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Racers have always been popular on handheld devices. Gran Turismo on the PSP was a huge hit, while Nintendo’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the highest selling game on the Switch. The Steam Deck has a great list of racing games that are well worth trying out on the impressive handheld. Here are the best racers that are verified on the Deck.
7 F1 2022
F1 2022 is another extremely solid entry in Codemaster’s Formula One franchise. The 2022 version is a gorgeous game, with the cars and circuits looking as close to real life than we have ever seen before. F1 2022 added F1 Life mode and the ability to crossplay in the multiplayer section.
We have seen F1 titles on handhelds before, but never as polished as F1 2022. Players can enjoy this excellent racing game at 60fps with good graphics. Lower the frame rate and F1 fans will get even better experience. This terrific racer is well worth owning on the Deck.
6 Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Collection
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Collection is a blast to play on the Steam Deck. Thanks to its verified tag, this racer can be enjoyed at high frame rate and great graphics, too. The original version was released back in 2012 on the PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U and PC. There were also handheld versions on the PS Vita, Nintendo 3DS and mobile.
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed has been on handheld devices for years, but the Steam Deck version takes it to an entirely new level. The graphics are stellar, and the gameplay remains as thrilling as ever. For Sonic racing fun on the go, add this to the Steam Deck library.
5 Wreckfest
Wreckfest is a unique racing game, which focuses more on smashing up the player’s opponent’s car than traditional wheel-to-wheel racing. It’s still a solid racer in its own right, but destruction derbies and no-rules racing is where Wreckfest really shines.
A Switch version of Wreckfest was recently released, but the Steam Deck is the handheld king for this game. Players can play Wreckfest on high settings and at 60fps and have a great time doing so.
4 Automobilista 2
Since its release on Steam in 2020, Automobilista 2 has received good scores from critics and high ratings among players. Earlier in 2022, this solid racing sim, which is also great in Virtual Reality, was given the Steam Deck’s green light of approval, making this a great game to play on the handheld device.
Automobilista is renowned for having an excellent graphics, and the frame rate on the Steam Deck can be cranked up to 60fps with little to no issues. Even serious sim racers can enjoy Automobilista 2 on Valve’s impressive handheld system.
3 Hot Wheels Unleashed
Hot Wheels Unleashed has taken the racing game genre by storm since its release in 2021. Hot Wheels is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Switch, but having it on the go on the Steam Deck could be the best way to play this Hot Wheels hit.
Hot Wheels has fantastic graphics, and the gameplay is as smooth as ever on the Steam Deck. It throws up a thrilling racing experience, and the ability to play this console-quality game on the go or in docked mode makes Milestone’s racer hard to ignore. Hot Wheels Unleashed should definitely be tried out on the versatile Steam Deck.
2 Project CARS 3
Project CARS 3 has no doubt had its critics since it was released into the wild back in August 2020, with the two previous versions arguably being the better games in the series. The third Project CARS game changed a lot that made the franchise so successful in the first place, but Project CARS 3 is still an enjoyable racing game.
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Having been given the Deck’s green light of approval, Project CARS 3 runs smooth as butter at good graphics. With this set to be the final Project CARS game in the series, racing enthusiasts should certainly give it a go on the Steam Deck.
1 Dirt 5
When the Steam Deck became available to order, Dirt 5 was added to its verified list right away. This arcade racer is unique and is not for everyone, but the tracks and the cars look stunning. The Dirt 5 entry into the Dirt franchise is a lot of fun to play and will provide endless hours of thrills and spills.
Dirt 5 stepped away from the usual simulation of rally driving, making this version a pick-up-and-play type of game for players new to the genre. There are a whole host of verified racers to play on the Steam Deck, and Dirt 5 should be right at the top of the list.
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