Forza Horizon 6 is probably going to be one of the biggest racing games to come out in 2026. It’s going to be based in Japan, which has already gotten fans excited. Japan is known for its street racing culture, and JDM cars are beloved by every car enthusiast out there. Forza Horizon 6 will be big, but there is a lot more coming in 2026 than just Forza.
This year is packed with racing game releases that will appease every kind of fan. From sim-racing enthusiasts to arcade racing fans, there is something for everybody. So, here are some games that you should keep an eye out for in 2026
Screamer
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Release Date: March 26, 2026
If you love the pure thrill of arcade racing, and realistic physics don’t seem to appease you too much, then keep your eyes out for Screamer.
It’s a story-driven racing game and leans heavily on arcadey racing. The game is set in futuristic Japan, and the cutscenes are animated in classic anime style. You could compare it to JDM, but instead of manga panels for the story, it’s a proper anime.
The game also looks phenomenal, especially with RTX. The visual effects when two cars collide, or when you are drifting, are done superbly. The game looks to be very artsy, and there are some NFS Unbound-like visual effects. Definitely worth checking out if you like fast arcade street racing games.
Carmageddon: Rogue Shift
Release Date: February 6, 2026
Carmageddon: Rogue Shift is the latest addition to the Carmageddon franchise. The best way to describe a Carmageddon game is to imagine the movie Death Race as a game–Super destructive vehicular combat.
This time around, they are adding a roguelite twist, where you can upgrade your car and unlock other perks during your runs. The gameplay looks to be as chaotic as expected and remains true to the franchise.
You are heavily decked out in cars, fitted with guns, rocket launchers, and other weapons. You drive through this post-apocalyptic world filled with zombies. During your run, you are not only fighting against other vehicles but also driving through hordes of zombies trying to keep your car on track. It’s releasing in February and is worth checking out.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer
Release Date: 2026 (TBA)
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is probably going to be the second biggest racing game after Forza to be released this year. It’s a pod-racing game, which is quite different from car racing games. Pod racing isn’t a new genre, but it’s not that well-known outside its niche community.
It’s the spiritual successor to Star Wars Racer Revenge and Star Wars Episode I: Racer, both of which are critically acclaimed games. The trailer for the game looked phenomenal, with stunning graphics and visuals. Even if you haven’t played a Pod racing game before, do check out this one; it’s probably the biggest game this genre has ever seen.
Gear.Club Unlimited 3
Release Date: 2026 (TBA)
We are finally getting a Gear.Club Unlimited 2 sequel, and it looks to be better than before. For those unfamiliar, Gear.Club Unlimited is a racing game franchise primarily for Nintendo platforms, although it’s also released on other platforms as well. But it’s one of the biggest racing game franchises on Nintendo consoles.
The sequel aims to take everything from the predecessor and dial it up a notch. There are more cars, a better open-world map, events, and a deeper garage management system, which are what the Gear.Club games are known for.
So, if you are looking for a good simcade racer on Nintendo, then definitely check this one out. It’s also releasing on other platforms as well.
Over Jump Rally
Release Date: 2026 (TBA)
This is the racing game I am most excited about in 2026. It’s a modern take on classic retro rally games like SEGA Rally Championship. It’s the same Simcade rally racing experience, but now with better graphics and more content. It’s a modern take on the classic retro rally experience we all know and love. It’s one of those games where you put on some music and enjoy setting laps in classic rally cars.
There is a lot to explore with this game. There are more tracks, different weather conditions, and a bigger roster of cars, and of course, stunning visuals. The game aims to look realistic but still give you the same feel of playing a retro racing game. You can try the Demo for free and check this game out.
Honorable Mentions
2026 has a lot of racing games in store for us, which we just can’t cover in one piece. But here are some that are also worth checking out this year.
- RIDE 6: A motorbike racing game with realistic physics and real-life tracks.
- iRacing Arcade: Motorsport racing in Circuit Superstars style. A cozy top-down racing game for casuals.
- Initial D: An official modern Initial D game, but not much else is known about it. Early screenshots look very promising
- Lead The Dragon: A very artsy and bold visual take on arcade street racing.
In short, 2026 is packed with racing games if Forza Horizon 6 is not to your taste.
