GREAT RACING GAMES (Circuit racing, not dodge-the-traffic kind of racing):
Your
experience of a game is greatly influenced by which peripheral you use.
Most of these games were played with a d-pad. I haven't yet
found an analog-stick controller that is accurate and responsive enough.
Sega Rally: great 2-player game with catch-up and mirrored/reversed tracks (avoid 4th track).
Micro Machines 2TT: 4-player action with miniature tire squealers. Rock & Ro!!
Gran Turismo 2 v1.2: today's racing games can learn a lot from GT2, including all GT sequels.
F1 '05 + F1 CE: F1 '05 is more fun than F1 '06, but F1 '06 is more realistic. F1 CE for LAN.
WRC 3 + 4 + Rally Evolved: they became more realistic until Evolved and are still worth playing.
Gran Turismo 4: good LAN + steering wheel game.
Project Gotham Racing 4: excellent bike game, great multi-player. Has LAN.
Toca 2: (physics of PC version is too simplified) good single and multi-player game (link cable).
ForzaM 4: best FM, but huge braking distances (avoid Horizons). Use DTM Opel. FM2 for LAN.
RalliSport Challenge 2 + DLC: arcade style with depth in track mastering. Has LAN.
MotoGP 20 Retail: The retail release version is absolutely awesome. Has no LAN.
MotoGP '07: unrealistic physics and AI, but plenty of fun. Has LAN.
Dirt Rally: not an easy game, but rally lovers will come back to it time and again. DR2 for WRX.
Grid Autosport CE: use the PC version with camera-mod and skins (doesn't have LAN).
SBK 09: Similar to MotoGP 07+08 on PS2 and even playable with digital buttons and D-pad.
Project Cars 3: The closest you'll get to a Shift/PGR/Driveclub sequal (EXPERIENCED assists).
MSR: an awesome 1-player game (full-screen time trial battles with the MX5 should be good).
Gran Turismo has become a sim with a static chase camera and although Forza has improved its track lineup over the years, the brake-distance in FM7 is still way too long.
(For FM7 use STCC/WRX-beatle, ABS on, steering norml, TC off, SC s-easy, pro skill, fric. off.)
Early versions of Gran Turismo 2 had a bug that prevented 100% completion. Mods like the A-Spec mod fixes some bugs and re-instates lost cars. GT4 has a spec-II mod.
Set the brightness in Project Cars 3 to 60 (has no split screen/LAN).
Xbox360 gamepads need a driver for vibration with some older PC games.
Rally games:
Sega Rally (Saturn): the PC version lacks music and has compatibility issues + graphical bugs.
RalliSport Challenge 2 (XBOX): this is what Sega Rally 2 should have been.
WRC 3 (PS2): 9 stages per rally and the cars have exciting arcade handling. Analogue buttons on.
WRC 4 (PS2): 6 stages per rally. You can turn off the evolutions to make it more challenging.
WRC Rally Evolved (PS2): the most realistic physics of this trio. Driver aids off, steering fast.
Dirt Rally: (no split screen/LAN): D-pad steering sensitivity/linearity: 100/0 (WRX 100/100).
WRC 9: Use WRC 8 car sounds. Steering sensitivity = 10.
Alternatives:
EA Sports WRC: Unfinished at launch. Has anti-cheat and stutter problems on PC.
Dirt Rally 2.0: The DiRT version of DiRT Rally ITO physics, but still better than any DiRT game.
D-pad steering sensitivity / linearity: tarmac 85 / 10, gravel 100 / 8.
WRC 10: More realistic than WRC 9, but you feel less connected to the car.
D-pad steering sensitivity: tarmac = 7, gravel = 10.
Dirt 3CE: RX/H2H tracks + RX cars/Kadett only. Add Hulk remake+skins+RFPE D.Rally Physics.
Richard Burns Rally if you want a sim.
(Avoid WRC 2010 to Generations (except 9 & 10), Rally Trophy and most Dirt games.)
F1 '05 (PS2): LAN and a harder difficulty level are the only things lacking from this game.
F1 Championship Edition (PS3): PS3 version of F1 '06 with LAN.
F1 2020 DSE: if only those track limits were accurate. Use the Ferrari 2004. Has LAN.
Assetto Corsa V1.16: use Ferrari F2004, skins, Flag-to-Flag physics, steering wheel or Xpadder.
Alternatives:
F1 2013 CE (PC): needs update 6 and a tyre wear mod, recommended TrueAI/LegendsV2 mods.
F1 2014 (PC/PS3/X360): all 2013 bugs corrected. Has many historic season mods. Has LAN.
I still have to try:
Grand Prix Legends HD (PC)
Grand Prix 4 (PC)
F1 Challenge '99-2002 (PC only)
I recommend turning up vibration and resistance levels to make the experience more immersive, to make up for the lack of g-force.
Assetto Corsa Competizione (PC, doesn't have LAN)
GT3 sim.
Assetto Corsa Ultimate Edition v1.16.4 (PC, doesn't have LAN)
GTR2 (PC): Not made for use with controllers. Has LAN.
Forza 4CE & 7UE: FM7 on PC has compatibility with many steering wheels (no split-screen).
Dirt Rally 2.0 GOTYE
WRC 9 & 10
Project CARS GOTYE
F1 2020 DSE
Automobilista 2 (the Project CARS 2 successor)
Bike games:
MotoGP 20 Retail Release Version (PC/PS4/XB1)
The best MotoGP game.
The retail release version differs from even the Steam release version.
It doesn't have all the updates that turns it into a sim. That means it is accessible to the average gamer and playable with a d-pad / keyboard.
You can install the game offline with the disc to get this version on the main consoles. Just don't ever update it.
On PC, however, you have to use the first manifest file and a program to extract the original game from the discs (18,8GB). Then play it in steam offline mode (directly from the root).
It has no split screen/LAN.
PGR4 (Xbox360) Use furthest 3rd person view.
Solid, simplified handling with detailed bike animations.
Has LAN capability.
MotoGP '07 v1.1 (PC/Xbox360) Use 2nd furthest chase view.
Good handling/graphics/gameplay, but AI racers sometimes too aggressive when overtaking.
Turn off crowds for PC version (has Windows7 compatibility issues = crowds flicker).
Run MotoGP.exe in Windows2000 compatibility mode.
Unofficial physics patches exist (MGP07 Physics V2.5 + Default), but I don't recommend them.
Has LAN capability.
XBox360 update not available.
The AI in the PS2 version uses much better racing lines (it is made by the '08 developer).
MotoGP 08 v1.1 (PC) Use 2nd furthest 3rd person view with advanced handling.
Has underdeveloped bike-on-bike contact physics and no split-screen.
PS3 version has slow frame-rate, delays on sound effects, dull graphics and steep digital button acceleration curve.
Run Launcher.exe in Windows2000 (ME for Win10) compatibility mode with no admin rights.
Multi-player is online only.
SBK 09 (PS2)
Basically the same as SBK 07 & 08, but it has one more circuit to give a total of 3 new circuits. It doesn't have Silverstone from 07, Brands Hatch from 07/08 or Vallelunga from 08. Instead you get Kyalami, Miller Motorsports Park and Portimao.
Use anti-lock brakes, brake power 100, joint brakes, no traction control, unrealistic inertia and no rider help.
MotoGP URT 2 (PC/Xbox) Use 2nd furthest 3rd person view.
Simple/fun arcade racer.
Not to be confused with Namco version (MotoGP 4 is the best Namco version).
INSTALL "tsp_codec_install" AND “Microsoft_DirectInput_Mapper” for Xbox360 controller.
Run MotoGP.exe AND Launcher.exe in Windows2000 compatibility mode.
Use the 2016 patch (use the 2015 patch for URT3).
Has LAN capability.
MotoGP 08 (PS2)
Has crowded AI racing, lots of wheel-spin and multi-player is split-screen only with slowdown.
Tourist Trophy is a scaled down GT4 and has no LAN. MotoGP4 is sim-like and unfortunately SBK 08 on PC has bugs.
If you want a sim: Tourist Trophy, Superbike 2001, GP500 (2012 mod), MotoGP 17 and GP Bikes.
(Avoid: MotoGP 09/10)
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