The Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 are both fabulous family consoles with an array of great games to play on your own, with friends locally or online. When it comes to looking for that adrenaline pumping action of racing though, there’s so many great games to choose from that it can be a bit hard to narrow down what to get behind the wheel with.

The Switch 2 is the newer iteration of these consoles (while the Switch remains extremely popular and, more importantly, cheaper), so most of the original Switch games can be played on the Switch 2, whilst exclusives on the more recent console have better graphics and framerates for a smoother gaming experience.

Here, we look at the best games across these Nintendo consoles that allow you to rev up your engine and speed through some jaw-dropping tracks.

10. DreamWorks All Star Kart Racing

Console: Switch (and backwards compatible with Switch 2)

All your favourite family film characters crammed into one racer with fun and funky tracks. Line up with the likes of Shrek, Po from Kung-Fu Panda, The Bad Guys, Trolls, and even Hiccup from How to Train Your Dragon as you zoom around themed tracks and customise karts to suit your racing style.

Fans of the movies will love this and the ability to see more of Far Far Away, Bergen Town, Baby Corp and more film locations as you crash and bash your way to victory.

9. Horrid Henry Krazy Karts

Console: Switch (and backwards compatible with Switch 2)

Perhaps not the most in-depth racer on this list, Horrid Henry’s distinct art style makes this a unique little racer with real character voices and a different, side scrolling twist on the genre. Minigames, character customisation and 40 levels will give fans of the books and tv show something to sink their teeth into and allows younger gamers to experience less intense kart racing fun.

It’s also considerably cheaper than most other games on the console so is a fabulous introductory game for those who love Henry’s antics and are started to gain an interest in the world of gaming.

8. Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 Slime Speedway

Console: Switch (and backwards compatible with Switch 2)

A fully voice acted cast of over 40 of your favourite Nickelodeon characters, including the likes of SpongeBob SquarePants, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jimmy Neutron, Aang from Avatar and more, there’s plenty of characters to choose from with many even parents will recognise.

The third game in the series, don’t worry if you haven’t played the others as they keep getting bigger, better and more action packed. But if you love this, why not go back and check out Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2, with the stars of Rugrats and Ren & Stimpy.

7. Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered

 Console: Switch (and backwards compatible with Switch 2)

Many a nostalgic millennial will fondly remember this road racer when it first came out, choosing between being the law or an outlaw and racing down the winding roads of Seacrest County. Now remastered for a new generation, it has cross platform co-op, so you can play with others across consoles, and better graphics than ever before!

Chase and escape around the area with thrilling missions and challenges or take on friends through career or solo races. Unlock new cars, weapons and modifications galore in a thrilling dash to exotic destinations.

6. Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fuelled

Console: Switch (and backwards compatible with Switch 2)

Another remaster of an old classic, this updated racer brings all of your favourite Crash Bandicoot characters to the racetrack. With a fabulously quirky storyline that matches the anarchic energy of the original series, you can race through missions to save the world or battle it out against friends in co-op or online matchups.

With unlockable skins and kart upgrades it’ll keep you coming back for more with a zany and colourful world to whizz around.

5. Fast Fusion

Console: Switch 2

Available from the Nintendo eShop, you can download this futuristic anti-gravity racer directly to your console. For fans of futuristic space racers, like the Wipeout or F-Zero series, this will bring a knowing smile to your face.

Wrestle your ship to stay on the track whilst going at out-of-this-world speeds, performing loop-de-loops and other high-speed stunts and seeing what the future of racing just might look like.

4. Mariokart 8 Deluxe

Console: Switch (and backwards compatible with Switch 2)

What is the best racing game ever? Well, the Mariokart series has long been held up as the ultimate in kart racing videogames and Mariokart 8 Deluxe is the pinnacle of all that it has achieved. Originally released way back on the Wii U, more tracks, more characters and more features kept being added as downloadable content (DLC) until they released it all together, optimised for the Nintendo Switch.

Bringing the worlds of Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda together in one chaotic racer, the tracks are tight, the cornering is chaotic and the fun is over the top!

3. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

Console: Switch and Switch 2

It’s not just Super Mario who has all the racing fun as his long-time rival Sonic the Hedgehog also dips into the genre. Why does the world’s fastest animal need a sports car? Well, to give everyone else a chance of course!

Available with both Switch and Switch 2 versions, you can race across dimensions as tracks can change midway through a race and you have to not only try to beat the rest of the field but also an allotted rival to give a unique spin on racing.

2. Kirby AirRiders

Console: Switch 2

It’s not just a race, it’s a battle. A really different take on the racing genre, fight or flight kicks in with these cute characters with so many different game modes, it’s hard to know where to start.

With stadium contests, ground to air battles or straight up races, the sheer variation of this game makes it worth checking out, then factor in it has legendary characters and vehicles like the warp star and it’s going to be a hit with gamers of all ages.

1. Mariokart World

Console: Switch 2

What is the number 1 racing game? With another entry for the iconic Mariokart series, this was a launch title for the Switch 2 and was created to show off its capabilities. For the first time, Mariokart enters an open world setting where you can drive from track to track, complete challenges or just enjoy the expansive world of the Mushroom Kingdom and surrounding domains.

Race with up to 24 players in bustling cities or through open wide countryside in Grand Prix tournaments or Knockout races where you need to be near the front of the pack every lap. Exciting, delightfully detailed and carefully crafted, any gamer will love this luscious game.

Honourable Mentions

Are there any F1 games on the Switch?

Many racing enthusiasts will look to F1 games to try and recreate real world racing scenarios with their favourite racing drivers. Whilst there are no official F1 racing titles (like F1 25 on the PS5) available on the Switch or Switch 2 (as of writing), there are official management sims and many indie titles that mimic that setup.  F1 Manager 2024 allows you to take charge of a team and manage its efficient running, New Star GP is an arcade racer that offers retro F1-like racing, Formula Retro Racing – World Tour is a low poly arcade racer that has tracks designed around classic F1 ones, and Formula Racing: Grand Prix League has that F1 feel without the official names.

Is Forza on The Switch?

The Forza series is often considered one of the best street-racing simulations around with true to life car makes and stunning scenery to drive them in. However, it remains an Xbox exclusive, so hasn’t transitioned to any consoles not made by Microsoft. You can pick up Forza Horizon 6 on the Xbox Series X though.

With gaming becoming ever more increasingly detailed, and appealing to a whole array of age groups, check out our  gaming hub to find your next favourite or pick up info and inspiration for where to begin.

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