Rally is aunique racing disciplinewhere the track and terrain are far more formidable opponents than any other car. Considering the hundreds of racing games on the market,your choices are surprisingly limited if you’re looking for a rally game, but there are some excellent choices if you know where to look.
Some rally games offer an arcade-style experience, while others try to provide moreimmersive and realistic gameplay. A few even have VR functions if you want to spew your lunch all over your desk.
Whether you’re aftersim, arcade, or even retro rallying, here are some of the best games to do it with.
10Art of Rally
The History Of Rally
Key Information
Funselektor Labs
Release Date
September 2020
I adoreArt of Rallybecause it has a unique approach to the sub-genre anda level of respect for the sport’s history I never expected.
Art of Rally makes the list for its career mode, which follows theRally history from 1967 to 1999. There are dozens of cars from different eras, and most are based on actual vehicles, even if they aren’t licensed.
This is far from a ‘sim’ style game, but you need asurprising amount of throttle controlif you don’t want to slide off the track and eat a time penalty. The minimalist art style and camera perspective won’t be for everyone, but this is an excellent indie rally game, and even a potato will run it.
9Old School Rally
A Retro Alternative
Frozen Lake Games
July 2024 (Early Access)
Old School Rallyisa great alternative if you want to play a retro rally game but don’t have the hardwareto do it.
Old School Rallywears its inspiration on its wheel hubs. The title is unabashedly similar to the PS1Colin McRae Rallygames, right down to the art style. Dirt and grime collect on the vehicles similarly, and the game even has avertical split screen.
The title boasts a decent selection of cars, tracks, and weather conditions. Should you keep it turned on,Old School Rallyalso has asoundtrack fit for a 90s racer.
At the time of writing, the game isstill in early access, but there’s enough content to recommend it now, with a potentially bright future ahead.
8Sega Rally Championship
The Arcade Option
Sega Rally Championship
Sega Rallymay look dated compared to many games on this list, but the title is iconic and arguably one of the most well-known rally titles.
Compared to many games on this list that dabble with ‘sim’ mechanics,Sega Rallyis a purebred arcade racer. For an older title, car controls feel superb. you’re able to slide around corners with practice, and you’ll certainly need to, as you’re expected to drive like a pro.
There’s asmall selection of tracksand only three cars to pick from, but if you enjoy what’s on offer,Sega Rally 2andSega Rally Revoare great alternatives.
7Colin McRae Rally 2.0
A Top-Tier PS1 Rally Game
Colin McRae Rally 2.0
I’m a big fan ofPS1 racers, and the platform is home to aclassic retro rally experiencebased on the legendary Colin McRae himself.
When it first came out,Colin McRae Rallywas mindblowing, with dirt and grime that looked ‘realistic’ for the time.Colin McRae Rally 2.0improved on the originalin every aspect. Cars feel wild and out of control, and the damage remains impressive for the system.
Damage is more than just cosmetic; there’sa basic repair systemyou must use between stages.
The game is alsoa trip down memory lane, with cars like the Ford Focus, Mitsubishi Lancer, and Subaru Impreza dominating the roster. The game lacks modern trimmings but is worth playing if you get the chance.
6V-Rally 4
A Legacy Series
TheV-Rallygames havebeen around forever, with bangers on multiple platforms. Eventhe Game Boy Color game is good, and it’s a trend that continues into the newest title.
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V-Rally 4may be graphically inferior to other modern rally games, but it has adecent career modeand multiple disciplines, including rally cross and hill climb. There are indoor courses to tackle and an impressive amount oflicensed vehicles.
I’ve read polarizing opinions aboutV-Rally 4, but I think it’s a solid title that lands nicelybetween sim and arcade territory. If you’ve played the previous games, just remember thatV-Rally 4is made by a different team, so the handling feels quite different.
5WRC Generations
Same Name, Different Game
WRC Generations
While both games are worth your time,WRC Generationsis not to be confused withEA Sports WRC.Both play differentlyand are not made by the same team.
With that out of the way,WRC Generationsis a phenomenallicensed rally game by KT Racing. The game boasts an exceptional single-player campaign, top-notch graphics, and a generous selection of tracks and cars that feel distinct to pilot. There’s a lot ofattention to detail, and real-world rally fans will adore what’s on offer.
WRC Generationsalso retains theremarkable co-op modefromWRC 10. One player drives the vehicle while the other barks out commands like a real co-driver. It’s aunique team-based modeI’ve not seen anywhere else.
The Rally Game You Never Played
Graveloffers arefreshing alternative to genre mainstayswith a great take on rally and off-road racing. It also leans into ‘sim’ territory but has enough accessibility options that even casual racers can find something to enjoy.
There are plenty of rally stages and modes, butGraveldoesn’t shy away from a fewtarmac-centric endeavors, and there are even racecourses set in a stadium.
There’sa lengthy campaign mode, and you unlock new cars by simply playing and leveling up. I love this approach, and you’re always working towardyour next spicy new ride.
The saddest part aboutGravelis that we never got a sequel.Many fans revere it as an underrated classic, and it’s not hard to see why.
3Dirt Rally 2.0
Do You Enjoy Punishment?
Dirt Rally 2.0
Keeping track of the ‘big’ rally series can be tricky, as thenames and sequel numbers aren’t always intuitive. 2019’sDirt Rally 2.0is a big offender, but it’s a game you shouldn’t ignore.
Dirt 2.0was actually released afterDirt 4(go figure) butleans into ‘sim’ territoryfar more than its predecessor. I’ll admit it took me a while to get intoDirt 2.0, as it’s pretty unforgiving, but thatchallenge is one of the title’s greatest allures.
It’s incredibly rewarding when you start to learn how to throw your car around inDirt 2.0, and the game provides gorgeous locales to do it on.
Levels aren’t procedurally generated, and it shows, with many stages offering unique sections. Petrol heads will also enjoy the engine noises, as they are meaty with a headset on.
2EA Sports WRC
Codemasters Returns
EA Sports WRC
EA Sports WRCfeels like Dirt ‘3.0’ in many ways. It’sa solid rally game, although it may not seem that way if you look at the reviews on Steam.
Much likeDirt 2.0,EA WRCis challenging, and a few mistakes can catapult you from the top of the score sheet to the bottom. Fortunately, this happens on gorgeous stages withimpressive weather effectsyou won’t mind seeing a few times.
On that note,EA WRCfeaturessome enormous stagesthat can take almost 10 minutes to finish. I’m not used to it in most rally games, and it adds awelcome endurance element to driving, where you must drive flawlessly for extended periods.
As for the negative reviews, many are more about theinvasive anti-cheatthan the actual gameplay. I’m not saying this isn’t a valid complaint, but it may not affect you, particularly if you’re on a console.
1Richard Burns Rally
The Ultimate Rally ‘Simulator’
Richard Burns Rally
Most rally games land in the arcade or arcade/sim territory, with few brave enough totackle the hardcore audience. If you’re part of the latter, thenRichard Burns Rallyis the game for you.
Richard Burns Rallyis anolder title from 2004, which means the graphics are dated, and there’s no real way to change that.
However,RBRis supported bya vibrant modding scene, and the sheer amount of available content is staggering.
If you don’t mind the deep dive into custom content,RBRis unrivaled. Steering is unforgiving, as it should be, and there’s nothing else quite like it.
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