Best Car-themed Video Games
Serena Aburahma
· 4 min read
- Gran Turismo
- Forza Horizon
- Burnout 3
- Need for Speed: Underground
- Find insurance for your real-world car with Jerry
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When people think of media that showcases famous
car brands
, movies like the Fast & Furious series often come to mind. For those who want to do more than just watch cars, though, car-themed video games can be the perfect way to go. Car video games give players the chance to virtually experience cars that they would likely not be able to drive in real life. Car video games have been around in some form since some of the earliest days of gaming, but which are the best?
Endurance
listed 10 of the best car-themed games available, and here are some of the highlights.
Gran Turismo
Originally debuting for the PlayStation in 1997, the long-running Gran Turismo series has brought realistic racing action to Sony consoles for decades.
Known for its implementation of real-world cars and tracks, the series is huge with racing enthusiasts. Novice players should be warned, though, that because of its attention to detail, it is a game that takes time to master.
Because of its realism, the series even has a competition series sanctioned by the FIA governing body. According to
Gran Turismo
, the FIA Gran Turismo Championships pit virtual drivers against each other in the latest game in the series, Gran Turismo Sport.Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
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Forza Horizon
Xbox players may not have Gran Turismo, but they have their own driving simulation series in the Forza games. Within the Forza series, there is a subseries known as Forza Horizon. These games are known for letting players drive a wide array of real-world cars in large open worlds.
The most recent game in the series is Forza Horizon 5, which is considered by many to be one of the best games of 2021.
Driving enthusiasts and average gamers alike have praised the game for the variety in its gameplay. It is also known for having less of a learning curve than Gran Turismo, but its physics are still realistic.
Burnout 3
Unlike the other entries on this list, Burnout is not a driving simulation. Instead of realistic driving physics, the Burnout series opts for more arcade-like driving. This is also true for the roster of cars in the game, as Burnout's vehicles are not based on real-world brands or models.
Because of these differences, Burnout is the perfect racing video game series for someone looking for an experience that's different from the rest. The series is face-paced and thrilling, and it is easy to pick up and play. Every entry in the series is good, but 2004's Burnout 3: Takedown remains a classic.
Need for Speed: Underground
The Need for Speed series is to video games as the Fast & Furious series is to movies. These games provide an outlet for players to live out dreams of participating in street racing in a safe, legal environment.
Much like every other series on this list, every Need for Speed game is fun, but 2003's Underground stands out.
Part of what makes the series so memorable is its roster of iconic real-world vehicles. Speeding through the streets in an Acura Integra or Toyota Supra might only be a fantasy for most. In Need for Speed: Underground, though, you can do just that.
Find insurance for your real-world car with Jerry
You might not need insurance to race a Formula 1 car in Gran Turismo, but if you want to drive outside of video games, you'll need insurance. With
Jerry
, it has never been easier to find affordable car insurance. Signing up for Jerry only takes 45 seconds. After you sign up, Jerry will use artificial intelligence to compare car insurance quotes and find the cheapest rates possible.
