VR racing genre is quite popular among gaming enthusiasts. You can find various VR racing games on different gaming platforms.
But the decision to buy the right VR racing game and get your money’s worth can be quite difficult. This is why today we’ll be reviewing top VR racing games.
Let’s see our top 3 picks first.
Winner
F1 21
F1 from EA is a blend of modern graphics with virtual reality racing. You can hop into the world’s most sophisticated racing machines and drive around various circuits. Moreover, it has a campaign and online modes.
Runner Up
Project CARS 2
The second installment of Project Cars features a new take on racing simulator games. It comes with a long list of cars that you can drive on and off the track. Besides that, it also has the couch play feature.
Also Great
DiRT Rally 2.0
DiRT Rally 2.0 is specifically designed for off-road VR racing. You can drive a rally car or a sports car with stunning visuals. Other than that, it has both single-player and multiplayer modes for a fun experience.
Best VR Racing Game - Top 4 Reviews
#1: Best Competitive VR Racing Game - F1 21 Review
A list of VR racing games isn’t complete without F1. We handpicked this game because it features the best of both worlds, racing and virtual reality.
Among the sim racers, F1 is quite unique. It has a fully functional VR driving experience along with all the features of F1 sport.
What sort of VR headsets is F1 compatible with?
We noticed that F1 is completely compatible with two specific VR headsets. You can either use Valve Index or HTC Vive to play the base game.
Moreover, you can also hook up a VR rig that includes a steering wheel. Unlike most VR racing games, it has no compatibility issues.
What game modes does F1 have?
There are two main modes you can choose from. It has a campaign/offline mode and a multiplayer/online mode.
Furthermore, the multiplayer mode also has a ranked system that you can use to hone and display your VR racing skills.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy F1 21
Price: F1 is among the AAA racing titles. Due to this, it has a high price tag. This price might be a lot for VR gamers who are just starting VR gaming.
Other than that, you have to purchase a monthly subscription for online multiplayer.
DLCs: F1 doesn’t necessarily have DLCs. It has a seasonal format that lasts 1-2 months. You can purchase the seasonal pass and participate in new races.
Controllers: You can either play this racing sim with a racing wheel or a normal D-pad controller.
However, car handling might suffer from a D-pad controller and you might face difficulties in a tight corner.
- Does not cause motion sickness
- Immersive VR experiences
- Complete VR compatibility
- Built-in sprint vector
- Highly replayable
- VR support is only limited to PC
Best Competitive VR Racing Game
The best competitive VR racing game is the F1 21. You can drive Formula 1 cars and play on world-famous circuits. It also comes with an offline and online mode for a highly immersive Vr experience.
#2: Best Immersive VR Racing Game - Project CARS 2 Review
Racing fans love everything about cars. This is why we picked Project CARS 2 because it is all about that.
The game offers a mixed reality experience for the players. The car models are near perfect to their original counterparts.
What modes does this game have?
Just like most VR racing games, CARS 2 has two different modes. You can either play offline or online mode.
Moreover, you can unlock new cars in offline mode by simply just playing and progressing through various objectives.
Does the offline mode have a split-screen mode?
We also noticed that Project CARS has a split-screen mode for two players. You can pair two VR headsets and enjoy the game.
Other than that, the PC VR also enables you to use two different steering wheels as well.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Project CARS 2
Price: Currently, this title is priced high due to its AAA status. But you can purchase it for almost 80% off during seasonal sales.
Other than that, you can also purchase different skins for your cars through the in-game store.
DLCs: You can buy 4 DLCs for this game through the STEAM store. Each DLC has a bunch of new content like new tracks, new modes, and new cars as well.
Controllers: We noticed that this game does support VR controllers for Index and Vive. However, for the Oculus Quest VR headset, you’ll have to use a normal controller.
Furthermore, you can also play this game without a shift stick.
- Immersive weather effects
- Near perfect car models
- Different playable modes
- New seasonal content every month
- Easy to learn tutorials
- Can cause motion sickness
Best Immersive VR Racing Game
The best immersive VR racing game is the Project CARS 2. This game enables you to experience what it feels like to drive a racing car. Furthermore, this VR game comes with multiple DLCs.
#3: Best Off-Road VR Racing Game - DiRT Rally 2.0 Review
VR racing games don’t generally venture into the off-road genre. This is why we picked DiRT Rally 2.0 from EA.
Just like the first game, DiRT Rally 2 is also jam-packed with all the off-road VR experiences. You can drive rally cars and sports cars around various off-road circuits.
What sort of online multiplayer this game has?
Unlike other VR racing games, DiRT Rally 2 has a unique online feature. Besides that default tracks, you can also modify existing tracks and drive on them.
You can add jumping ramps, different turns, or add just a whole new track.
Which VR gaming headset is it compatible with?
We noticed that, like most VR games, DiRT Rally 2 is compatible with Valve Index and HTC Vive. It has a highly immersive environment and 3D spatial sound.
Moreover, you can switch between various camera angles to fit your driving style. We also noticed that the dashboard of each car is identical to its real-life model.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy DiRT Rally 2.0
Price: After comparing it on multiple online stores, we found that you can purchase DiRT Rally 2.0 for a low price.
On top of that, if you are lucky, you can grab a free copy during seasonal sales.
DLCs: Currently, you can purchase 5 different DLCs to expand your VR experience. These DLCs feature new locations, cars, and in-game skins.
Controllers: We tested DiRT Rally 2.0 with various controllers. It showed no difference for steering wheels and D-pad controllers.
Moreover, it was quite tough to play the game with VR controllers.
- Easy to play
- Various weather effects
- Immersive VR experience
- Compatible with Oculus Quest
- Beginner-friendly controls
- Limits VR headset performance
Best Off-Road VR Racing Game
The best off-road VR racing game is the DiRT Rally 2.0. We chose this game because it has an immersive VR world with a long list of drivable cars. Moreover, it has different DLCs that add new VR content to the game.
#4: Best Versatile VR Racing Game - Gran Turismo Sport Review
It’d be unfair to discuss VR racing games and not include Gran Turismo. It is an action-packed virtual reality racing simulator that lets you play on all sorts of terrains.
You can drive on hilly roads, snow-covered mountains, and sunny meadows. Moreover, it has a virtually endless list of cars to choose from.
Does Gran Turismo have offline multiplayer?
You can pair two controllers and play Gran Turismo with the split-screen mode. The only downside is that you can’t use two different VR headsets.
Only a single player can experience VR gaming in offline mode. This is mainly because Gran Turismo runs on a console and it limits VR compatibility.
Is Gran Turismo available for PC VR?
This version of Gran Turismo is only available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. You cannot play it on a gaming PC.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Gran Turismo Sport
Price: You can purchase a digital copy of Gran Turismo Sport for a cheap price on the PlayStation store.
Besides that, it has an in-game store with various skins, tracks, and other accessories.
DLCs: Unlike most games, Gran Turismo currently has no DLCs. Although it has a seasonal pass that you can purchase to participate in new game modes.
Controllers: We tested this game with various controllers and found it to be compatible with D-pad controllers only.
You can attach a wheel rig but it lags and doesn’t offer a lot of immersion.
- Immersive driving experience
- Easy to learn controls
- Various circuit formats
- Dual player compatibility
- Online multiplayer
- Can cause minor motion sickness
Best Versatile VR Racing Game
The best versatile VR racing game is the Gran Turismo Sport. You can experience virtual reality gaming at a whole new level with its immersive circuits. Moreover, Gran Turismo Sport also has offline and online modes.
Buyers’ Guide
Price
Whenever you buy VR racing games, the price tag is first to keep in mind. IN most cases, these virtual reality titles are developed by big studios.
This puts such games in the AAA category. You’ll notice that the average price for such games is between $40 and $60.
What should be the ideal price tag?
We suggest that you start with a cheap game and move your way up. Once you learn what is expected of a VR racing title, it’ll help you make an informed decision.
For example, you can start Slightly Mad Studios. The Project CARS franchise is quite helpful for beginners to get used to VR simulators.
DLCs
It is pretty easy to get bored of the offline campaign. This is why it is important to select a racing simulator that has DLCs.
It’ll help you add new Vr content to your game and enjoy it without doing repetitive stuff. We recommend that you select a title with at least 3 DLCs.
Are DLCs paid or free to play?
In most cases, you’ll find that DLCs fall under the paid category. On the plus side, DLCs are a good sign because it shows that the developers are constantly updating the game.
Controller Compatibility
One problem gamers face is the compatibility of different controllers with racing games. When it comes to VR, you only have two viable options.
You can either play with a D-pad controller like the DualShock 4 or install a steering rig. Each setup has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Which setup should I choose?
If you have money to spare, a steering rig is the best option. You’ll get superb handling and control over your car.
Otherwise, you can simply use a normal controller and enjoy your game.
Immersive Environment
Last but not least, you have to evaluate the VR world these games offer. Some people like to race on circuits while some prefer off-road tracks.
Moreover, you should also look out for the weather effects and sound effects in such games. This can boost your VR experience a lot.
Do car models matter in VR games?
They absolutely do. Not only the exterior model but the interior dashboard also. For example, Project CARS from Slightly Mad Studios has a 1:1 model for every car.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Now, let’s check out some frequently asked questions from around the internet.
Do VR games support PlayStation VR?
Only a handful of titles are available for PlayStation VR. It includes games like Mario Kart, DiRT Rally VR, and DriveClub VR. Other than that, the library for VR games for PSVR is quite limited. It is better if you use a PC for VR racing titles.
Is Oculus Rift compatible with VR racing titles?
Oculus Rift has limited compatibility for racing titles. This is mainly because of the hardware. You can use it for older games like DiRT Rally VR or Project CARS. It all comes down to the display performance of the VR headset.
Is Assetto Corsa available on PC?
You can play Assetto Corsa on PC in normal and VR mode. You can purchase the Assetto Corsa title on either its official website or through the STEAM store. Moreover, Assetto Corsa comes with a highly-populated online multiplayer.
Does every VR headset support virtual reality gaming?
Headsets like Index or HTC Vive are specifically designed for VR gaming experiences. They have no compatibility or support issues. However, you can face some minor issues with other headsets like Oculus or Daydream View.
Does Assetto Corsa have a two-player mode?
Currently, Assestto Corsa doesn’t have an offline multiplier. You can only play the game in single-player mode. However, you can create private lobbies to race with your friends online. Furthermore, you can also create an online party and play together.
Can I play racing games with Valve VR controllers?
You can play any VR game with VR controllers. The only downside is that your controls are limited. For example, in driving simulators, you might face difficulties to turn your car or switching gears.
How do I switch control to my racing wheel?
You can simply connect your rig to the PC and switch it in-game. Make sure that all the necessary drivers are installed beforehand. Once it appears in your device manager, you are good to race with your driving rig.
Are shift sticks necessary for racing games?
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a shift stick to play racing games. You can simply turn off the manual gear shift feature through in-game settings. It might not be as immersive but it will let you play the game in easy mode.
Final Verdict
After a thorough examination, we have concluded that F1 21 is the best VR racing game. It has all the right aspects required for a racing simulator.
You can drive F1 cars through prestigious F1 circuits. It has different locations paired with all sorts of immersive weather effects. Moreover, you can participate in online multiplayer and show off your driving skills.
This brings us to the finish line of our review on the Best VR Racing Games. What’s your favorite VR racing game? Let us know in the comments below.