14 Best Steam Deck Racing Games

The release of the mighty Steam Deck paved the way for portable gaming to advance to the next level, running an extensive list of AAA titles with graphics on par with PC and Consoles. The Steam Deck’s solid hardware cleared the road for many racing titles to run on the device, including arcade racers, hardcore simulation racers, indie racers, and much more.

Whether you’re looking for a casual arcade game, or you want a realistic experience where every detail counts, we got you covered with this list featuring the best racing games you can play on your Steam Deck.

Keep in note that some of these games are not classified as Deck Verified games, but that doesn’t imply they can’t run on your device; in fact, several of these games have minimal to no issues even when listed as non-verified. So without any further ado, tighten your seat belt, and let’s dive in!

Burnout Paradise Remastered 2018 Remaster

About
	Release Date March 16, 2018 Initial Release: January 22, 2008
	Developer Criterion Games
	Publisher Electronic Arts
	Franchise Burnout
	Genre Arcade Racing
	Graphics 3D
	Interaction Real-Time
	Concept Modern
	Players Online PvP, PvP, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United Kingdom

Steam Releases
2018-08-21

Burnout Paradise Remastered is an enhanced version of Burnout Paradise originally released on PC and seventh-generation console. The game puts you in the shoes of a nameless driver visiting the fictional city of Paradise. The player gets to free-roam the city participating in various races and many other events. What makes this game unique is the huge emphasis on destruction where the player can play aggressively pushing down opponents and leading them to destruction.

The remastered version offers better visuals and a complete game with all DLCs and extra content ready to play. The game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, except for some minor hick-ups, just keep in mind that you need to log in to your EA account before being able to play the game.

DiRT Rally / DiRT Rally 2.0 2015 / 2019

About
	Full Name DiRT Rally
	Release Date December 07, 2015
	Developer Codemasters
	Publisher Codemasters
	Franchise Colin McRae Rally / DiRT
	Genre Simulation Racing
	Concepts Modern, Realistic
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United Kingdom

Steam Releases
2015-12-07

About
	Full Name DiRT Rally 2.0
	Release Date February 26, 2019
	Developer Codemasters
	Publisher Codemasters
	Franchise Colin McRae Rally / DiRT
	Genre Simulation Racing
	Concepts Modern, Realistic
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United Kingdom

Steam Releases
2019-02-26

Dirt Rally, developed by the famed Codemasters studio, is the pinnacle of rally games on the Steam Deck. Whttps://www.google.co.uk/advanced_image_searchith a great blend of realism and arcade, the game includes a broad array of automobiles inspired by real-life rally events, providing an authentic experience with highly realistic physics and handling options.

The game places the player in the shoes of a rally driver, taking them to several real-world locations across the world, where they must pay attention to every detail and maneuver each circuit efficiently to win the tournament. From icy fields to muddy gravel roads, the game tests the player’s driving skills and techniques as they attempt to master the diverse and demanding environment. Both games run perfectly on the Steam Deck requiring some minor tweaks here and there, but the overall experience is quite solid, with a beautiful look and solid framerates.

Hotshot Racing 2020

About
	Release Date September 10, 2020
	Developer Sumo Digital
	Publisher Curve Games
	Genre Arcade Racing
	Players Multiplayer, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United Kingdom

Steam Releases
2020-09-10

Hotshot Racing is a simple arcade racing game, that pays tribute to early classic 3D racing games. The game offers a retro-inspired experience where the player can participate in arcade racing events with responsive controls and a slew of fictional cars to drive. The game also offers a diverse selection of playable characters each with their respective personality, backstory, and racing style.

The gameplay features a casual experience placing huge emphasis on drifting and nitro boosts. The player can perform skillful drifts to earn various boosts that will help him take the upper hand during any race. The game features various game modes including a vast single-player campaign, time trial, local multiplayer, and online multiplayer. On the Steam DEck, the game works out of the box without any issues or any prior tweaks.

EA Sports™ F1™ 23 2023

About
	Release Date June 16, 2023
	Developer Codemasters
	Publisher EA Sports
	Franchise F1™
	Genre Simulation Racing
	Graphics 3D
	Perspectives First-Person, Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United Kingdom

Steam Releases
2023-06-16

EA Sports™ F1™ 23 continues the legacy of its predecessors, offering a full-blown story mode, and realistic gameplay that pushes the Steam Deck to its limit. The game features realistic driving physics offering players a plethora of customization options and controls that are easy to grasp yet difficult to master.

Returning to the series is the compelling story mode, which features familiar faces alongside new characters. This narrative-driven experience thrusts players into the exhilarating world of F1 racing, presenting a captivating journey filled with intense races, dramatic moments, and impactful decisions.

Outside of the story mode, the player can play the game the classic way featuring various championships and solo races. Online mode also plays a huge role in the game, immersing the player with various opponents from all over the world, where they compete in official events, adding depth and longevity to the gameplay.

DiRT™ 5 2020

About
	Release Date November 06, 2020
	Developer Codemasters
	Publisher Codemasters
	Franchise Colin McRae Rally / DiRT
	Genre Arcade Racing
	Concepts Modern, Realistic
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United Kingdom

Steam Releases
2020-11-26

Dirt 5 blends in the fun of offroad races and rallies into a casual experience that both hardcore and new players could enjoy. The game continues the legacy of its predecessor with a colorful and fun vibe, where players can compete in various racing events both inside and outside arenas. The player could manage and configure his cars to match the environment and each competition giving the player a sense of customization and a realistic approach compared to your typical arcade racers.

The game features a humble list of 63 cars ranging in capacities and manufacturers, the tracks are more diverse with over 90 different environments including reverse routes, and these tracks are scattered across 10 different locations across the world. The Steam Deck fully supports the game with a solid framerate and visuals that could go up to medium or even high settings.

Ride / Ride 2 / Ride 3 2015 / 2016 / 2018

About
	Full Name Ride
	Release Date March 27, 2015
	Developer Milestone
	Publisher Milestone
	Franchise Ride
	Genre Simulation Racing
	Graphics 3D
	Perspectives First-Person, Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Italy

Steam Releases
2015-03-27

About
	Full Name Ride 2
	Release Date October 07, 2016
	Developer Milestone
	Publisher Milestone
	Franchise Ride
	Genre Simulation Racing
	Graphics 3D
	Perspectives First-Person, Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Italy

Steam Releases
2016-10-07

About
	Full Name Ride 3
	Release Date November 30, 2018
	Developer Milestone
	Publisher Milestone
	Franchise Ride
	Genre Simulation Racing
	Graphics 3D
	Perspectives First-Person, Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Italy

Steam Releases
2018-11-30

Ride is a motorcycle-focused racing series, that allows the player to experience the thrill of riding motorbikes with realistic aspects and real-life locations. The first game builds to the foundation of the formula featuring a lenghy career mode where the player can participate in various championships. The second game builds upon the first one legacy adding more motorcycles and introducing new tracks including city circuits, country roads, and new closed circuits.

The third game is a considerable step forward in terms of visuals, with a next-gen look and some intricate motorbike models. The career mode has also been enhanced and refined, with a diverse set of events and championships. All three games run smoothly on the Steam Deck with playable performance on standard settings.

Wreckfest 2019

About
	Release Date August 27, 2019
	Developer Bugbear Entertainment
	Publisher THQ Nordic
	Genre Arcade Racing
	Players Multiplayer, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Finland

Steam Releases
2019-08-27

Wreckfest pays tribute to old-school demolition derby games, featuring the same formula with next-gen graphics. The player gets to participate in a series of events where destruction is the main goal, playing aggressively is hugely recommended since the AI opponent will never let you take the lead without trying to take you down. Furthermore, the game offers an extensive customization system where you can change your car parts to get more performance and even change the look of the game with amazing colors and accessories. The Steam Deck version is fully playable with an amazing performance that could go up to a solid 60 fps with a few tweaks.

Hot Wheels Unleashed™ 2021

About
	Release Date September 30, 2021
	Developer Milestone
	Publisher Milestone
	Genre Arcade Racing
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Players 1v1, Couch Co-Op, Online Co-Op, Online PvP, Single Player, Split-Screen Co-Op
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Italy

Steam Releases
2021-09-30

Hot Wheels Unleashed brings the iconic toy cars to life, featuring amazing miniature tracks with beautiful visuals and exciting gameplay. The player gets to drive one of many iconic Hot Wheels cars on high-speed racing events, the game features fast gameplay with a dynamic environment and thrilling stunts. The game also has a track editor, where players can design their own Hot Wheels-inspired tracks, which can then be published to the internet and enjoyed by gamers all over the world. The game works perfectly on the Steam Deck, supporting a solid 60 fps performance and even multiplayer play.

Need for Speed™ Heat 2019

About
	Release Date November 08, 2019
	Developer EA Gothenburg
	Publisher Electronic Arts
	Franchise Need for Speed™
	Genre Arcade Racing
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Sweden

Steam Releases
2019-11-08

Need For Speed Heat tries to bring the player back to the golden age of NFS games, unlike the previous games the game doesn’t feature a day and night cycle. Instead, the player can cycle between night and day races which feature different prizes to win. During the day, the player can compete in formal competitions for money and fame without being involved in police pursuits. Night races are illegal, but the danger gives a greater payoff as you must race while avoiding the police.

True to the series’ heritage, the game also has comprehensive customization options, allowing you to change every component in your car, including engines, paint jobs, decals, body kits, and many more. If you can overlook the annoying EA app, the Steam Deck runs the game smoothly with a few hick ups and an overall solid experience.

Forza Horizon 4 / Forza Horizon 5 2018 / 2021

About
	Full Name Forza Horizon 4
	Release Date October 02, 2018
	Developer Playground Games
	Publisher Xbox Game Studios
	Franchise Forza
	Genre Arcade Racing
	Players Online PvP, Single Player
	Country of Origin United Kingdom

Steam Releases
2021-03-09

About
	Full Name Forza Horizon 5
	Release Date November 09, 2021
	Developer Playground Games
	Publisher Xbox Game Studios
	Franchise Forza
	Genre Arcade Racing
	Players Online PvP, Single Player
	Country of Origin United Kingdom

Steam Releases
2021-11-09

Forza Horizon has been the peak of Simcade racing for over a decade now, these games feature a huge customization option where the player can freely tweak the controls to make the game fully arcade or even a hardcore simulation with realistic aspects and challenging controls. Forza Horizon 4 and 5 include a fully open-world game in which you can freely traverse a massive map while competing in various events and acquiring various cars. Both games have a ton of content to explore, including a massive single-player campaign and much more multiplayer activity.

The visuals are equally interesting featuring one of the best-looking racing games to this very day, with dynamic weather and beautiful landscapes both games offer an amazing look with a surprisingly solid performance. Owners of the Steam Deck will find themselves right at home with these two titles, allowing the player to fully enjoy both games on a stable framerate using low to mid-graphic options.

Assetto Corsa 2016

About
	Release Date August 30, 2016
	Developer Kunos Simulazioni
	Publisher Kunos Simulazioni
	Genre Simulation Racing
	Players Multiplayer, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Italy

Steam Releases
2016-08-30

Assetto Corsa is a realistic driving simulation game featuring some hardcore options and a tough challenge for both new and old players. The game places huge emphasis on realism featuring authentic physics, manual controls, and real-life tracks. The realism appeals to players who are looking for a realistic approach with a tough challenge that will keep you on your toes during each race.

The game also boasts a diverse lineup of cars featuring different manufacturers and provides extensive modding options to tweak each car to your liking. The visuals are equally detailed featuring realistic models, tracks based on real-life locations, and dynamic lights. While the game is unsupported on the steam deck a few steps can allow you to enjoy this game easily by following this guide.

Project Cars™ 2015

About
	Release Date May 08, 2015
	Developer Slightly Mad Studios
	Publisher Bandai Namco
	Franchise Project Cars™
	Genre Simulation Racing
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United Kingdom

Steam Releases
2015-05-08

Project Cars is a simulation racing game intended for hardcore simulation racing lovers, with authentic gameplay that matches the complexities of racing events and vehicle mechanics. This realism requires the player to learn each vehicle, becoming accustomed to its handling and adjusting to its physics. The game also includes a broad variety of cars, ranging from street cars to high-performance vehicles and much more.

Another distinguishing aspect of the game is the dynamic weather and day/night cycle; races can take place under varying weather conditions, increasing realism and providing extra challenges for experienced players. The game completely supports Steam Deck play, allowing the player to play at a high framerate and with high graphic settings.

Redout / Redout II 2016 / 2022

About
	Full Name Redout
	Release Date September 02, 2016
	Developer 34BigThings
	Publisher Saber Interactive
	Genre Arcade Racing
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Server-Based PvP, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Italy

Steam Releases
2016-09-02

About
	Full Name Redout II
	Release Date June 16, 2022
	Developer 34BigThings
	Publisher Saber Interactive
	Genre Arcade Racing
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Server-Based PvP, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Italy

Steam Releases
2022-06-16

At its core Redout is a futuristic arcade game that takes inspiration from classic titles like Wipeout and F-Zero. The player pilots high-performance racing ships known as the AG Racers, these ships can float in the air while traveling at high speeds, allowing the player to fly through tracks defying traditional racing physics and offering a unique feel compared to your typical arcade racing games.

Both games feature a diverse collection of tracks set in various environments and featuring numerous challenges from easy to hard difficulty. As the player progresses through the game, the player can customize his ship with various powerups that can come in handy during each race. Both games operate flawlessly after adjustments on the Steam Deck, providing a great on-the-go experience with a significant performance boost over the Nintendo Switch version.

Horizon Chase Turbo 2018

About
	Release Date May 15, 2018
	Developer Aquiris Game Studio
	Publisher Aquiris Game Studio
	Genre Arcade Racing
	Concept Modern
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Brazil

Steam Releases
2018-05-15

Horizon Chase Turbo is a love letter to retro arcade racers such as Outrun and Top Gear. This amazing game features the same old-school formula with updated visuals and content. The gameplay is fairly simple where all players of all skills can easily jump in on the game without any prior knowledge. the goal of each race is to reach the finish line first while managing your fuel levels and collecting nitrous boosts.

Carefully managing your resources while perfecting your drifting is a key skill to win the race and unlock new cars and upgrades. Outside of the single-player mode, the player can also join in with numerous players both online and local, in various competitions. The game runs flawlessly on the Steam Deck allowing a solid 60 fps with maxed-out graphic options.