Video games have been around for over four decades, and have evolved significantly. Additionally, gaming genres have matured to the brim, which is why old games no longer resemble new ones. Categories such as first-person shooters and third-person open-world titles have become some of the most popular types of games in 2022.

Another genre is racing, which has become extremely popular over the years and has turned out titles such as Forza Horizon 5 and Gran Turismo. Unfortunately, these vehicular games do not get as much attention as other titles in the market. Hence, many do not get attention at launch. Here's a list of a few such racing games that became successful months after their release.

10 CarX Drift Racing Online

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CarX Drift Racing Online is a 2017 simulation driving game emphasizing professional sports racing. It's an immersive title where players have a chance to feel like trained racers as they make their way to the top. The game allows modes such as single-player, online co-op, and online PvP, all with a deep focus on realistic physics and customization.

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CarX Drift Racing Online also offers unique tracks from several cities around the globe and graphics on par with modern-day racing games. Despite all that, the game bombed on launch, as the Steam review scores prove it got most of its player base at the end of 2020.

9 BeamNG.drive

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BeamNG.drive is an inexpensive way to experience the best simulation-based racing on Steam. It is a physics-based vehicle driving game that offers fun gameplay, great visuals, and lots of content. BeamNG.drive is a bang for the buck for players who want to enjoy realistic driving.

The game uses a proprietary soft-body physics engine that simulates every moving part in a car, making the game extremely realistic. It also supports a variety of computer specs and only demands a 1GB graphics card and 8GB ram. The game has been around on Steam since 2015, but only got immensely popular in late 2019.

8 Assetto Corsa

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Assetto Corsa was once an unheard-of game from a fairly small developer. However, it has become extremely popular over the years and sits at "Very Positive" review scores on Steam. The game is known for being a very good automobile simulation title that focuses on racing and driving in the most realistic way possible.

Assetto Corsa offers a dozen different add-ons and a quality experience that most games fail to capture nowadays. The game page claims Assetto is the "NEXT GENERATION RACING SIMULATOR," which is obvious looking at its popularity and virtual reality support. While the game came out in 2014, it truly managed to capture engagement five years later.

7 Descenders

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Ubisoft's Riders Republic came out in 2021, but it seems a big reason for its existence is the popularity of the 2018 game Descenders. The bicycle racing game is an "extreme downhill freeriding" experience focusing on the popular BMX sport. It's an action cycling game that offers single-player, online PvP, and stunt-based gameplay.

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Descenders currently hold "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews on Steam, but during its initial launch in 2018, the game didn't capture many eyes. The game has been getting positive scores since early 2020, months after it officially came out on Steam.

6 DiRT Rally 2.0

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Almost everyone knows the popular Dirt series, one of if not the best racing games from Codemasters. The off-road automobile simulation games are known for their amazing physics-based gameplay and tight-knit races that always keep the players engaged.

Dirt Rally 2 takes that to another level by focusing on the rally aspect of the popular sport and giving players access to locations around the world. Unfortunately, the popular off-road game bombed on launch. Steam review scores show that it only managed to get 100-200 reviews per month for almost eight months.

5 Wreckfest

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Wreckfest is a simulation-based racing game focusing on Burnout-like destruction mechanics. It is a demolition derby title and uses its in-game realistic physics to bring out the violent sport in all its glory. Wreckfest offers sophisticated driving dynamics and in-depth upgrading, as well as more traditional track races and demolition derbies.

The best part about this game is its unique concept that players can't find in most other games. This could be why it holds a very positive score after years of being ignored.

4 FlatOut 2

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Flatout 2 is an old game that originally came out in 2006. It's a sequel to the 2004 racing game by the same name, which had a mediocre reception on launch. Like its predecessor, Flatout 2 also got average review scores after its release. However, the game now sits at an "Overwhelmingly Positive" user score on Steam, which is a testament to its greatness.

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The second Flatout game is a combat-based arcade racing game popular for its classic gameplay and fun old-school mini-games. The review score chart on Steam shows the game has steadily grown among players since 2020.

3 iRacing

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iRacing is a good automobile sim famous among players who like realistic racing and crave a virtual career in the sport. The game's main page describes it as the "world's premier motorsports racing game," and there are a few good reasons for that. iRacing is a membership-based MMO where players can define their legacy and build friendships just like they would in the real world.

Players can find over 150 cars and tracks in the game, 40 official series, 800 private leagues, and much more. After its launch in 2015, the game received 2-5 reviews per month until it blew off in 2020, when VR became more accessible.

2 Trackmania United Forever

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Trackmania United Forever is a Ubisoft game still purchasable on Steam because of its active player base. It is a unique arcade racer focusing on time-attack gameplay and spectacular tracks. Regarding content, Trackmania United Forever offers four single-player modes, seven types of vehicles, team-based multiplayer modes, and great graphics.

Additionally, it comes with a level editor for those who want to build unique and wacky tracks and play their fantasies. The game originally came out in 2008 on Steam but has lately become quite actively played.

1 MX vs. ATV Reflex

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MX vs. ATV Reflex is a motocross racer title that became one of the best games THQ has ever released. It's an off-road sports title about action and pulling off stunts. Most players love a few cool features in this game, including "havoc-laden environments" and "death-defying tricks." MX vs. ATV Reflex offers Dual controls where players can separately control the rider and their vehicle in the game.

Additionally, the track continuously changes with every lap, making the game unpredictable and fun. The steam review score graph shows the game bombed on launch for four years before it started getting reviews from people and became a "Very Positive" title on the platform.

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