Top Speedrun Racing Games To Play Now

Hey guys! Are you ready to dive into the adrenaline-pumping world of speedrunning racing games? Buckle up because we're about to explore some of the most thrilling and challenging titles that will test your skills, reflexes, and determination. Speedrunning isn't just about completing a game; it's about mastering it, finding the perfect route, and executing every move with precision. In this article, we'll be highlighting games that offer a unique speedrunning experience, focusing on what makes them so appealing to the speedrunning community. So, let's get started and discover your next speedrunning obsession!

What Makes a Great Speedrun Racing Game?

Before we jump into specific titles, let's break down what makes a racing game particularly well-suited for speedrunning. First and foremost, the game needs to have a high skill ceiling. This means that there should be plenty of room for players to improve their times through practice and optimization. Games with simple mechanics that require precise execution are often favored.

Glitches and exploits can also play a significant role. While not every speedrunner uses glitches, they can add an extra layer of depth and complexity to the challenge. Discovering and mastering these glitches often becomes a collaborative effort within the community, leading to innovative strategies and routes.

Another crucial factor is the replayability of the game. A great speedrun racing game should have enough variety and depth to keep players engaged for hours on end. This could come in the form of different tracks, vehicles, or challenges. The game should also be easy to reset, allowing runners to quickly restart their attempts after a mistake. Community support is also a big plus. A thriving community can provide valuable resources, such as tutorials, route guides, and live streams. This can help new runners get started and provide experienced runners with new challenges and inspiration. Lastly, the game should be fun to play, even when you're not speedrunning. After all, the goal is to enjoy the game and push yourself to the limit. Now that we know what to look for, let's dive into some of the best speedrun racing games out there!

Top Speedrun Racing Games

Alright, let's get to the good stuff! Here are some of the top speedrun racing games that you should definitely check out:

1. TrackMania Nations Forever

TrackMania Nations Forever is a free-to-play racing game developed by Nadeo. It's renowned for its simple yet challenging gameplay, allowing players to create and share custom tracks. This feature is huge for the speedrunning community because it allows them to create increasingly difficult and creative courses that push the boundaries of what's possible in the game. The game's physics engine is easy to learn, but difficult to master, providing a high skill ceiling for speedrunners. The community is very active, with new tracks and challenges being created all the time. One of the main attractions of TrackMania Nations Forever for speedrunners is the ghost replay system. This allows players to race against their own previous attempts, as well as the ghosts of other players. This provides immediate feedback and allows runners to constantly refine their strategies and techniques. The game also features a global leaderboard, where players can compare their times with others from around the world. This creates a competitive environment that motivates runners to push themselves even further. In addition to the core gameplay, TrackMania Nations Forever also has a number of glitches and exploits that can be used to shave precious seconds off of a run. Mastering these glitches requires a lot of practice and precision, but it can be well worth the effort. The game's accessibility is also a major factor in its popularity. Since it's free-to-play, anyone can download and start playing without having to spend any money. This makes it easy for new runners to get involved and start learning the ropes. Overall, TrackMania Nations Forever is a fantastic speedrun racing game that offers a unique and rewarding experience. Its simple gameplay, active community, and high skill ceiling make it a must-play for any serious speedrunner.

2. F-Zero GX

F-Zero GX, developed by Amusement Vision, is a high-speed futuristic racing game released for the Nintendo GameCube. Known for its blistering speed and demanding tracks, it's become a staple in the speedrunning community. The game's learning curve is quite steep, requiring runners to memorize track layouts and master advanced techniques such as drifting and boosting. One of the key aspects of F-Zero GX speedrunning is energy management. Each vehicle has an energy meter that depletes as it takes damage. Runners need to carefully manage their energy to avoid crashing, which can ruin a run. However, energy can also be used to boost, providing a temporary burst of speed. Knowing when to boost and when to conserve energy is crucial for achieving the fastest times. F-Zero GX also features a story mode, which is a popular category for speedrunning. The story mode consists of a series of challenging races and events, each with its own unique objectives. Runners need to complete these events as quickly as possible, while also dealing with the game's challenging AI. The game is also known for its high level of difficulty. Even on the easiest difficulty setting, F-Zero GX can be quite challenging. This makes it a very rewarding game to speedrun, as even small improvements can make a big difference. The game's fast-paced action and demanding gameplay make it a thrilling experience for both runners and viewers. Its high skill ceiling and challenging tracks provide endless opportunities for improvement, making it a game that can be played for years to come. So, if you're looking for a challenging and rewarding speedrun racing game, be sure to check out F-Zero GX!

3. Burnout 3: Takedown

Burnout 3: Takedown, created by Criterion Games, is an arcade-style racing game celebrated for its aggressive gameplay and spectacular crashes. It's a favorite among speedrunners because of its fast-paced action and the many opportunities for optimization. In Burnout 3, players are rewarded for driving dangerously, earning boost by drifting, near-missing traffic, and taking down opponents. This encourages a risky playstyle that is perfect for speedrunning. One of the most popular speedrunning categories in Burnout 3 is the World Tour mode. This mode consists of a series of events, including races, road rages, and crash events. Runners need to complete these events as quickly as possible, while also earning the highest possible scores. Crash mode is another popular category. In this mode, players are tasked with causing as much damage as possible by crashing their vehicles into traffic. Runners need to carefully plan their crashes to maximize the amount of destruction they cause. Burnout 3 also features a number of glitches and exploits that can be used to shave precious seconds off of a run. For example, runners can use glitches to clip through walls or to gain extra boost. Mastering these glitches requires a lot of practice and precision, but it can be well worth the effort. The game's accessibility is also a major factor in its popularity. Burnout 3 is easy to pick up and play, but it also has a lot of depth for experienced runners to explore. The game's fast-paced action and spectacular crashes make it a thrilling experience for both runners and viewers. Its many opportunities for optimization and its active community make it a game that can be played for years to come. If you're looking for a fast-paced and action-packed speedrun racing game, Burnout 3: Takedown is an excellent choice.

Tips for Getting Started with Speedrunning Racing Games

So, you're interested in getting into speedrunning racing games? That's awesome! Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Choose a game you enjoy: This might sound obvious, but it's important to pick a game that you actually like playing. You're going to be spending a lot of time with it, so make sure it's something you find fun and engaging.
2. Watch other speedruns: One of the best ways to learn is by watching experienced runners. Pay attention to their routes, techniques, and strategies. You can find speedruns on YouTube, Twitch, and other streaming platforms.
3. Learn the basics: Before you start trying to break any records, make sure you have a good understanding of the game's mechanics. Practice the controls, learn the track layouts, and experiment with different vehicles.
4. Practice, practice, practice: Speedrunning is all about repetition. The more you practice, the better you'll become. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results right away. Just keep practicing and you'll eventually start to improve.
5. Join the community: The speedrunning community is a great resource for new runners. Join forums, Discord servers, and other online communities to connect with other runners, ask questions, and share your progress.
6. Don't be afraid to experiment: Speedrunning is all about finding new and innovative ways to complete a game. Don't be afraid to try new things and see what works. You might just discover a new glitch or exploit that no one else has found.
7. Have fun: Most importantly, remember to have fun! Speedrunning should be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Don't get too caught up in the competition and forget to enjoy the game.

Conclusion

Alright, guys, that wraps up our look at some of the top speedrun racing games out there! Whether you're into high-speed futuristic racers or arcade-style demolition derbies, there's a game out there for everyone. So, pick a game, start practicing, and see how fast you can go! And remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the ride. Happy speedrunning!