The Best Original Xbox Racing Games of All Time

Ranker Games
Updated May 1, 2024 50.4K views 32 items
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5.3K votes
947 voters
Voting Rules
Games don't have to be console exclusive, as long as they were released for Xbox at some point.

If you owned the original Xbox at any time during your life, then it's safe to say there were probably a few racing games in your collection. With so many great options to choose from, there was never a shortage of games to play for fans of the genre. Since some games were much better than others, we've decided to rank the best Xbox racing games of all time. If driving fast cars is your thing, then get behind the wheel and try out some of these fantastic games.

This list features the most popular and best-selling older racing games that were released for Xbox. While many of these games were console exclusive, we're allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. This poll features items like Burnout Revenge and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Vote for your favorite video games below.

  • Need for Speed: Underground 2
    1
    229 votes

    Get ready to put the pedal to the metal in Need for Speed: Underground 2, as you race through the neon-lit streets of a sprawling city filled with hidden shortcuts and untapped potential. The gameplay focuses on underground street racing culture, offering an array of vehicle customization options and various event types, including circuit, sprint, and drift races. Underground 2 had gamers gripped by their gearsticks, giving 'em a taste of what it's like to dominate the illegal racing scene and make a name for themselves in the nocturnal world of street racing.

  • Forza Motorsport
    2
    May 03 2005
    218 votes

    Rev your engines and buckle up for Forza Motorsport, a thrilling racing game where players are immersed in a high-stakes world of professional motorsports. The gameplay combines the best of simulation and arcade-style racing, allowing you to fine-tune your vehicles to perfection and blaze through various tracks at breakneck speeds. Forza Motorsport made a huge splash in the gaming world, setting the standard for realistic driving physics and stunning visuals, making it a must-play for automotive enthusiasts.

  • Burnout 3: Takedown
    3
    171 votes

    Get ready for high-octane mayhem in Burnout 3: Takedown, a game that turned racing conventions on their head and cranked up the chaos to 11. This action-packed racer puts a twist on the traditional racing formula by rewarding players for aggressive driving and bone-crunching takedowns of rival cars. Burnout 3 left a trail of destruction in its wake, becoming a fan-favorite entry in the series and earning its place as one of the most exciting and innovative racing games of all time.

  • Project Gotham Racing 2
    4
    166 votes

    Think fast and drive faster in Project Gotham Racing 2, where players jet-set around the globe and battle it out behind the wheel in iconic cities like Chicago, Moscow, and Sydney. The gameplay is focused on achieving high scores through stylish driving while nailing tricky maneuvers, earning Kudos points to unlock new cars and challenges. PGR2 left tire tracks of success in the gaming world, setting itself apart with its unique blend of style and substance that raised the bar for future racing games.

  • Welcome to the concrete jungle in Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Remix, a high-speed thrill ride through the mean streets of three bustling cities - Los Angeles, Detroit, and Atlanta. The gameplay is all about weaving through traffic, swerving around obstacles, and proving your skills in a variety of race types and vehicle classes. MC3: DUB Edition Remix took the racing genre to new heights, capturing the urban car culture zeitgeist and cementing its status as a staple in the tuner scene.

  • Need for Speed: Underground
    6
    142 votes

    Dive into the heart-pounding world of illegal street racing in Need for Speed: Underground, a game that took the racing genre by storm and permanently redlined our expectations. The gameplay offers a white-knuckle ride through a range of circuits, drag, and drift events, with an emphasis on customizing your whip to be the envy of the streets. NFS: Underground made a big splash with its killer combo of adrenaline-fueled races and an immersive storyline, leaving gamers itching to hit the nitrous and own the night.

  • RalliSport Challenge 2
    7
    125 votes

    Buckle up for a wild ride in RalliSport Challenge 2, where players forge their own destiny and conquer treacherous terrain across four distinct racing disciplines: Rally, Hill Climb, Rallycross, and Ice Racing. The gameplay is a high-stakes balancing act between speed and control, with tight handling and intense rivalries pushing players to break the limits of conventional racing. RSC2 left a lasting legacy in the off-road racing genre, setting the benchmark for exhilarating gameplay and captivating visuals.

  • Project Gotham Racing
    8
    104 votes

    Tackle the asphalt and slay the competition in Project Gotham Racing, a trailblazing title that struck a chord between realistic handling and arcade-style thrills, set against the backdrop of iconic international locales. Success hinges on mastering the art of balancing style and speed, accumulating Kudos points by nailing daredevil maneuvers while gunning for the gold. This groundbreaking racer sped past its competitors, making a lasting impact on the gaming landscape and securing its place in the annals of racing game history.

  • Immerse yourself in the nocturnal world of underground street racing in Need for Speed: Carbon, where players must prove themselves worthy to conquer the city's treacherous canyons and untamed streets. The gameplay introduces innovative team-based racing mechanics alongside the series' signature car customization and high-speed action. NFS: Carbon left racing fans hungry for more, delivering an intense mix of white-knuckle thrills and deep customization that hit the sweet spot for automotive enthusiasts.

  • Sega GT 2002
    10
    Sep 03 2002
    109 votes

    Start your career and climb the ranks in Sega GT 2002, a game that thrust players into the driver's seat of an intense and challenging racing simulation. Manage every aspect of your burgeoning racing empire, fine-tuning your vehicles and dominating the track in a slew of diverse events and challenges. Sega GT 2002 skewered the competition with its addictive gameplay, immense depth, and memorable car collection, earning it a spot in the pantheon of great racing games.

  • Burnout Revenge
    11
    Sep 13 2005
    79 votes

    Get ready for a joyride from hell in Burnout Revenge, an explosive racer that dares players to embrace their inner road warrior and leave a trail of destruction in their wake. The gameplay rewards players for high-risk maneuvers like slamming rivals into walls and turning innocent traffic into twisted pieces of metal. Burnout Revenge doubled down on the series' trademark chaos, garnering a cult following and leaving a lasting impression on both fans and the racing genre at large.

  • Juiced
    12
    Jun 13 2005
    76 votes

    Rev up and race to the top of the street racing food chain in Juiced, where players will face off against the fiercest drivers and smoothest rides the underground has to offer. The gameplay will have you hooked on the insane speeds, dizzying drifts, and countless customizations as you work to build your rep and your dream garage. Juiced's impact on the racing genre was as sweet as its name suggests, bringing a fresh take on street racing and vehicle customization that left rivals eating its dust.

  • Colin McRae Rally 2005
    13
    55 votes

    Take on the world's most grueling rally circuits in Colin McRae Rally 2005, a game that lets you live life behind the wheel of some seriously souped-up rally cars. The gameplay will test your mettle with brutal time trials and extreme off-road conditions, throwing everything from hairpin turns to slippery slopes in your path. CMR 2005 left racing fans gobsmacked with its impressive realism, dynamic weather effects, and edge-of-your-seat action, cementing itself as a classic in the rally racing genre.

  • RalliSport Challenge
    14
    71 votes

    Get ready to tackle the great outdoors in RalliSport Challenge, an off-road racing extravaganza that lets players test their mettle across four unique race types: Rally, Rallycross, Hill Climb, and Ice Racing. The gameplay provides a white-knuckle experience as players battle through mud, snow, and gravel to claim victory. RalliSport Challenge's impact on the genre was anything but off-road, earning praise for its realistic handling and stunning visuals, making it a trailblazer in the world of rally racing games.

  • OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast
    15
    79 votes

    Live life in the fast lane with OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast, a high-speed, sun-soaked racing extravaganza that pays homage to the golden age of arcades while injecting some fresh ideas into the mix. The gameplay is all about speed, style, and getting to the finish line by nailing tight turns, dramatic drifts, and breathtaking jumps. OutRun 2006 left a lasting legacy as a love letter to the arcade racing scene of yesteryear, offering an accessible, flashy, and fun experience that refuses to slow down.

  • Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition
    16
    73 votes

    Burn rubber and leave your rivals in the dust with Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition, a high-octane racing game that transports players to the heart of the urban street racing scene. The gameplay offers a smorgasbord of vehicle customization options and intense races through meticulously recreated cities, pushing players to master the art of high-speed precision driving. Midnight Club 3's impact on the racing genre was no slow burn, earning rave reviews for its exhilarating gameplay and authentic representation of tuner culture.

  • Midtown Madness 3
    17
    80 votes

    Cruise the bustling streets of two iconic cities - Paris and Washington, D.C. - in Midtown Madness 3, and create your own high-speed mayhem in this chaotic open-world racer. Gameplay is packed with a variety of mission types and vehicles for you to explore, from taxi missions to ambulance runs, ensuring there's always something new around the corner. Midtown Madness 3 injected a dose of freedom and fun into the racing genre, becoming a smash hit on the fast lane to success.

  • Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
    18

    Unleash your inner speed demon in Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2, a gripping racer that pits players against both high-stakes rivals and relentless law enforcement in a battle for supremacy on the open road. The gameplay combines fast-paced, heart-racing action with a deep roster of exotic vehicles and pulse-pounding police chases. Hot Pursuit 2 revved up the racing genre, delivering a gripping experience that kept gamers on the edge of their seats and reinforced the Need for Speed series as a powerhouse of the racing world.

  • TOCA Race Driver 2
    19
    46 votes

    Shift into high gear with TOCA Race Driver 2, a game that thrusts players into the intense world of professional racing, with both a deeply immersive career mode and a wide array of diverse motorsports disciplines. The gameplay takes great care to balance realism with excitement, offering players a chance to prove their prowess behind the wheel of everything from stock cars to touring vehicles. TOCA Race Driver 2 made a lasting impression on the racing genre, praised for its comprehensive career mode and authentic driving experience.

  • Burnout 2: Point of Impact
    20
    53 votes

    Rev your engines and brace for impact in Burnout 2: Point of Impact, a racing game that dares players to embrace their inner road warrior and wreak havoc across a diverse array of tracks and challenges. The gameplay rewards players for high-speed stunts and devastating crashes, evoking a sense of pure adrenaline with every jaw-dropping moment. Burnout 2 left a trail of twisted metal and broken records in its wake, earning critical acclaim for its innovative spin on the racing genre.

  • FlatOut
    21
    Nov 05 2004
    58 votes

    Buckle up for a wild ride in FlatOut, where players rip around dirt tracks, collide with obstacles, and launch their drivers into the stratosphere in this off-the-wall, destruction-heavy racing game. The gameplay is a high-energy mix of reckless racing, insane stunts, and chaotic crashes that defy the laws of physics. FlatOut shook up the racing genre, proving that sometimes it's more fun to hit the gas and embrace the madness.

  • FlatOut 2
    22
    Jun 29 2006
    38 votes

    Get ready to wreak havoc on wheels in FlatOut 2, a high-octane sequel that ups the ante with bigger tracks, faster cars, and even more outrageous stunts. The gameplay is equal parts thrilling and chaotic, rewarding players for jaw-dropping crashes and feats of driving prowess. FlatOut 2's impact on the racing genre was anything but flat, carving out a niche for itself as a fan favorite and proving that sometimes a little chaos goes a long way.

  • TOCA Race Driver 3
    23
    53 votes

    Step into the world of professional motorsports with TOCA Race Driver 3, a game that offers an unparalleled range of racing disciplines and a captivating career mode that immerses players in the heart of the action. The gameplay delivers an authentic and challenging driving experience, while rewarding players with diverse events and opportunities to prove their skills behind the wheel. TOCA Race Driver 3 left a lasting impact on the racing genre, earning critical acclaim for its realism and depth that pushed the boundaries of what a racing game could be.

  • Street Racing Syndicate
    24
    54 votes

    Jump into the vibrant tuner scene with Street Racing Syndicate, a game that thrusts players into the high-stakes world of underground street racing and car customization. The gameplay is all about winning respect on the streets with pulse-pounding races, slick rides, and daring police chases. SRS left a mark on the racing genre, offering a fresh perspective on the world of street racing and capturing the spirit of the import tuner culture.

  • The Simpsons Road Rage
    25
    51 votes

    Take a ride on the wild side in The Simpsons Road Rage, a zany racing game that lets players careen through Springfield as their favorite characters from the hit TV show. The gameplay has players racing against the clock to pick up passengers and deliver them to their destinations, all while embracing the irreverent humor and charm of The Simpsons. Road Rage left fans grinning from ear to ear, offering a unique and hilarious spin on the racing genre that kept gamers coming back for more.

  • MotoGP: URT 3
    26

    Saddle up and hit the track in Motogp: Ultimate Racing Technology 3, a high-speed motorcycle racing game that offers an unparalleled sense of speed and precision. The gameplay boasts deep customization options, a variety of racing disciplines, and a pulse-pounding career mode that puts players in the heart of professional motorcycle racing. Motogp: URT 3 left a lasting impact on the genre, earning high praise for its realistic handling and exhilarating sense of speed.

  • L.A. Rush
    27
    Oct 10 2005
    41 votes

    Get ready for a no-holds-barred race through the streets of Los Angeles in L.A. Rush, a high-octane adventure that combines open-world exploration with heart-pounding street racing action. The gameplay sees players navigating treacherous traffic and avoiding brutal police takedowns, all in the name of climbing the ranks as the city's top racer. L.A. Rush left its mark on the racing genre, offering players a thrilling taste of the City of Angels' gritty, urban car culture.

  • Colin McRae Rally 3
    28
    36 votes

    Roar into the world of rally racing with Colin McRae Rally 3, a game that puts players in the driver's seat of an intense, white-knuckle ride through challenging off-road courses. The gameplay offers realistic handling, unforgiving time trials, and diverse weather conditions, pushing players to master the art of high-speed precision driving. CMR 3 left its tire tracks on the racing genre, earning praise for its captivating realism and thrilling sense of speed that set the pace for rally racing games.

  • Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller
    29
    31 votes

    Fasten your seat belts and hold onto your hats in Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller, a game that takes the concept of a wild ride to a whole new level. The gameplay has players zipping through crowded streets as a cabbie on a mission to pick up passengers and deliver them to their destinations before the clock runs out. Crazy Taxi 3's over-the-top antics and wacky sense of humor left an indelible mark on the racing genre, proving that sometimes you really can have a blast behind the wheel.

  • Rally Fusion: Race of Champions
    30

    Get ready for off-road mayhem in Rally Fusion: Race of Champions, a game that lets players take on the world's most difficult terrain in a slew of high-speed, white-knuckle races. The gameplay offers diverse event types and authentically modeled vehicles, providing an array of challenges for players to master. Rally Fusion carved out a place for itself in the racing genre, praised for its unique blend of arcade-style action and simulation-driven depth.