10 Best Racing Games For Android & iOS

Racing games are so popular that it seems as if the need for speed is ingrained in our DNA. From hyper-realistic racing simulators to arcade smash fests and everything else in between, here are 10 of our favorite mobile racing games for Android and iOS devices.

Real Racing 3 - (Android, iOS) (Free)

Real Racing 3 may have had a rocky start when it received criticism for the move to free-to-play, but that doesn't eclipse the fact that it's a gorgeous racing game with a fantastic driving experience. Real Racing 3 allows users to take the wheel of a host of real world cars and take them on a spin across gorgeously rendered real-world racetracks. Numerous game modes, from time trials, straight up races and the unique Time Shift Multiplayer mode offer varied challenges to players, with updates continuously adding new content such as new cars, racing events and a pit crew system.

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Asphalt 8 (Android, iOS) (Free)

Gameloft's Asphalt 8: Airbornealso went the freemium route, delivering stunning graphics and fast-paced arcade racing. Airborne lives up to its name, with numerous ramps and other gameplay elements, encouraging players to take death-defying leaps in order to execute insane aerial stunts. Asphalt 8 features 56 high-performance vehicles from a who's who of automakers, eight seasons, 180 events, and numerous game modes for singleplayer or multiplayer mayhem.

GT Racing 2 (Android, iOS) (Free)

Gameloft's GT Racing 2 is a full on broadside against Real Racing's dominance in the realistic driving simulator field. Billed as "The Real Car Experience", GT Racing 2 features more than 71 licensed cars that you can race on 13 tracks. Players can try game modes such as Duels, Knockouts and Overtakes, or participate in classic races across more than a thousand different events, or even try your luck in multiplayer races. Numerous camera modes and a built-in screenshot function let you enjoy the slick graphics and weather effects.
SBK 14 (Android, iOS) (Free, Premium version unlock)

If lightning-fast crotch rockets are more your style, try out SBK 14, the official game of the Superbike World Championship. Players can take the role of top tier riders such as Tom Sykes, Fabien Foret and Imre Toth as you race through some beautifully rendered racetracks. Not only are the graphics slick, but SBK 14 also comes with nine control modes, from tilt controls to virtual joysticks, allowing you to set up just how you want to drive. Players can race in championships, quick races or challenge races against the ghosts of your friends' laps. A premium mode unlocks more content, such as more tracks to race through.

CSR Racing (Android, iOS) (Free)

CSR Racing brings its own compelling take on urban drag racing. In CSR Racing, you don't steer. It's a flat out drag-race so the game is won by precise starts, perfectly timed gear-shifts and a tricked out car. What could just be a drab series of taps is paired with slick graphics that show off the high performance cars and environments. CSR Racing is free to play, so gameplay mechanics do fish for cash from players. These include a gold premium currency, as well as a 'gas' resource that is expended every time you race (it refreshes over time, or can be filled with in-app purchases).

Need For Speed: Most Wanted (Android, iOS) ($6.99)

Need for Speed: Most Wanted is starting to show its age, but still delivers adrenaline-pumping racing action. Players take the wheel of any of 40 of the world's hottest rides for intense street races, all while avoiding hyper-aggressive police pursuit vehicles. Compete in numerous game modes, from the classic six-way races to time attacks and speed runs then climb up the ladder to become the most wanted. NFS fans should take note that the next mobile Need For Speed Game, NFS: No Limits just soft launched in selected regions, no word yet on the full release.

Riptide GP 2 (Android, iOS) ($1.99)

Take to the waves in Vector Unit's Riptide GP 2, featuring a single player career mode and online four-way multiplayer races. Collect and customize any of nine powerful watercraft, tricking each one out for the race. Unlock and unleash 25 new stunts to wow the crowd, build up your boost, and leave the opposition sucking in your spray. A career mode offers more than 30 races and numerous game modes, with players earning XP in exchange for tricks and money for buying and upgrading their watercraft. Races can be traditional sprints for podium positions, hot lap, elimination or freestyle events.

Drift Mania: Street Outlaws (Android, iOS) ($0.99)

Slip and slide to victory in Drift Mania: Street Outlaws, the latest in Ratrod's drift racing series. Race your way through mountain passes, hillside towns, and desert canyons, tires screaming as you pull off insane turns on your way to the finish line. Tuners will go nuts over the extreme customization you can apply to your vehicles, tweaking your suspension, gears, and weight distribution to suit your driving style. The game doesn't just measure your speed, but your style as well, awarding more points for skill and drifting finesse.

Red Bull Air Race (Android, iOS) (Free)

Take to the skies with Red Bull Air Race, the world's fastest motorsport, now on mobile devices. Take control of some of the world's most maneuverable aerobatic planes, advance up the ranks from novice to master pilot, and square off against some of the sport's most famous pilots. Explore real world locations, engage in death-defying aerobatic stunts, and conquer the skies.

Motosport Manager (Android, iOS) ($2.99)

Gamers looking for a more strategic approach to racing might want to check out Motorsport Manager, which puts you in command of your own racing team, rather than at the wheel. As team manager, it's up to you to choose the right drivers, invest in research and development to improve your machines and decide on the perfect race tactics and pit stop strategy. The game features a slick aesthetic of simple abstract shapes and tilt-shifting effects to give the races a sleek, board game feel.