10 Best Racing Games on Xbox Game Pass (2025)

Who doesn’t love racing games? The thrill of overtaking cars, the roar of engines, and those crazy moments where you barely dodge an obstacle and it’s such a rush. Over the years, they’ve come a long way, from simple arcade tracks to massive 3D worlds right in your living room. And if you’re into racing, Xbox Game Pass is a goldmine. But with so many choices, it can be hard to pick. Don’t worry, though — we’ve got you covered! Here are the ten best racing games on Xbox Game Pass you’ve got to try.

10. Joy Ride Turbo

Joy Ride Turbo brings the thrill of arcade racing with crazy tracks and tons of stunts that make every race exciting. Cars speed through bright, fun environments packed with ramps and obstacles that shake things up. Drifting around corners fills up the boost meter, which gives a huge speed burst when used at the right time. Hidden shortcuts let racers sneak ahead, adding a fun way to surprise opponents. Pulling off mid-air tricks isn’t just for show, it actually gives extra speed. Tracks are packed with loops, tight turns, and all kinds of crazy layouts, so no two races feel the same.

9. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged

Over 130 vehicles bring crazy racing action in Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged, with Monster Trucks, motorbikes, and ATVs all handling differently. Surfaces like grass and sand shake things up, messing with how each ride feels on the track. Lateral dashes let racers slam into rivals or dodge obstacles, while single and double jumps help sneak into hidden shortcuts. Races go down in five new locations, and a wild story mode throws in a city under attack, where winning races and smashing challenges is the only way to save the city.

8. Descenders

Next comes Descenders, a game that throws players on a mountain bike and drops them into wild, randomly built tracks. Sharp turns, steep hills, and tricky obstacles make sure there’s never a dull moment. Speed needs to be handled carefully because going too fast can lead to a wipeout, while slowing down too much can mess up the flow. Bikes react to the ground, so dirt, grass, and snow all feel different to ride on. Pulling off tricks is an option, but landing safely matters just as much. Winning isn’t just about speed, it’s about skill, balance, and making the right moves at the right time.

7. DiRT Rally 2.0

DiRT Rally 2.0 focuses on rally racing, and it really nails the realism and precision part. You get a mix of terrains like dirt, and mud, and each one changes how your car handles. You'll have to adapt to shifting weather and track conditions, which can really crank up the challenge. The game features a range of cars from old rally classics to modern machines, each handling in its own unique way. Furthermore, you can upgrade your rides, and compete in events across different locations. Plus, you can jump into multiplayer to race against others online. With a dynamic weather system and realistic physics, the game pulls you in for an immersive experience, making it one of the best racing game on Xbox Game Pass.

6. Need for Speed Payback

Cops, criminals, and crazy high-speed races all come together in Need for Speed Payback, set in the corrupt world of Fortune Valley. A powerful cartel called The House runs the city, controlling street races, casinos, and even the cops. Three skilled drivers team up to take them down through wild heists, street races, and insane police chases. Cars fall into five types: Race, Drift, Off-Road, Drag, and Runner, each built for different events. Huge open roads, city streets, mountain trails, and desert highways keep every race and chase unpredictable.

5. Rider’s Republic

What if races had no limits and any surface could be a track? Rider’s Republic throws players into massive open landscapes, letting them race on bikes, snowboards, skis, and wingsuits across mountains and forests. Events mix things up by switching between sports mid-race, so one moment is about biking down dirt trails, and the next is soaring through the sky in a wingsuit. Terrain is always changing, so every turn feels different and needs quick reactions. Huge online races bring over 50 players together in chaotic competitions where collisions and changing paths create fresh challenges every time.

4. GRID Legends

With its mix of arcade fun and realistic racing, GRID Legends brings something fresh to the table with its Driven to Glory story mode. This mode drops you into the life of a rookie driver, blending cinematic cutscenes with high-stakes races for a movie-like vibe. You get to drive all kinds of cars, from speedy street racers to heavy track beasts, each feeling unique on the road. The tracks are super varied too, from tight city streets to wide-open professional circuits. Weather and time-of-day changes shake things up, so you’ve gotta stay sharp and adjust your driving on the fly. If you’re into multiplayer, you can race against others online, or stick to single-player and take on AI that’s just the right level of tough.

3. Forza Motorsport

Forza Motorsport features more than 500 real cars, 100 of which are new to the series. You've got 27 tracks with varying layouts, and due to the variable time-of-day and weather, every lap is a new challenge. The game features real-time ray tracing, so the visuals are breathtaking, and the physics are phenomenally realistic, particularly with a massive 48x tire realism boost. Cars get muddy and damages as you drive, and you can unlock more than 800 upgrades to customize your ride whenever you want.

2. Wreckfest

Wreckfest differentiates itself with its crazy crashes and realistic car damage. The game uses soft-body physics, so cars bend and break differently in every smash. You can add armor to your ride to take more hits, but it makes your car heavier and slower. Races are wild, with tight tracks and intersections, forcing you to mix aggression with smart driving. Multiplayer cranks up the fun, letting you battle friends in no-rules races or full-on demolition derbies. The mix of real physics and total chaos makes every race a blast.

1. Forza Horizon 5

The final game on our list of best racing games on Xbox Game Pass has to be Forza Horizon 5. It’s got a huge open world set in Mexico, packed with all kinds of places like deserts, jungles, and beaches. There are hundreds of cars to pick from, and you can tweak how they look and drive to match your style. You’ll find tons of stuff to do, like hunting for collectibles or taking on challenges all over the map. You can also team up with friends for co-op events or race against others online.