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Zooming across the finish line: our favorite racing games of 2022

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Whether we’re drifting around tight corners or smashing down the boost to blast past our opponents, we’re in love with the sense of speed that comes from a good racing game. Whatever it takes to clinch that first-place finish. Here are our favorite racing games of 2022.

Number 5: Need for Speed Unbound

It’s nice to see the Need for Speed franchise at least competitive once again! Developer Criterion Games has presented a unique look for Unbound but a vision that’s true to the series’s roots. This is arcade racing at its most over-the-top and exciting, whether you’re going up against others in a street race or trying to outrun the cops. -@Kef

Number 4: Turbo Golf Racing

Turbo Golf Racing from Hugecalf Studios is an entertaining party game with cool art and fun power-ups. It is similar to other kart racers, and especially Rocket League, but the easy-to-learn gameplay and myriad customization options help this racer land a photo finish with style. -@JB

Number 3: Gran Turismo 7

Gran Turismo has been going strong since the ’90s, and it’s easy to see why. With its gorgeous graphics and smooth feel, any racing fan will want to hop into the driver’s seat and go full throttle. Gran Turismo 7’s attention to detail for all of its huge variety of cars and tracks makes it one of the best driving simulators ever. -@StaggerLee

Number 2: Grid Legends

Codemasters’s Grid series has been quietly providing a reliably great racing experience for fourth entries now, but its fifth lap, Grid Legends, may be the best one yet. Legends strikes the perfect balance between racing sim and arcade racer. That means it has the depth to please hardcore gearheads, but more casual players like myself can still enjoy it. It even has a shockingly engaging story campaign to work through! Recommended for all racing fans. -@Kef

Number 1: Pako Highway

I’m ecstatic to see Pako Highway at the top of this list. This amazing racing game shows that sometimes you don’t need garages full of flashy cars and a world tour of racetracks. Instead, it can be a simple, well-polished, and brilliantly-made racing game that does a great job of providing a sense of speed and a reason to keep loading up just one more game. Pako Highway delivers on all cylinders in that respect, and that’s why it deserves this spot. -@Jay Hunter