What to play on Game Pass: Racing Games

New to Xbox Game Pass and don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered with these Game Pass recommendations for racing enthusiasts. There is a great selection of racing games on Game Pass so strap on your helmet, put the pedal to the metal and let’s get started!

Dirt 5

Dirt 5 is the premiere off-road simcade racer. One of the launch titles for the next generation of consoles, Codemasters’ last game as an independent company does little to disappoint. Tear up roads all over the globe — Brazil, Greece, China, Italy, New York City, Norway, South Africa and more – all with dynamic weather and seasons.

Hone your off-road driving skills in a variety of racing styles, from Rallycross to Ice Racing to Stadium Trucks and Buggies.

Also check out on Game Pass:

• Dirt 4
• Dirt Rally
• Dirt Rally 2.0

F1 2021

The 2021 edition of the official F1 video game franchise introduces a brand-new story mode in addition to new circuits Imola, Portimão, and Jeddah (which were added in post-release updates).

Braking Point is the new story mode, which according to a statement from developer Codemasters, “immerses players into the glamorous world of Formula One, giving a taste of the lifestyle both on and off the track: the rivalries, emotion and dedication needed to compete at the highest level.”

Watch the trailer on YouTube

Also check out on Game Pass:

• F1 2020

Forza Horizon 5

The latest installment of the Forza franchise puts players in an enthralling open-world interpretation of Mexico. See what 20 million players are hyped about in this universally acclaimed, multiple award-winning racer.

And with next-generation technology such as the use of photogrammetry, the racing has never looked better, especially on Xbox Series X|S. You’ll appreciate fine details like the individual needles of a cholla cactus or the weather marks of roadside rocks – if you can slow down enough to see them, that is.

Also check out on Game Pass:

• Forza Horizon 4

Grid

Codemasters’ long-running road racing simcade is better than ever in this fourth installment. In Grid players will have to master a medley of racing disciplines including Touring, Stock, Tuner, GT, open-wheel FA racing, and a special Invitational series.

And don’t think you will be able to just shove your way through the ranks of the Grid World Series. With the game’s Nemesis System, each of the 400 unique AI opponents will remember every slight done to them out on the track. So it’ll be in the player’s best interest to mind his/her manners out there.

Watch the trailer on YouTube

Need for Speed

To be clear, this is a 2015 reboot of the legendary arcade racing series. Need for Speed is an always-online open-world racer set in the fictional city of Ventura Bay (loosely based on Los Angeles). It features 5 different game modes: Speed, Style, Crew, Build, and Outlaw.

The Need for Speed franchise is well-represented on Xbox Game Pass, with 5 NFS games available on the service at the time of this writing. So there is bound to be one suited for any type of speed demon.

Watch the trailer on YouTube

Also check out on Game Pass: 

• Need for Speed Heat
• Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered
• Need for Speed Payback
• Need for Speed Rivals

ScreamRide

A racing game of a different sort. ScreamRide offers 50+ levels and three distinct game modes: Engineer, ScreamRider and Demolition Expert. The game also has a sandbox mode in which players can build their own rollercoasters complete with props, ride pieces and scenery.

The racing – or rather, ScreamRiding – itself serves up something a little different from the typical racing game, as well. As one would expect the roller coaster rides are quite linear, being literally on-rails as they are. Players have (limited) control over leaning, braking, accelerating, boosting and so forth. Needless to say, it provides a different kind of racing(esque) experience.

Watch the trailer on YouTube

Now for the cool-down lap

As you just saw, Xbox Game Pass has quite an awesome lineup of racing games, with both AAA blockbuster titles and lesser-known but equally enjoyable cult-classics, as well as everything in between. Which of these racing games do you prefer for your speed fix? Let us know in the comments. And if you don’t have a subscription to Game Pass yet, you can check it out below.

You can also visit the FAQ page for more info.