Of all the current console options, the Nintendo Switch seems best suited for racing games. Sure, you could argue that the other consoles have better graphics and more accessories for big racing simulators, but those can only be played in your living room. Something about being able to take the game with you gives the Switch an X-Factor for racing. The ability to bring it on the go is only one of the many reasons the Switch is perfect for racing games.
On a personal level, Mario Kart is probably the most-played game in my house. We have quite a few versions, from the original SNES version (which is sometimes harder than newer games) to Mario Kart 8: Deluxe. Racing games are not the most-loved genre in our house, but you wouldn’t know that with how many we have lying around. These games are all fantastic in their own way, and each brings something unique to the table in an overflowing genre.
I’ve included the recommended age range for each game and explained why kids and teens will love each title. While this is a list of the best Nintendo Switch racing games for kids and teens, I’ve also included other consoles on which these games are available.
Writer's Note: These are the games my kids have enjoyed and have found to be the "best" of the bunch. There is no direct score or ranking given to the game's because each is unique and players of different ages and skill levels are likely to enjoy different racing games at different stages of their life.
‘Race With Ryan’ Is Perfect For The Beginning Racer
Recommended Ages: 4-8
What Sets Race With Ryan Apart: I was “lucky” enough to be in the Ryan sweet spot for his whole life. Ryan Kaji of Ryan’s World YouTube fame is a year younger than my oldest daughter, so she, my middle, and even my youngest, who has a 9-year age gap with his oldest sister, all had a big Ryan phase. If you are familiar with the Ryan brand, you understand that this game is on brand in every way. It was designed with kids in mind, with wild maps and bright colors. For the most part, this is a generic kart game that looks like Ryan’s World graphics overlaid on Mario Kart, but it does what it does well. What makes this game worth it is that kids as young as four can master the controls and get in on the racing action.
Why Race With Ryan Is Great For Kids: This is the perfect game for younger kids because it was designed with them in mind. The cars move more slowly, and the maps are simplified to make it easier for younger kids to control them. The mechanics are simple, and the mystery egg power-ups are nowhere near as frustrating as those in other kart games. This has to be one of the best starter racing games out there for the youngest members of your household.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
‘Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’ Is Near Switch Perfection
Recommended Ages: 5+
What Sets Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Apart: Mario Kart is obviously the gold standard of Kart Racing games. They were the first to do it on the SNES in 1992, and they have been improving on it for every generation since. It is hard to find a gamer who doesn’t have traumatic memories of any iteration of Rainbow Road. While there have been dozens of imitators throughout the years, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that does it better than Mario Kart. From the characters to the power-ups to the maps, everything is uniquely Nintendo and outrageously fun. Although there is a new Mario Kart out for the Switch 2, there is nothing wrong with continuing to enjoy this one for everything it brings to the table.
Why Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Is Great For Kids: Kids’ games usually have a drop-off point where people age out of the enjoyment a bit, but that doesn’t happen with Mario Kart. People of all ages take their turns loving and hating this game, depending on the map and circumstances. What is important is that kids as young as five can play as long as they have control of the mechanics. My seven-year-old can hold his own on the track now, but even a year ago, he had trouble focusing on his screen and making sure he wasn’t running into walls. So, it is great for young kids, and the mechanics aren’t very difficult, but there are some aspects that younger family members may have trouble with.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe arguably takes the top spot among the best Nintendo Switch racing games for kids and teens, and it’s also the best-selling Nintendo Switch game of all time with more than 70.59 million copies sold worldwide.
Also Available On: Nintendo Exclusive
‘Hot Wheels Unleashed: Turbo Charge’ Puts You In Control On A Hot Wheels Track
Recommended Ages: 6 – 12
What Sets Hotwheels Unleashed: Turbo Charge Apart: Imagine getting to be behind the wheel of your favorite Hot Wheels car growing up, and that is basically what you get here. Unlike kart games, where your biggest opponent is other racers, this game takes away the power-ups and replaces them with on-track hazards. You can still crash into cars, which will send you off path, but this game is way more about the experience with big jumps, lightning-fast speed boosts, and secret areas to make the game even more fun. Kids will spend hours zipping around these tracks and never get bored, and some adults may find themselves in the same boat.
Why Hot Wheels Unleashed: Turbo Charge Kids: I am an unofficial spokesperson for this game because it is one of my favorite racing games, and I don’t particularly enjoy this genre. It’s fantastic for younger kids because the mechanics are easy to understand, so kids as young as six will have no problem with it. My son just turned seven, and he has been playing this game for a solid two years. The ability to be behind the wheel of one of these cars as it makes massive jumps and scary loops is the dream of every young person with a Hot Wheels track, so this game is like a dream come true for those kids.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
‘Gear.Club Unlimited 2’ Gives Younger Kids A Racing Simulator
Recommended Ages: 6 – 12
What Sets Gear.Club Unlimited 2 Apart: There are two separate but symbiotic features that set this game apart. The first is that this game is designed to be a realistic simulation racer, but for younger kids. The second is that it is a Nintendo Switch exclusive, so it is optimized for the platform, unlike games like Forza and Gran Turismo. It plays very similarly to those games, with more emphasis on real-life physics than big jumps and dodging obstacles while collecting power-ups. You get the same car building, career modes, and attempt at high-res graphics that you get from games like Gran Turismo that aren’t available on the Switch. The graphics are not as great, and the racing is not as realistic as these top-tier games, but it is an attempt to make something similar available on Nintendo.
Why Gear.Club Unlimited 2 Is Great For Kids: It may not be the most perfect game, but it’s awesome that Nintendo made a racing simulator for kids who want a real driving experience, not just crashing goofy karts while shooting things at other racers. It finds a sweet spot between being easy enough to navigate for a six-year-old and fun and engaging enough that kids who are twelve and older will still enjoy it. This game is also devoid of mature content, so parents can feel safe knowing that their younger kids won’t be subject to offensive language or scary car crashes.
Also Available On: Nintendo Exclusive
‘Nascar Arcade Rush’ Meshes Simulator With Arcade Excitement
Recommended Ages: 6-12
What Sets Nascar Arcade Rush Apart: Nascar Arcade Rush is another game that perfectly blends over-the-top racing for kids with an introduction to racing simulators. It uses real NASCAR tracks and cars, but upgrades them to arcade-style layouts. So, instead of driving around a standard track, players are taking big loops, jumping off ramps, and drifting through tunnels. Like other simulator games, players can build their own cars, and this game offers plenty of options to build their dream car. Unlike other simulator games, there is no wear and tear on your car, and the physics are closer to outlandish arcade racers than traditional simulators. This game is one of the few licensed NASCAR titles for Switch, and it has been optimized for the console.
Why Nascar Arcade Rush Is Great For Kids: I like this game because it offers a little of everything. This jack-of-all-trades style helps kids learn what does and doesn’t work for them, and keeps younger kids more engaged than a traditional simulator with much more technical aspects. The drift mechanics may be slightly challenging for kids in the early age range, but they aren’t overcomplicated. Kids over twelve can still have fun with this game, but they will probably be ready for more challenging simulators or more mature arcade racers.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
‘Monster Jam Steel Titans 2’ Goes Big
Recommended Ages: 6+
What Sets Monster Jam Steel Titans 2 Apart: This is another game that ditches traditional cars and physics for over-the-top fun. The main goal of the game is to get across the finish line before everyone else, like every racing game, but that is not why people play this game. Finishing the race just ends the amount of fun you have bouncing, rolling, and jumping while in control of the most popular monster trucks ever, including the infamous Grave Digger. Not only do kids get to drive recognizable monster trucks, but they get to do it on open-world maps, not just in the confines of an arena. Races aren’t just about who is the fastest, either, since there are skill-based racing modes like “two-wheel skills” and demolition challenges. Finally, this game earns distinction because you can play online or in couch co-op, which opens up options for kids to play together.
Why Monster Jam Steel Titans 2 Is Great For Kids: The great thing about this game is that there is not much skill involved. It’s more about epic crashes than it is tight turns and speed boosts. Kids as young as six will love taking these monster trucks off ramps and watching them crash through obstacles. This is one of those games that kids as young as six can play, but adults – especially ones that love monster trucks – will get just as much enjoyment out of it.
Monster Jam Steel Titans 2 makes the list of the best Nintendo Switch racing games for kids and teens because it blends the perfect amount of racing with zany antics that younger audiences love.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
‘Dreamworks All-Star Kart Racing’ Puts You In A Dreamworks Movie
Recommended Ages: 7-12
What Sets Dreamworks All-Star Kart Racing Apart: Like most Kart games, this is just another rehash of the original. What really sets this game apart from others is its tracks and characters that are all part of the DreamWorks brand. Kids can choose from characters from Shrek, Madagascar, How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda, and more. The tracks also allow you to explore each movie’s scenery as well, like the NYC Zoo from Madagascar, the Isle of Berk from How to Train Your Dragon, and Shrek’s Swamp. I’m probably in the minority on this one, but I think I like the power-ups in this game more than any other kart game outside of Mario Kart.
Why Dreamworks All-Star Kart Racing Is Great For Kids: If your family is a fan of Dreamworks films, this is an easy choice. It has all the charm of those films with the characters and worlds they love. The mechanics of this game are fairly simple to master, but there’s a lot more movement with collisions than you see in other racing games, so it may get frustrating fast for smaller kids who keep getting knocked off the track by other cars. On the other end of the spectrum, most kids eventually grow out of Dreamworks movies or at least being so enamored by the characters that they want to play as them. For the age range this game is built for, though, this generic kart racing game really hits the spot.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
‘Beach Buggy Racing 2’ Tries To Reinvent The Kart Racer
Recommended Ages: 7 – 12
What Sets Beach Buggy Racing 2 Apart: It is hard to steer too far off track from other kart racing games, but the Beach Buggy series certainly does its best. The animation style is unlike anything you’ve seen in other kart racing games. The bright colors and smooth edges feel a bit like those in the Splatoon games. The pace and physics often feel like you are racing on the moon with big jumps and occasional explosions that make you fly through the air. There are way more options when it comes to building your perfect car, which is a blessing and a curse. This game feels so familiar, yet so foreign at the same time, which makes it an excellent change of pace game for players who feel like they’ve done it all in the racing genre.
Why Beach Buggy Racing 2 Is Great For Kids: This game is all kinds of wacky, which makes it perfect for younger kids. The messy physics and detailed deck building make it fantastic for kids who have a little more skill than the average kindergartener. The soft graphics and generic characters might lose their charm with your kid after a while; however, older teens and adults will enjoy playing. It just might not have the staying power it does with younger kids.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
‘Hotshot Racing’ Brings Back Retro Racing
Recommended Ages: 7 – 12
What Sets Hotshot Racing Apart: This game was conceived as a modern-day Twisted Metal, but was eventually diluted into a tribute to early-90s arcade racers. The graphics are the standout feature of this game because it was specifically designed to resemble the blocky early racing games like Virtua Racing. While this game is available on other platforms, the Nintendo Switch version emphasizes those polygon edges. This is more of a pure racer, with few obstacles and power-ups. The biggest challenge you face in this game is other drivers, but there are some obstacles to dodge on the track.
Why Hotshot Racing Is Great For Kids: This is an excellent bridge game for kids who are maybe bored with more childish racers but not quite ready for more mature ones. Kids younger than seven may have trouble with the drift mechanics of this game, as well as the checkpoint times that must be hit to continue racing. On the other end of the spectrum, the graphics are fun, but the game is a pure racer, which loses its appeal after a while since there’s only so many times you can drive in circles. Kids on the older side of this age range will probably be ready to move on to a game with better graphics and more to do.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
‘Cruis’n Blast’ Is An Arcade Fever Dream
Recommended Ages: 7-12
What Sets Cruis’n Blast Apart: Hotshot Racing was designed to look like an arcade racer, but Cruis’n Blast is an arcade racer. The Cruis’n Arcade cabinet game is probably one of the most well-known arcade games ever made, and this game brings that to the console. This isn’t just any old racing game, though; it’s almost a roller coaster ride. There aren’t power-ups in this game, but there are plenty of insane obstacles to navigate, like breaking and transforming tracks and wild hazards like dinosaurs and UFOs. A few other perks that make kids love this game include a selection of vehicles that aren’t just sports cars, and the fact that the only penalty for crashing is a few seconds off the clock.
Why Cruis’n Blast Is Great For Kids: The incredibly simple reason this game is great for kids is that it is just plain fun. Anyone who has played this game or grown up with the Cruis’n USA arcade game remembers the simple fun it brings. It’s low stakes, easy to control, and funny – especially for this age range. Kids older than twelve will likely be ready to move on to more challenging racers with better graphics, but they will always cherish Cruis’n Blast in their memories.
Also Available On: Nintendo Exclusive
‘LEGO 2K Drive’ Builds On Traditional Kart Games
Recommended Ages: 8-14
What Sets LEGO 2K Drive Apart: The elephant in the room is that you get to build cars using one of the most popular toys on the planet. Just the humor and imagination that come with LEGO are enough to set this game apart, but it has even more features to appreciate. This is truly a racing game in its own category, which is what you would expect from LEGO. Races and tasks take place on large open-world maps, in all kinds of settings from standard tracks to haunted forests. What really sets this game apart is its LEGO aspect. Like all LEGO video games, it has silly cutscenes and funny characters getting themselves into shenanigans. This is also the game with the most customization options because your imagination is the limit with LEGO. While there is a lot that sets this game apart, it will feel familiar to your kids in many ways. Most kids are familiar with LEGO, but at its heart, it is just another kart-racing game with some awesome features and side quests to keep it engaging.
Why LEGO 2K Drive Is Great For Kids: I love this game for kids because my seven-year-old is super into LEGO, and this game does not disappoint. He has a pretty decent handle of the game, but he’s also grown up around video games and become a little gamer himself. I love watching him use his imagination to build new cars, even if they don’t seem practical. In true LEGO fashion, this game is great for people ages 1 to 100, but kids ages 8 to 14 will get the most out of it. Kids under eight may struggle with some of the game mechanics and optimizing their cars. It is possible that they won’t get the most out of the games either if they skip the side quests. This may be a niche kart game, but kids who are into cars and LEGO will love it.
Several LEGO titles made our list of the best Nintendo Switch Games for Kids, and we’ve also covered the 10 best LEGO games to play with your kids. LEGO 2K Drive, much like non-racing LEGO games, deserves its own spot on the best Nintendo Switch racing games for kids and teens because, just like other LEGO titles, it’s high on action with a healthy dose of zany LEGO-inspired fun.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
‘Fast & Furious Arcade Edition’ Brings The Movie To The
Recommended Ages: 8-14
What Sets Fast & Furious Arcade Edition Apart: This game is meant to bring the feeling of arcade-style racing into your living room. Loosely tied to the movie franchise, this game takes some cinematic liberties while keeping the vehicles grounded in the real world. The cars in the game are real vehicles featured in movies, and the gameplay is more like an action movie than a standard racing game. Players can free race or do scripted races that require them to complete tasks while racing, like hitting a target with missiles, smashing through an object, or doing crazy stunts. One more thing that makes this game special is that it is one of those elusive split-screen couch co-ops that lets multiple players enjoy the action without being connected to the internet.
Why Fast & Furious Arcade Edition Is Great For Kids: Kids will love this game because it is more than just racing around a track. It is based on the movies they probably also enjoy if they love cars and racing, and the controls are pretty basic. What will really keep kids coming back is the over-the-top physics and incredible settings. Who wouldn’t want to take a jump off the third floor of a mall onto the main floor and keep going? I also love the split-screen option so kids can play together at home.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
‘CarX Highway Racing’ Scratches A Niche Itch
Recommended Ages: 8+
What Sets CarX Highway Racing Apart: People who aren’t into racing games don’t understand the nuance of how there could be so many different games where the goal is to get your car across the finish line. CarX is a perfect example of that because, to the untrained eye, it looks like just another racing game. CarX is not the only highway racing game on the Switch, but it is one of the few. Highway racers create new dynamics because the tracks are usually longer, straighter, and more populated than traditional racetracks. What really sets CarX apart is the physics that marry realistic simulators with a highway setting. Unlike other highway racers that tend to lean more toward the crazy physics of arcade racers, this one grounds its mechanics in reality, without big jumps or crazy loops. This can’t be the only racing game that lets you drive a Delorean, but as a product of the 80s myself, getting to drive a Delorean in this game is really fun.
Why CarX Highway Racing Is Great For Kids: This game is great for kids because it has realistic driving gameplay without taking itself too seriously. It has a little of everything, from international highways to car upgrades to a full campaign mode that is rare in racing games. This taste of everything comes without the confusing controls and challenging driving physics found in more serious driving simulators. This is one of those games that adults probably wouldn’t pick up over other racing games, but kids who love this game will probably continue to play it through their teens.
Also Available On: Nintendo Exclusive
‘Monster Energy Supercross 3’ Is For The Bike Lovers
Recommended Ages: 8+
What Sets Monster Energy Supercross 3 Apart: When you talk about racing games, cars are immediately what comes to mind, but that excludes all the amazing racing games that use off-road vehicles, bikes, and even recreational vehicles. Often, these games are overlooked because the quality is questionable at best, but there are a few bike games like this one that deliver an amazing experience for players. This is very much a bike racing simulator with hundreds of riders, a bunch of tracks, and a career mode similar to those in Gran Turismo and other racing simulators. Bike racers will love the physics specifically designed for bikes and the ability to create their own tracks.
Why Monster Energy Supercross 3 Is Great For Kids: I love this game for kids because it gives them options. It really comes down to being able to race bikes rather than cars, and to the small, nuanced physics that make them different. Younger kids may struggle at first to manage career mode and master the physics of turning on a bike. However, both are easy to learn, and kids eight and older shouldn’t have too much trouble learning as they go.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
‘Asphalt Legends Unite’ Disregards Standard Racing Rules
Recommended Ages: 9+
What Sets Asphalt Legends Unite Apart: This game was recommended to me by a family member who absolutely loves it. What makes this game special is its disregard for reality, while still trying to remain relatively realistic. The graphics aren’t hyper-realistic, but they are more realistic than those in cartoon kart games; however, the physics are probably closer to a kid’s game than to a more realistic simulator. Not only do you do insane low-gravity jumps and spins, but the cars you drive are like a gearhead’s dream list of concept cars and exotic vehicles. This game also has team modes, so kids can play with their friends. The most important aspect of this game is that it is free to play. Instead of shelling out hundreds of Earth dollars for V-Bucks and Robux, kids can earn new car blueprints by winning races.
Why Asphalt Legends Unite Is Great For Kids: Asphalt Legends is not a complicated game to play, but it can be challenging to master. It’s awesome because it doesn’t require some of the more challenging drift mechanics that serious simulators have, so younger kids have more control over their cars. The thing I love most about this game is the blueprint structure, which not only doesn’t force you to spend money to play but also gives kids something to work toward. This gives them something to work toward and keeps them interested in the game longer.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
‘The Grid: Autosport’ Is The Most Complete Racing Game
Recommended Ages: 12+
What Sets The Grid Apart: What sets this game apart is that it doesn’t do one single thing extremely well. Instead, this game aims to give players a taste of everything. The graphics are surprisingly detailed for a game that does so much. Whether you like the street racing of Need for Speed, the track racing of Gran Turismo, or the Speed of F1, this game has you covered. Since this game’s focus is not having a focus, there is a wide variety of vehicles and tracks to choose from. There is also a team management mode that has become popular in racing and other sports games that allows you to have a career instead of just one-off exhibition races, so there is plenty of content to enjoy in this game.
Why The Grid Is Great For Teens: I wouldn’t say this is a bridge game, because it takes itself pretty seriously, so there isn’t much kid-specific content. However, this is a great racing simulator for kids in the early tween and teen phase because it is the perfect mash-up of less-serious arcade racers and closer-to-life simulators. I like this game for younger kids because there is plenty of variety, and it lays the groundwork for the gameplay mechanics of more serious simulators like Gran Turismo. While kids (like my youngest) might find the career-management aspect boring, it’s a great way to start teaching ideas like responsibility in a fun, harmless environment.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
‘Need For Speed Hot Pursuit: Remastered’ Is About The Chase
Recommended Ages: 13+
What Sets Need for Speed Hot Pursuit: Remastered Apart: Need for Speed is a classic, but nobody can quite recreate the magic, which is why it needed to be remastered for the Switch. This game doesn’t fit into any single racing genre as it blends aspects of arcade racing and kart racing with a dash of Grand Theft Auto. Instead of racing other racers, you are either racing to run away from police hot on your trail, or you are the police racing to catch the bad guys. Unlike kart games that use silly power-ups, this game uses real-life gadgets like spike strips and helicopter surveillance. Car lovers will love that you get to drive recognizable supercars like Lamborghini and Porsche. Since this is a remastered game, the cars are more classic versions than the updated 2026 models. In addition, the Switch’s graphical limitations and the fact that it is a remaster of an older game make the graphics feel a little outdated, despite its best efforts.
Why Need for Speed Hot Pursuit: Remastered Is Great For Teens: Anyone who grew up playing this game knows how fun it is. The controls are much simpler than a lot of kids’ games, like Lego 2K drive for example. What makes this game better for teens is the themes of police chases and the glorification of running from police. Most teens have the reasoning skills to understand that this is just a fun racing game and not something they would want to emulate.
This is one of our top picks for the best Nintendo Switch games for kids and teens because older audiences love the realism, and it’s a great introduction to a storied franchise worth exploring.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
‘TT Isle Of Man: Ride On The Edge 3’ Aims For Realism
Recommended Ages: 13+
What Sets TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 3 Apart: This is another game for the bike racers, but it may also be the highest-quality racing game on the Nintendo Switch. This game emphasises the scenery, with the Isle of Man as the most dangerous bike-racing track on the planet. Ride of the Edge 3 expands the fun by making the entire island drivable. Like other serious racing simulators, this game doesn’t just strive to make the track as accurate as possible. It prides itself on realistic physics, graphics as good as the Switch will allow, and real-world conditions like wet roads and different lighting at different times of day. As would be expected of a racing simulator of this magnitude, there is an immersive career mode and plenty of options for building and modifying bikes.
Why TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 3 Is Great For Teens: I think this game is great from a teen perspective because it is a ton of fun, and a fantastic racing experience. I appreciate it way more from a dad’s perspective because of its realism. My newly teenage daughter and seven-year-old son have both expressed interest in riding motorcycles, which dad doesn’t love because of the safety aspects. While this is just a video game, it does a great job showing how fast bikes go and what can happen with even the smallest misstep, but it does it in a way that isn’t graphic. There are many technical aspects of this game, and bikes can reach speeds over 200 miles per hour, making it more suitable to the skill set of a teen versus a kid.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
‘Redout 2’ Takes Racing Into The Future
Recommended Ages: 13+
What Sets Redout 2 Apart: The coolest part about this game is that it reminds us that, with all of our technological advancements, there is still room to dream. This game is for the kid who isn’t content with going normal speeds on a normal track. Instead, players get to helm futuristic, floating, anti-gravity cars that go faster than any other racing game available. Players can customize their crazy cars from the aesthetics to the under-the-hood details. Customizations become critical in this game because the hazard in Redout 2 isn’t other players, it’s your own car. Players who go too fast for too long risk overheating and blowing up their car, effectively losing the race.
Why Redout 2 Is Great For Teens: Younger kids would probably be mesmerized by this game, but it isn’t meant for them. The customization and speed of this game are best for older kids, but that isn’t even the hardest part. Driving these super-fast cars as you zip around the track requires a lot of control and extreme multitasking, which most younger kids aren’t capable of. Teens old enough to enjoy this game will find it challenging enough to sustain their engagement, but not so challenging that they rage-quit.
This Nintendo Switch racing game is great for teens who want something a bit different from their racing games, especially if they have a love of sci-fi.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
‘Wreckfest’ Makes Crashing Fun
Recommended Ages: 13+
What Sets Wreckfest Apart: One of the greatest pieces of parenting advice I got came when I enrolled my now 13-year-old in preschool, and she was toppling every block tower she could find. The teacher said, “There are doers, and there are undoers,” with my daughter obviously being the latter. This game is for the undoers in your family. Wreckfest is a racing game that encourages big crashes, with car parts flying everywhere and even the driver not safe. While you don’t get kart-style power-ups, you can upgrade parts of your vehicle to better withstand the crash-and-go style of this game. These are important as vehicle damage in Wreckfest isn’t just aesthetic, but a main mechanic of the game. Cars with massive damage can have poor alignment, lost wheels, engine problems, and more. On top of all of that, you also get to race unconventional vehicles like school buses and farm equipment.
Why Wreckfest Is Great For Teens: This game is better suited for teens because of its nature. Older kids will realize that crashing a car in the real world has significant consequences, while younger kids may not. There is also content in this game that may scare younger kids, like drivers being thrown from cars. If you have a teen who thinks traditional racing games are boring, Wreckfest is for them. A sequel to this game is set for release on the Switch 2 soon.
Also Available On: PlayStation and Xbox
‘Fast RMX’ Was Built For The Switch
Recommended Ages: 14+
What Sets Fast RMX Apart: Fast RMX looks and feels a lot like Redout because both are inspired by similar past games. Just like Redout, players helm futuristic anti-gravity racers at unimaginable speeds. What makes Fast RMX special is the phases that your cars switch through. Cars can move between blue and orange phases, corresponding to the blue and orange portions of the track. Tracks that match your car boost your speed, but if you hit a portion of the track that doesn’t match your car, it can slow you down. If you’re lucky, nothing happens at all. This adds an extra split-second decision-making element that makes this game even more intense than Redout. One more aspect that makes Fast RMX stand out is that it is a Switch exclusive, so it was optimized for the console.
Why Fast RMX Great For Teens: This game is for the adrenaline junkie in your house. I feel like the upcoming Fast RMX 2 on the Switch 2 is going to be right in the sweet spot for my now seven-year-old, who needs this kind of stimulation when he plays. These are the kinds of games that offer real-world benefits for kids, such as improved reaction time. The speed and technicality of this game make it challenging for younger kids, but there is nothing inherently mature about it, so kids as young as 10 can start practicing and shouldn’t expect to master it.
Also Available On: Nintendo Exclusive
