After a month-long showdown packed with nostalgia, fan debates, and surprise upsets, IGN’s fan-voted tournament to decide the Greatest Racing Game of All Time has reached the finish line.
The Road to Victory:
Starting with 32 legendary titles across four regions: Arcade Racing, Simulation, Street Racing, and Wild Card, the bracket pitted generations of racers against each other in a battle of genre, style, and pure fun. Each round was decided by fans voting across IGN’s website & social platforms throughout August.
Arcade Racing Region
This region saw Burnout 3: Takedown dominate with its high-octane crashes and signature chaos. It knocked out nostalgic favorites like OutRun, DriveClub, and Hot Wheels Unleashed on its way to the Final Four.
Wild Card Racing Region
The unpredictability was real, but Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was an unstoppable force. The Switch-era racer powered through Diddy Kong Racing, Wreckfest, and Crash Team Racing to secure its spot among the elite.
Simulation Region
Representing the most realistic and technical side of racing, Gran Turismo 7 stood tall. It beat out heavyweights like Forza Motorsport, iRacing, and F1 2020, proving that sim racing still has a loyal fanbase.
Street Racing Region
In a battle of urban horsepower, Forza Horizon 5, with its stunning Mexico backdrop and open-world freedom, outraced Need for Speed: Most Wanted and Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition to reach the Final Four.
Final Four Showdowns
The penultimate rounds delivered some dramatic clashes.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sent Burnout 3 spinning off the track with a decisive win.
- Forza Horizon 5 edged past Gran Turismo 7 in a tight race between street style and simulation mastery.
The Grand Finale: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe vs. Forza Horizon 5
It all came down to a battle between two modern icons: Arcade Racing vs. Street Racing, Mario vs. Mexico. In the end, fan nostalgia, polish, and sheer fun factor helped Mario Kart 8 Deluxe take the crown as IGN’s Greatest Racing Game of All Time.
Did You See It Coming?
Did your favorite make it to the top? Were there any upsets that still sting? Let us know in the comments!
Presented by Toyota Gazoo Racing.
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