Home / Lists /The best racing games on Xbox Game Pass ByKim Snaith 5 February 20255 February 2025
The racing game genre is a varied one. From super-realistic rally sims to open world racers all about having fun, there are video games that cater to pretty much the whole gamut of automobile-based sport. And quite a range of racing games are available on Xbox Game Pass, too. So if you pay for Microsoft’s gaming subscription and like getting behind the wheel of a digital car, we’re sure you’ll find a racing game to suit.
We’ve rounded up the best racing games on Xbox Game Pass below. We’ve included a varied selection, so whether you’re a serious racer, like something colourful and arcadey, or prefer to challenge your friends, we’ve no doubt you’ll find something you like. So: start your engines, And get ready to race.
This list was originally published in March 2022. It’s been periodically updated with new games and information since.
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1. Forza Horizon 5
- Available on Game Pass Standard, Game Pass for Console and Game Pass Ultimate
Racing games don’t come much better than Forza Horizon 5. Or the Forza Horizon series in general, in fact. Forza Horizon 3 wowed us when it took us to Australia back in 2015, and Forza Horizon 4‘s setting of Great Britain cemented the series as one of the best for us. But now we have Forza Horizon 5, and it’s bigger and better than ever.
Set in a luscious and varied recreation of Mexico, Forza Horizon 5 will see you zooming through dense jungles, whizzing past ancient Mayan ruins and even darting up the side of a volcano. This is based on real Mexico, and so while the map isn’t exactly accurate, you will see familiar locations if you’ve spent any time there. We have, and were blown away by how realistic locations like Tulum feel.
But that’s by the by. This is a racing game after all, and so all that really matters is how good Forza Horizon 5 feels to play. The answer? Really good. Whether you’re driving a buggy, a classic car or a supercar, it feels incredible. Drifting down sun-drenched highways is a joy, and you have hundreds of activities and events to jump into. This really is one of the best racing games on Xbox Game Pass. Probably the best.
2. Burnout Paradise Remastered
- Available on Game Pass Ultimate
The Burnout series is an absolute classic. And while it may be over a decade since we’ve had a new entry to the series, the Remastered version of Burnout Paradise has given us something to cling to. This open world racing game gives players the freedom to explore and to do events in whatever order they see fit. Fancy a race? Sure thing. How about a crash event, where you need to wrack up as much damage as possible? Absolutely.
The original game’s age means that Burnout Paradise Remastered doesn’t look quite as sharp as a modern title would, but don’t let slightly dated visuals put you off. This is still a top-tier racing game, and one of the best on Xbox Game Pass. It’s an EA game that’s available via EA Play, though, so you will need Game Pass Ultimate to be able to play.
3. Wreckfest
- Available on Game Pass Core, Game Pass Standard, Game Pass for Console and Game Pass Ultimate
The clue is in the name, really: Wreckfest is all about wrecking stuff. If you remember the 1990s series Destruction Derby, then you’re going to have an absolute blast playing Wreckfest. That’s all you need to know. And with a sequel just around the corner, there’s never been a better time to jump in.
There are races to be had, sure. And winning is important. But Wreckfest never takes itself too seriously. That’s not to say you’ll not need to think about what you’re doing; winning means going fast, and that means driving a car that’s not bogged down by heavy armour. But that will leave you open for opponents to damage you. And if your car gets wrecked? It’s game over for you.
That’s all part of the fun, though. You can weed out the competition by taking them out before they get a chance to do the same to you, but you’ll have to be mindful of the damage it does to your car in the process. And if you’d rather forget about racing and focus solely on doing damage? Of course there are events for that, too. Honestly, this is one of the best racing games on Xbox Game Pass. They don’t come much more entertaining than this.
4. DiRT Rally 2.0
- Available on Game Pass for Console and Game Pass Ultimate
Forget crashing and having fun driving around an open world. If you prefer your racing to be more serious and hardcore, then DiRT Rally 2.0 is the game for you. There’s a reason this game has been dubbed the “Dark Souls of racing games”. It takes no prisoners, and to succeed at it, you simply need to practice and, well, get good. There’s no two ways about it.
DiRT Rally 2.0 has a career mode that puts you through your paces as a rally driver, or you can jump into freeplay, either alone or online with friends. Whichever mode you decide to play in, though, one thing is for sure: you’ll be treated to one of the best rally games you can find. Its handling is second to none, leading to a truly realistic feel that not many other driving games will give you. It looks fantastic too, particularly if you’re playing on a Series X.
And so, if you fancy a challenge but also want to try out one of the best racing games on Xbox Game Pass, you really shouldn’t miss DiRT Rally 2.0.
5. Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered
- Available on Game Pass for Console and Game Pass Ultimate
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit was one of the best racing games back in the days of Xbox 360, and now it’s been remastered, it’s still one of the best racing games. Originally released in 2010, the Remastered version gives it a fresh lick of paint, making it look and play better than ever. This all-out arcade racer lets you hit the streets in a range of superfast supercars, burning rubber and trying to win every race. There’s just one problem: the cops are often after you. The solution to that problem? You can be the cops.
That’s right – as a cop, you get to take down racers, spoiling their fun and taking them out of the race. Whatever side of the law you find yourself on, though, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered is all-out fun, and it’s well worth your time. It’s one of the best racing games on Xbox Game Pass, and with dozens of hours of gameplay here, it’ll keep you busy for a long time.
Read our full review of Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered
6. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
- Available on Game Pass Standard, Game Pass for Console and Game Pass Ultimate
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 is an absolute must-play for anyone who doesn’t want to take their racing seriously. This ultra-colourful game literally puts you behind the wheel of a range of Hot Wheels cars, having you send them flying across a range of exhilarating and death-defying courses. Loop-de-loops and jumps are par for the course here, as are obstacles such as giant dinosaurs and big, plastic octopi.
There are dozens of courses to make your way around, and multiple ways to play. You can race against the CPU, play against your friends and family locally, engage in time trials or even practice your drifting prowess in special drift events. It looks great, it’s a thrill to play, and it’s fun for all ages — if you have Xbox Game Pass, this is absolutely one of the best racing games you can download.
Read our full review of Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
