This year might have some heavy hitters with NBA 2K13, FIFA 13 NHL 13, and more -- but what about the racing games? Well that's what this article is all about. No matter how big or small the game is, we're here to let you know which racing games release this year. From the highly-anticipated Need for Speed: Most Wanted, to the back stretch at Talladega in NASCAR the Game: Inside Line, there should be a racing game for everybody this fall.

F1 2012 (Out Now) -- PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

The fall racing season kicked off just a few days ago with F1 2012. For people not familiar with the Formula 1 games, Codemasters has a new "Young Driver Test" mode, just for you. This will allow players to get acquainted with the the handling of the cars. Not only that, but for fans of the series, a new "Champions" mode will be added where you can race against six world champions. New weather, better handling, and more is featured this year. Be sure to check back in next week for my full review of the game.

Spy Hunter (October 9) -- Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita

You read the above game right, Spy Hunter is back. This time around it's only on handhelds and there is no Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, but it does look like a decent title. Although a little more action focused than racing with its weapon-focused gameplay, Spy Hunter does include races. For handheld fans, it should definitely be something they at least check out; especially since Traveller's Tales, the makers of the LEGO series, are developing the game. TT Fusion has stated they want to bring back the old, classic Spy Hunter instead of the ones seen on last-gen consoles. We'll see if they achieve that in just a few short weeks.

Forza Horizon (October 23) -- Xbox 360

A spin-off for the Forza franchise? That's exactly what Forza Horizon is. It's being developed by Playground Games, which consists of past Codemasters and Bizarre Creations employees, so they know how to make a solid racing game. Think Test Drive Unlimited, but with better car physics and graphics. No more career mode where you travel race track to race track. Now, you have an open-world called the "Horizon Festival" set in Colorado. Your goal is to win the festival by climbing the ranks and defeating other racers. Races, challenges, etc. are now spread out in the city for you to find, instead of a menu. The racing line that lets everyone know when to brake is back (even in the open city), along with the typical Forza traits we all know.


Need for Speed: Most Wanted (October 30) -- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360

What do you get when combing the very best of the Burnout games, and the very best the open-world Need for Speed games have to offer? You get Criterion's version of Need for Speed: Most Wanted. This is not a remake of the 2005 game of the same name, but Criterion's take on the open-world NFS games. Cop chases will make a return, and so does Autolog 2.0; the very well-received asynchronous competition system which debuted in Criterion's version of NFS: Hot Pursuit. Online will feature no lobbies or menus. Instead you can jump right into online play, very similar to what you could do in Burnout Paradise. Challenges from Paradise are also returning, along with billboards and gates. If you plan on purchasing this game for PlayStation Vita, all of the stuff below is included in that version. Criterion stated to IGN that it's “pretty much the PS3 version of the game shoehorned onto Vita very tightly.” So no matter which system you decide to purchase the game on, you'll get the full experience. That experience looks to be an exciting and exhilarating one.

NASCAR the Game: Inside Line (November 6) -- PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

When NASCAR the Game 2011 released early last year, it was met with middling thoughts. It had only season for its career mode and online play was disastrous from the start with lag, bugs, and the inability to even change your car. Eutechnyx, the owners of the NASCAR license, will change all of that with NASCAR the Game: Inside Line. You can now build up your driver by adding more sponsorships, upgrading their car, and competing in more than just one season. Online is also set to be drastically improved, with better net code, and more rules for private races.

Little Big Planet Karting (November 6) -- PlayStation 3

From the same developer of Modnation Racers, United Front Games looks to show that the creative world for Sackboy can transition into a good kart racing game. As with almost every kart racer, power-ups will play a major part. From EMP's, to their version of the red shell, United Front is looking to have various power-ups in the game. LBP Karting does contain a story mode, and it picks up right where Little Big Planet 2 left off. How that will play into a kart racing game, we will find out in just under two months. Of course, as with other games in the series, user-created content will play a critical role in the game. Usually playing levels designed by other players ends up being more fun than what the developers actually put in.


F1 Race Stars (November 13) -- PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC

A little different from F1 2012, Codemasters' other Formula 1 game, F1 Race Stars is another kart racer (yes, it also features power-ups). Instead of driving around real world tracks, you are now driving around those locations which are now overhauled with insane, over-the-top loops and jumps (as pictured above). The visuals are definitely different if you're used to playing F1 2011 or 2012, as the graphics match the bizarre tracks with more cartoon-like character models (although still featuring real-life drivers).

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (November 20) -- Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii U, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360

Sonic and his many friends are back, and with even more outrageous vehicles and maps. The last Sonic & All-Stars Racing game had you only driving on land. Being developed by the same developer, Sumo Digital, you can now take to air and water. From the classic Sonic, to Panzer Dragoon, all the way to After Burner expect some of the tracks to feature some of your favorite SEGA games -- with 16 total tracks being featured. Different his time around is how you earn items. Instead of running through crates across each map like in the last iteration, you now fill up an "All-Star" meter by collecting stars or performing tricks. The first Sonic & All-Stars Racing was well-received by players, and this one looks to improve on certain aspects while adding some new ways to race.

Which racing game(s) are you most looking forward to playing later this year? Let us know in the comments below.