Fancy a bit of racing to liven up your lazy afternoon on the sofa? Want to enjoy the thrill of high-octane competition while your bus meanders home?
The answer is a mobile racing game. Android has a massive selection of racing games of all kinds, free and premium. So big, in fact, that it is difficult to find the best ones. Fortunately, we've done the hard work for you.
Here are the best racing games for Android, including car games, running, and even horse racing!
1. Asphalt 9: Legends
One of the biggest Android games on the market, Asphalt 9: Legends is the latest in a long-running series of racing games.
Developed by Gameloft, Asphalt 9 features great graphics and intuitive controls, although its intensive graphics make it more suited to newer phones and tablets. In-app purchases are available to upgrade cars and buy credits.
Asphalt 9: Legends receives regular updates, with the most recent version featuring Caribbean tracks, new cars, multiplayer upgrades, and more. As Android driving games go, Asphalt 9: Legends is in pole position.
Download: Asphalt 9: Legends (Free, in-app purchases available)
2. Speedboat Racing
Here's something a little different for you. Who said racing has to take place in cars?
Speedboat Racing is exactly as described, with you competing against a computer-controlled competitor. Winning a race brings cash for upgrades, but the controls are limited. Rather than steer the boat, competition is in a straight line.
Instead of avoiding obstacles and following a track, all you do is ensure the start is clean and the gear changes on time. It's all about timing, making it a more straightforward experience.
Download: Speedboat Racing (Free, in-app purchases available)
3. Real Racing 3
Another Android car racing game that's a lot of fun, Real Racing 3 feels a lot like the Forza series.
You're in full control of the vehicle, throwing it around corners as you attempt to win races. Better still, this game looks amazing, with astonishing graphics and a realistic feeling of speed. After all, it's called "Real Racing"...
Several modes are available, such as Career, Motorsports, and others. However, subsequent modes and levels must be unlocked with progress. When you meet certain goals, you'll unlock new options.
Installing this game will leave you hooked, so take care!
Download: Real Racing 3 (Free, in-app purchases available)
4. CSR Racing 2
CSR Racing 2 is a left-to-right racing experience, pitting you against a series of impressive challengers with a contemporary feel. It's all about drag racing and car upgrades, with a heavy Fast and Furious feel.
Car upgrades are vital for early progress here. While timing is important to get those gear shifts and nitro boosts, upgraded cars are better-equipped. For example, they might have faster gearboxes, or longer nitro boosts.
Download: CSR Racing 2 (Free, in-app purchases available)
5. Traffic Racer
In this game, the aim is to drive as quickly as possible, for as long as you can, without crashing. Different game modes are available, such as giving you four lanes in one direction, or two pairs of lanes running opposite to each other.
Crash once, and it's game over.
To do well with this game, you need to maneuver the car left and right, keeping the speed up. You'll gain points by driving as close to other vehicles as possible, including sweeping in front of them.
Traffic Racer is a surprisingly good game for what is essentially an endless runner. It really is crushing when you hit something. Hit those top speeds, but steer clear of the other traffic!
Download: Traffic Racer (Free, in-app purchases available)
6. LoL Kart
Silly and at times annoying, LoL Kart is nevertheless worth playing---because, well, it's just so silly.
Cartoony characters entertain you as they race their unfeasible cars across a series of courses, with few rules. You can blow other cars up, block, and use the nitro power to increase acceleration and cross the finish line first.
Although hampered by some of the annoying "double your prize" video ads and extra credits for social network integration, LoL Kart remains an amusing diversion. Soaring ahead means getting your timing just right.
Download: LoL Kart (Free, in-app purchases available)
7. Hovercraft: Takedown
Offering a Minecraft-esque retro blocky style, Hovercraft: Takedown puts you at the wheel of an armed hovercraft. You have the simple aim of destroying everything on the road ahead.
But your opponents will fight back. Other vehicles can shoot back at you with a barrage of firepower capable of destroying your vehicle. Skill is required to avoid the blasts and make it as far along the road as possible, collecting credits as you go. You can use these to upgrade your ride.
With single-player and Wi-Fi co-op multiplayer modes, Hovercraft: Takedown doesn't deliver high-speed thrills, but there's plenty to shoot at.
Download: Hovercraft: Takedown (Free, in-app purchases available)
8. Clan Race
It's time for some motorbike racing now; specifically stunt bikes. Clan Race pits you against three other racers (avatars of real Clan Race players) to reach the finish line first.
In your way are various stunt bike obstacles, which you must overcome using the lean forward/backward controls. There's also a nitro button to gain some much-needed speed on flat areas.
Clan Race can be frustrating at times. Success depends on paying close attention to the balance of the bike and hitting the nitro button at the right moment.
Download: Clan Race (Free, in-app purchases available)
9. Photo Finish Horse Racing
With basic controls and a strangely satisfying feel, Photo Finish Horse Racing is a welcome alternative to wild car racing.
It's essentially an equestrian version of many other racing games, particularly the CSR series, with races won by more than skill. You'll need to spend your winnings on upgrading and pimping your horse, eventually buying a better animal.
Winning a race is tough and requires you to get the time exiting the stalls just right. From then on, using your beast's three bursts of speeds at the right time will ensure a placed finish, if not victory.
Download: Photo Finish Horse Racing (Free, in-app purchases available)
10. Fun Run 3: Arena
The Mario Kart series has been a massive success. One of the key aspects of the game is using tricks, gadgets, and even weapons to get an edge on your competitors. It's a gaming trope that dates to the late 1980s... but this might be the first time you've seen it on a running race.
Offering cartoony, side-scrolling Mario Kart-style japes, Fun Run 3: Arena puts you in charge of a woodland animal inexplicably racing other creatures. Anthropomorphism awards the creatures the ability to run on two hind legs, albeit with invisible knees and shins.
Fun Run 3: Arena is a cute-looking game with a series of tough courses to navigate and weapons to deploy.
Download: Fun Run 3: Arena (Free, in-app purchases available)
Enjoy the Best Racing Games for Android
By now, you've hopefully already started downloading a racing game to suit your tastes. After all, there is genuinely something in this list for everyone!
To recap, the best racing games for Android are:
- Asphalt 9
- Speedboat Racing
- Real Racing 3
- CSR Racing 2
- Traffic Racer
- Lol Karts
- Hovercraft: Takedown
- Clan Race
- Photo Finish Horse Racing
- Fun Run 3: Arena
Want something else to play beyond racing games on Android? Check these awesome 4X strategy games for Android, or if you're looking for retro action, here are some classic Sega games you can install on mobile devices.