By I used to live and breathe racing games. And I still do!
I’ve played every title in the Need for Speed series, even including NFS 1 and 2. Right now I have a racing sim setup at home, which I regularly use to play competitive and racing simulator games.
I love racing games so much that I also have a couple of games installed on my phone, just to play when I’m away from home.
Compared to the PC and console racing games I’ve played, mobile racing games are not that great. But they are good enough to get a dose of that dopamine hit you get when hearing the sound of the engines and winning a race.
If you’re a racing games fan like me, then you should definitely have some of these games on your phone. In this list, you’ll find some of the best mobile racing games that are compatible with both Android and iOS platforms.
1. GRID Autosport
GRID Autosport is one of the best racing games with a solid single-player campaign and racing physics. I still haven’t found a game with a better campaign mode than this game.
The mobile port of GRID Autosport features the same career mode where you get to play the role of a professional racecar driver. It has deep customizations and mechanics that made this game such an iconic title.
GRID Autosport is more than a decade old. While it may not look as sharp as modern racing games, the visuals still hold up. Better yet, the physics and racing gameplay more than make up for it.
GRID Autosport is a premium game. But trust me, that $9.99 is well worth the price and way better than having to deal with pay-to-win microtransactions and annoying ads in free-to-play games.
2. CarX Street
When it comes to modern racing games, CarX Street is one of the best titles that offers a good combination of gameplay, physics, and stunning visuals.
If you enjoy customizing cars down to every tiny detail, CarX Street will keep you hooked. It has extensive car customization, engine tuneups, body kits, and much more.
CarX Street also includes open-world activities along with a career mode, drift battles, boss battles, and a whole lot of racing for you to enjoy.
CarX Street is free-to-play and includes ads and microtransactions like premium cars and upgrades you can buy with real money.
3. #DRIVE
#DRIVE offers a fantastic change of pace from the usual racing games and clones on mobile platforms.
This game features a cartoon-style art style blended with fun and addictive gameplay design. You simply drive a car on an endless road while also avoiding traffic, obstacles, and even the police.
But don’t let those cartoon graphics fool you. This game also includes car customization, tuning, and lots of other progression systems to keep you coming back for more.
For a free-to-play game, #DRIVE delivers a ton of value. There are, however, pay-to-win microtransactions in the game as well.
4. Rally Horizon
If Forza Horizon had a mobile port, this is what it would look like.
Rally Horizon is a lot similar to Forza Horizon in every way. It has a huge open world map that you can roam around and explore to discover events, races, and other cool stuff.
And the game also includes a single-player mode where you can level up as far as 80 as you progress through the game, just like in Forza Horizon.
However, Rally Horizon does not have multiplayer races, but on the plus side, you can play it offline.
5. Racing Master
Racing Master is one of the newest racing games released on mobile platforms. This game features realistic graphics and car models that look just as good as a console or PC racing game.
Since this game is developed by NetEase Games collaborating with Codemasters, the makers of Grid and other great racing games, Racing Master features high-quality car driving and physics as well.
While it doesn’t have a single-player mode or an open world, Racing Master offers competitive online multiplayer races to compete against other players around the world.
The only reason I didn’t place this game at the #1 spot is because of its monetization system. In addition to pay-to-win microtransactions, Racing Master also has a gacha system that is designed to offer an unfair advantage and empty your wallet.
6. Need for Speed No Limits
Electronic Arts developed this Need for Speed game specifically for mobile devices, and it’s just as good as any other triple-A Need for Speed game.
In Need for Speed No Limits, you can play both single-player and multiplayer. The single-player mode has an extensive career with “1,000 races”, police chases, drifting, car customization, and tuning. The multiplayer mode lets you compete against other players and progress in various seasonal events.
Of course, the game is full of microtransactions as well. But you won’t need those to enjoy the single-player career mode.
7. Need for Speed Most Wanted
If you prefer not to deal with online multiplayer races or microtransactions, this Need for Speed game is right up your alley.
Need for Speed Most Wanted is a premium game, and it does not have multiplayer races. Instead, it comes with a single-player campaign/career mode where you can freely roam around the map to explore and discover races, activities, and events.
As you progress through the game, you will unlock and gain access to its 40 cars, along with various car upgrades to level up your game.
For just $4.99, this is the most fun mobile racing game you’ll find. I should also clarify that this is a port of the 2012 game, not the 2005 game.
8. CarX Drift Racing 3
CarX series is well-known for its drift racing games. This is the latest and third installment of the series, and one of the best drift racing games on mobile platforms.
In CarX Drift Racing 3, you get to assemble, customize, and upgrade your own drift car and then compete in racing events. The game has a campaign mode as well as online multiplayer races.
When it comes to monetization, CarX Drift Racing 3 has everything from ads to in-game purchases, as well as a seasonal pass-style subscription.
9. Asphalt Legends
Asphalt series is the most popular racing game series on mobile platforms. There were multiple titles in this series but Asphalt Legends is considered the best title among them all.
Asphalt Legends is heavily focused on multiplayer races but there’s a career mode as well. This game also requires a high-end device to run well.
You can play in multiplayer tournaments and even with your friends in private lobbies. There are over 300 different cars to try out in the game. And of course, most of the best cars are locked behind a paywall. Although, you can enjoy this game as a F2P player as well.
10. Riptide GP2
Riptide GP 2 is not a car racing game. Instead, you race jet skis (or hydro-jets). But hear me out.
This game is actually more fun than most other car racing games, mainly because it does a fantastic job of delivering realistic water-based physics that makes you feel like you are actually riding on water.
There are a number of cool tracks available in the game, with various obstacles and challenges to master. You also get to upgrade and level up your jet ski as you progress.
Riptide GP 2 was released more than a decade ago, but I still play it on my phone from time to time. The graphics still look good.
11. Beach Buggy Racing 2
The sequel to one of the first racing games I’ve enjoyed on my first smartphone deserves a mention.
Beach Buggy Racing 2 is a fun and casual racing game that you can play with friends. It has Mario Kart-inspired racing mechanics and tracks that are just exciting to race in.
You can also upgrade your rides with various power-ups and participate in online tournaments and special events to play against other players as well.
12. Traffic Rider
Traffic Rider is perfect to play when you’re bored or need to kill a few minutes of time.
It features endless runner-style gameplay, except with a motorcycle. You simply have to ride your bike on the road while avoiding traffic and obstacles. The first-person view of the bike is what gives a more realistic look for this game.
As you complete challenges and earn rewards, you can unlock better motorcycles and upgrade them. There are more than 90 missions and challenges to complete in the game.
