The Nintedo Switch may be considered a console for kids, but it also has games for adults who like their racers.
Scratch that, one of the greatest franchises in the history of video games is Nintendo’s Mario Kart, obviously which belongs to this list as well as other great racing games for the Switch.
As a hybrid console that can seamlessly transition from home gaming to on-the-go play, the Nintendo Switch has redefined the world of racing games. Whether you’re a casual player seeking a thrilling ride or a hardcore racing enthusiast looking for the most realistic experience, the Switch has something for everyone.
In this guide, we will guide you through the top racing titles on this versatile console, from iconic franchises to hidden gems. So buckle up, rev your engines, and get ready to embark on the ultimate high-speed adventure as we explore the best racing games the Nintendo Switch has to offer!
1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a racing game that seamlessly blends arcade-style fun with tight, competitive gameplay. Despite its cartoony nature, the game manages to strike a perfect balance between accessibility and depth, making it a great choice for players of all skill levels. This is the best Mario Kart game to date, as this series, singlehandedly made the “kart racer” an ultra-popular subgenre of racing games.
One of the most impressive things about Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is its extensive roster of characters, each with its own unique attributes and abilities. Whether you’re a fan of Mario, Luigi, or one of the other classic characters, there’s bound to be someone here that you’ll enjoy racing as.
The game’s tracks are also top-notch, featuring a wide variety of environments and obstacles that keep things interesting. From the lush jungles of Donkey Kong Country to the neon-lit streets of Mario Circuit, there’s something here for everyone.
But perhaps the game’s greatest strength is its multiplayer mode. Whether you’re playing locally with friends or online against players from around the world, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is incredibly fun and engaging. The game’s matchmaking system is also top-notch, ensuring that you’re always matched up with players of similar skill levels.
2. Sega Ages: Out Run
Sega Ages: Out Run is a nostalgic trip down memory lane for fans of the classic arcade game. The updated graphics and new features, such as the ability to change the time of day and weather, add a fresh layer of gameplay to the beloved title. The controls are tight and responsive, making for an enjoyable and challenging experience. The game also includes the original arcade version and a “heart attack” mode, which adds more challenges for players to enjoy.
Compared to Mario Kart 8, Outrun is a more arcade-like racing game that emphasizes speed and drifting, whereas Mario kart is more of a family-friendly game that focuses on a balance of speed, power-ups, and strategy. Both games are great in their own right and offer different experiences.
3. Horizon Turbo Chase
Horizon Chase Turbo is a nostalgic, fast-paced racing game that will take you back to the glory days of arcade racing. The game features colorful, retro-inspired visuals and a catchy soundtrack that perfectly captures the spirit of arcade racing.
The gameplay is tight, responsive, and challenging, giving players a sense of speed and excitement as they race through a variety of tracks. The game also offers a variety of cars, each with unique characteristics and abilities, allowing players to find the perfect ride for their racing style. The game also offers a split-screen multiplayer mode, allowing players to race against friends.
When comparing Horizon Chase Turbo to Outrun, both games offer a nostalgic, arcade racing experience, but Horizon Chase Turbo has a more modern take on it, with better graphics and more varied tracks. The game also offers a split-screen multiplayer mode, which Outrun does not.
Horizon Chase Turbo is a fantastic throwback to the arcade racing games of the past and a must-play for any fans of the genre.
4. Sega Ages: Virtua Racing
Sega Ages: Virtua Racing is a classic arcade racing game that has been remastered for the Nintendo Switch. Compared to Sega Ages: Outrun, which is also available on the Switch, Virtua Racing offers a more realistic racing experience. The game features detailed car models and tracks, and it requires more skill and strategy to master. Outrun, on the other hand, is more of an arcade-style racing game with a focus on high-speed action and drifting. Both games offer a nostalgic trip down memory lane, but they cater to different types of racing fans.
5. Fast RMX
Do you want F-Zero? We have F-Zero at home with Fast RMX.
Fast RMX on the Switch is a high-speed, futuristic racing game that falls under the subgenre of anti-gravity racing. The game features fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping action as players race through a variety of tracks set in various environments, such as cities, deserts, and even outer space. The game also features a unique color-switching mechanic that allows players to switch between different colored lanes on the track, providing an extra layer of strategy and skill to the gameplay.
One of the standout features of Fast RMX is the smooth and responsive controls, which make it easy for players to navigate the tight corners and high-speed straightaways of the tracks. The game also features a wide variety of unlockable vehicles, each with its own unique attributes and abilities.
6. Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled on the Switch is a remastered version of the classic PlayStation game and it’s a blast from the past. The graphics have been updated to look stunning on the Switch and the gameplay is still as fun as ever. The game offers a variety of modes, including the classic Adventure mode, Time Trials, and local multiplayer. The controls are tight and responsive, making it easy to pull off power slides and boost starts.
One of the standout features of CTR Nitro-Fueled is the character roster, which includes fan favorites like Crash, Coco, and Cortex, as well as some new characters. The game also includes a variety of tracks, each with its own unique themes and challenges.
When compared to Mario Kart 8 on the Switch, CTR Nitro-Fueled feels a bit more challenging, but that’s part of what makes it so enjoyable. The game is more focused on skill-based racing and mastering the tracks, rather than the item-based mayhem that Mario Kart is known for.
7. Wreckfest
Wreckfest on the Switch is a high-octane racing game that takes inspiration from the classic destruction derby genre. Players take control of various cars and compete in races where the goal isn’t necessarily to come in first, but rather to cause as much damage to their opponents as possible. The game features a wide variety of vehicles, from muscle cars to trucks, and each one handles and controls differently.
The Switch version of the game offers the same level of intense action and carnage as the other console versions, but with the added convenience of being able to play on the go. The game’s physics engine is top-notch, making every collision feel satisfyingly impactful. The game’s career mode is robust and offers a lot of variety in terms of events and challenges to tackle.
In terms of comparison to other destruction-based racers, Wreckfest stands out for its realism and attention to detail. While Destruction All Stars is more arcadey and fast-paced, Wreckfest offers a more authentic racing experience with a higher level of simulation. It’s a more traditional racing game than Mario Kart 8, but with a twist of destruction.
8. MotoGP 22
MotoGP 22 on the Switch is a solid racing game that offers a thrilling and realistic experience for fans of the sport. The game features a wide variety of official tracks, teams, and riders from the MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 classes. It also has a deep customization system that allows players to fine-tune their bike’s performance to suit their riding style. The controls are smooth and responsive, and the graphics are decent considering it’s on the Switch. Motorcycle racing is a genre not rich with entries on all platforms, it is amazing that gamers can play such on the Switch.
9. Mindball Play
Mindball Play, the marble racing game from Interactive IP, is a fun and challenging experience. The gameplay is easy to understand and a tutorial is available for players who need it. The single-player campaign has a good progression system and the time trials are enjoyable with leaderboards to track progress. The opposition can be adjusted in terms of number and skill level, and power-ups can be enabled or disabled. However, some aspects of the game could be improved such as spawning mechanics, jumping mechanics, and the use of oil puddles in the tracks. In terms of multiplayer, local and online options are available. Overall, Mindball Play is a well-polished game with high replay value and is worth considering for players looking for a new marble racing experience.
10. Burnout Paradise Remastered
Burnout Paradise Remastered, a re-release of the 2008 open-world racing game, is a blast from the past that manages to hold up surprisingly well on the Nintendo Switch. From the moment you start the game, it’s clear that the developers at Criterion Games put a lot of effort into making this remastered version as true to the original as possible. The graphics are crisp and detailed, and the sense of speed is still as exhilarating as it was 13 years ago.
One of the most impressive aspects of Burnout Paradise Remastered is how well it runs on the Switch. The game maintains a steady frame rate and runs smoothly, even when there are multiple cars on screen and the action gets hectic. It’s a testament to the game’s design and the Switch’s capabilities that it can handle a game of this scope and scale so well.
The core gameplay of Burnout Paradise Remastered is just as fun and satisfying as it was in 2008. Players take control of a variety of high-performance cars and race through the streets of Paradise City, competing in various events and causing as much destruction as possible. The open-world structure allows players to explore and discover new events and challenges at their own pace, and the sense of freedom and discovery is just as enjoyable now as it was 13 years ago.
11. art of rally
art of rally is a fun and challenging rally game with an abstract visual style. The visuals on the Switch version are downgraded, and the framerate is not as smooth as on other platforms, but the gameplay is still great and makes it worth playing. The game is filled with tracks, cars, and objectives to play around with. If you are tired with the muddy and gritty racers, art of rally is a breath of fresh air.
12. The Next Penelope
The Next Penelope is an action-packed racing game with a unique visual style. The game takes place in a futuristic world where players control Penelope, a skilled racer on a quest to save her husband. The gameplay features fast-paced, arcade-style racing with a variety of weapons and power-ups to use. The game also features a unique teleportation mechanic that adds an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay. Overall, The Next Penelope is an enjoyable and challenging racing game that offers a unique twist on the genre.
13. Mantis Burn Racing
Mantis Burn Racing on the Switch is a fun and challenging top-down racing game that offers a decent amount of depth and replayability. The driving mechanics are tight, and the tracks are well-designed, offering a good mix of technical and high-speed sections. The graphics are solid, and the game runs smoothly on the Switch. The single-player campaign is a bit short, but the multiplayer mode is where the game shines.
14. Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered on the Switch is a great port of the classic game, offering all the same high-speed action and intense police chases as the original. The graphics have been updated to look great on the Switch and the game runs smoothly. The cars and tracks are diverse and well-designed, and the sense of speed is impressive. The game’s Autolog feature, which allows players to compete against their friends’ times, is a nice touch. The game’s single-player campaign is a bit short, but the multiplayer mode is a lot of fun.
15. Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is a unique and innovative take on the Mario Kart franchise. Instead of playing on a screen, players race using real-life Mario or Luigi karts that are controlled through a Switch. The karts are equipped with cameras that allow the player to see their surroundings on the Switch’s screen, creating an immersive and realistic racing experience.
The game includes a variety of tracks that can be set up in a room, and players can customize their karts with different decals and wheels. Compared to Mario Kart 8, Home Circuit offers a new and exciting way to play, with a more realistic and immersive experience. However, it’s limited to the physical space of the player’s room and the number of players is also limited to 4, unlike Mario Kart 8 which supports up to 12 players online. Nevertheless, being able to play a “real” game is better than playing video games.
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is a fun and unique addition to the Mario Kart series, but it’s not a replacement for Mario Kart 8 if you are looking for a traditional Mario Kart experience.
