If you’re an owner of the either an Xbox One or PS4, particularly the PS4, then the racing landscape has proven to be somewhat barren up until recently. And if you are looking for a simulation-style title, then the choices have been even more limited. Forza 5 and Horizon have dropped on the Xbox, and Project Cars is now available for both systems, so the thirst for racing bliss has been somewhat filled, but there is always room for more. Starting this summer, and rolling into the fall, there are some intriguing titles that will hit the retail market, and a few that racing fans should definitely keep on their radar.



F1 2015 – Codemasters
Release Date: July 21st, 2015 Xbox One, PS4, PC

Since that announcement back in March that F1 2015 would drop mid-summer, details, screen captures and videos have slowly been made available for the Xbox One, PS4 and PC versions. If you have been paying attention, than you already know how wonderful and organic this game looks to be on the current systems. Yes, it’s true that career mode will not be making an appearance in F1 2015, but if early previews are any indications, Championship Season Mode will fill that void rather nicely. Codemasters has made it very clear that they have not only revamped the entire F1 experience on the track, but tried to recreate the excitement and presentation of an entire Grand Prix weekend. F1 2015 also promises to come blazing onto your screen at 60 FPS, and at 1080p resolution – for both the PS4 and Xbox One. If you are a digital racing fan, than F1 2015 looks like it has the ability to be a definitive title to be added to your rotation.


Need For Speed – Electronic Arts
Release Date: November 3rd, 2015 Xbox One, PS4, PC

When the Xbox One and PS4 dropped, one of the initial launch titles was Need for Speed: Rivals, and while that provided a bit of fun, it seemed to stray further away from what Need for Speed fans have been yearning for. It seems that EA has finally listened to its fan base, and will seemingly deliver an experience that combines the best elements of Rivals, Underground, and Most Wanted. That’s a combination that I am OK with, and most fans will be also. Need for Speed was a hit at E3, and most hands-on previews have credited the developers(Ghost Games) with creating a unique and exciting racing title, that has been hand crafted with some love and attention. By now you know there are five ways to play – Speed, Style, Outlaw, Build, and Crew, basically giving the user five different ways to approach the game, given what type interests you the most. I am cautiously optimistic about the new offering from Ghost games, and you should be also.


Forza 6 – Turn 10
Release Date: September 15th, 2015 Xbox One

Forza 5 for the Xbox One looked nice enough, but most would agree it was a rather shallow experience, and left the majority of us wanting more within a few weeks of release. Turn 10 looks to make right with the announcement of Forza 6. Seemingly trying to stuff Forza 6 with as much content as possible, the developers have promised over 450 cars, 100 unique surfaces, rain and other weather effects, online league set-ups, and all new and improved Drivatars. That’s just the beginning, as they have also promised 26 different tracks, inclusion of all the Forza 5 tracks, true-night racing, and less we forget a revamped career mode that will offer over 70 hours of immersion. Sadly for PS4 fans, this one is an Xbox exclusive, and if ever a racing title could be labeled as a system seller, Forza 6 might just be the one. There are rumors that it might be released for PC also, but for now, owning an Xbox One is the only way to get your hands on Forza 6, and if you’re a racing fan, it should be well worth the investment.


With Project Cars, the Forza series, and Drive Club already out, and the addition of these three titles coming later this year, the racing genre on the current systems is finally starting to pick up some steam. Racing titles may be a bit of a niche genre, but the fans are as passionate as any, and it seems their time is finally here.

Which racing title are you most excited about?