Racing games with the best sense of speed

Key things

• Driveclub
  was a technical marvel with unrivaled speed sensations thanks to sound design and weather effects.
• Need for Speed ​​​​Heat
  excels in providing high-speed adrenaline with intense police chases.
• Split/Second
  impresses with perfect sound design, destruction and a unique sense of speed.

In racing games, players always want to experience the thrill of driving the fastest cars at crazy speeds. However, not all racing games convey the feeling of speed equally. While developers of hardcore driving simulators rarely use special tricks to increase the feeling of speed, the arcade racing genre is known for using various techniques to achieve an exaggerated, adrenaline rush.

Key features that improve the sense of speed include adjusting the field of view (FOV), adding motion blur, dynamic camera shake, and incorporating sound effects for passing objects. Motion blur, once a common part of arcade racers, has become less common in recent years as developers now use other methods to intensify the sense of speed while maintaining a sharp image. Let's take a look at some of the best arcade racing titles of recent years that excel at giving players the rush of high-speed driving.

1 Driveclub

A forgotten PlayStation game that excels at transfer speed

Driveclub is one of those hidden gems that players can no longer buy, which is unfortunate given its technical excellence. While the races themselves weren't always the most engaging, the game stood out for its top-notch graphics and incredible sound design, making it a marvel at the time of its release – and still impressive today. Driveclub it often resurfaces in discussions among horse racing fans for these very reasons.

The game's sense of speed is second to none, especially when paired with breathtaking weather effects like heavy rain. Driving the supercar at high speed in treacherous weather conditions was truly intense, with motion blur, dynamic camera shake and immersive sound design working together to impressively convey a sense of danger.

2 Need For Speed ​​​​Heat

High-speed police chases will provide you with an adrenaline-pumping experience

The Need for Speed the series has long been a staple of arcade racing, and even at its lowest points, the games have always excelled in style and sound. Among recent records, Need for Speed ​​​​Heat stands out as one of the best for providing a heart-pounding sensation of speed. With a bright neon aesthetic and intense nighttime police chases, it doesn't take long to get the adrenaline flowing.

When you drive a hypercar, Need for Speed ​​​​Heat Clever use of motion blur, dynamic camera shake, and perfectly calibrated FOV at key camera angles make players feel like they're on a rocket. Although it may not be as heavy on effects as the classics Underground, Carbonor Most wanted, Heat it still maintains that exhilarating sense of speed.

3 Split/Second

A sense of speed amidst destruction brought to life by perfect sound design

Split/Second was one of the last attempts to revive the destruction racing subgenre, which stood out for its unique mechanics of destructible route-changing environments and TV show aesthetics. Although the game never achieved mainstream success, it was a technical marvel that immersed players in a world of chaos, massive explosions and smoking road debris.

Split/Second it flawlessly captured the feeling of speed that makes many other racing games feel slow in comparison. Its most striking feature was its impeccable sound design, which elevated every destructive moment on screen. Combined with the constant sense of imminent danger – especially when leading a pack of aggressive rivals – every race Split/Second provided the perfect adrenaline rush.

4 Need For Speed ​​​​Unbound

The distinctive visual style and smooth controls ensure a high-octane driving experience

Need for Speed ​​​​Unbound – the latest installment in the series – unsurprisingly delivers a highly satisfying sense of speed. Building on Heatbasis, Unbound features a unique anime-inspired visual style and incredibly smooth car control, even when driving at top speed.

Dropping support for older hardware was a smart move to make this possible Unbound to achieve smoother performance and control on modern platforms. Dodging traffic on the highway while trying to shake off the cops makes for memorable, heart-pounding moments. At times, the intensity of Unbound can feel almost exhausting – but in the best possible way.

5 Inning 2: Released

The shift to realism brings a new appeal

As a sequel Need for Speed: Shift, Inning 2: Released took a bold step away from its predecessor's arcade roots, and even dropped it Need for Speed the name signals a shift towards realism. The game emphasizes a more serious and down-to-earth approach to racing, with an immersive first-person cockpit camera as its highlight.

Speeding Inning 2: Released it's really intense, with subtle camera movements mimicking the driver's actual perspective and enhancing the sense of immersion. What makes the game stand out is that the speed feels terrifyingly real, especially during crashes, where distortion, dropouts and motion blur add to the visceral experience. This combination of realistic driving mechanics and a strong sense of speed creates Shift 2 a remarkable entry into the racing genre.

6 Unlimited Solar Crown test drive

It's not the best in the genre, but it's got the basics right

While Unlimited Solar Crown test drive has yet to establish itself as a heavyweight in the racing genre, it still excels in key areas. The game showcases impressive attention to detail in its expansive world and offers a wide variety of cars to collect, making it a solid contender in high-speed racing.

Solar crown it effectively manages the sense of speed and uses a combination of techniques such as motion blur, dynamic camera shake and immersive sound design. Tearing through the narrow streets of Hong Kong in a luxury car at top speed is both a visual and auditory spectacle. While it may not be revolutionary, Solar crown it does the basics of speed and excitement just right.