Eight must-play racing games still to come in 2025

It’s been a banner year for racing game and sim racing fans so far, with new MotoGP and F1 games, a fresh Mario Kart, the first early access launch for Assetto Corsa EVO, Wreckfest 2 and Tokyo Xtreme Racer, plus the Forza series made its way to PlayStation in an unprecedented move.

We may be halfway through 2025 already, but really, we’re just getting started. 2025 started strongly for sim racing and racing video games – but the second half will be even stronger.

NASCAR 25

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Release date: September/October 2025

The last official multi-platform NASCAR game was released nearly four years ago, and frankly, the less said about it, the better.

Back then, NASCAR 21: Ignition tried to merge a physics engine with the ubiquitous Unreal Engine graphics, and while it seemed a sensible idea on paper, they went about as well together as milk and a soda stream.

Now, this ‘fall’, NASCAR 25 will try to do something similar – Unreal graphics mixed with the foundation of Monster Games’ World of Outlaws game physics, with added iRacing elements, plus some overall assistance.

What provides hope compared to last time is the development team, the aforementioned Monster Games, which was responsible for the solid NASCAR Heat series. It is now under the stewardship of iRacing, which purchased the studio in 2022 before acquiring the rights to make NASCAR games alongside its existing sim content in 2023.

The work-in-progress trackside scenes look awe-inspiring at present for this PC and console game, which is said to feature laser-scanned venues and a lengthy single-player career across four main stock car categories.

But then, contrast that to the brief hint of gameplay footage, and that looked a little rough with skipped frames and odd driver animations – but it’s just a few seconds and an unfinished, early, build.

Online multiplayer will support full 40-player grid sizes, but cross-platform play is omitted, and there’s no word if there will be a ranking system – it all sounds very similar to the aforementioned Heat game multiplayer systems, as opposed to something resembling iRacing.

Let’s hope it lives up to the hyperbole and lands harder than a Ricky Stenhouse Jr. punch.

Rennsport

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Release date: September 2025

It feels like we’ve been saying that Rennsport is coming soon for years – mainly because we have.

Despite a public unveiling in 2022 and use in esports competitions for the past three years, it still never arrived. And the evolution seemed painfully slow. Here’s what we said two years ago: “We’re finally seeing promises coming to fruition and building, but we need that to actually happen in the coming weeks and months.”

Since then, that potential seems to have been squandered, thanks to the perceived lack of progress, a physics debacle and a rather punitive free-to-enter payment model with expensive in-game credits.

Despite all of this, Rennsport will be released later this year. It really will, no joke, with a recent press release confirming September.

Thanks to an agreement with Nacon, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions will also arrive this year. Cross-platform play and progression are to be supported, too.

There just isn’t much to do within Rennsport presently, with a small car and track roster, devoid of what we think is crucial for console players – some form of single-player progression to match the ranked multiplayer systems.

“We’re working on AI [controlled rivals] and that’s going to function in a way that you would expect, where you can set up your own parameters, your own race weekend, the normal stuff,” said Rennsport’s Creative Director, Kim Orremark, to Traxion.

“We’re also working on a more curated, single-player experience that consists of a series of challenges against the AI that puts you in different racing scenarios.

“For example, it could be that you’re driving an endurance race and you’re coming up on the back of the GT3 pack in an LMDh, then you need to figure out how you pass the whole pack.

“We’re crafting those ourselves, but then we’re working with a third-party with the goal of bringing real-life motorsport moments and replicating them in the game.”

We’ve also been told by Orremark that the current pricing model is for “early access only” and to expect “a more traditional, classic approach for the actual launch of the game.”

Then there’s the driving experience and visual performance, all of which we think need improvements before launch.

The pressure is really on now, yet maybe this could find a home with the starved console sim racing community, having struggled initially with an entrenched PC audience?

Le Mans Ultimate

Platforms: PC
Release date: July 2025

And large swathes of that aforementioned PC audience are currently racing on Le Mans Ultimate – first released in a rather rough early access state in February last year, and since then, there have been more bugs zapped than a Scot batting away midges in summer.

But from the outset, there was a native ranked multiplayer system and for the most part, solid online car contact netcode. That meant while it was light on content and other features, there was still the hook of competitive racing, a goal-based system and special events.

This latter feature can now be expanded to longer races, with the recent addition of team management and in-race driver swaps, which the team has been slowly phasing in.

Now, the 2024-season DLC pack has been completed too, the next step is to exit early access, which will happen on 22nd July. Version 1.0 won’t come with a big shiny new feature, but rather what’s billed as a significant quality-of-life update, alongside the Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 and ear-drum-shattering Aston Martin Valkyrie for free.

The future, too, will now see European Le Mans Series paid DLC – namely Silverstone, Paul Ricard and Barcelona, plus the LMP3 car category – and then, for next year, some form of single-player career mode. No word yet on consoles, however, negotiations with partner publishers are still ongoing.

Let’s not underplay the significance of this release – parent company Motorsport Games, and thus by dint of being owned by them, developer Studio 397, were on the brink. Mass redundancies, burning cash, posting quarterly losses, selling off other licences such as NASCAR and batting away low-ball purchase offers.

Le Mans Ultimate was its one shot, one opportunity, as it tried to seize everything it ever wanted in one moment – and much like Jimmy in 8 Mile, it actually did capture it and pull it off.

Before we move on to the other main games to look forward to, another early access title set to hit the end goal ‘version 1.0’ release this year is Tokyo Xtreme Racer in September (but also no word yet on a console launch).

Then there’s Assetto Corsa EVO, which we are looking forward to the full release later this year, but the ‘Fall 2025’ launch window has now been removed from its roadmap, and Traxion has been informed that this date is currently being “assessed”. You can read more about that on the Traxion website, linked in the description.

And could the final version of Wreckfest 2 hit this side of 2026? We’re not too sure it will, but that’s fine by us, just keep chipping away, Bugbear.

Endurance Motorsport Series

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Release date: TBA 2025

Rennsport isn’t the only driving game that Nacon will be publishing later this year, although Endurance Motorsport Series is also developed by its own, fully owned, KT Racing team.

This is one of the more unique racing games to arrive over the past half-decade, mixing elements of management titles with a GT and hypercar driving experience.

Think about how in F1 25’s My Team mode, you are the team principal, but can also select a driver to race with. But, for Endurance, instead of it being a separate mode, that’s the entire game concept.

There are some noticeable differences to Codemasters’ single-seater racer, namely (based on our early preview), the off-track element seems to be less detailed in terms of car and facility upgrades. And then on track, it’s best not to think of it as a rival to sims like Le Mans Ultimate, if our playtest was anything to go by.

Instead, the development team is openly aiming for a fun gaming experience, trying to put across the endurance racing scene but in bite-sized chunks and for all skill levels. At any point, you can swap from behind the driver’s seat and onto the pitwall, overseeing strategy, repairs and AI driver pace.

In single player, you must oversee three drivers in total, and even multiple cars in the same team in the latter stages. The whole system can then also be used for collaborative online races, with three players sharing a car, and 24-car grids.

There are real-world licensed hypercars, LMP2 and GT3s, with detailed cockpit cameras and some models rarely seen in gaming, such as the Toyota hypercar, alongside a mix of real-world and fictional venues including the 24 Hours of Le Mans venue, Circuit de la Sarthe.

There is wheel support, but based on an early version, it felt like using a gamepad may be the best method. The handling reminds us a little of the current Forza Motorsport, as it stands presently, and the dramatic AI-controlled rival performance, crashing and banging, reminiscent of a GRID game.

Endurance Motorsport Series will be racing onto consoles and PC sometime before the end of this year as something that eschews the norm.

Over the Hill

Platforms: PC
Release date: TBA 2025

After all the serious circuit racing action, now it’s time to sit back, put your feet up and envelop yourself in the (virtual) great outdoors playing Over the Hill.

If NASCAR, Rennsport and Endurance Motorsport Series all sound a little frenetic, this is the perfect antidote.

Absolute Drift and Art of Rally creator Funselektor, along with Strelka Games, return with the video game equivalent of a luxury spa weekend – no, no, not Spa-Francorchamps – this is elements of Saber Interactive’s Expeditions mixed with several parts of Dune Casu’s inimitable style.

That means a minimalistic style, but this time, across multiple open biomes to explore, finding items, completing tasks and mainly, trying not to get stuck or fall off the side of a ravine.

You will be driving adorable facsimiles of nearly recognisable off-roaders, and in a neat twist, the whole thing can be played through online co-op too. It’s set for a PC release later this year, “but [we] are planning on a console release after,” stated Strelka’s CEO, Pietro De Grandi, to Traxion.

We recently tested a very early version with the developers, and we found it charming, with a hidden depth to the environments. And we definitely didn’t fall to our death, no, not at all.

Super Woden Rally Edge

Platforms: PC
Release date: TBA 2025

Another potential indie gem, Super Woden Rally Edge will be a spin-off from the popular Super Woden GP series, this time focused solely on, yes, you’ve guessed it, rally driving.

Alongside the more outlandish driving style, there will be a chase camera option – a first for the usually isometric titles. 

Its predecessors, Super Woden GP and Super Woden GP 2, leant heavily on the original PlayStation Gran Turismo series for menu design, progression and music – allegedly, of course. There was more nostalgia than a ’90s-themed DJ night.

Solo developed by Spanish creator ViJuDa, who is particularly passionate towards retro cars and 1980s-90s culture, the aim here is to deliver an outlandishly arcade rally driving experience, mixed with a moreish sense of car collecting.

This will be predominantly played out through the career mode, dubbed ‘Rally Edge’, where competing in events, earning cash and buying cars is the main gameplay loop. There will also be weekly events with cloud-based score tracking and a more traditional arcade mode.

This is set to feature at least 80 cars – all unlicenced, but recognisable, wink wink, nudge nudge – and eight distinct countries for stage locations.

“My focus with Rally Edge is on capturing the excitement of rallying in an arcade style rather than simulating real-world events,” said creator Victor to Traxion.

“That said, the Rally Edge mode will add depth with vehicle breakdowns, some customisation and performance upgrades.”

The Super Woden series has so far been an endearing mix of alacrity and verve, so we’re keen to see where this latest instalment ends up. It’s coming to PC first, but we also expect console ports later. 

iRacing Arcade

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Release date: TBA 2025

While we’re on the topic of diminutive racing titles, 2021’s Circuit Superstars was a firm favourite with the Traxion team – mixing adorable visuals with serious driving nous (you needed to master racing lines and fuel saving), the Original Fire Development team went through a turbulent period.

Separating from publisher Square Enix, it then self-published a Karting Superstars spin-off title with the hope of raising enough cash to simply survive.

It was at this point, much like the aforementioned NASCAR games, super serious simulation iRacing stepped in, providing the backing and funding needed to realise the team’s vision for a true Circuit Superstars follow-up. 

Apart from the initial announcement blog post over a year ago, things have been quiet, with iRacing confirming to Traxion that it’s “well into development” and that we should expect to hear more soon.

There’s the working title of ‘iRacing Arcade’, confirmation of a single-player career mode, plus PC and console platforms.

In our minds, we’d take the first Circuit Superstars, add in dynamic weather, maybe even some licenced tracks and cars, definitely a greater sense of progression, build out the multiplayer options. Oh, and maybe a ranking system and cross-platform play and a team manager mode where you can hire and fire drivers.

Project Motor Racing

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Release date: TBA 2025

We’ve saved one of the more contentious platforms until the end – Project Motor Racing, a spiritual successor to the Project CARS series, which was a million-selling franchise between 2015 and 2020. That series seems to have just as many fans as vocal detractors.

From a new development team, Straight4 Studios, founded by the sometimes quixotic Ian Bell and using many old hands, this new sim racing title also has the backing of Farming Simulator progenitors GIANTS Software.

The net result is a driving game on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with expected cross-platform multiplayer, a scratch-built physics system, Farming Simulator graphics, a single–player career and a car roster that covers GT and sports cars racing through the ages.

There’s the increasingly omnipresent LMDh machinery, and then there are the perennial underdogs like Saleens, Listers, TVRs and Morgans.

When we tested the early build recently, we felt like there was oodles of potential, but also noted some quirky handling characteristics we hope its distinctive Factory Driver Program feedback programme can iron out.

One element that has not been mentioned clearly yet is modding, although the technology it is built upon has been touted as “mod ready” and it wouldn’t be a game with GIANTS Software involved without support now, would it?

There’s no release date just yet, but we’d be surprised if we don’t see it again at Gamescom, and the publisher has been confirmed for October’s SimRacing Expo in Dortmund – see you there, as Traxion is the event’s official media partner once more.

That just about wraps up what we’re most looking forward to, not forgetting the likes of CarX Drift Racing Online 2, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and Formula Legends.

Which new racing games are you looking forward to playing in the second half of 2025? let us know in the comments below. Let