Racing video game

You can race in a video game.

Some games feel real. You must watch your fuel and tires.

Other games are just for fun. You can slide through turns fast. Some even let you use weapons.

Kart games use silly cars. You might drive a small go-kart. You can also shoot items at friends.

Racing games are a lot of fun to play.

Racing games let you join a big competition.

Some games are built for fun. We call these arcade-style games. They let you drive very fast. You can powerslide through turns. This means you drift to keep your speed. These games can even have weapons. You might use a trap to slow a friend.

Kart racing games are a fun type of arcade game. You drive small go-karts. The drivers are often famous cartoon characters. These games use simple controls. They do not need a gear stick or clutch.

Other games try to feel real. These are called simulation games. They copy how a real car moves. You must watch your fuel levels. You also must check your tires. Some players use special tools to help them steer.

Even the sounds are important. You can hear the engine and the tires. This helps you know how the car is acting. Long ago, people played racing games on big machines. These machines used wheels and pedals to move.

Racing video games let you join a fast competition.

You can race in real-world leagues or in fantasy worlds. These games fall on a spectrum of styles. Some feel like real driving, while others feel like a fun ride. Many people call these sports video games. They offer different ways to win, such as sprints or laps. You might even try a demolition derby.

Arcade-style racing games focus on speed and fun. They use liberal physics to make driving feel exciting. Instead of slowing down for every turn, you can powerslide. This is also called drifting to keep your speed high. You might crash into obstacles or other racers with big effects. Some games even let you use weapons. You could use a trap or a projectile to slow an opponent. This is very common in kart racing games.

Simulation racing games try to copy a real car. They focus on how a vehicle handles on the road. Drivers must manage things like fuel levels and tire condition. You might use special techniques like trail braking to turn well. Some players use aids like traction control or automatic gears. Sound is also a huge part of the feeling. You can hear the engine and the tires. These sounds tell you what is happening to the car.

Kart racing became popular in the 1990s. Nintendo's Super Mario Kart came out in 1992 for the SNES. It used go-karts because the hardware was a bit slow. Since then, over 50 kart games have been released. They often feature cartoon characters in wacky vehicles. Another style is anti-gravity racing. These games use science fiction themes and hovering vehicles. F-Zero for the SNES and Wipeout for PlayStation are famous examples.

Racing games have a long history starting with mechanical machines. In 1900, a company made a yacht racing game. By the 1940s, games like Drive Mobile used steering wheels. These early machines did not have rival cars to race against. In 1969, Speedway became a huge hit in North America. It used rotating discs to show rival cars. Later, computers allowed for even more complex games. Even in 1970, a mainframe game was played on television.

Racing video games are a broad genre where players participate in speed-based competitions. These games can represent real-world racing leagues or exist in entirely fantastical settings. They exist along a spectrum between realistic racing simulations and fast-paced arcade-style games. Many people also classify racing games as a type of sports video game. Players compete through various formats, such as multiple-lap circuits or point-to-point sprints. Some games even offer alternative modes like demolition derbies, jumping, or skill testing.

Arcade-style racing games prioritize a fun, fast-paced experience over strict realism. A defining feature of this style is its liberal use of physics. In a simulation, a driver must reduce speed significantly to navigate turns safely. In an arcade racer, players are encouraged to "powerslide" or drift through turns to maintain high speeds. Collisions with traffic, obstacles, or other racers are often highly exaggerated. Some arcade games even include weapons, such as projectiles or traps, to impede opponents.

Simulation racing games aim to convincingly replicate the handling of an actual automobile. These games prioritize vehicular behavior physics and precision maneuvers like trail braking. Drivers often have to manage professional responsibilities, such as monitoring fuel levels or tire condition. While they are built for high skill levels, many include driving aids. These aids include traction control (TC), anti-lock brakes (ABS), and steering assistance. High-quality simulators also use complex audio to provide player feedback.

Sound is a critical component of the simulation experience. Developers use methods like granular synthesis or physical modeling to recreate engine noises. These sounds include the intake, exhaust, and internal engine components. Tire sounds are also carefully designed to communicate the limit of grip. The pitch and volume of these samples change based on the tire's slip angle and deformation. When these audio models integrate well with the vehicle physics, the game feels much more realistic.

Kart racing is a popular sub-genre that emerged in the 1990s. These games feature simplified mechanics and unusual track designs. Drivers often use "wacky" vehicles and characters from cartoon series or platform games. The genre was popularized by Nintendo's Super Mario Kart in 1992 for the SNES. Because the hardware was limited, developers used a slower go-kart theme. Since then, more than 50 kart racing games have been released.

Another specialized style is anti-gravity racing, which uses science fiction themes. In these games, vehicles hover or glide using futuristic technology. This genre includes titles like F-Zero for the SNES and Wipeout for the PlayStation. Anti-gravity racing has roots in 1980s arcade games. For example, the laserdisc games Star Rider and Cosmos Circuit used animated video for backgrounds. Some of these games, like STUN Runner, even allowed players to blast other vehicles.

The history of racing games began with electro-mechanical (EM) games. The earliest mechanical racing game was a yacht racer from 1900. By 1941, the game Drive Mobile used a steering wheel to control a model car. Later, the 1969 game Speedway became a massive hit in North America, selling over 10,000 cabinets. It used rotating discs and mirrors to create a pseudo-3D perspective. In 1976, Namco's F-1 became Japan's highest-grossing arcade game for two consecutive years.

As technology progressed, racing moved from mechanical machines to digital systems. In 1970, a mainframe computer racing game was even broadcast on the BBC. This game was played between a presenter and a Formula One champion. Today, racing games connect people through massive internet communities. These players host internet championships for the most realistic simulators. From simple mechanical wheels to complex digital physics, racing games continue to evolve.