From arcade to simulation

The best racing games of the decade: our Top 10

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Cops versus racers. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit was the last successful entry in the series.

10. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. Cops versus racers meet in exciting events. The last great entry of the iconic racing game series is a must-have. Also, cops in Bugatti Veyron. (Image credit: Electronic Arts)

In BLUR you fight with items against other drivers. Like Mario Kart, but with real cars.

9. BLUR. Think of it as Mario Kart with real cars. BLUR was simply ingenious, especially in multiplayer. Unfortunately, it never enjoyed the commercial success we think it deserves. (Image credit: Activision Blizzard)

The gliders from the WipEout Omega Collection. Future racers have never looked better.

8. WipEout Omega Collection. The king of future racers shines in new splendor. Unbelievable speed promises pure adrenaline in 4K. (Image credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment)

A slipstream duel in Forza Motorsport 6, the racing simulation is unmatched on consoles.

7. Forza Motorsport 6. The sixth installment of the iconic sim series for Xbox provides equal measures of driving fun and variety. (Image credit: Microsoft Corporation)

Rocket League was a surprise success with cult status.

6. Rocket League. Half racing game, half sports game, Rocket League came out of nowhere and took over the world with its gameplay. (Image credit: Psyonix)

Ford Fiesta in a rallycross. DiRT Rally 2.0 topples the successful predecessor.

5. DiRT Rally 2.0. Mud can be so beautiful. Codemasters secures the throne of off-road racing games once again. If you want full immersion, try it on VR! (Image credit: Codemasters)

The Audi R8 fights for victory. Project Cars 2 is perhaps the best racing simulation in recent years.

4. Project Cars 2. A realistic racing simulation developed by following the players' wishes? No wonder that the racer still has a huge fanbase even today. (Image credit: Bandai Namco)

Sebastian Vettel passes Lewis Hamilton. F1 2019 is the best Formula 1 game ever.

3. F1 2019. Formula 1 is an inspiration for millions around the world. The official game has been at the spearhead of the racing game genre for years and was even used by F1 racers during the coronavirus pandemic. (Image credit: Codemasters)

A race on the legendary Rainbow Road in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The best racing game for Nintendo Switch.

2. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. For nearly 30 years, Mario Kart has been the epitome of multiplayer fun. The Nintendo Switch version doesn't disappoint. (Image credit: Nintendo)

An autumn race at McLaren. Forza Horizon 4 for PC and Xbox One is perhaps the best racing game ever.

1. Forza Horizon 4. Rally? Sim? Street Racing? Open World? All of this is combined into one nearly perfect racing game. (Image credit: Microsoft Corporation)

Tasho Tashev

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No matter whether it's a hardcore racing simulation or an arcade racer as fast as an arrow: every gamer with petrol in his blood needs to take these racing games for a spin. We present the 10 best racing games of the last 10 years – with one or two surprises. Will the new releases in 2020 be able to compete with our Top 10?