Racing Games With An Imagination

Whether that imagination is fantastical settings, completely novel game mechanics coupled with stylish aesthetics and art direction, or just such a deep, loving romanticization of certain cars and cultures to completely transcend reality and enter fantasy. (Some of these are just driving games, not strictly racers.)

Inclusion on the list does not necessarily mean the game is good, and vice versa. Also only one game per franchise, and obviously no clones.

Honorable Mentions:
-Animastar (2000), cause it's not really a racing game. But damn, could you Imagine? Honestly can't believe no one's done a real creature raising/collecting racing game yet.
-Auto Modellista (2002), cause I knew someone would bring it up.

Super Mario Kart
Super Mario Kart
Kart Racers are kinda weird but I suppose I should include at least one.
Crazy Taxi
Crazy Taxi
Ridge Racer Type 4
Ridge Racer Type 4
Rage Racer and even the ones that came after this are all much better racing games, but that's exactly the point. This one's got the Juice.
Pacific Drive
Pacific Drive
F-Zero GX
F-Zero GX
Sonic Riders
Sonic Riders
Kirby Air Ride
Kirby Air Ride
Burnout Paradise
Burnout Paradise
Art of Rally
Art of Rally
Proof that you can be a Car game through and through, and still be actually interesting both kinesthetically and mentally, and not have to appeal strictly to Car Guys.
OutRun
OutRun
Racing Lagoon
Racing Lagoon
The Coolest Racing game ever made and it's not even close.
Heading Out
Heading Out
Driver
Driver
Driver: San Francisco (2011) Probably deserves to be the rep for this franchise here... but I'm deathly allergic to 7th gen aesthetics so. ¯\_ (ツ) _/¯
MotorStorm: Apocalypse
MotorStorm: Apocalypse
Trials HD
Trials HD
Wheels of Aurelia
Wheels of Aurelia
I haven't actually played this myself yet and opinions on it are mixed, but the vibes seem cool.
Gekisou TomaRunner
Gekisou TomaRunner
Wow, I would just do Anything for a fan translation of this game.

[Suggestively lifts up skirt, revealing a set of fucked up, super veiny, horribly scarred legs. They are not mine.]
Choro Q Wonderful!
Choro Q Wonderful!
Oh how I wish the people who made the new Hot Wheels games had played one of the ChoroQ games. Such wasted potential.
Wild Riders
Wild Riders
Running High
Running High
Wipeout 3
Wipeout 3
It is Criminal that a game This Stylish has such run of the mill content.
The King of Route 66
The King of Route 66
Code R
Code R
someone please translate this thank you
Radikal Bikers
Radikal Bikers
Szrot
Szrot
Holy Fuck
Jalopy
Jalopy
Vangers
Vangers
I didn't wanna include combat focused stuff too much but sweet jesus look at this thing.
Zero4 Champ
Zero4 Champ
fan tran? 🥺👉👈
Inertial Drift
Inertial Drift
19.99$*

*Eurobeat is extra
Buck Up and Drive!
Buck Up and Drive!
Only entry on the list that also qualifies for "3D Fighting Games With An Imagination"
Ray Tracers
Ray Tracers
Victory Heat Rally
Victory Heat Rally
Speed Power Gunbike
Speed Power Gunbike
Kinda pushing it with this one too, but god damn.
Resistor
Resistor
Micro Maniacs
Micro Maniacs

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