Whether you prefer physics, simulation, or arcade styles of racing, you're sure to find a wide variety of racing games you enjoy. Not all of them are about driving, though: in some of these you will be running, in others you will be snowboarding. You might drive a truck or a car, a Dodge or a Ferrari. The choice is up to you; the only common thread here is that you want to win! Check out our list of the best racing games for iPad.
The best racing games for iPad
29 Mar 2021, by Cherry Mae Torrevillas
This is an iPad Racing Penguin app.
Racing Penguin, a fun racing game for iPad is a physics-based slide and fly game! Get it while it is FREE!
In this game you can:
- Slide down the mountains of Antarctica
- Flap your wings to fly
- Go as fast as you can to escape from the polar bear
- The faster you go, the more stars you get
- Use your stars to unlock new worlds!
The Mario Kart Tour app is a new multiplayer game where you can race against up to seven other players, whether they're registered as in-game friends, nearby, or scattered around the world. Mario and friends go global in this new Mario Kart as they race around courses inspired by real-world cities in addition to classic Mario Kart courses.
- Access to an arsenal of powerful items that can mix things up on the racetrack
- Earn Grand Stars by racing or fire off the featured pipe to receive more drivers, karts, and gliders
- Bonus challenge courses put a twist on traditional races
- A Nintendo Account is required to play Mario Kart Tour
Asphalt 8: Airborne is an arcade racing game you're going to love. You will have your car doing high-speed aerial stunts with the app's brand-new physics engine. It has over 95 performance cars like the Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini Veneno, and the Audi R8 LMS Ultra. You'll be immersed in realistic audio sounds while you perform barrel rolls and do other stunts in place like French Guiana, Iceland, Venice, and other exotic locations. There are tons of hidden shortcuts and you can win prizes in the Limited-Time Cups. The app supports simultaneous multi-player action for up to 12 opponents and you can compare your scores on the new leaderboards.
- Arcade racing game
- Licensed music tracks
- Arrange your touch controls how you want
- Detailed damage system
- Free with in-app purchases
Here’s an action packed game that will satiate those of you who love drifting. In fact, this just might be the best drifting simulator for the iOS. In addition to this unique drifting experience, you can drive on different surfaces, race on detailed tracks, customize your controls, select different setups for cars, change color schemes, view live cameras and replays of your racing or drifting, share your best replays, compete against others, conquer the career mode and more. The sounds, graphics and handling of this game have raised the bar in this niche. There are numerous in-app purchases for various in-game commodities.
- Awesome car drifting simulator
- Race on detailed tracks and different surfaces
- Compete against others from around the world
- Career Mode, Fantastic sounds and graphics
- In-app purchases to expedite and enhance gameplay
With over 100 million users from around the globe, you know that this app is worth a download. The name of the game here is to drive your bike through the tracks, jump, go through loops and more. It’s a fast paced game with single or multiplayer modes. You can earn stars to unlock new levels, enjoy different worlds, conquer hundreds of tracks and do all of this by using the app’s very simple controls of tilting your iDevice to lean the bike and touch the screen to accelerate bike. There are numerous in-app purchases to enhance or expedite gameplay. Bike Race Free by Top Free Games app review
- Over 100 million users, Excellent bike racing
- Simple controls, Physics-based
- Hundreds of tracks, Different worlds
- Single or Multiplayer mode
- In-app purchases to expedite or enhance gameplay
Race Day is a fun, physics-based, real-time racing game. Compete with up to four players for the #1 spot. The races are intense and can be done in a short amount of time. Practice as much as possible to improve your skill level so you can get add-ons and unlock new cars. There's a ton of cars available to choose from, amazing power-ups, and you can chat with your opponents. Record and share replays, customize your cars, and race your way through 12 levels. Invite your friends to play or play against random opponents.
- Huge selection of cars
- Amazing power-ups
- Go for the top spot in the leaderboards
- Race online against random opponents or your friends
- Free with in-app purchases
CSR Racing is a drag-racing app where you're able to play for a quick race or you go for the long-haul to get to the top of the leaderboard. There is more than 95 licensed cars, intense competition, and addictive gameplay. Some of the cars you can race are made by Bugatti, Hennessey, Martin, McLaren, and Koenigsegg. Upgrade your engine, reduce weight to cut time from your quarter-mile, and put stickier tires on: the customization options are up to you. Play against the best CSR players in the world to win special new cars and make your way to the top of the leaderboards. CSR Racing App Review
- Amazing graphics
- Over 95 licensed cars
- Go up against the best CSR players
- Upgrade your engine and customize your cars
- Free with in-app purchases
GT Racing 2: The Real Car Experience offers you the chance to race 71 licensed cars on 13 different tracks. Cars come from Ferrari, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Dodge, and more and you can test your abilities by completing 1,400 events like Duels, Classic Races, Overtake, and Knockout. There are 28 new challenges every week to help you improve your driving and try to win a new car. You can play against people from all over the world or against your friends. Join teams to accomplish common goals. If you're a new driver, turn on Steering & Braking Assistance to help out; if you're an experienced driver, get the most out of your car with some custom options.
- New physics model gives realistic driving feel
- Tracks have different times of day and weather
- Choose from four different cameras
- No repair costs or repair times
- Free with in-app purchases
Hill Climb Racing is a totally addictive, completely entertaining physics-based driving game that you are going to love playing on your iPad. You will play as Newton Bill, uphill racer. Gain bonuses from doing tricks, collect coins to upgrade your car, and go even further than you thought possible. Be careful, though, because Bill's car runs out of fuel pretty easily. The app features a real turbo sound when you upgrade, smooth physics simulation, lots of stages and levels, upgradeable vehicles, and more. The only downside is that you have to go all the way back to the beginning if you don't make it through the next level. So don't fail! Hill Climb Racing app review
- Upgradeable cars
- Smooth physics simulation
- Totally addictive and entertaining
- Gain bonuses from doing crazy tricks
- Free with in-app purchases
Real Racing 3 has over 100 million overall downloads so they must be doing something right! The app has a continuously expanding list of officially licensed tracks, a 22-car grid, and cars from manufacturers like Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, and Audi. You can race at any time of the day or night in one of over 100 amazingly detailed vehicles. There are 12 real tracks from locations like Hockenheimring, Silverstone, Dubai Autodrome, and Circuit des 24 heures du Mans. There are over 2000 events you can compete in including endurance challenges, cup races, eliminations, and drag races. Choose the camera angle, tweak the controls, and upgrade your car. Real Racing 3 app review
- Detailed car damage
- More choices for events
- Global 9-player, real-time, cross-platform racing
- Real cars and real tracks
- Free with in-app purchases
Drag Racing Classic allows you to drive more than 50 licensed cars from manufacturers like BMW, Pagani, and McLaren. You can participate in real-time, 10-player races, drive your opponent's car, or race one-on-one. You'll be able to tune your car as you like, and even add nitrous oxide. Adjust your gear ratios and take time off your race. Go to the Online section and go up against random racers or your friends. You can join a team if that's your thing, to discuss achievements, talk about strategy, and more. You can even win CashPlay real money bonuses when you win CashPlay tournaments.
- Find the balance between power and grip
- Competitive multi-player races online
- Join a team
- Lots of car options
- Free with in-app purchases
Angry Gran Run is a hilariously fun game. Angry Gran has been locked up in the Angry Asylum but now she's escaped and she needs your help. Jump over, slide under, and run to avoid obstacles in this one! Knock those punks out of the way and take their coins. You can change your look with new costumes and upgrades include power-ups like invincible shields and bullet-time. Watch out for things like dinosaurs, aliens, and more crazy stuff! The new environment added in a recent update is set in Mexico so you'll have to avoid sugar skulls, the Mariachi band, and more.
- Run through Mexico, Rome, and New York City
- Knock the punks out of the way and take their coins
- Buy new costumes
- Watch out for obstacles, aliens, and dinosaurs
- Free with in-app purchases
