Top 5 Android/iOS Racing Games

The racing game genre has been one of the hardest types of games to replicate on a smartphone, since the lack of a dedicated controller means that controlling such a fast paced game doesn’t always translate to these handheld devices. Thankfully with the emergence of super-sensitive multi-touch screens, and larger screens than normally would have been found on smartphones only a year ago, racing games are now playable and give a brilliant experience for those willing to look around for racing titles. Thankfully I’ve taken that option away from you all and now present a top five of the very best racing games available for Android or iOS.

Once again I’ve downloaded numerous games on the S3, Nexus 7 and iPad in order to spend countless hours finding the games that play the best, handle the best, look the best and have enough content to keep you happy for a long time to come. So, here we have the top five racing titles on Andorid or iOS, in no particular order.

Final Freeway

Remember the game Outrun by Sega? Well this is a pleasant re-write of that classic game, giving you a fresh and new experience but still managing to feel old-school. Final Freeway does cost $0.99, though it was recently free on the Amazon Store. The game follows the same concept as Outrun, having you drive through six different settings at breakneck speed while avoiding the cars in front of you. There are no gears: just put your foot down and speed off, or press the brake to stop from crashing into the sides. The graphics and sense of speed that were present in Outrun are all here, but the game looks even better, with backdrops looking lovely and digitized pictures of people and animals used for great effect. Final Freeway has quite a few modes of play, plus you can mix up the tracks, meaning there’s plenty of gameplay to be had. The car handles well, and Final Freeway’s pick up and play qualities mean it should be a purchase for those interested in reliving the glory days of the arcade, or those just wanting some arcade racing.

Real Racing 2

What are the odds that they can now squeeze a game such as Need For Speed Shift or Gran Turismo into a game that can be played on a handheld? Well, pretty much guaranteed, as Real Racing 2 feels like a combination of both of those racing franchises. Real Racing 2 has you competing in various racing events such as against 15 other vehicles or simply head-to-head with the best. It’s a polished and console-like experience that I believe rates as one of the best, if not the best mobile racing game available today. Graphically the game is nothing short of breath-taking, with well-defined cars, amazing backdrops and some of the best lighting effects and sun effects you’ll ever see in a game, making the game feel very organic and life-like. Of course, the game would be nothing without great control, and Real Racing 2 has the best virtual steering wheel in any racing game, bar none! It’s the console experience on your mobile phone or tablet, and it offers up a great challenge with plenty to unlock.

Asphalt 7: Heat

Another great looking game, Asphalt 7: Heat is a cross between Real Racing 2 and Final Freeway, with the game feeling more like an arcade game than a simulation. This is a huge download just like Real Racing 2; both games will take around 2GB of space on your devices! What Asphalt 7: Heat delivers in bucket-loads is the thrill of speed. The tracks are pretty long and almost straight, with only slight bends, but there is plenty of traffic in the way. This game allows you to take down your opponents vehicles by ramming into them, or super-boost with power-ups along the way. It’s an adrenaline-driven ride that offers a hell of a lot if you can stand the pace. Like Real Racing, Asphalt 7: Heat looks stunning, though in a different way; think of it as the Sega World equivalent even though it’s not made by Sega. Controls are quite straightforward, and you must use brakes to skid your way around corners. Very arcade-like controls, but Asphalt 7 is very pleasing to play, especially when you master the controls perfectly.

Race Of Champions

Race Of Champions is a free game, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s anything but a fun racing game with a lot to offer. The game using many different cars from the likes of NASCAR, WRC and F1, to name just a few. What sets this game apart from the other games is the fact that a lot of the game is set in different arenas, making the game feel tenser and more claustrophobic. Control is superb, and once you remember that you have to brake to slow down, you can really start to throw the cars around the track. Once again the graphics are stunning, the control is almost perfect and the game has a huge amount to offer. You can purchase the game to open up online modes, however the couple of modes that are on offer for free should be enough to keep you happy for a good while.

Drift Mania 2

Drifting seems to be the new rallying, and Drift Mania 2 is the way to go if you want the ultimate drift racing experience. It’s another huge download, but the game is console quality with enough options and modes to keep even the most ardent racing fan happy for a very long time. Drift Mania 2 is a game you will either love (i.e. you can control it) or hate (i.e. you can’t control it). If you persist with the game, and experiment with the game’s controls settings, you should eventually find a control system that works for you. Drift Mania 2 looks brilliant and has plenty to offer. It has recently been reviewed on the site and you should check that review out for the full low-down on this brilliant game.

Final Thoughts

Over the coming weeks I will be reviewing these games individually if they have not already been reviewed. The one main thing to remember when choosing a racing game is that it’s just no fun if it doesn’t control well. For perfect control, and an all-round brilliant performance I would recommend Real Racing 2 as the must-download game if you can only to download one of these titles.