Best Verified Racing Games On Steam Deck

The Steam Deck has a massive library of verified titles right now, and more and more big games are being added to Valve’s verified list each week. The handheld PC is becoming a popular device among gamers, allowing players to boot up and enjoy the likes of Grand Theft Auto 5, Red Dead Redemption 2, God of War, and Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection on the go.

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Racers have always been popular on handheld devices. Gran Turismo on the PSP was a huge hit, while Nintendo’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the highest-selling game on the Switch. The Steam Deck has a great list of racing games that are well worth trying out on the impressive handheld. Here are the best racers that are verified on the Deck.

Updated January 15, 2025, by Mehrdad Khayyat: Believe it or not, Steam Deck started a new trend on handheld gaming platforms, and it is already the leader of the market when it comes to PC-based gaming experiences.

Relying on Valve’s beloved market for games, Steam Deck offers support for a wide variety of games released since its launch. Being Steam Deck Verified has since become an important qualification for games launching on Steam. This badge guarantees that players will not face any issues playing the game on their handheld platform, hardware-wise.

17

Project CARS 3

Detaching From The Origins For An Arcade Approach

Systems

Franchise

Project Cars

Released

August 24, 2020

OpenCritic Rating

Fair

Project CARS 3 has no doubt had its critics since it was released into the wild back in August 2020. Many feel that the two previous versions are the better games in the series. The third Project CfARS game changed a lot that made the franchise so successful in the first place, but Project CARS 3 is still an enjoyable racing game.

Having been given the Deck’s green light of approval, Project CARS 3 runs smooth as butter with good graphics. Set to be the final Project CARS game in the series, racing enthusiasts should certainly give it a go on the Steam Deck.

16

Lego 2K Drive

Build Vehicles, Customize Them To The Teeth, And Race!

Systems

Released

May 19, 2023

Platforms

PC, Xbox, PS4, PS5, PC

OpenCritic Rating

Fair

Expand

It’s a shame that many racing fans aren’t talking about Lego 2K Drive much. Sure, the live-service trappings and the lazy rubber banding of the AI can distract players. However, those who can ignore these issues will realize how much fun it really is to play through an imaginative arcade racer with excellent track design.

Taking shortcuts and bamboozling the opposition makes Lego 2K Drive an underrated racer that more people need to check out. Games like this are a great example of why the live service model shouldn’t be slapped onto every game in sight. This label has hurt the long-term interest in this arcade racer quite a bit.

15

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged

Race At Extreme Speeds With Unique Vehicle Mechanics

Most people were pleasantly surprised to see the wealth of quality on display in Hot Wheels Unleashed. Despite some progression issues, the game’s take on toy car racing was a blast. The game’s breakneck speeds can even cause these vehicles to fly off the tracks.

So, fans were interested in seeing what Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged brought to the table, and they weren’t disappointed. Featuring more moves and better track design than before, the sequel to Hot Wheels Unleashed is a worthy arcade racer. It addresses a lot of issues players had in the first game and adds some interesting elements of its own to keep players engaged.

14

DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing

When Animation Heroes Take Over The Scene In Action Racing

DreamWorks is a studio that has been through its fair share of ups and downs, but there’s no denying that the characters from their movies are iconic. So, the idea of playing a kart racing game featuring many beloved characters from their films is quite engrossing.

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DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racing has its fair share of issues, but fans of this studio’s work will be able to ignore the vast majority of these problems. The racing is simple and engaging, which is great for players who want to enjoy a title that doesn’t feature too many complicated mechanics.

13

Automobilista 2

A Realistic Racing Experience Covering A Wide Variety Of Segments

• Developer: Reiza Studios
• Release Date: March 31, 2020
• Platform: PC

Since its release on Steam in 2020, Automobilista 2 has received good scores from critics and high ratings among players. Earlier in 2022, this solid racing sim, which is also great in Virtual Reality, was given the Steam Deck’s green light of approval, making this a great game to play on handheld devices.

Automobilista 2 is renowned for having excellent graphics, and the frame rate on the Steam Deck can be cranked up to 60fps with few to no issues. Even serious sim racers can enjoy Automobilista 2 on Valve’s impressive handheld system.

12

Inertial Drift

Introducing A Fun New Handling System For Drifters

There aren’t many arcade racing games out there, and players will take what they can get at this point. However, it’s not necessary to lower one’s standards to check out such a racing game. Inertial Drift completely changes the mechanics of how a race works to make for a truly breathtaking time.

Using two analog sticks to control a car in a race was simply unheard of before this title came into the fray. More racing fans need to check out Inertial Drift and understand what makes it such a special indie gem and the Steam Deck is a great platform to let this game shine.

11

Dirt 5

An Arcade Approach To Circuit-Based Rally Races

Systems

Released

November 6, 2020

Local Co-Op Support

1-4 Players

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Expand

When the Steam Deck became available to order, Dirt 5 was added to its verified list right away. This arcade racer is unique and is not for everyone, but the tracks and the cars look stunning. The Dirt 5 entry into the Dirt franchise is a lot of fun to play and will provide endless hours of thrills and spills.

Dirt 5 stepped away from the usual simulation of rally driving, making this version a pick-up-and-play type of game for players new to the genre. There are a whole host of verified racers to play on the Steam Deck, and Dirt 5 should be right at the top of the list.

10

Euro Truck Simulator 2

The Ultimate Trucker Experience With A Massive Open World

While not a racing game per se, Euro Truck Simulator 2 has one of the most realistic driving models in any title. The aim of the game is to be methodical and take things so, taking the edge off for players as they course through urban landscapes, green countrysides, and anything else along the same lines.

The game may not seem all that interesting at first glance, but players even remotely interested should jump in and give this title a shot. If the experience clicks with them, then they’ll be completely glued to their screens as the hours fly by!

9

F1 22

A Racing Experience For Dedicated Competitive Players

Although F1 24 is already out, the latest game in the franchise that is verified for Steam Deck is F1 22, which is another extremely solid entry in Codemaster’s Formula One franchise. It is a gorgeous game, with cars and circuits that look as close to real life as fans have ever seen before. F1 22 added F1 Life mode and the ability to crossplay in the multiplayer section.

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We have seen F1 titles on handhelds before, but never as polished as F1 22. Players can enjoy this excellent racing game at 60fps with good graphics. Lower the frame rate and F1 fans will get an even better experience. This terrific racer is well worth owning on the Deck.

8

Asphalt Legends Unite

A Free Arcade Racing With Lightning Fast Speeds

What makes Asphalt Legends Unite stand out from all the other games listed here is the fact that it is free-to-play. The game is a massive visual leap over the mobile-only Asphalt entries, and it comes with a huge number of cars that can be purchased with in-game progress.

The game focuses on circuit-based races rather than being an open world, but the multiplayer section is quite fun and challenging, as players try to win and rank up. However, keep in mind that the monetization model does include some pay-to-win elements, which allows some players to upgrade their vehicles earlier than others.

7

Old School Rally

Revisiting Retro Rally Sims With Modern Gameplay Mechanics

• Developer: Frozen Lake Games
• Release Date: July 18, 2024 (Early Access)
• Platform: PC

Ever missed the good old days of playing Colin McRae Rally? Well, Old School Rally just delivers the same experience with modern-day controls and progression.

Developed by a small indie team, Old School Rally is an arcade-style rally experience with retro PlayStation 1 visuals. The game absolutely nails it by creating a nostalgic experience to take the players back to their childhood but bear in mind that it is still in Early Access.

The driving mechanics are not supposed to be accurate like a simulator, so make sure to come in with maintained expectations. The variety of cars isn’t eye-catching, but they mostly include the vehicles that belong to older periods of rally, and the same goes for the tracks. The quantity for both of them, however, will increase upon full release.

6

Trials Fusion

Race Against Time In An Unusual Circuit For Dedicated Bikers

Systems

Released

April 15, 2014

Franchise

Trials

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Players who want to go through a goofy racing game with platforming elements will have a great time playing through Trials Fusion. This amazing series has churned out hit after hit, and Fusion is no exception to this golden rule. There are so many tracks — both in-game and fan-made — that players can spend hours without any problems.

The crashes can be pretty wacky and cause people to burst into fits of laughter, and the online multiplayer is the icing on top of this loaded cake. Trials Fusion is an excellent and simple game that is easy to get into, and players will love what’s in store here!

5

Wreckfest

Chaotic Racing Experience With Phenomenal Car Physics

Wreckfest is a unique racing game, which focuses more on smashing up the player’s opponent’s car than traditional wheel-to-wheel racing. It’s still a solid racer in its own right, but destruction derbies and no-rules racing are where Wreckfest really shines.

A Switch version of Wreckfest was recently released, but the Steam Deck is the handheld king for this game. Players can play Wreckfest on high settings and at 60fps and have a great time doing so.

4

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Collection

A Timeless Racing Experience With Beloved Characters And Challenging Tracks

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Collection is a blast to play on the Steam Deck. Thanks to its verified tag, this racer can be enjoyed at a high frame rate and great graphics, too. The original version was released back in 2012 on the PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and PC. There were also handheld versions on the PS Vita, Nintendo 3DS, and mobile.

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Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed has been on handheld devices for years, but the Steam Deck version takes it to an entirely new level. The graphics are stellar, and the gameplay remains as thrilling as ever. For Sonic racing fun on the go, add this to the Steam Deck library.

3

Lonely Mountains: Downhill

An Extremely Challenging Mountain Bike Adventure

For anyone looking to challenge themselves in a race against time, Lonely Mountains: Downhill is a must-buy. The game comes with beautiful but simple visuals, and it’s only a race against time, but the real challenge is about learning the tracks.

Each track offers a unique experience, where players not only need to find the correct path but also should discover the shortcuts to submit better records. This game is more like a Dark-Souls-gone-racing experience, as it requires a lot of trials and errors to find the best place to pedal and the best place to brake at each part of the track, but every failure does teach something new to the player.

2

Crazy Taxi

An All-Time Classic Open-World Driving Experience

Crazy Taxi is one of the best arcade racing series around. Many players have fond memories of drifting and jumping around Sega’s patented franchise. The fact that players can check this title out on the go is a great example of how far gaming has come, with the port of this title optimized for the Steam Deck.

1

Forza Horizon 5

Arguably The Best Open-World Arcade Racing With Insane Visual Quality

Systems

Released

November 9, 2021

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Forza Horizon 5 enjoyed an amazing launch. The vast open world and the boundless map allowed for ample moments where racers could go all out on the track and utilize a bevy of vehicles to beat the opposition. While the progression present in this game is questionable at best, most players don’t mind since they can zoom through the world in record time if they get lucky with a wheelspin!

The game’s rendition of Mexico is beautiful, and the Horizon Events are the most memorable part of the package by far. While the story is threadbare and does nothing to justify its inclusion, players who just want to experience an excellent racing game without any caveats will love what Forza Horizon 5 brings to the table.

That being said, a lot of this game is censored because of the rights expiring for it. As a result, players should check out the many mods available for this game so that they can enjoy the definitive experience without too many issues.

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