We already published the list of best Xbox 360 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best Xbox 360 arcade racing games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the Xbox 360 definitely has a great library of arcade racing games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the Xbox 360 and arcade racing games, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#25. Joy Ride Turbo
- Release Data: BigPark/Microsoft Game Studios, 2012
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
It doesn’t reinvent the wheel and actually seems quite content to imitate the standard Mario Kart formula.
However, that formula is pretty well realized, and even without an interesting license to back it up, it’s a lot of fun to play with friends.
#24. Ridge Racer Unbounded
- Release Data: Bugbear/Namco Bandai Games, 2012
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Unbounded may not have much to do with the things that defined Ridge Racer, but if you can get over that, you’ll discover an energetic, entertaining racer, with gratifyingly destructive environments, and challenging gameplay.
Nevertheless, if you are looking for a good smash em’ up arcade racer, then Ridge Racer Unbounded may just be right up your alley.
#23. SEGA Rally Online Arcade
- Release Data: Sumo Digital/Sega, 2011
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Sega Rally Online Arcade is simple enough for newcomers to enjoy yet has enough thrills to satisfy fans of arcade racing.
If you enjoy racing games but want to take a break from the serious world of simulation, or if you are a fan of arcade racing then you will really enjoy Sega Rally Online Arcade.
#22. GripShift
- Release Data: Sidhe Interactive/Microsoft Game Studios, 2007
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Ultimately, GripShift is not precisely original.
Its elements can be clearly traced to many other racing games, and it’s not even the best in its particular racing genre.
Sometimes, original or not, you’re making the game to be fun, and GripShift, for all its technical flaws, succeeds admirably at this.
If you like kart-style racing, GripShift is a great choice.
#21. Cars 2: The Video Game
- Release Data: Avalanche Software/Disney Interactive Studios, 2011
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Cars 2 is a game that not only has a lot to offer for fans of the movies but also for anyone who enjoys games like Mario Kart.
If you’re in the market for a kart racer that’s fun to play alongside friends and family, you won’t regret getting this one.
#20. Stuntman Ignition
- Release Data: Paradigm Entertainment/THQ, 2007
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Stuntman: Ignition is a significant step up from its predecessor, and it’s a pretty distinct experience as far as driving games go.
The fundamental structure of playing through the same stunt sequence repeatedly will no doubt bore some people, but if you can get past that, it can be a blast.
#19. Motocross Madness
- Release Data: Bongfish/Microsoft Game Studios, 2013
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Motocross Madness delivers enough gameplay variety to make up for its lack of innovation, and mastering the deep racing lurking behind its accessible controls will keep you busy for hours.
With its multi-path riding environments, user-friendly physics, and engaging gameplay options, this is a full package of motorcycle racing game that rivals many other games.
#18. Ridge Racer 6
- Release Data: Namco, 2005
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Ridge Racer 6 might not be the most impressive technical achievement on the Xbox 360, but the racing is fast and rewarding enough to hook you in.
And once you’re addicted, you might not stop until you’ve unlocked everything.
Considering there are well over 200 races and over 100 cars, that’s going to take some time.
#17. Daytona USA
- Release Data: Sega AM2/Sega, 2011
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
It may not have the multitude of options or the shiny visuals of today’s racers, but Daytona USA is still a game with a plenty of depth.
Easy to learn but difficult to master, this is the definitive home version of Sega’s arcade classic.
#16. Sega Rally Revo
- Release Data: SEGA Racing Studio/Sega, 2007
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
At its gameplay core, SEGA Rally Revo is a return to glory for Sega in the sense it delivers a fun arcade-driven game that still manages to throw enough of a challenge at you to keep you coming back for more.
#15. SkyDrift
- Release Data: Digital Reality, 2011
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
If you’ve ever played an arcade or kart racer before, then you have a good idea of what to expect from SkyDrift.
This is a fun, arcade-style racer that offers surprising depth and rewards smart play.
If you’re a fan of racing games or fighting other planes out of the sky, SkyDrift is definitely worth checking out.
#14. Hydro Thunder Hurricane
- Release Data: Vector Unit Inc./Microsoft Game Studios, 2010
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Other
You’ll definitely get the most out of Hydro Thunder Hurricane if you have three other friends who are playing the game as well, but even if you’re playing solo, there are more than enough events to compete in, hidden packages to find, and additional boat skins to unlock to keep you entertained for hours.
#13. OutRun Online Arcade
- Release Data: Sumo Digital/Sega, 2009
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Outrun Online Arcade is largely the same game that it’s been for years, which is to say that it’s a simple and fun arcade racer that works great as a time killer.
It looks good, plays great, sounds OK, and has just enough replay value to keep you coming back for more every now and then.
#12. Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing with Banjo-Kazooie
- Release Data: Sumo Digital/Sega, 2010
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Although the core of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing is obviously pulled straight out of Mario Kart, this crazy racer can stand on its own.
The tight controls and excellent track design ensure that head-to-head competition is always exciting, but it’s so fun just to play around with these karts that it’s so easy to lose hours playing this.
#11. FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage
- Release Data: Bugbear/Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, 2007
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
When you look at the complete picture, Flatout: Ultimate Carnage really is the ultimate arcade racer.
It may not have licensed cars and the tracks can be repetitive, not to mention the gameplay hasn’t changed much at all, but fun, addictive and easy pick-up-and-play driving action is what this game is all about.
#10. Driver: San Francisco
- Release Data: Ubisoft Reflections/Ubisoft, 2011
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
It looks great, it’s got a lot of personality, it tells an entertaining story and it’s great fun to play.
Fans of open-world experiences who want to try something new will find exactly what they’re looking for here, provided they can forgive the unnecessary flaws involved.
#9. Joe Danger 2: The Movie
- Release Data: Hello Games/Microsoft Game Studios, 2012
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Other
Joe Danger 2: The Movie is a game for the fans who wanted to love the first game but were turned off by its difficulty.
The lowered difficulty means casual fans will be able to complete a good amount of the game while the more dedicated ones can occupy their time with the various challenges included in each stage.
#8. Split/Second
- Release Data: Black Rock Studio/Disney Interactive Studios, 2010
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Split/Second has so much going for it that it’s easy to recommend for kart and arcade racing fans alike.
The visuals and sound are great, and there’s enough game between the single-player season mode and fun multiplayer to last you quite a while.
Even if racing games aren’t typically your thing, Split/Second offers enough action and fun to recommend to everyone.
#7. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
- Release Data: Sumo Digital/Sega, 2012
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Beyond its obvious appeal to Sega fans, this is a rich, bold and substantial kart racer that demands your attention.
It might not be quite as finely tuned as Mario Kart, but it’s a good deal more ambitious, and different enough that it deserves a place alongside it in your gaming library.
#6. Blur
- Release Data: Bizarre Creations/Activision, 2010
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Blur is so fast and fun to control that you can lose hours slamming into enemies, always coming back for one more race before you turn the system off and walk away.
If you love a more hardcore racing experience, and the idea of truly chaotic combat sounds appealing, then Blur might be for you.
#5. Pure
- Release Data: Black Rock Studio/Disney Interactive Studios, 2008
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Pure isn’t the most original game out there, and it might have been nice to see it build on the trick system in SSX instead of just copying it blatantly.
But nonetheless, its focus on tricks, boosting, and larger-than-life jumps over gorgeous environments pays off.
This is an exciting racing game that seriously delivers on its promise of high-speed, high-adrenaline action.
#4. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
- Release Data: Criterion Games/Electronic Arts, 2010
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit is one of the most thrilling racing games around.
It doesn’t matter which side of the law you prefer to play on; the unpredictable nature of these events and the sheer speed at which they’re played make this a tough game to put down.
#3. Joe Danger: Special Edition
- Release Data: Hello Games/Microsoft Game Studios, 2011
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
If you haven’t had the pleasure of playing Joe Danger the first time around, then this game is a no-brainer as a purchase.
If you have already played it, still, go get this one, as the Lab mode is basically another version of the game’s original career mode, but twice as hard.
#2. Burnout Paradise
- Release Data: Criterion Games/Electronic Arts, 2008
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
The open-world design isn’t just a lazy gimmick—it’s a wonderfully executed concept that doesn’t rob the game of the series’ most beloved aspect: the act of driving fast and wrecking hard.
And if you have any affection for the series, you really owe it to yourself to give the game a look.
#1. Burnout Revenge
- Release Data: Criterion Games/Electronic Arts, 2006
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
While Burnout Revenge might not have enough new stuff in it to drag you back in if you’ve been playing it on other platforms, this is definitely the version to get if you’re looking for an arcade racer.
It delivers solid, fast action, and is easily the fastest, most exciting racing game available on the Xbox 360.
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See also: Best Original Xbox Games & Best Xbox One Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which Xbox 360 arcade racing game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
