The Best Rally Racing Games

Racing games are among the most popular video games ever, and for good reason. Chasing other players or a group of NPCs, around racetracks is a thrilling experience, and even better, it’s highly accessible, so players with any skill level can have a go. Rally racing is a niche within the genre, as the sport itself is not as popular as other motorsports, but the games that do include it often shine because of it.

Rally games are varied in what they include, so it can be hard to sort through and find the best ones. Players seeking a great rally racing game should look no further than the games listed here.

Updated November 23rd, 2024, by Usama Ali: Rally racing is perhaps one of the most thrilling motorsports, and its high-speed, off-road action translates perfectly into video games. The intense thrill and tension of off-road racing literally keep players on the edge of their seats, as one wrong move can ruin everything. With realistic car physics, stunning visuals, and a whole roster of cars, rally racing games take you on an unforgettable, adrenaline-fueled experience. From timeless classics like Forza Horizon 5 and Art of Rally to newer entries like WRC Generations, there’s something for all rally enthusiasts. We’ve updated this list with a few more rally racing games that are sure to push rally fans to the limit.

14 Dakar Desert Rally

One Of The Great Rally Events Gets Its Own Game

Dakar Desert Rally is one of the biggest rally games currently on offer for players. With all four seasons represented and a dynamic weather system in a desert environment, this game offers something different from usual rally racing games. Based on the real-life Dakar racing, there are thirty tracks included from three years of the competition, offering enough changes in each one to prevent the game from feeling stale.

Dakar Desert Rally offers players the thrilling experience of driving in the desert. Players seeking a wider variety of environments should look elsewhere, however.

13 Xpand Rally

A Jaw-Droppingly Beautiful Rally Game

• Platforms: PC
• Release Date: 2004-09-24
• Developer(s): Techland, TopWare Interactive
• Metascore: 82

Xpand Rally is a beautiful rally game that allows players to experience driving high-speed rally cars through the roughest terrains. Players begin with a junk car and must be successful to earn money, which will then allow them to upgrade the car into a faster and better machine. With a highly accurate damage system, the car’s condition can rapidly decline, and the player must repair their car to continue winning races and attempt to become the biggest name in the rally scene.

Xpand Rally is a great option for players looking for an intense career mode with a lot of factors affecting success, but for players seeking simplicity, look elsewhere.

12 WRC Generations – The FIA WRC Official Game

A Highly Realistic Rally Game With Detailed Car Physics And Extensive Content

WRC Generations – The FIA WRC Official Game is a realistically demanding rally simulation that holds the official license for the 2022 World Rally Championship. WRC Generations features a wide range of content, including 750 km (466 miles) of unique special stages spread across 22 countries, 49 teams from the 2022 season, 37 iconic cars with bonus vehicles, and 165 timed special stages.

With such extensive content, realistic vehicle physics, hybrid vehicles and one of the most in-depth Career modes, WRC Generations – The FIA WRC Official Game is truly one of the best rally racing games out there. If that wasn’t convincing enough, WRC Generations features a Leagues and Clubs mode, where players can compete against each other in custom championships.

11 DDI Rally Championship

An Old-School Inspired Arcade Rally Racer

• Platforms: PC
• Release Date: 2024-01-13
• Developer: Dangerous Derk Interactive
• Metascore: TBD

DDI Rally Championship is a brand-new rally game with an old-school feel. Inspired by the arcade racing games of the 90s, this game is an exciting and authentic rally experience for both veteran fans of the genre and players who have never played a rally-based racing game before. The game is still in early access, but with more track types being added and more features in the pipeline, players won’t feel like they’re playing an unfinished game.

DDI Rally Championship is a fast-paced and thrilling rally experience, but players seeking a more fleshed out experience might not love this pick, at least until it reaches a 1.0 release.

10 TrackMania Turbo

An Arcade-Style Rally Game That Prioritizes Speed

TrackMania Turbo is a head-spinning racing game with more than 200 tracks available across four iconic locations. The game is arcade-style and extremely fast-paced, making it a brilliant option for players seeking some high-octane fun. The rally sections of the game are well-developed with a heavy focus on stunts, similar to other games in the TrackMania series.

TrackMania Turbo is a good option for players looking for a simple and fun rally experience. However, for players seeking a more focused rallying experience, look elsewhere.

9 V-Rally 4

A Reboot Of The Classic V-Rally Series

• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch
• Release Date: 2018-09-06
• Developer: KT Racing

V-Rally 4 is a legendary off-road racing game where players can experience the adrenaline rush of dangerous roads, hostile conditions, and the constant need for more speed. The best thing about V-Rally 4 is that it features five different racing disciplines: Rally, Rallycross, Hill Climb, Buggy, and Extreme-Khana. Not only that, there are over 50 car models for players to test drive, collect, upgrade and customize to their liking.

There is an online multiplayer mode with up to eight players or an offline mode with a split-screen, and a detailed V-Rally Career Mode with realistic car physics. There’s even a quick race option for players who want to test vehicles and get used to them before the rally. V-Rally 4 perfectly captures the excitement and intensity of off-road racing, offering a thrilling experience for both casual and hardcore racing fans.

8 Dirt 5

The Fifth Installment In The Dirt Franchise Takes Rally To A New Level

Dirt 5 carries on the legacy of the Dirt series as another fantastic racing game focused on off-road rallying. A wide selection of track types is available, from ice-based tracks to more typical rallycross environments. The game also offers a career mode for players seeking a narrative and progressive experience and a multiplayer mode for playing with friends.

Dirt 5 is a fully-fledged rally game with a lot to offer for players new to rallying as well as players with a lot of knowledge about the motorsports world.

7 The Crew 2

A US-Based Rally Game With A Twist

The Crew 2 is an open-world racing game that takes place across the USA. Ideal for playing with friends, the game has many different vehicle types that can be controlled, including planes and boats. There are four distinct hub worlds, each with different styles of racing available. The real star of the show is the driving, especially the rally races that players can compete in.

The Crew 2 is a fun and expansive racing game offering more than rallying, making it a great fit for players looking for a wider racing experience.

6 Project CARS 2

Perfectly Captures The Soul of Motor Racing

Project CARS 2 is a highly realistic and authentic racing sim that comes with a diverse range of racing disciplines, including Formula 1, GT racing, IndyCar, touring cars, and rallycross. There are 180+ race and road cars from elite brands that have been tested and tuned by pro drivers and gamers for true-to-life handling.

Besides this, Project CARS 2‘s dynamic surface and weather physics system adds another layer of realism. It simulates how different weather conditions and track surfaces, like ice, dirt, and mud, affect vehicle performance and handling in real time. As track conditions change, players will need to adjust their driving style to maintain control.

5 Sébastien Loeb Rally Evo

One Of The Great Rally Drivers Had A Hand In This Beautiful Rally Experience

Players familiar with rally racing will know the name Sebastian Loeb. A racing legend, Sébastien Loeb Rally Evo is just as legendary as players are guided by the man himself around all of the tracks included in the game. Including the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb track as well as tracks from the real world of rally and RallyCross, there is a lot to explore here.

Sébastien Loeb Rally Evo is best for beginners, with an arcadey feel and a smaller range of tracks available than other games. The rally racing is thrilling, and really, what else could players want?

4 WRC 10

The Official Rally Game Of The WRC Series

WRC 10 is the official rally game of the 2021 season, offering players the chance to race through the course of the season and change what happens in their favor. As the officially licensed game of the season, players control official cars and can drive all the courses. The career mode is often called one of the best in sports gaming, and for good reason, as it is comprehensive and detailed.

WRC 10 is the best option for players looking for a faithful and complete companion to the rally championship, even though it is now a few years out of date.

3 Art Of Rally

A Beautiful And Artistic Take On The Rally Genre

Art Of Rally is set during the golden age of rally racing. With a top-down perspective, this game is quirky and fun, providing the opportunity to progress through rallies, competitions, and time trials. Free roam is the mode where players can unlock cars for use in career mode. The cars can become damaged, affecting performance, giving players another layer to think about in this rally game.

Art Of Rally is a fantastic and different take on the rally game, with a nostalgic feel and nostalgic cars available for players to unlock and drive.

2 Dirt Rally 2.0

Dirt Goes Full Rally

Dirt Rally 2.0 focuses entirely on rallying around the world, featuring an array of the most powerful rally vehicles ever and the most iconic track locations globally. The weather can affect grip on the track, forcing players to change their driving styles. A RallyCross mode is also available, with eight real RallyCross tracks represented, for players to experience a different style of driving within the rally world.

Dirt Rally 2.0 strikes a great balance between realism and fun, arcade-style racing, making it a great option for both experienced racing players and players new to the genre. If someone is specifically searching for a title that is predominantly a racing sim, Dirt Rally 2.0 is their best candidate.

1 Forza Horizon 5

One Of The Giants In Racing Games Takes On Rally

Forza Horizon 5 is the best rally racing game available for players today, particularly if they are searching for an arcade-style romps. While it doesn’t entirely focus on rally, the rally and off-road stages of the game are thoroughly enjoyable, and the rally cars included are some of the best in the sport. There is paid DLC for more rallying, but even the content in the base game is thrilling and offers players a lot of enjoyment. Being able to race through temples is not something seen in every racing game!

Forza Horizon 5 is a brilliant all-round racing game, but the rally tracks and vehicles shine through here. It’s one of the best examples of virtual rally racing in the medium.