10 Free Racing Games That Don't Suck (and Are Actually Fun)

But what if someone's wallet is tighter than a NASCAR turn? Turns out there are some genuinely solid free racing games out there that won't make anyone feel like they're settling for scraps.

CarX Drift Racing 2

Most mobile racing games are trash – just mindless tapping or barely disguised money grabs. CarX Drift Racing 2 is different. It's actually a legit drifting sim that doesn't make players want to chuck their phone across the room.

Sure, the cars aren't officially licensed, but anyone can tell what they're supposed to be. The handling feels right, and it even works with Bluetooth controllers for those who hate touchscreen controls. Plus, the developers keep dropping new cars and tracks, so there's always fresh stuff to slide around.

Trackmania

Anyone who grew up playing Nations Forever knows exactly what this is about. The new Trackmania is basically that same time-trial addiction machine, just prettier and available on Xbox and PlayStation now too.

It's pure arcade madness – building crazy tracks and trying to shave milliseconds off lap times. No complicated setups or tire pressure nonsense, just pure speed and sick jumps.

RaceRoom Racing Experience

Here's the catch with RaceRoom – it's technically free, but most of the good stuff costs money. Think of it like a really expensive car dealership where they let someone sit in the cheapest model for free.

That said, as a gateway drug into serious sim racing, it's solid. The physics are legit, and there's actual competitive multiplayer. It's like iRacing without the monthly subscription bleeding bank accounts dry.

Top Drives

Sometimes the best driving games don't actually involve driving. Top Drives is basically car-themed poker – collect cards, build a deck, and battle other players using stats instead of steering wheels.

It sounds weird, but watching little animated cars duke it out while strategizing which ride to play next gets surprisingly addictive. Everything from beat-up commuter cars to million-dollar hypercars shows up, and yes, there's probably some random Skoda hiding in there somewhere.

Extreme Off-Road Cars 2

This one's perfect for pretending to work while actually playing games. It runs straight in a browser, so it's basically invisible to nosy bosses or anyone sharing a computer.

Five cars, nine trails, and a whole lot of questionable hill-climbing physics. Not exactly groundbreaking, but sometimes simple fun hits different when it's free and accessible.

Fortnite Rocket Racing

Fortnite isn't just a battle royale anymore – it's turned into this weird platform where other games live. Rocket Racing is one of those games, made by the same folks who created Rocket League.

Imagine Mario Kart mixed with rocket-powered cars, and that's basically it. The downside? Epic stopped making new tracks, so what's there is what everyone gets. Still fun though, especially for Rocket League fans who can use their fancy car skins in both games.

Asphalt Legends Unite

The Asphalt series has been dominating mobile racing for years, and Legends Unite keeps that streak alive. It's basically if OutRun and Need for Speed had a baby and raised it on energy drinks.

Everything's about drifting, nitro boosts, and cars that handle like they're on ice – in the best possible way. Sure, there are microtransactions everywhere, but nobody has to spend a dime to have a blast.

CSR 2

Drag racing games are everywhere on mobile, but CSR 2 actually does it right. Real cars, real challenges, and timing that matters. The whole game comes down to perfect launches and knowing exactly when to shift.

Sounds simple, but getting that perfect run becomes weirdly addictive. Plus, there's always some limited-time event happening with new cars to chase.

Real Racing 3

For anyone wanting Gran Turismo vibes on their phone, this is it. EA somehow crammed a legitimate racing sim into a mobile game, complete with graphics that don't look like they're from 2010.

Bluetooth controller support makes it feel almost console-quality, and the physics are surprisingly convincing. Even crazier – they still add new content, including actual F1 cars.

Live for Speed

This game is old enough to vote, but it's still worth a shot. First launched in 2004, Live for Speed runs on basically any computer that can still turn on.

Most content costs money, but the free portion gives access to a few cars and tracks. Not bad for testing whether a computer can handle racing games without spending anything upfront.