Ubisoft is better known for its action-adventure games such as Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry. The publisher/developer tends to dabble in different genres from time to time, though. One such genre where the company is still struggling to find a foothold is the racing genre.
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Racing games are a beloved bunch, and they’re even more fun when played with a friend (or three) in split-screen.
Over the years,Ubisofthas released quite a few racing games. While some were mediocre, a couple of them impressed the masses. Here are the seven best racing games by Ubisoft that the company’s fans should try out.
Ubisoft’s ambitious attempt at a coast-to-coast open-world racer launched in 2014, bringing an entire compressed version of the United States for players to drive across. The game’s always-online approach andRPG-styleprogression system stood out, blending elements of MMOs with traditional racing. While the sheer scale of the map was impressive, early criticisms targeted the stiff vehicle handling and a story mode that felt more like an obligation than a highlight.
Over time, updates and expansions like Wild Run and Calling All Units improved the experience, refining the physics and adding new vehicles, including motorcycles and monster trucks. Despite its rough launch,The Crewlaid the groundwork for Ubisoft’s future entries into the series, offering a blueprint that would be improved upon in its sequels.
6Trials Evolution
Precision, Pain, Perfect Landings
Trials Evolution
Taking a simple concept and refining it to near perfection, Trials Evolution pushed the physics-based motorcycle platformer to new heights when it launched in 2012. The game offered a deceptively simple goal: get from point A to point B on a dirt bike without wiping out. But beneath its accessible premise lay brutally difficult courses that demanded impeccable throttle control, split-second adjustments and a high tolerance for failure.
While the future entries in the franchise looked prettier and would experiment with gimmicks like futuristic themes and random loot mechanics, Evolution remains one of the most balanced and polished entries in the series and fans still keep coming back to it more than a decade later.
5The Crew 2
Planes, Boats and Automobiles
The Crew 2
Expanding on the foundation of its predecessor, TheCrew 2turned the entire United States into a giant motorsports playground. This time, players weren’t just limited to cars; the game allowed seamless transitions between land, air and sea vehicles and opened the gates to stunt-heavy races that felt completely different from the usual street racing fare. The open-ended structure encouraged exploration, with hidden landmarks and scenic routes rewarding those who veered off the main roads.
Its RPG-inspired progression system and the lack of a structured campaign divided opinions, though. While some appreciated the freedom to tackle events in any order, others felt the lack of narrative direction made the game feel aimless. Despite this, post-launch support and frequent updates kept The Crew 2 alive far longer than most racing titles, making it a long-term investment for fans ofopen-world driving.
4Trackmania (2020)
The Eternal Time Attack
Ubisoft’sTrackmaniareboot brought back the franchise’s signature high-speed, precision-based time trials with a modern twist. The core gameplay remained as addictive as ever: racing against the clock on gravity-defying tracks filled with loops, jumps and absurdly sharp turns. But with this entry, the game introduced a seasonal update model, offering new tracks at regular intervals while keeping the leaderboard competition fresh.
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Its controversial subscription-based model, however, stirred debate. While the free version allowed players to access a handful of tracks, features like advanced track-building tools and ranked matchmaking were locked behind paid tiers. The decision frustrated long-time fans who were used to Trackmania’s previous one-time purchase model. Still, for those who stuck with it, Trackmania (2020) delivered one of the most mechanically-polished racing experiences available.
3The Crew Motorfest
Ubisoft’s Answer to Forza Horizon
The Crew Motorfest
Shifting away from the continental scale of its predecessors, The Crew Motorfest took inspiration from Forza Horizon by focusing on a single, detail-rich location: the Hawaiian island of O’ahu. This change allowed for a denser, more curated experience, with themed racing playlists celebrating different eras, car cultures and motorsports disciplines. The physics saw notable improvements over The Crew 2, making the driving feel more responsive and weighty.
Despite these strengths, some saw the identity shift as Ubisoft playing it safe rather than innovating. While the variety of events and activities kept things engaging, comparisons to Forza Horizon were inevitable, with many questioning whether Motorfest did enough to stand out. Nonetheless, for those who wanted an open-world arcade racer without being tied to Xbox or PC, it was one of Ubisoft’s strongest racing efforts to date.
2Riders Republic
More Than Just a Bike Game
Riders Republic
Ubisoft took theextreme sportschaos of Steep and cranked it up several notches withRiders Republic, a game that mashed together BMX racing, downhill mountain biking, wingsuit flying, snowboarding and jetpack-fueled stunts into one enormous playground. The sheer variety of events made it stand out, letting players seamlessly switch between different disciplines to compete in massive 64-player races or just explore its sprawling, National Park-inspired world.
While the tone leaned into over-the-top energy with loud, meme-fueled dialogue, the actual gameplay was undeniably solid. The deep customization, real-world brands and immersive downhill courses gave extreme sports fans something that few other games offered. Though its live-service model meant occasional content droughts, the game carved out a niche as one of Ubisoft’s most unique racing-adjacent experiences.
1Driver San Francisco
The Comeback No One Saw Coming
Driver: San Francisco
In an era where racing games were becoming increasingly open-world, Driver: San Francisco took a completely different approach. Instead of expanding its map size, it introduced a mechanic that let players shift between any of the pedestrian cars roaming around its rendition of San Francisco at will, allowing players to possess different drivers in the middle of high-speed chases. This supernatural twist revitalized the series, turning every pursuit into a strategic puzzle as much as a test of driving skill.
Despite its innovative gameplay, the game’s release in 2011 was largely overshadowed by bigger racing franchises. It sold modestly at the time of release, but eventually gained a cult following, with many praising its tight handling and the return of protagonist John Tanner in a surprisingly engaging story. Over a decade later, Driver: San Francisco remains one of Ubisoft’s most beloved and unique racing titles, though the franchise has yet to make a return.
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