Racing Video Games

In Fast & Furious: Showdown gamers take part in an action-packed story that sees them pulling off heists, hijacking enemy vehicles, engaging in shootouts, and driving at dangerously high speeds through 30 missions set in eight locations around the globe. Players can customize licensed vehicles and earn upgrades and performance bonuses as they switch between the roles of driver, daredevil, tactician, and gunman. Gamers can play alone or team up with the computer AI or a friend for local multiplayer action, while the Challenge mode offers specific tasks and includes online leaderboards. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Single-seat speed machines rip around re-creations of real-world racetracks, in the Nintendo 3DS debut of Codemaster's F1 motorsport simulation. On track with annual console editions in the series, the portable game is sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile Formula One World Championship and includes all the teams and drivers of the 2011 season, including Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, and Michael Schumacher. Put together part by virtual part, the game's Formula One race cars are designed to provide fans with an authentic sense of handling and acceleration.

A career mode poses challenges on the track and off, as players guide a rookie driver to a world championship. Single players can drive through a full F1 season, and up to four can compete in Grand Prix races or time trials. The 3DS edition of F1 2011 adds a Challenge mode of play. Driving aids are available to help new players learn the courses. Other options allow solo and multiplayer drivers to choose fuel types, tires, and engine fine-tuning, and to set race distances and weather conditions. The game features all 19 tracks of the 2011 season. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

NASCAR Unleashed is an arcade-style racing game that puts superstar drivers on real-world roads, with races run in famous venues such as Daytona, Martinsville, and Chicagoland -- and out in the surrounding city streets, as well. Behind the wheel as Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, or one of a dozen others, players take the power and speed of NASCAR for an off-track joyride. Forgiving physics and accelerated action encourage players to trade paint as they push fearlessly to the front of the pack, while authentic techniques such as drafting or sling-shotting earn an extra boost. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Ben 10 Galactic Racing is a classically styled kart-racer based on the Cartoon Network series, with alien-themed power-ups, an interplanetary variety of tracks, and a host of fan-familiar characters behind the wheel. In the role of the Ultimatrix-endowed Ben Tennyson or one of 14 other friends, foes, and alien hero forms, players race futuristic go-karts through 25 twisting Galactic Gran Prix courses, set on five different alien home worlds. Each character has a distinct special ability, based on the superpowers featured in the animated series.

Drifting around corners and performing mid-air stunts helps characters recharge special abilities more quickly, and so edgy, aggressive driving is encouraged. "Omni-Node" power-ups collected around the tracks grant one of several alien abilities, including an "Ultimate" power that grants a character-themed burst of super speed. Multiplayer racing for up to four is supported, and a Time Trial mode allows players to practice on the tracks or try to beat their own best performances. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Gameloft's street racing series makes its debut on the 3DS with 17 courses set in exotic locations, more than 40 real-world vehicles, and accelerometer support for motion-based driving. All of the game action and menus have been designed to take advantage of the system's 3D technology, so players can zip in and out of traffic to avoid oncoming cars that appear to be driving right out of the screen. Races take place in Rio, Tokyo, and Cape Town, among other real locations, and Asphalt 3D offers multiple race modes, including "Cash Attack," "Vigilante," "High-speed Chase," and "Drift." Fans of multiplayer action can seek out every jump, shortcut, and jump in order to get the edge on up to five friends in local wireless action, and the game offers full StreetPasss functionality, allowing users to share and compare data with friends and race against ghost cars. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide