The year ahead is a little unorthodox, thanks mainly to what could be the largest entertainment release of all time.
Several developers and publishers are completely avoiding the month of November, worried that their creations could be overshadowed by this behemoth.
Be it sales numbers, time spent playing or even a lack of PR and content creator coverage, this new game is set to dwarf any other release.
Yes, that’s right, it’s Grand Theft Auto IV Godzilla Destroy All Monsters Melee: Remastered, and as a result, several games will be released either before November or in early 2027 to get out of the ginormous shadow.
However, that doesn’t mean a complete dearth of racing game content over the next six months. Far from it. Here are six new releases, and some possible bonuses, coming soon.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer
Release date: 6th October 2026
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
And we’re going to begin with a Star Wars game. Woah, hold up, don’t scroll past it. This is a specific racing game and, for extra credibility, Galactic Racer is the first release from Fuse Games, founded by several former Burnout developers.
Now that we’ve mentioned that bombastic driving game series, you can see the pervasive influence Criterion’s masterpiece has on this George Lucas universe spin-off.
Before we get bogged down in timelines, credits and why Grogu still hasn’t talked yet, the central driving experience must be enjoyable. Wait, is it driving in a repulsorcraft? Or flying? Oh wait, maybe commanding…? Umm, not sure, let us know in the comments.
Anyway, from what we’ve seen so far, there looks to be satisfyingly weighty side-to-side ship combat mixed with some kind of ‘takedown’ destruction mechanic. Reminds us of, why yes, Burnout.
What we hope is an engaging, contact-filled, racing experience that just so happens to take place within a Star Wars theme. As opposed to majoring in Star Wars-ness and forgetting the gameplay like 2001’s Super Bombad Racing.
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush
Release date: 24th September 2026
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S
From one accessible racer to another, although this is the more child-friendly of the two. It’s also an example of trying to avoid Grand Theft Auto VI, ahem, sorry, Godzilla Destroy All Monsters Melee: Remastered. Obviously.
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush will be released in September, alongside basically every other game remaining this year, in the most packed month of the past year.
If you’ve not been keeping up with the Hot Wheels gaming universe recently, it’s just as confusing as all those endless Star Wars movie spin-offs, TV shows and cartoons.
In 2021, Italian developer Milestone, perhaps best known for Ride and MotoGP, released Hot Wheels Unleashed. It was a smash hit, easily surpassing a million sales and becoming its best-selling game ever.
So, a second was ordered and duly delivered 24 months later. But then the diecast toy car brand went hunting for other opportunities.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem was created by 3DClouds and released in 2024 to a muted response. And then, last year, Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Ultimate Speed by Bamtang Games was, it’s fair to say, received about as well as a duplicate toy on Christmas day.
So, back to Milestone we go, but how to prevent yet another release from becoming stale?
Make it open world, of course!
As we’re in a post-Forza Horizon 6 world, it’s mandated that you compare every open-world driving game to Microsoft’s runaway success. So, here goes…
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush aims to become the model car version of Forza Horizon 6, mixing collectable hunting with approachable vehicle handling and licensed Ferraris with the extensive customisation options and cute visuals that Hot Wheels fans are accustomed to.
From our recent hands-on preview, there are some neat ideas. But let’s hope the end result isn’t as derivative as the elevator pitch.
MXGP 26
Release date: TBC 2026
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
One game where the finished product undoubtedly failed to live up to expectations was the turgid MXGP 24.
The official game of the FIM World Motocross Championship two years ago was so bad – with rigid rider physics, an inability to control the bike in the air and ropey visuals – publisher Nacon has started from scratch. 24 months later, and MXGP 26 has plumped for the ubiquitous Unreal Engine 5 technology instead of the proprietary, but unruly, KT Engine of the past.
Irrespective of the graphics engine, this time we’d simply like to ride a virtual bike that doesn’t feel like it’s wading through custard, please.
To that extent, developer Artefacts Studio touts new vehicle dynamics, revised in-air movement (although not showcased yet) and much more deformable track surfaces.
In essence, this could be the game that the precursor should have been from the outset. Get the basics right, and then iterate from there in the ensuing years.
Endurance Motorsport Series
Release date: TBC 2026
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
While on the one hand, Nacon is moving away from Kylotton’s graphics engines with MXGP, and 2027’s upcoming WRC game, it’s hedging its bets and utilising it for Endurance Motorsport Series.
There’s little doubt, if recent gameplay trailers are anything to go by, that visual fidelity is more befitting of a contemporary racing game than its most recent Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown efforts.
The French gaming giant is also taking its sweet time with this one. We first played it at Gamescom in 2024, before testing it again at Bigben Week a year later. Following more delays than an SNCF train, this curio is still not released, but the last we heard, a launch for this year is still on track.
And that’s intriguing, because in the world of sim racing games offering GT3 cars at Spa, and more GT3 cars at Spa, Endurance Motorsport Series offers… um, well, more GT3s at Spa.
Yet, that’s underplaying a distinctive feature. You’ll be able to play driver manager, like if Toto Wolff was still a driver and inserted himself into an F1 seat, or when Dennis Wise was player-manager at Millwall.
Outdated ‘00s football references aside, here it means you can switch from the pitwall to the driver’s seat on the fly, in real time, at any moment. The racing is multi-class too, with Hypercar, LMP2 and GT3 offered, so in theory your team could have multiple entrants in each race, with you overseeing all of them.
The key will be how this translates to online multiplayer, with friends working together as a team and against several rival outfits.
There have been closed betas for that, but so far, the network-connected experience hasn’t been seen in public. There’s little doubt this is the developer’s most audacious project yet, and it will act as the fulcrum that decides its fate…
NASCAR 26
Release date: September 2026
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
Another game trying to emulate real-world motorsport is NASCAR 26, the official game of top-tier American stock car racing.
Prep the military helicopters, set off some fireworks, and drivers, start your engines. Get ready to turn left, and occasionally, right too.
Last year, iRacing Studios got off to a solid, if unspectacular start, despite the overbearing pre-release hyperbole. NASCAR 25 appeased existing fans, desperate for a decent video game of their preferred racing after years of either hot messes or soporific mediocrity.
This year’s game, then, needs to push things forward. It must try to be a great racing game, irrespective of the motorsport type, which in turn brings in new fans, alongside keeping the loyalists on board.
All we know at the time of recording is that Kyle Larson will be on the cover, and it will be released this time in September, as opposed to October.
Certainly, the main iRacing PC simulation has recreated the new San Diego-based Qualcomm Circuit, so expect that here too, alongside the updated Chevrolet Cup Series model and the RAM Craftsman Truck Series entry.
Otherwise, is it too much to ask for a different track-cut system and cross-platform multiplayer?
IndyCar
Release date: TBC 2026
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
NASCAR isn’t the only game iRacing Studios is set to release this year, either. The bold plan should also witness the first official IndyCar video game in over two decades.
There’s radio silence on this recently, but the original announcement did confirm this year. We also know that it will use the underlying vehicle dynamics systems created for NASCAR 26, but tweaked to suit open-wheelers.
But, it will use a different graphics system, with the Orontes Engine, last seen on the overlooked ExoCross off-road racer iRacing published two years ago.
Other clues can be found in the main iRacing sim, which recently tweaked some aerodynamic properties of the cars, new steering wheels, hybrid implementation, the St. Petersburg Street Circuit and a rebuilt Barber Motorsports Park.
There will be a big challenge ahead to recreate all circuits on this season’s calendar, with three all-new additions.
Forza Horizon 6 on PS5
Release date: TBC 2026
Platforms: PlayStation 5
Two pivotal PlayStation 5 ports next, and bear with us here as both are key to the future of the racing game industry.
First, Forza Horizon 6 launched earlier this year on Xbox consoles and PC to a rapturous reception, both critically and in player numbers – at least six million in one week.
Next up, the PS5 version will launch before the year’s end, and Traxion recently spoke to creators Playground Games to confirm that it is indeed still on the way in 2026, following changes in Xbox leadership seemingly reneging on its multi-platform strategy with the likes of Gears of War: E-Day being Microsoft-exclusive.
Horizon is the biggest home console driving game series, and launching on the best-selling home console device is big news. Especially considering Forza Horizon 5 took nearly four years to make the jump.
BeamNG.drive on PS5
Release date: TBC 2026
Platforms: PlayStation 5
If Forza Horizon 6 on PlayStation was a fairly obvious decision (because, money) then BeamNG.drive hitting Sony’s platform was a bolt from the blue.
Never, ever, did we think the soft-body physics-based simulation would venture outside of early access, let alone PC.
But, later this year, apparently that’s exactly what will happen. Which is strange, as we don’t think you can release titles into early access on PS5. So, is this a separate version of Beam? What compromises, if any, have been made in order to get it run when even on beefy PCs, it can be tricky to work smoothly? Will the career mode actually be complete in time? Are mods to be supported?
So many questions, but much like the expected Euro and American Truck Simulation titles, plus Le Mans Ultimate, it would seem there’s a rush to get simulations, ostensibly the reserve of PC hardware, onto consoles.
The Speculation Zone
Endurance Motorsport Series, MXGP 2026, Hot Wheels Infinite Rush, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, NASCAR 26, IndyCar and two important ports. Not bad form considering November’s mass exodus.
And may we posit that two more games may leave early access? Or, you know, maybe they’ll wait until the first quarter of 2027… We don’t know either way, but what we’d like to see is a Version 1.0 for both Assetto Corsa Rally and Wreckfest 2.
Assetto Corsa Rally Version 1.0?
Assetto Corsa Rally closer to reality than its Assetto Corsa EVO sibling, on this side of next year at least, simply due to its more defined focus and already generally polished state. More content, more game modes, a console port and ship. Easy right?
Well, nothing in modern-day game creation is that straightforward, but here’s hoping.
Wreckrest 2 Version 1.0?
Wreckfest 2 is also supremely refined for an early access title, and each subsequent update adds more adventurous and ludicrous map designs, such as the recent multi-route canyon location.
The visuals alone sell it to us, but the vehicle dynamics and crunching crash damage seal the deal. Again, there is a lack of game modes and content, but the fundamentals are so slick already that it feels close to shipping.
Eyes on Over The Hill
So too does indie darling Over The Hill. While not in early access, this slow-paced exploration game wowed us with a recent work-in-progress demo, and while there’s no clear release window, we’re hopeful for sooner rather than later.
In all three cases, though, greatness could be achieved. We wouldn’t be surprised if they all have full releases this year, but equally, slip into early 2027 for a final bit of tweaking.
Which of these are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below and vote in our poll.