Since gaming became a commercially viable form of entertainment in the 1980s, the racing genre has been one of its most popular cornerstones. It’s fair to say that franchises likeGran Turismo,Mario Kart, andNeed for Speed, have all become some of the largest contenders, but racing games haven’t stood still over the last 40 years.
While there’s a clear line through the genre’s lineage, modern racing games have become detached from their classic counterparts. In several key areas, things have progressed so much that separate sub-genres arguably now exist. Even within franchises like Polyphony Digital’sGran Turismo, there are clear signs of divergence.
RELATED:Funky Kong Should be Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Next New Character
Capturing Realism in Modern Racing Games
One of the biggest factors that separates most modern racing games from classic ones is the level of realism they employ. For years, console manufacturers like Sony have utilized racing games to show off the power of brand-new hardware. Titles likeGran Turismo 7and the upcomingForza Motorsportsoft-reboot are some of the most visually impressive gameson the market as a result of this drive.
Today, many modern racing games offer players a degree of realism that classic entries simply couldn’t reach. Even indie releases likeArt of Rally, which invoke the pixilated and top-down look of the genre’s past, still look leagues above their inspirations. This push toward realism has had an impact on the gameplay side as well. Although arcade-ytitles likeTrackMania Turboevoke feelings of the past, they’re still technologically progressive.
Better handling models, attention to detail, and sound design all separate modern racing games from the simpler releases of the past. Players only have tocompare 2022’sNeed for Speed: Unboundto the franchise’s PS2 erafor evidence of progress in action. Realism has become the keyword in modern racing games, to the point that F1 champions Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are both associated with some of the genre’s modern titles.
Content Available in Modern Racing Games
Even though the concept of racing has remained unchanged, the content that’s available in modern racing games still evolves. Extensive car and track lists have been a part of the genre for years, whilefranchises likeForza Horizonhave explored bigger sandboxes with each installment. The gaming industry’s push toward live-service content has had a big impact on this area as well.
Aside from annualized racing games like Codemasters’F1series, most modern racing games get content updates on a regular basis. Somegames likeGRID Legends, for example,have post-launch DLC roadmaps that stretch out for years. By contrast, classic racing games were more often than not limited to their launch day lineups and configuration.
Multiplayer Racing Experiences
There has also been a shift in the way that players engage with modern racing game content. Before the Internet rose to prevalence, developers often spent significant time creating local couch co-op modes for their games. Aside from the likes ofNintendo’sMario Kartseries, this design philosophy has fallen out of favor.
Today, many players expect their racing games to offer a robust suite of online multiplayer options instead. Even though better AI behaviors and simulation mechanics are staples of the genre’s current era, racing against real opponents still offers a challenge unlike anything else. So much so that esports events are a big part of modernracing games likeAssetto Corsa CompetizioneandGran Turismo 7, a factor that separates them from their classic ancestors even further.
MORE:New Characters Should Have Been Standard in Mario Kart 8’s Booster Course Pass DLC
