iRacing.com

If you haven't tried GT5 since it first came out, they have really worked hard to fix everything that was wrong with the game and it's actually pretty good now.

Just Cause 2, sitting in the drivers seat is for bitches, I surf on my cars.

Not just racing games, I'm talking games where you drive a car, so not wipeout or mario kart. I really liked Driver SF followed by NFS Hot Pursuit. As we enter the new generation I'm excited to see how the new hardware improves sense of speed and whatnot.

iRacing is pretty nice, GTA IV PC with realistic handling isn't half bad either.

@Mikemcn said:

Just Cause 2, sitting in the drivers seat is for bitches, I surf on my cars.

It has to be GT5 for me since that is the only one I've played with a racing wheel. However, I had more fun playing Dirt 3.

Hot Pursuit.

Forza Motorsport 4 for me. I wanted to say Gran Turismo 5 since that series got me really interested in cars and driving games, but I don't have a PS3 and haven't played it yet. I'd ask for some unbiased opinions from within the community, especially those who have played both. After exams I could see myself buying a PS3 and GT5.

Burnout Paradise. I put 300+ hours into that.

it's been Forza all the way for me. From 2 to 3 to, now, 4.

Burnout Paradise, for sure. 100% it on 360 and again later on the PC. Tried to go for a third on the PS3, but I know when to call it quits. I want to retain my fond memories of that game.

Hard drivin

WHAAAA??? Where's F1 2010/2011??? Best racing game easily.

Dirt 2. I don't play racing games normally but that game is pure fun going over rough terrain in cockpit mode.

I'm fond of the Burnout titles, but the best thrills lately have to be from Nitronic Rush, which also happens to be free (not just free to play, but completely free). It pays homage to the bizarre racing games of the 1990's, like POD & Dethkars, and features a car that drives up walls, flies and backflips itself at will. This game rocks. I enjoyed it enough to review it for PCWorld (I gave it 4.5/5) and include it in an upcoming feature about free gaming. Well worth checking out.

-Jim

@drewmaw said:

WHAAAA??? Where's F1 2010/2011??? Best racing game easily.

Hope you voted for Other then. What exactly make is so great?

@MisterSeven: Reviewing free games? okay....I do want to backflip cars though :)

Dirt 2. I played a ton of it, but couldn't get into the third one.

@Vinny_Says There are a shocking number of excellent games made for free. Many prematurely retired game styles thrive in that space. Take Nitronic Rush out for a spin, I bet you guys will cover it too.

*High five with whoever else voted for Burnout Revenge with me*

GRID for me. I normally lean toward games like Gran Turismo and Forza (and no further, because I don't have a proper racing wheel setup), but there was something special about GRID. It wasn't the ridiculous power sliding, or the very destructible licensed cars. For me it was the career. It was the road to Le Mans from your humble beginnings crashing cars in a demolition derby.

I only play arcade racers (and dabble in the Dirt series) so here's my 2 cents:

For the first 3/4 hours of the game - Split/Second. So damned fun, looks incredible too. The repetition sets in quick though and lack of anything to do when you're in first place causes races to get dull or horribly unfair once the extreme rubber banding kicks in.

For a game with lasting value, great looks and satisfying handling - Hot Pursuit.

As much as I loved both GT5 and Hot Pursuit, I have to say my favorite is Midnight Club LA. It had awesome customization and a huge open world. It was also the game that helped get through the month during which PSN was down.

Hot Pursuit for fun. Dirt 2 for pure racing.

BURNOUT PARADISE SON!

@xMP44x said:

Forza Motorsport 4 for me. I wanted to say Gran Turismo 5 since that series got me really interested in cars and driving games, but I don't have a PS3 and haven't played it yet. I'd ask for some unbiased opinions from within the community, especially those who have played both. After exams I could see myself buying a PS3 and GT5.

I prefer GT5 because I think the driving model is better than Forza. Pretty much everything else is worse though and there are a lot of things that would drive most people crazy in GT5. My perfect game would be to let Polyphony Digital handle the driving and Turn 10 do everything else.

GT5 tries to do everything, and can end up unpolished, but I'd be damned if I say I haven't had loads of fun with it. It's the best game in the series, and my favorite realistic racing game out there. ;D

for me at least it ended up between Forza 4 and Dirt 2, but in all finality i chose Dirt 2 because i actually really enjoyed the racing most in that game. In forza I spend the majority of my time dicking around tuning cars, making vinyls, and a-lot of other things that generally aren't driving.

@Mikemcn said:

Just Cause 2, sitting in the drivers seat is for bitches, I surf on my cars.

I thought it was paradise until this reminded me to think outside the bun.

Delicious fucking Forza 4.

I, like Jeff spent an ungodly amount of time playing burnout paradise. That game is awesome.