Remembering five of the best NASCAR video games ever
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For the NASCAR racing community, you can’t quite beat witnessing a live event in the flesh. They aren’t always occurring, though. As such, when the drivers are on vacation and the tracks are closed, experiencing the sport through a gaming product is a tempting proposition many fans struggle to turn down. Over the years, we’ve certainly seen some memorable releases come to the fore.
For gamers and racing fans alike, these games serve the exhilarating action they crave. Alongside playing other sports games, such as online casino favorites like Super Sports Spins and console masterpieces like EA Sports FC 25, these NASCAR virtual experiences have always been a preference. They’re highly competitive, many titles are impressively realistic, and they tend to offer a challenging gaming experience that many players like tackling.
While NASCAR games aren’t as popular as other racing titles, we’ve still been exposed to some much-loved products in the last few decades. So, with that in mind, below is a brief look at some of the best NASCAR video games ever made.
NASCAR Heat 5
Kicking things off with a more recent inclusion, NASCAR Heat 5 was released in 2020 and quickly became a highly rated title among the NASCAR community. Challenging players to become the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, it offers a truly authentic package. From the array of real-life teams players can choose from, to the 39 tracks fans will immediately recognize, this immensely detailed release is almost perfect. A game you can still play today, if you have access to a PlayStation 4 or a PC machine, then snapping up NASCAR Heat 5 is a must.
NASCAR Racing 2003 Season
From custom-built vehicles to brutal crashes that fans can witness, NASCAR racing is a unique discipline. However, not every game has necessarily captured it in the best way possible. However, NASCAR Racing 2003 Season most definitely did, with this beloved PC game winning over millions of NASCAR fans when it was released. While it might not stand up against some of today’s more sophisticated offerings, NASCAR Racing 2003 Season was a masterpiece at the time. It had realistic physics and handling, contained a strong modding community that helped keep it alive, and represented an authentic experience.
NASCAR Thunder 2004
For many people who are partial to games from this particular genre, NASCAR Thunder 2004 will never be beaten. While the NASCAR Racing 2003 Season is right up there, this instalment from the following year beats it for many gamers. A console favorite, it had familiar cars, a brilliant rivalry system, a fun racing experience filled with drama, and the title’s graphics were well ahead of its time.
Richard Petty’s Talladega
Another one for the more senior gamers and NASCAR fans among us, Richard Petty’s Talladega was released in 1984 and, for many, it’s the original game from this specific genre. As we’ve already briefly mentioned, we haven’t seen shedloads of NASCAR products hit the shelves, but this 8-bit hit almost certainly inspired any memorable releases we have explored. By today’s standards, Richard Petty’s Talladega is pretty basic, though many NASCAR gamers certainly have a lot to thank it for.
Daytona USA
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A game you might’ve sampled on an old school gaming platform or even in a local arcade, Daytona USA is an absolute classic. Whether you’re racing against a loved one or aiming to top the rankings with a record time, the game’s simple premise and substantial doses of fun make it an undisputed classic.
