Top 10(+) Racing Games on Steam Deck

[@HokiHoshi]

Sorry dudes, I had to re-upload this one because the first video somehow cut out the last minute or so, whoops!

[@BtotheDon12]

Now this is the content I need. Casual racing games and the Steam Deck are just such a good pair.

[@arcad3racer]

Just finished Most Wanted Black Edition on a Steam Deck and I NEEDED this video!

[@Alyx0.2]

This time with 100 percent more ending

[@HokiHoshi]

Free DLC ending available now

[@strymoon]

would also like to remind everyone of split/second. that game is legendary and i still remember playing through it on my psp, wishing that at some point in the future I'd be able to play the full version on a handheld... and now i can finally do it. the only problem is that it's locked to 30 fps but you quickly get used to it, especially on deck's small screen.

[@BaconEater666]

i just wish the pc save corruption glitch wasn't an issue, i hope someone's made a fix for it

[@WMan37]

Split/Second one of the all time greats, but you should find a way to emulate it or crack the DRM of your legit copy if you plan to play it on Deck, the PC version has SecuROM DRM which is no good for a handheld experience and is locked to 30fps anyway, so it's not like playing the PC version gives you a better experience.

[@Game4Lord]

Split Second is fucking terrible, and has some of the absolute worst rubber banding I've ever seen. I genuinely don't know why people keep glazing it.

[@WMan37]

@@Game4Lord If you think Split/Second's rubber banding is bad you need to play the nightmare that is Asphalt 9. The reason people like Split/Second is because like "wow, someone actually TRIED to make an action racing game that plays similarly to post-3 burnout at all" which is enough for people to like it in a racing game industry full of sims and simcade racing games. I will say that capping a racing game at 30fps however is some clown shit for sure, though.

[@MikoOhneHose]

@@WMan37Imagine playing a mobile game in 2024 and using that as a benchmark for anything. Rubber banding has always been an issue in racing games and has killed the fun out of lots of other amazing games and it's totally valid to criticize them for that.

[@lazyspacesloth175]

Thanks for putting Super Woden GP 2 on my radar! Exactly what I was looking for!

[@flashbaxx]

Wreckfest, Burnout Paradise and Hot Pursuit all have phenomenal Nintendo Switch ports, as well. Not surprised to see those three frontrunning the recommendations here, too.

[@Lgnzzz]

Same with art of rally as well

[@KarrasBastomi]

It's a real shame that the original most wanted are left in the dust by EA.

[@vijuda]

Hey Hokihoshi, thanks for citing Super Woden GP 2 here! ^^

[@W4ZEL]

Circuit Superstars is pretty cool as well although I don't play it nearly as much as many of those you mentioned.

[@vertigev]

This is a great video, thanks for the well communicated info!

[@jeffg7044]

Don’t forget Blur and split/second! Tutorials to install it on SD is fairly easy, and split second can be found pretty cheap.

[@JosephFaulkner2k8]

Circuit superstars is a good shout for the deck. Really fun isometric racer with good depth, been out a while now but it runs really well on the deck

[@WMan37]

If you like AG Racing like Wipeout, BallisticNG is a _must._ If you're okay with a Trials-like Biking game that sometimes feels faster than a lot of actual racing games with cars, check out Descenders. There's also Night Runners Prologue (run that one with GE Proton to fix the intro video) if you like the vibes in your racing game to be immaculate and not much else is all that important to you, Sonic Robo Blast 2 Kart which you can get from the discover app in Desktop mode on your deck, GRIP: Combat Racing if you liked Rollcage back in the day, and Sonic & All Stars-Racing if that seems like your cup of tea.

[@big-mart]

BallisticNG is peak AG racing! Good to see it recommended here

[@patrickdanneker5480]

yep BallisticNG belongs in that list for me. And it's only available on the PC/Deck. Runs with 90fps on the OLED deck.

[@UncleRJ]

I would like to recommend the indie game *Inertial Drift* . It has 90's modern retro style arts and probably THE MOST unique drifting mechanic in any games. It has quite a number of cars that are inspired by real life cars to choose and each are extremely unique from one to another. Simple story, quite tough challenges but just the racing mechanic alone is enough to put it extremely high on my list. It runs SUPER WELL on Steam Deck at decently high settings, just don't turn on "Half Rate Shading" or you'll get some flashing lights that will give you epilepsy (Yeah it's that bad).

[@Daniel__Nobre]

The original and very first Grid on the Steam Deck is awesome. Still beautiful and plays really well.

[@MariomanProductions]

Great list. One caveat I'd like to mention about Burnout though: while the remastered version has the potentially annoying EA launcher to contend with, it also has the Big Surf Island map expansion DLC included, which didn't make the cut in the original PC version. If you manage to get it on sale, It might be worth double dipping if you're willing to risk the DRM.

[@TheDraftAttack]

Thank the lord I got the original Grid (2009 I believe?) back in the day on my dads pc before I was able to get my first gaming pc. It is my second most played game on my steam account.

[@ventilo1825]

Super Woden GP2 is definitely my favorite game from the last couple of years, thanks for covering it once again, it's because of your 1st video on it that I bought it and I do not regret at all. Also Flatout could also be played on the steamdeck without having to emulate it since it's on PC

[@0uttaS1TE]

Bro pulled a Grid flashback on us. But yeah, great videoI have a few recommendations of my own. Although you mentioned that emulation does drain the battery, there's still plenty of stuff I'd recommend, like the Burnout series, Midnight Club 1 to 3 and GT1-4. Although Ridge Racer Type R4 is a must-play, I'd also recommend RR7. This game runs at 60fps, LOCKED on Steam Deck, which is a feat that very few PS3 emulated games can manage, especially racing games. Crisp, clean arcade racing, too. In terms of native PC stuff, I've recently been playing through Blur alongside the Amax Emu mod that restores the multiplayer. Although it does run at 60, I tend to turn it down to 40fps to preserve battery life. It's an underrated combat racer in the same vein as Hot Pursuit 2010.

[@HokiHoshi]

Yeah Gran Turismo and Ridge Racer both have a lot of playtime on my deck! But I wanted to leave emulation out of this list mostly just because a lot of people aren't as comfortable with it. Maybe I'll do a separate list for my top 10 games to emulate on the deck 🤔

[@Pamani_]

You can go back even further than Grid since it's the direct successor to the TOCA series.

[@abhijitmoharana6994]

Is there a guide on how to install the black box nfs games on the deck? I'm getting my deck in a week for the first time and I really want to play UG,UG2 and MW on it.

[@Saikou7896]

i would also recommend burnout 3 runs great with pcsx2 and forza horizon 4/5

[@StrawberryPidgey]

I love beating your times in SWGP2 :P I even have a few WRs. Love that game it's so good and ViJuDa updates with new cars and tracks every so often

[@alexbutera2140]

You got me with saying the original grid. There is something about that game that was perfect. The ai crashing, the crashes actually looks cool etc. it’s a great racer. When I originally got grid 1 on its original console I remember an ai driver in front of me popped a tire on the Le Mans straight, that’s when I fell in love with codemasters.

[@Beazelundefined]

Thanks for including second overlay mode to actually see projected time!

[@D._no-u3x]

Just found your channel. As a circuit Superstars fan general race fan, I really dig this content. Just found out about super woden gp 2. I didn't need a new obsession lol

[@SilentS0lid]

Never heard of Super Woden GP. But after watching this I'm now considering buying it. thx

[@Varnage]

Love Wreckfest, plus additional support with steam workshop mod support and community pushing out new track? Love Nascar lengend.

[@noobpower1996]

honestly surprised forza horzion 5 isnt on the list. runs at a solid 60fps, huge open world and the most cars of any game im aware of

[@steve_rico]

Project Cars 3 and Dirt Rally surprisingly good on the Deck

[@TheNomadJack]

Automobilista 2 plays VERY WELL on the Steam Deck, for those wanting a full blown sim! Also i saw a reddit post of someone getting Outrun 2 running on SD aswell. That game is sick

[@philh3041]

Fantastic video mate! Some of my favourite games on your list 👍🏻 I think dirt 3 & wreckfest are 2 of the best 😅 I really like mini Motor racing x for a great top down racer just for a nice chill out game really

[@canadiangamer7525]

Good to know about the GRID games, and glad I own the original 1 & 2. Still have fond memories of playing GRID 1.

[@a1g0rhythm]

Art of Rally is excellent. Wreckfest online is the best. Your Forza track is sweet.

[@urrugames4062]

I would add FIA European Truck Racing, great racing game on the Deck for a couple bucks.

[@wazthatme]

I got Art of Rally on the Switch and I spent like a whole week playing nothing but that as I was moving houses

[@vkermodekumav8949]

Yeah, If I need another launcher to run any games, I will get the console versions of the games. But great list you have here. Wreckfest is my favorite game on this list for sure. I have that game on everything, Xbox, PS4, switch, steam and soon GOG.

[@todd92371]

Finally set up the gyro on Automobolista 2. Just amazing.

[@DeadAmericanBestAmerican]

The advantage of NFS through emulation is you get splitscreen multiplayer, something the PC version lacks.

[@pelouro_7]

Revolt! could be on this list, good recommendations btw

[@Kakki82]

Dude, where can I get the original NFS games and play them on my Deck????

[@Lucas-hr5vr]

Yes I want to know this too

[@Game4Lord]

Emulations sites, through emulators...

[@busyak]

OG Grid is perfect as a game and runs perfect on the deck. Available on GOG so can be easily installed thru the Heroic launcher. Dirt 3 and OG Grid are my favorite CM games, and they're perfect for the Deck. Black Box NFS games are a must have! Also, PS2 emulation gets you Burnout 3, Gran Turismo 3 or 4, and a personal arcade favorite of mine, Shox.

[@OjeOjeaga]

A solid list. 👌🏾

[@ScorpionF1RE_USA]

here's mine: Ridge Racer 7 F-Zero GX Flatout: Ultimate Carnage BeamNG Jet Moto 3 Inertial Drift Gran Turismo 4 Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition Trackmania Turbo Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled Forza Horizon 4 Descenders N-Gen Racing

[@hardeepgill3839]

My rog ally is coming in today. Perfect timing! Great vid as always

[@grandhomme4183]

You ain’t one of us pal

[@fordgtguy]

​@@grandhomme4183 No, he is better.

[@snoopdoggdankkush9285]

FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage on Steam Deck is insane!!!!

[@Jlewismedia]

Unbound plays just fine too

[@nikkiban7563]

Great video! thank you

[@randeenmattis1276]

Ngl, considering how amazing the demo for it is rn I feel like you should add night runners to this list. I can’t wait for the full release

[@mortakhal]

I have glitch-fonts in nfs mw pc version.

[@thyncha]

One game that is still awesome and i am deeply saddened that it did not get a sequel is blur. It still has an active community with a patch that allows online play and the discord server regularly hosts tournaments. Imagine mario kart but with cars and less wacky abilities.

[@StrudleMaster]

I'd just like to mention, if you're emulating, Smugglers Run 2 on pcsx2 is a must-have for the Deck. Literally one of Rockstars' best vehicle games before(?) Midnight club, and runs so smoothly

[@ryanneild9296]

What settings do you use for NFSMW? Yours looks very different from mine

[@n1co2017]

i am trying to build a track in FH5 and was attempting to make a corner resembling T10 at Spa but if i attempt to make the corner with just regular track corner pieces it becomes very offcamber i could make it by placing a bunch of track pieces manually tho i don't know how it would turn out... would you happen to have any tips?

[@UyeGaming]

Need for Speed: Underground Rivals was amazing for the PsP and I played it a lot. Playing underground 2 on my steam deck seems like a no brainer.

[@partizanSquad]

You could add Blur that runs in 4k Resolution at 60 fps on steam deck. You can force the 4K resolution even on the native steam deck screen, and it looks amazing, with zero aliasing obviously. Same for Nfs Hot Pursuit (not the remaster) which runs at 4K 60 fps too.

[@F1ashingblade]

nice list, but very surprised you've not included 'Circuit Superstars'

[@jaumesinglavalls5486]

one recomendation: Horizon chase turbo, I only played the demo in steamdeck, I've got it in playstation, is a great game, calling to the nostalgia of old racing games like lotus turbo challange.

[@Bambeakz]

Great list but imo Horizon Chase Turbo and Circuit Superstars should be on it. Great games outside Steam trough abandonware/emulation are Outrun 2 /Coast to Coast, Blur (with online mod),Grid 1 (life career mod) and Test Drive Unlimited 2 (graphic mod)

[@ve1ychko]

You’ve missed to put widescreen mod on NFSU2, also I recommend to put NFS «more options» mod. It adds cars from EU version to roster with lots of new options. Running these almost 2 years on my deck)

[@amowak]

How’d you manage to get the 2009 dirt 2 to run? I can’t get it working on my pc or steam deck

[@blaskotamas570]

I reccomend to try Assetto Corsa. I know it's weird with controller controll, but u can download Content Manager, CSP, mods and controller fx. Also, Inertal drift, circuit superstar, night-runners, mudrunner are great in deck

[@LupusAdNoctem]

Inertial Drift, BallisticNG, & Distance seem like blatant omissions

[@TommiX1980]

How to install the Blackbox NfS on Steam Deck, with the Original DVDs?

[@Dimaz42]

Riptide GP: Renegade; Rush Rally 3 & Origins were also pretty good and cheap, perfect for mobile platform.

[@rockraven5000]

I love racing games, and push through. But the one thing I really struggle with on the steam deck with these is the analog's physical resistance ramp. It feels very on and off crossing the deadzone with complete slack in the middle. It feels bad compared to older controllers and I haven't really been able to get around it. Shooters too are just unplayable for me too

[@Lucas-hr5vr]

Where should I start by getting the classic nfs games on my steam deck?

[@timmaQlate]

Changing gears on the deck. Is that doable? The only reason in buying the deck is because of F1 23. But i do need the shifting.

[@SolidCakes]

Carmageddon Max Damage works great on steamdeck and is a blast to play on

[@kenman27]

hotwheels 2 unleash so optimized on steamdeck can run ultra smooth and long battery👍

[@homeland_fitness8431]

What about Hotwheels? Does it run well on the deck?

[@nsawatchlistbait289]

Thanks for this vid

[@CurvedSlightly]

Where you buying your games? I got all these games for less than £2 each

[@MaNameizJeff]

was wondering what NFS games were the best to bring over when I get steamdeck. Forza is great but I am looking for games that dont need always on internet.

[@Vegan_Lifting]

Forza Horizon and Burnout Series 🥰 I play them all on my Rog Ally X.

[@gargolus.]

Wait, prostreet and underground 2 were released to pc? Where can I get them?

[@jermainedwasin8507]

Were did you get dirt 3 cant find it on Steam.

[@mrfleagal]

incredibly pissed that the steamdeck still isn't available in norway

[@2003andre100]

De har LCD og Oled på elkjøp. De er dyrere da. Du kan evt bestille til Sverige og ta en tur

[@pequod920]

Is there a good guide to get NFS Underground 1/2 running? Or even a reliable place to download them? Lol

[@kez963]

They can't beat FlatOut when it is running only on 3W TDP :F

[@molsen7549]

Amazing video! I've thought in the past how a video like this was missing from the Steam Deck community. I'll be sure to give these a try. Also this is pretty basic, but Forza Horizon 4/5 are decent games for the Deck. I've also played Project Cars 2, though unfortunately it's delisted from Steam now. I'm also keeping an eye on Old School Rally for when it releases! Look's promising so far. Beyond that, I wish Forza Motorsport was SD compatible and that GT7 would get a PC port, but I guess that's asking for too much lol.

[@GridGladiator]

Trackmania is another great one

[@NesLightGun]

Btw dirt rally 2.0nis amazing in deck, it may be more simm-y but I love popping in and doing a quick time trial every once in a while. It controls great

[@drunksupportcharacter]

I have been playing WRC generations on the deck, seems to work better at low settings with a slightly increased view distance and foliage, will get about 3h on the oled deck, can drop a frame or 2 after as well, but its a good experience after you put some line of code from protondb to get the thing to boot. Oh, Ballistic NG works well too, Pacer even, for the AG fans, and IIRC i think GRIP works well on the deck? But i prefer it on my ultrawide so i get tunnelvision. Dakar desert rally can work, really depends on the settings and it chugs power at times, but its good for doing the free roam for me For something different, Under the sand is chill :3

[@rubbertoe.]

Would like to add TDU2 and Midnight Club 3. Both run great on the deck

[@rubenv8720]

if youre going emulation route midnight club 3 dub edition remix is an absolute great game

[@Waltkat]

Codemasters F1 2020 and Dirt 3 looked really interesting to me, but unfortunately neither one is on Steam.

[@REDPILLDLUFFY]

Steamdeck makes playing racing games more fun

[@PatTriesAgain]

how did you get the NFS games on steam????

[@HokiHoshi]

I didn't, the Steam Deck doesn't only play Steam games! You just need to download it in desktop mode, there are a handful of written and video guides out there if you need one.

[@Lay...]

Karting superstars

[@Fluffey]

I haven't tried it in a while, but Automobilista 2 ran great on the deck

[@rubencamps6689]

bought the steamdeck and isntalled NFS Most Wanted. Best days ever :)

[@stingray8775]

Hotwheels Unleashed 2 and Road Redemption are two more good ones on the steam deck.

[@Tommymkll]

The best racing game on steam deck is gran turismo 4 emulated with the HD mod 👌🏻

[@zerotofifty]

Still waiting for "Best Horizon Game is FH5" to drop. It's been a month since the FH4 video came out.

[@jonneymendoza]

No ACC? Or AMS2 which both run perfectly on the steam deck!!!!

[@SkapSkapSkap]

Where night runners

[@brettjames5061]

if you have emudeck, gt3 and gt4 are fun

[@AlteredCarbons]

holy crap.. i didn't know the old grids got de listed... why? they are like so damn good

[@klbk]

It happened after Codemasters acquisition by Electronic Arts.

[@RHqq]

I prefer use emulation from ps2 for blackbox NFS. Just upscale x2 - and you get litterally same exp as PC verion, but with easy to move savefiles and intallatioan process simple as drag&drop rom

[@fu102]

Gravel!