Do People Like Playing Nintendo Switch Racing Games?
Absolutely, everybody likes to have a go at the Nintendo Switch racing games, even if it’s not exactly the type of console you think first when the talk is about playing racing titles with realistic physics.
Nintendo Switch is really underpowered when compared with more efficient consoles like PlayStation or Xbox. This often means it can’t cope with the sort of high-end graphics and real-time physics that many racing enthusiasts crave. However, the BandurArt team likes to prove that every console and every developer team should not be underappreciated. That is why we created this guide dedicated to some of the best Nintendo Switch racing games of 2024 and earlier periods. Buckle up!
The Nintendo Switch car racing games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Cruis’n Blast have stolen many fans’ hearts. Why? Because they just ooze pure fun without any filters. These racing games are colorful, and fast, being right for the pick-up-and-play style and spot-on for the Switch console. There is something truly retro about that feeling of racing through fantastical worlds during the couch co-op playing sessions.
The BandurArt team loves to inspire and get inspired. If you are a fan of Nintendo Switch racing games from the point of developing them someday, then you can’t miss our guide. If you just want to play great racing games on your favorite platform – the following post can help to find really fun titles to play.
How to Choose The Best Nintendo Switch Racing Games?
Game Style
You have to decide if you like arcade-style racers with some fun and chaotic vibe, such as Mario Kart, or maybe you prefer realistic simulation games like Grid Autosport with a heavy impact on physics. In both cases, a few picks can be called 10/10 on Nintendo Switch.
Multiplayer Mode
Some games come with online multiplayer, while the other titles offer local split-screen or online cooperative modes. If you like to race against your friends or other players around the world, then seriously consider picking the game with a powerful multiplayer mode.
Graphics and Performance
The in-game quality of graphics and Switch performance should be double-checked. Many gamers forget that basically Nintendo Switch is even weaker than PS4 and Xbox One at some point. That is why the games optimized well for more powerful consoles and PC can be lagging and run in a “potato” mode.
Different Content
Go for the racing games that come with a large number of tracks, cars, and modes. The games with a lot of different content can keep on being new and exciting for longer when it comes to gameplay.
Replayability
Consider how much replay value the game has. The games with unlockables are updated regularly or provide online leaderboards that change regularly. Some of the best racing games on Nintendo Switch have constantly changing leaderboards.
It is a myth that there are very few good Nintendo Switch games in the racing genre. Just check the official eShop webpage dedicated to racing gaming titles.
Top 10 Paid Nintendo Switch Racing Games
Let’s review some of the best Nintendo Switch racing games that you can play right now. Most of these games are paid or freemium.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)
Almost always topping the list of the best racing games on Nintendo Switch is no other than Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It is more than a game being rather a cultural phenomenon. It covers nearly every single thing would want from a racer – bright and varied tracks, a cast of equally vibrant characters, and a beautifully balanced mix of speed and chaos. This is what you can use at family game nights, some friendly competitions, and quite serious tournaments. This title is a common pick as a top tier in many AAA lists.
- Cruis’n Blast (2021)
Cruis’n Blast is simple rocking because of its high speeds. Being released in 2021 it is one of the greatest car racing games for Nintendo Switch, it brings the good old arcade vibe. This does not care for realism or precision; it only wants speed, spectacle, and a lot of fun. Think racing through the streets while dodging a rampaging T-Rex or the heist of a bank. That’s the kind of game Cruis’n Blast is.
- Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered (2020)
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered for Nintendo Switch is a revamped version of the most favorite games in the Need for Speed series. Released in 2020, this game looks and performs great on the Switch. The controls are tight, meaning high-speed chases need to feel just like that – a chase. Online leaderboards and multiplayer mode push players into competitive overdrive.
- Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit (2020)
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is the classic Mario Kart formula. This game was released in 2020 and it depends on the augmented reality to become a racing game that you can play straight from your sitting room. Players outline their paths with the easily provided cardboard gates, creating their very own courses. Using a Bluetooth-controlled kart with a camera installed, gamers can whiz around the custom-made course with all the action viewed from the Switch screen. It is a really interesting mashup between the real world and the digital world. And such an approach adds something new to the beloved series.
- Grid Autosport (2019)
Grid Autosport really steps up into the sort of more professional, simulation-style race that a few people might be looking for on Nintendo Switch. Unlike most of the other racers on Switch, Grid Autosport actually provides a more realistic feeling with a fantastic list of cars and tracks, coupled with many different styles of racing. Expect everything from touring car championships to endurance races. The game is set to find exactly the right balance between accessibility and depth.
- Hotshot Racing (2020)
Hotshot Racing is an arcade retro racing-inspired title. It is a title with very bright, low-poly visuals, and promises really fast gameplay action. It controls tightly to give satisfying drifts and responsive handling for a thrilling race experience. On top of that, it has multiple modes: Grand Prix, Time Trial, the truly crazy Cops and Robbers. Both local and online multiplayer are in the game, making it perfect for competitive fun.
- Hot Wheels Unleashed (2021)
Hot Wheels Unleashed takes the toy cars from your childhood to a whole new level. This racing game was released in 2021 and really doesn’t try to approach reality at all. With graphics pleasingly vibrant and the ease of taking up of old, it’s hard to see where nostalgia and charm really meet. A robust track editor lets players create and share their racecourses. Each track somehow feels unique, flexible, and full of surprises in how it loops through living rooms or how one has to dodge obstacles in a backyard.
- Burnout Paradise Remastered (2020)
Burnout Paradise Remastered is the game you need if you want ocular speed mixed with mayhem. The game was meant to be enjoyed. The game was released in 2020 and brought the classic, open-world racing experience available on Nintendo Switch. Enjoy racing throughout the Paradise City. However, it just isn’t racing—massive crashes, takedowns, and other high-octane stunts are also welcomed.
- Team Sonic Racing (2019)
Team Sonic Racing is something new within the standard formula of a kart racer because it heavily relies on co-op teamwork. Players should race as part of the same team, sharing power-ups and working together to maintain lead positions. Many inspired Sonic Universe tracks are twisted to have turns and surprises around every corner. Very colorful and bright, with tight controls, fast racing, and teamwork mechanics – this game really offers something unique for the fans of Nintendo Switch racing games.
- Wreckfest (2021)
Wreckfest is just not another racing game. This title comes with a real gag thanks to the destruction derby mode that lets players vie to wreck each other’s cars in all sorts of chaotic arenas. The physics are top-notch, so every crash, flip, or pile-up feels quite impactful. It’s one of those games where a mix of strategy and aggression is heavily rewarded. You can also expect to get a long queue of cars and customization options to fit your playing style.
However, these were the already-released racing car games for Nintendo Switch. If you want to play new titles then do not forget to check the following YouTube video.
Top 3 Free Racing Games on Nintendo Switch
We’ve already reviewed some of the greatest racing games on Nintendo Switch. But there is one drawback – you have to pay to play them. If your budget is quite low but you still want to ride fast on your console, consider picking one of these free racing games for Nintendo Switch:
- Asphalt 9: Legends. Slippy graphics and full pace make this game a package of cars and tracks – just for the speed addicts. The port for Switch is quite decent just like the overall quality;
- Rocket League. Being a powerful combination of soccer and car racing, Rocket League is an unusual sports game where players use rocket-powered cars to drive around the arena and hit the ball into the opponent’s gates. And you will fall in love with its huge roster of famous cars and many customization items;
- Super Animal Royale: Super Kart. Initially being a 2D battle royale game, this racing hit includes the Super Kart mode with pretty much fun on Switch. Players will race around fanciful tracks that include power-ups and hazards;
Frequently Asked Questions
Is F1 available in the list of supported racing games on Nintendo Switch?
There is no official game with the F1 license for the Nintendo Switch. You can try Grid Autosport instead, it offers a pretty decent simulation of real racing on sports cars. There is a large fleet of cars and various racing tracks.
What racing games are on Nintendo Switch not available?
Well, due to technical limitations or console exclusivity, some popular racing series are not available for Switch. For example, you can’t play the Forza games or the Gran Turismo series.
What are 3 popular Nintendo Switch racing games with steering wheel?
Some of the most well-known Nintendo Switch racing games that do support steering wheels are Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Gear.Club Unlimited 2, and GRID Autosport.
What Nintendo Switch racing games are badly optimized?
Some games run with lags on Nintendo Switch, while the others are utterly non-playable. To save your money and wasted time, we recommend you stay away from these racing games on Switch:
- V-Rally 4;
- Gear.Club Unlimited 2;
- Monster Energy Supercross 3;
- FIA European Truck Racing Championship;
- WRC 8;
Also, you should check the following Reddit thread where people share their positive and negative experiences about different racing games for Nintendo Switch.
Which Nintendo Switch’s best racing games are good for co-op?
Some of the best racing games for Nintendo Switch that you can play together with friends in coop mode are definitely Kart 8 Deluxe, Team Sonic Racing, and Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled. Pure fun is guaranteed in all cases!
Conclusion
The BandurArt team once again gave you a few examples for aspiring developers. If you like playing Mario Kart or other racing games on Nintendo Switch, then consider creating your own game with similar mechanics and unique gameplay. We can help to build a project of any complexity, mostly thanks to our talented team of artists and game designers. Contact our team and make sure to get a free consultation about the development of Nintendo Switch racing games.
