When people argue that smartphones are on the level with Playstation or DS portable as gaming platforms, they’ll usually whip out a racing game. With good reason! iOS and Android’s racing games are actually some of their best, period.
iOS
GOLD MEDAL: Real Racing
The very best all-rounder inside the App Store today, with great graphics, good car and track choice, multiplayer support and respectable realism combined with arcade-feeling, usable controls. It is a fairly straightforward racing sim, but one who never veers too far into car nerdery or dumbed-down, racing-one-rails action. My only complaint is that it isn’t universal, so iPad owners will ought to buy a separate ” HD” app. $5, iPhone
SILVER MEDAL: Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2
Let’s be honest about this complete ” racing game” thing: It’s got a somewhat limited appeal, especially while you start gazing hard racing sims. But everyone-EVERYONE-loves Kart games, and Crash Bandicoot 2 is the most efficient on the platform. In the event you’ve ever enjoyed Mario Kart, you’ll probably like this. (Though that’s style of like saying, ” In the event you’re a individual…” ) $3, iPhone
BRONZE MEDAL: Rally Master Pro
A game for those who like their racers slippery. Despite handling a whole lot of the control scheme automatically, this is often actually a pretty authentic rallying game in that the focal point is sort of entirely on nailing difficult turns. $5, iPhone
OTHERs TESTED
• LilRacerz Pro : Don’t be fooled by the cartoonish graphics, this free top-down racer is a perilous serious timesuck.
• Parcel Panic : The iPhone’s only true spiritual successor to silly Taxi.
• Drift Mania : They made a movie about this! The game is healthier than that, at the least.
• Asphalt 5 : an attractive, and pretty bland, racer from the ever-reliable game mill Gameloft.
• Need for Speed: Shift : I’m keen on the NFS franchise from way back, but something about this game’s mechanics don’t feel quite right to me. Also: ‘spensive!
• Reckless Racing : I actually have a feeling this top-down 3D racer would have taken the head spot, if it were out. It’s not, as a minimum for a number of days.
Android
GOLD MEDAL: Asphalt 5
As far as Android racing games go, Asphalt 5 is the pace setter. The 3D graphics are stellar and the gameplay is action packed (though sound is screechy). Asphalt 5 is geared more towards the arcade racer (think Ridge Racer) than simulation racing but you still get three very accurate control options: accelerometer, wheel or tapping the screen. The game can only run on higher end Android phones (think Nexus One and above), so that you can ought to think carefully concerning the purchase but when you have an excellent Android phone, the replay value of Asphalt 5 is fantastic: there’s a career mode to gather money and trophies, various challenges and games-in-games, and each car (and there are over 30) will probably be customized with engine upgrades, paint jobs and decals (feels good to pimp yo ride). $4.99, Android.
SILVER MEDAL: Need For Speed: Shift
Honestly, Need for Speed: Shift is a gold medal driving game. The rich graphics and buttery smooth gameplay is arguably better than Asphalt 5. However! NFS:Shift isn’t on hand for all Android phones inside the Android Market (it only comes pre-installed on certain phones) that’s terribly unfortunate for racing fans. $9.99, Android.
BRONZE MEDAL: Raging Thunder 2
The 3D graphics aren’t pretty much as good as Asphalt 5 and gameplay can lag a piece nevertheless it does offer online multiplayer mode and a fast-paced, arcade style gameplay that’s either fun as hell or slightly tacky, reckoning on how you spot things. $4.99, Android.
OTHERS TESTED:
• Speed Forge 3D: A 3D jet racing game that’s limited because it only has 3 vehicles and 6 tracks. $2.77
• Xrace Beta: Simple and free racing game but has unimpressive graphics and only works with Android phones with a keyboard. Free
• Light Racer 3D: A Tron styled, motorcycle racing game that may be played multiplayer over Wi-Fi. Free or $2.99
• Craigs Race: Basic 2D racing game that’s fun the first time, but then gets less and no more enjoyable the more you play it. Free.
• Pocket Racing: Topdown 2D racing game that’s surprisingly impressive (to some degree). Comes with 5 cars and 8 tracks. $1.56
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