The 7 Best VR Racing Games

Racing videogames in VR didn’t have the easiest of starts as the gameplay is, quite frankly, supposed to be intense. Competitive, high-speed gameplay can make for an uncomfortable experience for new VR players. However, racing in VR also provides the best adrenaline-pumping experience you can imagine. So if you’re ready for the challenge, here are XR Source’s best VR racing games.

The Best VR Racing Games

Racing games come in many different flavours but where VR is concerned developers seem to go down one of two routes. Either realistic racing simulators for those who love their cars, or silly, madcap racing with guns and other outlandish options. But what all can agree on is that cockpits and virtual reality are made for each other.

Below you’ll find titles (in no particular order) highlighting VR racing games from across the board. Playable across a variety of VR headsets including PC VR, PSVR/PSVR 2 and Meta Quest 2.

Gran Turismo 7

A huge franchise and one of the newer games on this list is Polyphony Digital’s Gran Turismo 7. Originally released in 2022, when the PSVR 2 arrived the developer gifted owners with a free VR update. Described by Eurogamers as”one of the best VR experiences on PS5″, Gran Turismo 7 is a racing simulator with a huge pedigree on PlayStation.

This latest edition features more than 450 of the world’s fastest vehicles, and with PSVR 2 you can sit in all of them! Dive into the single-player campaign where you can unlock new cars and challenges whilst enjoying over 90 track routes in dynamic weather conditions. Whereas the GT Sport Mode is all about going head-to-head with players around the world. Certainly one of the best ways to maximise your PSVR 2 purchase.

DiRT Rally 2.0

Released back in 2019 for PC VR headsets, Codemasters’ DiRT Rally 2.0 is ideal for VR veterans looking for the ultimate VR thrill ride. Unlike games such as Gran Turismo 7 which take place on nice smooth racetracks, Dirt Rally 2.0 doesn’t offer that luxury. Prepare for jumps a plenty, and the odd crash or two as you fly off the side of a mountain!

Carve your way through gorgeous landscapes as you try to stay on the road in this off-roader. Over 50 cars are available like the VW Polo GTI R5, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X and Citroën C3 R5. Racing around New Zealand, Argentina, Spain, Poland, Australia and the USA. There’s a single player Career Campaign as well as competitive online modes.

XR Source would advise getting the game from a platform like Steam – rather than the Oculus Store – so you have the option to play flatscreen if it gets too much in VR.

Automobilista 2

Got a beefy PC, and shiny VR headset and want a stunning racing sim to tie it all together? Then look no further than Automobilista 2 by Reiza Studio. Tailored towards all fans of motorsports, there is an abundance of vehicles, tracks, customisations, and simulation settings to keep you busy for years.

Whether you prefer karting, trucks, GT sports, classic cars or the very latest hypercar prototypes Automobilista 2 has got you covered. Realism is, of course, at the very heart of Automobilista 2, so not only does it look accurate but it also offers dynamic weather and track condition systems. And then there’s the adherence to rules & regulations, covering most of the major world series.

Death Lap

From classics like Mario Kart to Destruction Derby, racing games don’t have to always be realistic. Testament to that is Death Lap, a VR racer all about heaping as much carnage on other players as it is about reaching the finish line.

Seemingly a homage to Death Race, OZWE Games’ 2019 title is both darkly comic as is brutal. There’s a narrative for the single-player about a maniacal TV show host running these races but that’s not too important. What is important are the variety of weapons and special abilities you can wield whilst navigating traps and other obstacles. Death Lap is silly fun that’s great when combined online with a few mates who own a Meta Quest 2.

GRID Legends

Also on Quest 2 is GRID Legends. Another title from racing experts Codemasters, GRID Legends was a standard PC and console title before the studio ported it to Quest 2 and Quest Pro. Strangely, there are no PS VR or PSVR 2 versions.

GRID Legends is all about arcade racing action rather than the sheer realism of Automobilista 2. It still has lots of accurate cars and there’s a huge career to complete. As well as the Race Creator so you can design your own races to enjoy with friends. Be aware that this VR edition of GRID Legends is completely separate from its flatscreen cousin so there’s no cross-platform play support. That makes it one of the best racing simulators on Quest 2.

Mini Motor Racing X

Racing doesn’t need to be big to be fun. In fact, it can be condensed into a much smaller package and still be an absolute riot. The Binary Mill’s Mini Motor Racing X is like Micro Machines in VR, with dozens of tiny vehicles to race across 50+ tracks.

Switchable between third and first-person views, Mini Motor Racing X can be played like you’re racing a toy car or physically driving one. There are the usual career and online modes as well as upgrades and customisation options. But there’s more! It features a bunch of party modes including Bumper Ball, Drop Zone, and Battle Area to mix up the gameplay.

Rush

Not all racing games need wheels you know. An oldie but a goldie, The Binary Mill released Rush several years ago, allowing players to enjoy the adrenaline-pumping world of wingsuit flying – without all the years of training required. This is a game that deservedly warrants its ‘intense’ rating on the Quest Store.

Featuring both single-player and multiplayer modes, there’s an art to whizzing down mountains at breakneck speeds. With a range of courses from snowy peaks to sandy canyons, they all feature multiple routes for you to find the best line. A good one will maximise your speed whilst a poor choice will see you face-plant a mountain. Which is never fun.

If cars aren’t your thing, wingsuit flying in Rush is a good alternative.

And there you have it. That wraps up our picks of the seven best VR racing games! What are your thoughts? Which ones did we miss? Let us know in the comments below!

Or take a look at: