Summary
Many Xbox fans are having the time of their life behind the wheel of a virtual automobile in theopen-world Mexicosetting ofForza Horizon 5. Unfortunately for some, the game is exclusive to Xbox and PC. With all this talk, those without the Microsoft console or a powerful enough PC might want to jump into some racing goodness. There are still plenty of options for those who are playing on PlayStation or Nintendo Switch.
The games below go from having an identical format toForza Horizon 5to being notably different while still retaining the arcade racing feel. These games will be of particular interest to Sony fans who are looking forgames likeForza Horizon 5for PS4 or PS5. After all, there’s a reason why people still can’t get enough ofForza Horizon 5, given the achievements stemming from its overall gameplay loop and a massive open world that is littered with unique and interesting biomes!
Updated on May 29, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:Racing games are a lot of fun to play through, with titles like Forza Horizon 5 showing that this genre still has a foothold in the industry despite what most people may assume. However, not everyone has an Xbox console (or a high-end PC) that can run this title. Thankfully, players will find themselves spoiled for choice on other systems since there are more than enough solid racing games that compare to Forza Horizon 5 in some form or the other.
The Crew Motorfestis the latest entry in the series, building up on the success ofThe Crew 2. Most people were glad to get their hands on this game and enjoy a substantial upgrade to the series formula, making this game an easy recommendation for fans ofForza Horizon 5.
Exploring a scaled-down replication of Oʻahu makes for a great time, with this tropical setting giving the game a lot of personality.The Crew Motorfestis a great celebration of racing and a game that players can check out if they want to enjoy a solid racing game with fun mechanics.
A racing game that uses the Lego brand to great effect,Lego 2K Driveis a fun, inoffensive arcade racing game that fans will enjoy. One particularly impressive aspect of the game is how creative its tracks are, encouraging players to take risks and find shortcuts.
The game’s rubber-banding may lend a feeling of artificial difficulty to the game, but that’s a small price to pay for what is otherwise a solid racing game. Everything looks and feels great, which is one of the most important things for any racing game.
The latest game in theNeed for Speedseries has a very unique art style that makes the moment-to-moment racing feel all the more fresh and engaging. Despite the hyper-stylized visuals, there’s no denying that the game looks gorgeous and is worth checking out for fans wholove gorgeous-looking racinggames likeForza Horizon 5.
The progression ofUnboundcan be a bit too grindy at times, but most players will forgive the game for its faults once they get into the meat of the gameplay and realize just how engaging it is. Racing games have been criticized for looking and feeling the same over and over again, so fans were glad to see that a historied and legendary franchise like NFS had the guts to take a risk and add such a unique visual flair to their game!
Most people would beperplexed to seeMario Kart 8here, given that there are a ton of differences between this game andForza Horizon 5. Nintendo’s trademark racing franchise is still getting new content to this day, and players love the idea of racing with their friends in this popular cart racing game where powerups can change the course of a race in no time at all.
The racing may be more arcade-y thanForza Horizon 5, and the visuals are more cartoonish, but the same sense of speed and competitiveness that players enjoy in Microsoft’s premier racing franchise can also be enjoyed inMario Kart 8, albeit with a different coat of paint. If nothing else, fans who may be bored of the same-old racing experience in their games over and over again will love the breath of fresh air injected into the racing genre by this title.
Speaking of cart racers, another title that comes to mind isCrash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled. Unlike the rather easy-to-approach gameplay of theMario Kartseries, races inCrash Team Racingrequire way more thought and effort from the player, with the game being slightly less arcade-orienting in its approach to racing, albeit only just.
It strikes a middle ground between popular mainstream racing titles likeForza Horizon 5and arcade racing titles that are great for casual play. While some fans have criticized the game for not making its mind up about what it wants to be, many people love the unique manner in whichCrash Team Racing Nitro-Fueledapproaches its gameplay, making it a worthy entry to the long list of titles featuring the beloved Crash Bandicoot’s face.
6Flatout
An Enjoyable Racing Game Where Wrecking One’s Car Is Part Of The Fun
Flatoutis a little older than most other titles recommended in this article, so it might be a little harder to find. All the same, it is worth checking out for anyone interested in arcade racing games with great crashes.
The detailed crashes and the way the driver flies out of the seat upon getting into a wreck are part ofFlatout’s allure. If players cannot find this game on an older console, the next best thing would be to play the newerWreckfest,which is from the same developer.
Some games are way better than they have any right to be.Who would expect any amount of love and care given to aHot Wheelsgame?Hot Wheels Unleasheddefied all expectations as it proved to be one of the surprise hidden gems of 2021.
The racing feels good, the track designs are inspired, and it is surprisingly challenging on harder difficulties.Another major victory ofHot Wheels Unleashedis its use of scale. Players genuinely feel the tiny size of the cars and tracks while racing.
Split/Secondwas, unfortunately, the last game from developer Black Rock Studios. It is a shame, too, because it is afun and unique racing game.
Split/Second’s main hook is the ability to build up a meter to activate special events on the track. It makes certain races feel especially cinematic, and the moments are all the more exciting because players trigger them.A PSP version was also released and even includes an extra track.
9Blur
A Combination Of Realistic Graphics With Kart Racing Mechanics
This one is for those who likekart racers such asCrash Team RacingorMario Kart.Blurlooks like a regular racing game, but playing it reveals it has more in common with the two previously mentioned games than withBurnout.
Players collect power-ups and weapons during a race and use them against other players. The mix of realistic graphics with kart racing sensibilities makes it extremely unique.
The last realBurnoutgame is also the franchise’s first foray into the open-world genre. Players are free to drive around Paradise City and take on challenges at every traffic light.
It never becomes challenging, but the driving just feels so good that players could spend an eternity just cruising around the open-world environment. The multiplayer was also pretty innovative for its time, letting players explore the city together.A remaster came outon PS4 and Xbox a couple of years ago, making it agreat alternative toForza Horizon 5on PS4 or PS5.
