Racing Games

Overview

There are tons of racing games in the App Store, and it's one gaming category that is always pushing the graphical bounds of the iPhone. Which one's the best though? We evaluate all racing games with realistic racing, arcade racing, rally racing, kart racing, and any kind of game involving racing.

Essential Apps

• $1.99

  Jet Car Stunts

  by True Axis

  Jet Car stunts isn't a traditional racing game, but still is time and car based. You accelerate through elaborate courses with disjointed platforms requiring you to jet over gaps. The game handles the best of any car driving game on the iPhone, and then it adds the jet/flying type of experience as well. It's an amazing experience that every iPhone should have.

• $2.99

  Real Racing

  by Firemint Pty Ltd

  If you want real racing, go no further than the game named real racing. Firemint has made the best realistic racing experience on the iPhone. It's the best if you want a traditional racing game driving through regular tracks against other opponents. The game handles extremely well, and multiple control options are included for truly anyone. You can be concerned with break, or put on break assist for a more arcade feel. It looks amazing, and despite being out for many months it's still the king in regular racing. It just doesn't compare to amazingly unique idea that is Jet Car Stunts.

• $4.99

  Rally Master Pro 3D (US)

  by FISHLABS

  Rally master Pro 3D is a rally racing experience where you drive through all kinds of elements from regular asphalt to the mud, with your only competition the clock. Every race is based on time, and trying to finish better than your opponents time who race at a different time than you. A unique racing experience on the iPhone that is extremely well done from the handling of the car to the beautiful visuals. If you want something a little different than traditional racing this is the game for you. Great in every way, but Real racing provides the more traditional racing.

Notable Apps

• $6.99

  Asphalt 5

  by Gameloft

  This is thee arcade racing game for the iPhone. If you prefer arcade racing over a traditional experience than Gameloft's Asphalt 5 is for you. You get to race at super high speeds, blasting nitro, and never worrying about the brakes. Multiple game modes are included (with cop chase improved in an update) as well as 30 cars to unlock from the mundane mini copper to the exotic bugati. It does get a little long in the middle of races. Arcade racing king no doubt, but not as good of a game as the essential category.

• $0.99

  Need for Speed Shift

  by Electronic Arts

  EA has brought their racing franchise to the iPhone, and Shift has a real racing tilt compared to the arcade NFS: Underground. There's no doubt it's a great iPhone racer, but it just comes up short in quality to Real Racing. On top of that to make matters worse its $9.99 which is twice the price of Real Racing. Great, but not the best as the racing experience is lacking as well as the controls in comparison to Real Racing.

• $4.99

  2XL ATV Offroad

  by 2XL Games, Inc.

  2XL ATV Offroad is a great racing game that uses ATV's, and the best you can get for racing anything other than cars on the iPhone. It looks great, and ATVs offer a whole new experience, but it does lack the racing quality of the games above it.

• $2.99

  Need For Speed™ Undercover

  by Electronic Arts

  Underground is EA's arcade racer as compared to Shift, but it's just slightly lower in comparison to Aspahalt 5. The game doesn't handle as well, and there's a bothersome camera that tilts as you tilt the iPhone. Also the racing objectives aren't as engaging as in Asphalt 5. No doubt great, but not the best.

• $4.99

  Shrek Kart™

  by Gameloft

  Shrek Kart is the best Kart Racer on the iPhone, and it's quite amazing that a movie tie in can be so good. Gameloft has done a great job of bringing Mario Kart to the iPhone, and replace Mario with Shrek. If you're a kart racing fan look no further. The kart racing game though isn't the same quality as any of the games listed above.

• $2.99

  LightBike Online

  by Pankaku Inc.

  A unique racing game that is all about playing with others. Just tap on screen to turn the bike, and force your opponents to run into your light trail. The best of it's kind, and a unique racing type experience for your iPhone. Best of it's kind, but sits behind other racing titles in it's comparative simplicity.

• $4.99

  2XL Supercross

  by 2XL Games, Inc.

  2XL games first racer is a moto-cross racer rather than ATV. It's practically on par with their ATV offering, but a few minor things make it just slightly less of a recommendation, but great none the less. If you want moto cross this is the pick. Not as good as ATV, and has the same small concern.

• $1.99

  Snail Mail

  by Sandlot Games

  Snail Mail is a race against the clock to collect mail, and make it through space tracks. If you want a racing inspired game that doesn't fit the traditional idea of cars on tracks then this is definitely near the top of the list. This single player race down the track doesn't compete with the traditional racing experiences.

• $2.99

  Low Grav Racer 2

  by Cobra Mobile Limited

  The best futuristic type racer akin to Wipeout or F-Zero. If you want that type of game LGR2 is top notch with everything you would expect for that type of racer. Though it does pale in comparison to the big boys in this genre as a racing experience.

Decent Apps

• $2.99

  Driver™

  by Gameloft

  A disappointment, though gameloft made a good port. The controls are awkward, and the game is relatively boring for being Driver. Good, but there are simply better choices.

• $0.99

  Fast & Furious The Game

  by I-play

  Surprisingly good for a movie tie-in game. A good arcade racer that is a little basic in the racing gameplay, and production values compared to the offerings from gameloft and EA.

• $0.99

  Krazy Kart Racing (US)

  by Konami Digital Entertainment

  A really good kart racer that site just behind Shrek Kart. It just doesn't have the same fun loving atmosphere as well as action.

• $0.99

  Moto Chaser

  by Freeverse, Inc.

  A good motorcycle game that was one of the first games in the App Store. Still solid, but has been passed by many better racing experiences. Controls, visuals, and racing gameplay are lacking in comparison to the stiff competition.

• $0.99

  Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D

  by Activision Publishing, Inc.

  One of the original titles in the App Store, and the first kart racer. Still good, but it's been passed up. Great controls, but a little too easy, and not nearly enough action for a true kart racer.

• $2.99

  Days of Thunder!

  by Freeverse, Inc.

  Nascar like racing that is based on the movie it's named for. Well made, and one of the only nascar type of racers you can get. The game was a lot better before so many other great racers were released. Now it looks inferior in terms of graphics, and the controls aren't as tight as they need to be at the speeds.

• $0.99

  Snow Moto Racing

  by Resolution Interactive AB

  Really nice snow moto racing type game, and the only one of its kind on the iPhone. If you want snow mobile racing this is a great choice, but doesn't do enough to compete with the non-car racing games from 2XL to be in the notable category.

• $0.99

  Monster Trucks Nitro

  by RedLynx Ltd

  More tricks and stunts than anything else, and with monster trucks. Really neat idea, that is made well, but it flies by. If you want monster truck stunts using the unique iPhone capabilities than this is the choice. Really doesn't come close to the other games listed.

• $3.99

  Cro-Mag Rally

  by Pangea Software, Inc.

  Another one of the early app store titles. Pangea's port of their kart racer just lacks replayability, and the kart doesn't handle nearly as well as it could. Everything is unlocked at launch, and many times you'll fly off course, going the wrong way. There are better kart racing options.

• $0.99

  Wave Blazer

  by Polarbit

  A relatively early App Store title that gives you water craft racing. If you're into that type of thing this is great. As a pure racing experience it falls behind the other games in the category. Definitely notable as a water craft racer though.

• $2.99

  GROUND EFFECT

  by Glenn Corpes

  3D hover craft racer that is really well made. Has a unique starting in last position. A unique iPhone experience, but it comes up short in comparison to the big racing games.

• $1.99

  Pollywog

  by Chaotic Box

  A really well made 2D top down racer. Guide the pollywog through lily pads, bamboo, and rocks. If you want a single player race against the clock it's a should buy, but doesn't rank any higher.

• $0.99

  Moto X Mayhem

  by Occamy Games

  A side scrolling motorcycle race against the clock using physics to make it through the up and down courses. The game goes by really quickly, but is definitely a unique take on racing worth a look. Extremely basic compared to the competition though.

Other Apps