5 upcoming racing games

Racing game releases can sometimes be a little quiet, however, with the release of F1 2012, WRC3, and Dirt Showdown (to name a few), 2012 hasn’t deprived racing fans so far, and it’s about to get even better.

The holiday season is going to be one of loud engines, burning rubber, and minimal braking as the racing genre hits top gear. So let’s take a look at 5 upcoming racers to keep you speeding ahead.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted

2 November 2012

The Need for Speed series saw rejuvenation with the 2010 reboot of the Hot Pursuit spin-off from Criterion, and the Burnout dev is set to push the bar again with Most Wanted.

Most Wanted is already looking absolutely gorgeous, even when running at the blistering pace that the game presents. Criterion’s attention to detail has always been a strong point for the studio, and their emphasis on sound effects and engine noises shows through with Most Wanted – vehicles roar and scream as they tear through the streets, conjuring that feeling of the NFS glory days.

But it isn’t going to be about flashy cars and pristine racing, but rather smashing through the opposition and making last-minute escapes from the blue-and-red light brigade.

Check out more Need for Speed: Most Wanted coverage, and read MyGaming’s Need for Speed: Most Wanted preview.

Grid 2

Q1 2013

Fans of one of the best racers this generation gave a huge cheer when Codemasters announced a sequel to Racedriver: Grid.

Using the EGO Game Technology Platform, GRID 2 aims to bring a new level of realism to AI, damage, visuals and their acclaimed “rewind feature”, which has been used in many other racers today.

The sequel will feature a single-player career mode, split-screen and online components, along with deep customisation options.

LittleBigPlanet Karting

7 November 2012

LittleBigPlanet Karting will see everyone’s favourite stitched-up hero, Sackboy, make his way to the racetrack.

United Front Games is in charge of development, with some racing pedigree behind them – the developer was also responsible for ModNation Racers, the PS3 racer that ran on user-created levels.

The extensive creation options from ModNation, combined with the creativity of LittleBigPlanet 1 and 2, should transpose into this spin-off, giving gamers the tools to create their own tracks, characters, races and of course, karts.

Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing Transformed

30 November 2012

Sonic & All Stars Racing was one of the pleasant surprises of 2010 with it’s over-the-top speed and vibrant tracks; and while it was always compared to Mario Kart, it found a place of its own amongst karting fans.

A sequel to the Sega racer is set to bring back the over-the-top and colourful racing, and taking a page out of Mario Kart 7’s book, has added sea and air racing.

Racetracks can now also terraform as you race through them, resulting in routes being destroyed and new ones opening.

GTR3

November 2012

SimBin’s GT series has accumulated somewhat of a cult following over the years, and with the announcement that a GTR3 is in the works, excitement is already building for the release.

Not too much is known about GTR3, but it’s safe to assume that the upcoming entry will feature a host of gorgeous and exotic cars, and some seriously high speeds.

SimBin said that the game would make an appearance in November 2012, but with the month approaching and not much else heard, we’re fearing a delay.