Some of the best games out there are surprisingly free, such as Genshin Impact, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and much more. In the world of free games, there are many different genres to experience and test out, with a ton of options for those looking for a racing game to play.

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For fans of racing, cars, exploration, or even just driving around a map to pass time, racing games have a broad appeal to different sorts of players.

Instead of having to dig through dozens of free racing games, this list will provide fans of the genre with a few that are the best of the best. These games can be found on a variety of platforms, including Steam and mobile.

8 Disney Speedstorm

A Racer With So Much Potential

Disney Speedstorm on Steam is sure to attract a lot of players' attention, due to the colorful racing tracks and popular Disney characters, such as Mickey, Mike from Monsters Inc., the entire Inside Out cast, and much more. A lot of care has been put into the styling of this game, and its gameplay is perfect for those who enjoy the Mario Kart series. This is due to the fact that it has similar mechanics, such as boost platforms, items that can be picked up, and much more.

While this all sounds great on paper, the main issue with the popular Disney Speedstorm is that it is full of micro-transactions that are essentially pay-to-win. This can be incredibly off-putting for new players who want a game that is actually skill-based, rather than fueled by how much money is spent on it. That being said, the game still has a lot of potential and can be enjoyable to play if fans don't mind losing quite often.

7 Nitro Nation Drag & Drift

Minimal Controls With An Emphasis On Upgrades

• Platform(s): Android, iOS, PC
• Released: 2014-04-02
• Developer(s): CM Games
• Genre: Racing, Simulation, Sports

Nitro Nation Drag & Drift is a simple racing game that fans can play either on PC or through their iOS or Android smartphone. The game has a lot of customization options to change the colors of a selected car and allows players to upgrade their vehicle to improve its tires, suspension, engine, and much more. The great thing about this title as well is that there are many cars to choose from, like a Mini Cooper, a Mazda RX-8, a Subaru WRX STi, and more. There's an endless number of options.

The issue here with this game is that it isn't the standard racing game, meaning there isn't much going into the gameplay. Rather than controlling the car in a race and moving it around, players will only need to step on the gas and then properly shift their gears at the right time. Overall, the game functions more like an RPG, requiring you to upgrade and tune your car to win races, rather than actually complete the races yourself.

6 City Racing 3D

A Buggy But Satisfying Experience

• Platform(s): Android, iOS
• Released: 2014-08-22
• Developer(s): MagicSeven Co., Ltd
• Genre: Racing

Among all the games here, City Racing 3D is perhaps one of the oldest, first being released in 2014 for mobile. However, this does not mean that it is inferior or lacking in playability for the current gamer. It is similar in style to your standard racing game, like the open-world Forza Horizon, with players choosing and customizing a realistic car and racing others on lengthy tracks. Players can visit real settings in the game as well, including London.

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What might stop a fan from checking out City Racing 3D is its propensity for bugs. The game seems to often have issues that can make it difficult to enjoy, and they will sometimes make it impossible for players to even boot it up. Although the game can be incredibly enjoyable, players will need to prepare themselves for the possibility of the game crashing at any moment.

5 KartRider: Drift

Cute & Fun

• Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS, PC
• Released: 2023-01-12
• Developer(s): Nexon Korea
• Genre: Racing

Similar to Disney Speedstorm, KartRider: Drift on Steam delivers a more cartoon-style that is sure to win over Mario Kart fans. There are many tracks to choose from, with different modes that can be played. This includes Time Attack, Speed Mode, Item Mode, and more. This allows players to play the game in any way they wish, whether they prefer to focus on beating the fastest time on a track or want to throw bananas at other players to slow them down.

KartRider: Drift is not without its issues, however. The karts are difficult to control, and learning how to drift will take a lot more time than some other similar games. Many fans also complain of issues with logging into the game on PC, which can be frustrating. If players can get past these issues, however, the game is an entertaining experience.

4 Torque Drift

A Real Drifting Experience

• Platform(s): Android, iOS, PC
• Released: 2020-03-24
• Developer(s): Grease Monkey Games
• Genre: Racing

For players looking for a realistic drifting experience for free, Torque Drift will be one of the best options available on Steam. Many fans especially recommend playing this game with a wheel to those who have access to one, as it can give you an even more realistic perspective and will make fans feel like they are actually controlling a car. There are tons of cars you can pick from, and you can add stickers and new colors to each new one.

This game is mostly focused on drifting, so players will be focusing a lot on this rather than a straight course centered on speed only. Torque Drift will take a bit of time to get used to as well, so it won't be the easiest to pick up for those looking for a beginner's experience. The cars in the game can be a bit finicky, so fans might get frustrated when they seem to lose all of their experience. However, it is worth checking out and enhancing your abilities.

3 Beach Buggy Racing

A Racing Game For Everyone

• Platform(s): Android, iOS, PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
• Released: 2014-09-16
• Developer(s): Vector Unit
• Genre: Racing, Action

The best free-to-play racing game that simulates Mario Kart for beginners is Beach Buggy Racing. Players can find this game on iOS and Android, as well as PC, and the controls are simple enough that practically anyone can play it. Despite this, the game is a bit difficult to master, so it still offers a challenge for those who are looking for one. Fans can also take on these tracks with their friends and compete in championships.

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Beach Buggy Racing also offers Daily Challenges to keep things interesting when players have completed almost every track and are looking for additional features. The only issues with the game are that it can sometimes have bugs that make it difficult to play, and the ads that pop up on mobile can definitely be annoying. All in all, the game offers a cute and enjoyable racing simulation that has basic controls for anyone to pick up.

2 RaceRoom

Elevated & Realistic

Just like Torque Drift, RaceRoom has some of the best graphics offered for a free racing game on Steam, and it will give players one of the most realistic experiences. Among these, players can also participate in multiplayer, with a Ranked Mode that will certainly prove a challenge for anyone. RaceRoom will put fans into the first-person perspective of the driver, so they are looking outside from the car's front window, enhancing the experience even further.

With so much to offer to those looking for a NASCAR-adjacent experience, RaceRoom can easily scratch that itch. The main issue players will need to look out for is the many in-game purchases that will pop up. This means there are only a few cars and tracks that base players will receive, requiring you to spend money to unlock more. However, it's still worth it for those who enjoy the experience greatly.

1 Asphalt 9: Legends

Real Cars & Real Racers

Asphalt 9: Legends is a perfect blend of a realistic racing game on Steam with features that add additional fun elements similar to arcade racers, such as tricks and stunts. Players can enjoy their time racing in a speedy Bugatti, while flipping around in circles off a ramp to gain additional points. Take part in races across the world, in locations such as San Francisco and the Himalayas, and compete against others in tough multiplayer battles. Not only will players love the gameplay, but the graphics blow the rest of this list out of the water.

Asphalt 9: Legends also serves as a true free-to-play, with easy methods for gaining money to unlock new cars and tracks. Many will be surprised that the game is only 5 GB to download, so players won't have to worry about taking up all of their space for this beloved racer. All fans will need to worry about is increasing their skills, as the game has some pretty competitive players who take it seriously.

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