Racing Video Games

A sequel to THQ's 2006 title The Road to Knoxville, Sprint Cars 2 lets racing fans speed around more than two-dozen dirt and gravel racetracks, including the titular Eldora Speedway's famous clay oval. A roster of ten dirt track vehicles includes new pro stock, late model, wingless sprint, and rally cars, and a realistic car physics model means that spectacular crashes and real-world damage are regular occurrences. Gamers can take on championship, arcade, and challenge modes, go head-to-head with a friend in race mode, or try tugging a weighted sled as far as possible with the new tractor pull feature. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Iridium Runners takes place in the year 2050, four decades after an information destroying computer glitch and the simultaneous discovery of an unlimited power source combined to forge a new path for the world. The resulting information rebuilding created a more tolerant society and signaled the end of petty squabbles and political and religious strife, but this new utopia left the population desiring competition, so the Iridium Games were formed to slake the public thirst. Players step into the Iridium Games as one of 20 different racers, sprinting around courses in spectacular footraces sponsored by mega corporations. There are 30 different courses, each studded with different weapons, power-ups, and boosts, to give runners the upper hand. Players can sprint against the computer opponents in single race, cup, and championship modes, or join friends for multiplayer competitions, co-op races, and deathmatches. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Sega's Sonic-themed racing series returns with a futuristic twist on the high-speed action: gravity-defying hover boards and other flying vehicles. Characters can now turn walls into tracks, conjure up speed-altering black holes, and create shortcuts by altering the world's physics with a single button press. Sixteen courses are available in total, ranging from a densely populated metropolis to a remote destination in outer space.

While each course offers a number of areas to perform tricks, players will also be able to initiate loop-de-loops, vertical dives, and other techniques with their choice of 60 vehicles. Vessels can be upgraded over time and even swapped in mid-race to access new areas in each zero gravity course. Eighteen colorful characters from previous Sonic titles are included in a choice of three play modes: Free Race, World Grand Prix, and Survival. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Dirt bikes and off-road vehicles compete on mud, sand, and asphalt in MX vs. ATV Untamed. The sequel to 2005's MX vs. ATV Unleashed features two modes spanning multiple events: X-Cross and Championship. The former involves advancing through four racing divisions while competing in four distinct events. The latter is a six-week tournament that involves earning points in an attempt to finish first overall. Also included in the PlayStation 2 version of MX vs. ATV: Untamed is a Custom Events option that lets players create their own tournament or race series. Available formats include Supercross, Supermoto, Opencross, Freestyle, Waypoint, Outdoor Nationals, and Freeride.

As in previous games in the series, players can "preload" jumps and perform an assortment of tricks and stunts while in the air. Players can also perfect their stunt skills in the Ski Jump or Hill Climb mini-games. A choice of 250cc and 500cc bikes, ATVs, and vehicles such as a monster truck, sand rail, and dune buggy can be purchased or customized with the money earned from competition. Online support is also included for up to six players, or two friends can compete via split-screen display. Eight professional racers are available to play as or against, from Ricky Carmichael and Davi Millsaps to Kory Ellis and Dana Creech. Both the PlayStation 2 and Wii versions were developed by Incinerator Studios, whose previous racing credits include Cars and Cars: Mater-National Championship on Wii. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Need for Speed: ProStreet brings the underground street-racing scene into the light with sanctioned competitions held across the globe. Multiple events are held on such real-world tracks as Tokyo's Shuto Expressway, Willow Springs, and the Autobahn. The goal throughout each point-to-point or closed circuit course is to be crowned "street king" by defeating rivals in drag, grip, drift, and speed challenges.

Both cosmetic and performance enhancements are available to tune cars, and a real-time damage system means prized vehicles can be totaled during races. Need for Speed: ProStreet includes licensed car models from such auto manufacturers as Nissan, Subaru, BMW, Ford, Audi, Acura, Chrysler, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Mazda, and Volkswagen. An international soundtrack includes music from Peaches, Klaxons, Avenged Sevenfold, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and other artists. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Smash and crash your way through nine stadiums on the Monster Jam tour in this rough-and-tumble racing game from Activision. Fans will play as or against legendary vehicles Grave Digger, Maximum Destruction, Blue Thunder, Bounty Hunter, and 16 others in three distinct events: stadium racing, stadium circuit, and stadium freestyle. Also included are 12 outdoor circuit tracks, ranging from an airport graveyard to a ski resort. Destructible objects such gas stations, buses, trailers, and even yachts add to the mayhem, as your truck shows the wear and tear of competition with blown engines, flat tires, lost hoods, and more. The arcade-style action is further enhanced with turbo boosts, stunts, and split-screen racing against a friend. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Mater is holding a national race festival allowing racers from all around the world to challenge Lightning McQueen. Along with racing against the new characters, players can explore the world of Radiator Springs and Lightning McQueen's racing headquarters. There are also more than 20 mini-games to tackle, including Ramone's Rhythmic Rumble and Fillmore's Fuel Frenzy. Mike and Sulley from Monsters, Inc. make an appearance as well. ~ All Game Guide

The international MotoGP championship races onto PlayStation 2 with MotoGP 07, the first in the series from publisher Capcom. All 18 official tracks are included, from Le Mans and Donington Park to Sepang Circuit and Phillip Island, each featuring variable weather effects for an added challenge. In addition to an introductory tutorial where players can test out three different riding styles, MotoGP 07 includes the following play modes: Championship, Quick Race, Time Attack, Challenge, and Multiplayer. The latter offers split-screen competition against a friend and six computer-controlled riders.

Championship offers a choice of circuits, optional qualifying laps, and multiple difficulty levels. Players can also track their real-life rider's progress and statistics, or adjust their bike's tires, suspension, and other attributes before each race. While both Quick Race and Time Attack follow the same format as other titles in the genre, Challenge mode offers a new twist on the traditional racing format. One hundred challenges are available, from real-life MotoGP scenarios to slalom runs to staying above certain speed thresholds. Featured drivers include Nicky Haden, Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, and 18 others. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Mountain biking fans can get a taste of the great outdoors as they freeride down four expansive slopes in Mountain Bike Adrenaline. Pedal pushers can hop on popular bike brands like Lapierre, Kona, Cannondale, Qbikes, and Specialized, and navigate vast 3D reproductions of the Rocky Mountains, the Alps, the Grand Canyon, and Hawaii. Holding down the accelerate button will eventually tire out racers, so players need to be judicious or they'll get bonked early and won't have enough juice to pull off any sick stunts when they sky over extreme jumps. Players can choose from six riders, including American phenom Keith Hamilton, and a host of different bikes. There are four game modes from which to choose: Stopwatch mode, which focuses on speed; Challenge mode, which concentrates on specific feats; Arcade mode, which is all about pulling off tricks, and Freedom mode, which lets players ride each landscape unconstrained by time limits. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Mattel's miniature machines make their fourth appearance on PlayStation 2 in Hot Wheels: Beat That! Players can choose from a variety of official Hot Wheels car models as they compete against friends or the computer AI on an assortment of tracks placed in bedrooms, backyards, and similar neighborhood settings. Each course offers multiple loops, drop-offs, ramps, and jumps, as players race across multiple laps to the finish line. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide