Unleashed that immediately shot up the rankings in terms of the best tracks in racing game history. The race is a sprint from start to finish, and there are no laps, so you are tasked with getting to the finish line as quickly as possible. Any slip-ups will ensure you fall back in placements.
6 Laguna Seca
Laguna Seca is a real racetrack based in Salinas, California, used for both auto and motorcycle racing. You can find it in games like Forza Motorsport, Gran Turismo, Project Cars, and The Crew. It is considered one of the best tracks because of its challenging turns.
It has 11 in total, with the most famous being The Corkscrew. It not only requires you to turn sharply, but there's also a steep elevation — making it hard to control even for veteran drivers, whether going uphill or down. This is a track that has forced many spins, making it hard to forget.
5 Trial Mountain
Trial Mountain is a Gran Turismo staple. The circuit has been in every main GT entry aside from Gran Turismo Sport. It is a lengthy and challenging track, but it became even more threatening to drivers with Gran Turismo 7. It received major changes that made it longer and more stressful than ever before.
Whether you played its original iteration or its new and improved version, Trial Mountain's sharp corners and long straights are sure to be ingrained in your mind. It also has some amazing scenery, that once included a monkey and a nod to the Loch Ness Monster.
4 Big Blue
Big Blue is the racetrack of all racetracks in the F-Zero series. The circuit where Captain Falcon reigns supreme gets its name from the planet it is set on. Its surface is almost completely covered in water, and you'll see plenty of blue as you speed through the track.
In F-Zero GX, it received a small makeover. The planet became much more inhabited and Big Blue became home to hotels, businesses, and more built above the vast ocean. The track transcends its own series due to its elevated status, and has made appearances as a stage in both the Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart series.
3 Interlagos
Interlagos is a track that plays host to the Brazilian Grand Prix. You'll find it in games like Gran Turismo and iRacing, but it's more commonly seen in the F1 series. Its name translates to "between lakes," as it sits in the Interlagos neighborhood in the middle of two man-made bodies of water.
The track is a challenge from beginning to end. As soon as you take off from the starting line, you'll be faced with a tough curve that will make any driver sweat. The same can be said as you approach the finish line. Your control needs to be perfect to tame this legendary beast of a racetrack.
2 Silverstone
You won't be in any conversation about being the best driver in the world if you can't handle this iconic track, located in Silverstone, England. This is considered the home of British motorsports and is typically known as an F1 circuit, though it has appeared in many racing game series outside of that.
This circuit blends speed and technical prowess. There are moments where you'll have to put pedal to the metal, only to be forced to stop on a dime to take an unforgiving curve. Silverstone is the track that real racers and gaming racers alike all talk about.
1 Rainbow Road
When you bring up racetracks in gaming, you'll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't mention Rainbow Road as one of the best. Its vibrant colors and memorable music are enough to put on a smile on anyone's face.
Rainbow Road has appeared in every Mario Kart game and is often the final and most difficult race of the Special Cup. You'll need to maintain your speed, use items to gain an advantage over the other racers, and try your best to not fall off into the void of space. We all know Rainbow Road and the feelings it can entice, and that's why it is number one.