2026 poses a strange year for the video game industry, mainly because of one specific game arriving in November. That release has forced every other game developer to rethink their release strategies, but there is nevertheless plenty of driving and racing games to look forward to both for the remainder of this year and into the next. While many titles are already on the calendar, the sheer scale of the biggest upcoming release often overshadows the smaller projects. A developer might delay a launch to avoid a direct clash with the industry’s giant, even if their own game is highly anticipated. This competitive pressure creates a crowded release window where niche titles can get lost in the shuffle, requiring players to be picky about what they buy.
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Horizon 6 and Beyond
Forza Horizon 6 on PS5 has an entire subheading that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, but with Microsoft loosening its exclusivity rights for a number of its flagship Xbox franchises, the sixth entry in the series is making its way onto the PlayStation 5 in addition to the Xbox Series S/X and PC. Playground Games has confirmed that the PlayStation version of Horizon 6 will arrive at some stage in 2026, although exactly when is still unconfirmed. The lack of a near four-year wait between Xbox and PS5 releases is a relief for fans who felt neglected by the previous entry. Hot Wheels Infinite Rush launches on September 10, 2026, taking place across four themed open-world islands with upwards of 150 customisable vehicles split into four classes. Ferrari is making its first appearance in a Hot Wheels game, which adds a significant layer of appeal for collectors and casual players alike.
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On the track side of things, NASCAR 26 is launching on PCs and consoles next month. Fundamentally, it shouldn’t differ too wildly from the successful NASCAR 25, although we’re promised updated physics and new features including a one-on-one driver training mode. There’s new content to indulge in too, including the Cup Series’ new street circuit on a naval base near San Diego and the return of the Ram name to the third-tier Truck Series. Star Wars: Galactic Racer is set for October 6, 2026, and could easily fall into the bucket of ‘forgettable movie franchise tie-in games’, but the developer Fuse Games is made up of ex-Criterion staff with the Burnout and Need for Speed franchises on their CVs. The game features an in-depth career mode that runs the gamut from landspeeders to the podracers that were the only memorable parts of The Phantom Menace, and boost systems that can overheat add an element of strategy to the racing.
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Indies and Sim Racing
Bringing the pace down significantly, cosy lo-fi indie off-road sim Over the Hill is set to release in full on October 14. The game, which will see players explore various gorgeously-realised open-world maps in a variety of customisable cars closely inspired by classic 4x4s, looks set to be the perfect antidote to the typical fast-paced, pulse-raising racing game fare, and it’s one we’re
