FOX Sports Staff Ranks the Top 10 Racing Video Games of All Time — From Daytona USA to Mario Kart 8 🎮🏁

With the highly anticipated release of NASCAR 25, the team at FOX Sports decided to have a little fun off the track — ranking the Top 10 Racing Video Games of All Time.

The list, curated by staff members with extensive experience in racing titles (as one editor humorously noted, “not me”), celebrates decades of virtual speed, competition, and nostalgia — from arcade classics to modern console icons.

Here’s a look at the highlights from their countdown, shared by @NASCARONFOX:

Mario Kart 8 (Nintendo Switch) – The fan-favorite franchise continues to dominate, praised for its perfect blend of chaos, accessibility, and pure fun. Gran Turismo 4 (PlayStation 2) – Often called the most realistic racing simulator of its era, GT4 remains a benchmark for car enthusiasts. Daytona USA (Arcade) – A defining title of the 1990s, this SEGA masterpiece captured the thrill of high-speed oval racing long before esports took off. NASCAR 2003 Season (PC) – A true cult classic among sim racers, this game remains beloved for its realism and competitive online community. Forza Horizon 5 (Xbox Series X/S) – Open-world freedom meets high-octane competition in one of the most visually stunning racing games ever made. Burnout 3: Takedown (PlayStation 2) – No game made crashing more fun — pure arcade adrenaline from start to finish. F1 2020 (Multi-platform) – A polished, deeply detailed Formula 1 experience that gave players full control of their racing legacy. Need for Speed: Underground 2 (PlayStation 2/Xbox) – Street racing, custom cars, and a killer soundtrack made this a defining game of its generation. NASCAR Heat 5 (Multi-platform) – Still one of the best NASCAR sims for fans wanting to experience life in the fast lane. Cruis’n USA (Arcade/Nintendo 64) – A nostalgic throwback to the golden age of arcade racing fun.

The release of NASCAR 25 sparked renewed excitement for the future of virtual racing — and for many fans, it’s a reminder of how far the genre has come since the early pixelated days of arcade cabinets and console controllers.

From Mario Kart’s banana peels to NASCAR’s drafting duels, one thing is clear — racing games continue to unite fans of all ages, both on the couch and at the track.

#NASCAR | #NASCAR25 | #FOXSports | #RacingGames | #MarioKart | #DaytonaUSA