1. Dirt 3

Leaving them in the dust

Get down and dirty with one of the best cool car games on the planet: Dirt 3.

The game’s main mode has players participating in various events to gain reputations points. These, in turn, attract sponsors who will provide you with new cars. Alternatively, if you’re into impressing the crowd with special tricks, there’s the obstacle course mode. And if neither of those float your boat, then dive into the party modes, which involve everything from zombie cars to smashing cardboard robots.

Dirt 3’s impressive roster of rally cars includes the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Peugeot 207, Toyota Tacoma Special, RMR Hyundai Genesis PM580, and Renault 5. The only downside to Dirt 3 is its meager car modification options, which kind of makes sense, given that these cars are gifts to your from sponsors.

No cold will freeze this engine!

Cruisin' in the rain

Honorable Mentions

Love arcade-style racers but wish they had more simulator-like depth? Grid Autosport sits a comfortable spot in between. It comes with an eclectic variety of automobiles, from the contemporary (Stock Car Brasil, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG) to the classic (Ford GT40); as well as various tracks are based on real-world circuits such as Brands Hatch, the Yas Marina Circuit, and the Circuit of the Americas. Lastly, excellent A.I. and detailed damage models help make the experience more authentic. Cool car games would benefit from emulating the awesomeness of Grid Autosport!

Then there’s The Crew, a game that combines MMORPG and car racing in one exquisite blend. Like other MMOs, the game gives you hundreds of quests. The rewards for their completion include upgrades you can use to augment your car’s power, tweak its performance, or customize its appearance. And when feeling competitive, you can join the Faction Wars, which lets you race with other players. The Crew also ships with a variety of stunning automobiles for you to play with, such as the Maserati GranTurismo S, Volkswagen Golf GTI, Ferrari LaFerrari, and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8.

So, racing fans… what are you favorite cool car games? We’d love to hear your opinions in the comments section below!