The Nintendo Switch has been out for a while now, and it's still one of the best gaming consoles, especially for playing while out and about. A staple genre in the video game realm is racing, and the Switch complements this genre perfectly with its ability to take games with you wherever you go.
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Posts By Sam HallahanWhether you are in the middle of a race or you want to drive around for a while on the bus, racing games and the Nintendo Switch go together like cars and gasoline. At the same time, it may not have Forza or Beam.NG, but the Switch has a trove of classic and modern racing games to fuel your desires.
Updated on March 30, 2025, by Branden Lizardi: Did you know that the developers of Horizon Chase Turbo made a sequel? We didn't! That fact somehow evaded us in the hunt for the best Nintendo Switch Racing game. After giving it a proper run though, we've decided it deserves a spot on the list and have updated it accordingly. Enjoy!
1 F-Zero 99
The Most Appropriate Take On The 99 Style
Part of Nintendo's ongoing 'retro 99' trend (classic Nintendo games given a 99-player battle royal format), F-Zero 99 pits a hundred racers together on one map. Given F-Zero's damage system, where collisions chip away at the same health bar you use to boost with, this many racers means chaotic and exciting gameplay in a way only this series can provide.
While not exactly the game long-time F-Zero fans were hoping for, it's still a fun modernization of the original SNES game that feels just as fun and far more convenient. It's also free to play, so there's no reason not to give it a try.
2 Hotshot Racing
True To Its Roots
Hotshot Racing
Racing Systems Released August 13, 2020WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONWhile racing games have been around as far back as the early arcade days, the genre really saw its golden age in the 90s with games like Daytona, Outrun, and Cruisin'. They found this beautiful blend of outrageous circumstances and stylish art, all while bringing the tight controls to a more immersive level.
This is the magic that Hotshot Racing unapologetically emulates. It captures that same feeling of those classic racers, all in the modern quality and convenience of the Nintendo Switch. If you're feeling nostalgic, this is the perfect racing game to pick up.
3 Snowrunner
A Survival Racing Game
SnowRunner
Driving Simulation Systems Released April 28, 2020WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONThere are plenty of racing games where the course is more of your enemy than other racers are, sure. But none of them are like this. The goal of Snowrunner is simple: drive from one place to another, often delivering cargo. The problem is that the landscape between point A and B is inconvenient at best, treacherous at worst. Thick pools of mud, iced-over lakes, snow, water, fallen trees. All the forces of nature come together to muck up your tires and clog your engine.
There's an intelligence to racing. Normally, that's knowing the proper speeds for turns or how to manage a drift. Here, it's knowing all the different roadblocks you can encounter and how to use the best tools for the job. It's a tremendously immersive and unique take on the racing genre that anyone looking for a slower paced challenge will enjoy.
4 Road Redemption
The Most Murderous Motorcycle Racing Game
This game isn't afraid to get violent; it offers so much more than just racing. Developed by Pixel Dash Studios and EQ-Games, Road Redemption gives you a whole motorcycle gang that follows your lead as you chase and assassinate other motorcyclists, all for some sweet cash.
Of course, you'll be somewhat of a target yourself, but Road Redemption's roguelite mechanic sees you becoming stronger every time you die, since you'll be able to upgrade your character and gear. It's a fast-paced, gritty game that'll channel a little of your sadistic side as you execute other motorcyclists (and the cops) in a variety of ways.
5 Horizon Chase Turbo
A Nostalgia Trip Without The Archaicness
Horizon Chase Turbo
Racing Systems Released May 15, 2018WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALRemember those crude 8-bit racers that tried to convince you that you were driving straight ahead in a 3D space? Most likely not, but either way — this indie arcade racer by AQUIRIS will likely blow your hair back with fun 80s nostalgia anyway. The game is a faithful homage to 2D racers of yesteryear while giving the aesthetic a modern polish of crisper, more vibrant visuals.
The flat, blocky visual style is something of a cover, as Horizon is loaded with content. Dozens of unique, rapid-fire stages, distinct cars, and even the underappreciated split-screen multiplayer round out this gripping racer. Oh, and in typical retro fashion, the AI racers can be shockingly brutal.
6 Horizon Chase 2
A More Casual Take On The First Game
A sequel to the entry right before this one, Horizon Chase 2 has a more refined, but more casual approach to the formula. Like any good sequel, the graphics are sharper and the mechanics are smoother. If you liked how the first game felt, you'll love this one.
On the flip side, it's not as complicated or challenging as before. There are fewer cars and race tracks, and the overall game difficulty isn't as heavy as the first game. To some, that's a plus, but those who love to get deep into a challenge might prefer Turbo.
7 Lonely Mountains: Downhill
Man VS Nature
Lonely Mountains: Downhill
Action Indie Racing Simulation Sports Systems Released October 23, 2019WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONNot every race has to inherently be against a gang of other people, or even against CPU racers. In Lonely Mountain: Downhill, your only rival is the course itself. You're a cyclist at the top of a mountain. Your goal is to race down the haphazard track, through trees, past rocks, and over ravines until you reach the finish line. You have to carefully manage your speed to avoid either crashing against something or speeding off of a cliff face.
At its core, Lonely Mountains: Downhill strikes all the same notes as a quality racing game. It takes practice and familiarity with the track to reach the goal at a record pace. You need quick reflexes and excellent observational skills to excel in this game. Performance is based on time instead of placement. So it's a race against the clock. This allows for plenty of replayability as you get better and better at each mountain.
8 Grip: Combat Racing
Racing And Fighting In One Game
Grip: Combat Racing makes a great fit for Switch with its frantic, pick-up-and-play style and undiluted arcade gameplay. While a spiritual successor to the even lesser-knownRollcase, studio Caged Element makes this chaotic combat formula its own.
The game brings a satisfying array of weapons, power-ups, and double-sided vehicles that can ride 360 degrees and flip about. Grip offers solid multiplayer (online and four-player split-screen), which hosts intense, F-Zero-style Elimination races and a combat-centric Arena. What's more — Grip can often be found heavily discounted, making this romp all the more worth the ride.
9 Nascar Rivals
A Taste Of Real Nascar Racing
While there are plenty of racing and driving games on Switch in someform, the deeper, more refined sims are still rare. Enter Nascar Rivals from Motorsport Games, a title that nicely fills a Switch niche. The game sets out to not only mirror pro auto racing but specificallyemulate the 2022 Nascar Cup Series.
A slew of diverse content has been released out of the gate, with more promised down the pipeline. These include a deep career mode, a challenge mode, and a feature that connects you with random drivers in any track. On a technical level, the game does what it can with the Switch's (relatively) limited hardware, though it plays fairly smoothly and looks great to boot.
10 Fast RMX
Your Lights Matter Here
Fast RMX
Racing Arcade Action Systems Released March 3, 2017WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThose looking for an F-Zero replacement on Switch: look no further, as this launch game by Shin'en Multimedia is stillabout as close as you'll get. Though Fast RMX isn't going to blow past Captain Falcon and company, this futuristic racer tosses in a few neat features that make it stand out on its merit.
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Posts 1The game features subtle-yet-effective color-switching mechanics used on the fly. You'll need to flip the color of your car's lights to utilize the corresponding strip on the track for boosting. Added to this are some impressive particle and lighting effects, along with split-screen andonline multiplayer.
