Most played online or offline racing games on PC and consoles : 2021

 It's 2021, and believe it or not, there are tons of awesome online or offline racing games to either play now or look forward to down the line. The racing game genre is one of the most demanding genres of the game if you are looking for the most played online or offline racing games on PC and consoles then we are here to help you.

 We've got 14 racing games to break down that are worth keeping an eye on.

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 Best Racing Games 2021

So let's get started off with number 14 on the list of the best racing games.

Drift 21

Release Date: June 20, 2021

Platform: PC

Mode: Both Online and Offline

Drift 21 is pretty unique in the list of most played online or offline racing games because it is completely around Japanese tuner cars.

Not only does it have some really impressive drift mechanics that are fun to pull off and come off in that perfect balance of realism, but still manages to be just pretty satisfying to do whether you are playing online or just single-player races.

It also has customization and tuning, and you get the exact type of car you want. 

Everything you need, from turbo kits to spoilers to body wraps, appears to be available here.

There are a lot of licensed vehicles in the game, and it's all about celebrating the professional drifting scene, which is pretty neat.

Cruis'n Blast

Release Date: September 14, 2021

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Mode: Offline

Next over at number 13 on the list of most played online or offline racing games is Cruis'n Blast.

There've been quite a few cruising games if you're old enough to remember them, and this new one kind of serves as a reboot.

It has Five tracks, Eight cars, and Eight bonus vehicles and the gameplay is all focused on bright colors, fast, accessible racing, and just that arcade-style gameplay.

As far as we know, it will be available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch, so we're excited to see what this new take on the franchise will be like.

WRC 10 FIA World Rally Championship

Release Date: September 2, 2021

Platform: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox Series X|Series S, XboxOne

Mode: Online

Now we've highlighted these games in the past on racing games because they just kind of are the standard in a lot of ways, especially if you are playing on PC.

These are just hardcore, incredibly impressive simulation games with really specific, really challenging rally racing, cool dirt car, and damage effects, and it basically goes through the decades-long history of the WRC, the World Rally Championship.  

All of this can be managed in a revamped career mode, which includes weekly events and challenges to keep you busy in the community. There are also official teams and licensed cars to manage.

"Dirt" and "Dirt Rally" are excellent rally games, but WRC is something else entirely.

RiMS Racing

Release Date: August 19, 2021

Platform: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox SeriesX|Series S, XboxOne

Mode: Both Online and Offline 

Now on number 11 on the list of most played online or offline racing games 2021 we have RiMS Racing.

A lot of elements from other games are combined here, but this one focuses on realistic motorbike championship racing rather than the high-octane craziness of razor-thin, high-speed craziness. It also offers plenty of customization and tuning options, so you can make it your own.

It's all about the mechanics in the background, which sets it apart from other motorcycle racing games.

It's going to be all about getting the most out of your bike, managing your garage, and digging into the weeds of statistics while going for the gold.

NASCAR 21

Release Date: October 26, 2021

Platform: PS4, PC, XboxOne

Mode: Online  

Next over the list of the most played online or offline racing games is NASCAR 21.

When it comes to the franchise's future, this could be seen as a new starting point or even a new foundation.

It has been reported that the new leadership behind the scenes believes there is significant pressure on this title to become the new foothold for NASCAR's video game division moving ahead. This is because, based on reports, it will use an entirely new engine and physics system based on Unreal.

As of right now, it does not have a release date but is expected to be released by the fall of this year.

Torque Drift

Release Date: 21 April 2021

Platform: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox SeriesX|Series S, XboxOne

Mode: Online 

This one is out for a while and it's free to play so you can check it out without throwing down some cash, which is important.

It has real cars and real parts, so you can build your dream car to hit the tracks, and honestly, if you don't know too much about cars, if you judge it by the number of parts and customization there is, you can really, really fine-tune your car to perform exactly how you want.

Free-to-play games often always have their issues, and the model isn't perfect, especially for racing games, but we're willing to keep an eye on this one, because it plays okay, and we're hoping it gets better over time.

Rider's Republic

Release Date: October 28, 2021

Platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Google Stadia, Amazon Luna, PC

Mode: Both Online and Offline 

Next over at number nine on the list of the most played online or offline racing games is "Rider's Republic".

Now, this isn't a traditional racing game, full disclosure. 

First off, I mean, there are no cars. It's only extreme sports, everything from snowboarding, mountain bikes, wingsuits, stuff like that.

Some races will have up to 64 players competing at the same time to see who can cross the finish line first.

It's said to feature a seamless open world as well, with so many ways to get around, I'm sure exploring it is gonna be half the fun.

Overall, "Rider's Republic" appears to be chaotic and crazy, which is exactly what they're going for, and it also appears to be a lot of fun.

Dangerous Driving 2

Release Date: April 9, 2021

Platform: PC,PS4

Mode: Both Online and Offline 

The original "Dangerous Driving" had the potential to be pretty cool; it was just way too short. It seemed more like a proof of concept or a prototype than a full-fledged game.

The most important thing about it is that it was created by some of the same people who worked on the "Burnout" games, so it's a spiritual successor to "Burnout," and with "Dangerous Driving 2," they're going open world, adding a lot more features, and we're hoping it can become a full-fledged, awesome Burnout-style video game experience.

It was clearly meant to be included in the first game, but it didn't quite make the cut.

MotoGP 21

Release Date: April 22, 2021

Platform: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox Series X, and Series S, PS5, Xbox One

Mode: Both Online and Offline 

Next on number 6 on the list of most played online or offline racing games 2021 is "MotoGP 21".

You probably know what to expect if you've played these games before.

It's authentic, over-the-top, super-fast motorbike racing. 

This one commemorates the official session of 2021. It has 20 tracks, 120 real riders, and a historical aspect that goes back to the franchise's history with 40 historic racers and bikes.

Again, this is about managing your races down to your tuning, but there's also a lot of fun customization as well, with stickers, your helmet, your suit, and sometimes those graphic editors and stuff are half the fun. And it's pretty cool. 

It appears that this franchise will have another successful year, so if you enjoy this type of very specific but intense high-speed racing, check out "MotoGP 21."

F1 2021

Release Date: July 16, 2021

Platform: Ps4, Ps5, Xbox one, Xbox series X and series S, PC

Mode: Online 

Now over number 6, if we're talking specific crazy high-speed, high-octane racing, we gotta mention "F1 2021."

This new F1 game has a crazy, apparently over-the-top-looking story mode with cutscenes, actors, everything, and a bunch of drama. I think this is kind of hot off the heels of some of the newly found F1 popularity, thanks to the Netflix documentary, but you're still getting a real Season Start mode, which gives you some up-to-date statistics.

In Career mode, there's also a two-player option, which is pretty awesome.

Car Mechanic Simulator 2021

Release Date: April 29, 2021

Platform: PS4, XboxOne, PC

Mode: Both Online and Offline 

This game honestly looks incredible. 

It's all about simulating experimenting with automobiles. 

To be honest, there wasn't a lot of racing. Of course, you can drive around in your car and test it out, but a lot of the experience revolves around digging through garbage, looking for spare parts, going into barns with a flashlight, finding barn finds, building out your car, customizing it, fine-tuning it, modding it, cleaning it, and painting it. 

It's really, really all in, and it's all about just kind of exploring your garage and futzing around and doing whatever you want.

It has 72 cars and 4000 unique parts, and the developers claim that you can play it indefinitely.

Hot Wheels Unleased

Release Date: September 27, 2021

Platform: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox Series X, and Series S, PS5, Xbox One

Mode: Both Online and Offline 

Number 3 on the list of most played online or offline racing games is "Hot Wheels Unleased."

If we're being totally being honest, it's always blown our mind how relevant Hot Wheels have remained since we were kids. People still collect them in droves, and everything now has a Hot Wheel.

It looks like a real racing game with some weight to it in terms of gameplay.

The courses don't appear to be too crazy or fanciful, but they're all on those iconic orange tracks from our childhood, so it makes sense.

One thing that does seem really, really cool with the tracks is the builder, that's like one of the main events here. 

You can build your own Hot Wheels tracks, and take them online.

Forza Horizon 5   

Release Date: November 5, 2021

Platform: PC, Xbox

Mode: Both Online and Offline 

Now down to number 2 on the list of the best racing games of 2021 is "Forza Horizon 5".

It's another "Forza Horizon" game, this time set in Mexico. 

It's said to be the largest Forza Horizon open-world by far. They're using new ways to keep you in the game and playing against the AI and your friends, and all sorts of strange challenges.

And the "Forza Horizon" games have always had a lot more personality than something like "Gran Turismo" or one of the hardcore simulators we've discussed here, such as "MotoGP" or "F1."

They walk a fine line between handling fairly realistic, but still being able to easily jump in, play, and have fun. 

Need For Speed 2022

 Release Date: Early 2022

Platform: Ps5, Xbox series X, and series S

Mode: May be both Online and Offline 

Now here comes the number first on the list of the most played online or offline racing games 2021 which is "Need for Speed" 2021.

Well, it seems fans will have to wait until next year to play this masterpiece as it was delayed and the date got shifted to early 2022. 

Actually, it was supposed to be released back in November 2020, but due to some delay as announced by Chief Studios Officer, Laura Miele its date got shifted to early 2022.

Now more about the game, the speculation is that the solid customization which was available in Heat will also be there in the next-gen and the standard racing, cops and robbers, and time-trials are included in online multiplayer. 

Crossplay is also there which will allow you to play with your friends and family online no matter which console they are playing on.