Thanks to franchises like Need for Speed, it’s not an overstatement to say that arcade racers were dominant forces in the gaming sphere during the 2000’s and early 2010’s.
But although Forza Horizon has been the main simcade representative for more than a decade, the recent successes of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and Mario Kart World got us thinking. After all, if the game’s managed to bring kart racers to the forefront in 2025, can 2026’s eclectic selection of releases bring forth an arcade renaissance? Here are a few 2026 arcade racers and why they could either kickstart a long-awaited comeback or set themselves apart.
STAR WARS: Galactic Racer
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- Release Date: 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
Starting with this year’s headliner and the racer most likely to welcome newcomers to the genre, courtesy of the Star Wars IP, Galactic Racer promises to put you in the shoes of a pilot looking to build their legacy across the stars as they take on The Galactic League. As you can spot in the image above, the game will also allow you to take control of a wide array of repulsorcraft’s in what I can only consider to be a full plate for both fans of the cult-classic Episode 1 Racer (aka Pod Racer), as well as Wipeout and Redout veterans.
Is that not enough? Well, what if I told you that Fuse Games — its developing studio — is composed of multiple Criterion Games veterans, including its former general manager Matt Webster. That’s right, the same Criterion known for both the aforementioned NFS and Burnout franchises.
Screamer
- Release Date: March 26, 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
Going from a massive AAA title to one that feels like a spiritual successor to adrenaline-filled games like Split/amer will be the first true-to-form arcade racer to debut in 2026. And man, I’m putting a lot of hope into it, as it promises to pair its 90’s anime aesthetic, narrative focus, and high-speed action with a straightforward approach to racing that relies on both mastering the basics and managing your resources. Here, your objective seems to be simple: either keep a steady grip on first place or make sure you can blast through all in your path to victory.
iRacing Arcade
- Release Date: To be released
- Platforms: PC, later on Xbox Series X/S and PS5
Made by the team behind Circuit Superstars, iRacing Arcade promises to bring fans an easy-to-dive-into and charming experience featuring both that old-school arcade feel and a wide array of licensed cars/ tracks. Something else to note here is that the game’s loop will not rely solely on upgrading your cars and completing both its career and up to 11v11 online races. Instead, investing in your team/brand via both new vehicles and facilities is the endgame. Curious? You can check out the game’s demo on Steam right now.
Forza Horizon 6
- Release Date: 2026
- Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC, and PS5
Even if divisive among arcade racing fans, given its simcade label, Forza Horizon 6 is set to take players to a whole new festival, this time set in Japan. My only fear regarding it, however, lies with Microsoft itself and its infamous public push toward generative AI, which, if a factor here, would snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Something else worth noticing is that, although the title will be available as part of the Game Pass library on day one on both Xbox and PC, its PS5 version is scheduled to arrive at a later date.
So, do you believe the above can succeed in bringing arcade racers back to the spotlight in 2026? And more importantly, is there a release you believe we missed or brushed over? Let us know below.
