Summary
The success of anyopen-world arcade racinggame depends heavily on three main pillars: driving physics, avast map for exploration and racing, and a robust car roster. Car enthusiasts are often highly selective, favoring games that feature specific manufacturers and iconic models, so a larger vehicle selection greatly increases a game’s appeal and market success by catering to these preferences.
Over time, the number of cars available in open-world arcade racing games has expanded dramatically. Earlier titles, like theNeed for Speedseries — pioneers of the genre — typically offered just a few dozen vehicles. In contrast, theForza Horizonseries has set new standards by featuringhundreds of unique cars, each customizableand tailored for different racing disciplines. Similarly,The Crewseries has carved out its niche by emphasizing enormous maps and extensive vehicle lineups. The live-service nature of many modern open-world racing titles also helps, as more new cars are being added over time via the post-launch content updates. This list explores some of the standout open-world racing games that offer extensive car collections to satisfy any automotive enthusiast’s desire for a dream garage, ranking them by how many cars each game offers.
The most recent entry in the genre,Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, offers a sprawling map of Hong Kong for exploration but features a relatively modest roster of ‘just’ 110 cars. The game prioritizes thedriving lifestyle and social interactionsover deep vehicle customization, staying true to the series' legacy.
Cars inSolar Crownare divided into five categories: daily drivers, grand tourers, hypercars, off-road vehicles, and supercars, each catering to specific racing disciplines. The game includes a fairly standard list of manufacturers, such as Audi, Bugatti, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Mercedes, and Porsche, with a few exotic additions like W Motors, Sientero, and Pininfarina. While there’spotential for the vehicle roster to grow over time, the game’s underwhelming launch and mixed reception indicate that significant updates may be a long way off.Solar Crownhas yet to fully establish itself as a standout in the crowded arcade racing scene.
Need for Speed Heatstands out in the franchise for introducing a compelling gameplay loop that divides racing into a day and night cycle. During the day, players can explore and race with minimal risk, while nighttime activities bring higher rewards but also intense police chases, adding a thrilling layer. The gameboasts a roster of over 130 unique vehicles, though this includes pre-tuned special editions like Legends and Khyzyl Saleem variants. Fans of iconic street racing cars will find familiar favorites such as Acura, BMW, Chevrolet, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Nissan, alongside rarer brands like Volvo, Polestar, and Buick.
Unlike many arcade racers that frequently dole out new cars,Heatmakes players earn their rides through hard work, saving money, and building Rep at night. Combined with rich customization options, this approach deepens the satisfaction of collecting and upgrading vehicles, encouraging creative expression and tactical preparation for every challenge.
The latest entry in the iconic series,Need for Speed Unboundembraces its live-service approach by consistently delivering new seasonal updates, called Volumes, which introduce fresh racing events, challenges, rewards, and an ever-expanding roster of stylish vehicles. By the end of 2024,the game boasts over 150 cars, making it one of the largest vehicle selections inNeed for Speedhistory. Familiar brands like Bugatti, McLaren, and Alfa Romeo arejoined by returning exoticssuch as Lotus and Jaguar, while Vol. 9 - Lockdownadds motorbikes to the seriesfor the first time.
The customization system inUnboundis impressively robust, allowing players to modify cars with dozens of unique body parts, performance upgrades, visual effects, and even special animations for flaunting during races. Paired with its bold and distinctive visual style,Need for Speed Unboundsuccessfully redefines the series' identity while delivering a fresh and engaging racing experience.
The Crew 2stands out with one of the largest open-world maps in arcade racing, paired with an equally extensive selection of vehicles. Thanks to over six years of consistent post-launch updates, the game now features an impressive roster ofover 500 rides across various categories, all customizable and ready for players to unlock their full potential. Unique brands not commonly seen in similar games, like Cadillac, Chrysler, Citroën, DMC, Lancia, Peugeot, Ruf, and Spyker, add to the game’s allure. However, some vehicles can be challenging to acquire, as many are tied to season pass rewards or limited-time drops.
Despite being as old asForza Horizon 4, there is no indication ofThe Crew 2being delisted anytime soon, making it a safe and worthwhile purchase for fans across all platforms who enjoy massive maps and an extensive vehicle roster.
The Crew Motorfestexpands upon the extensive car roster ofThe Crew 2, boasting over 600 cars, with thisnumber continuing to grow through seasonal updatesthat add new racing playlists and rewards. Beyond cars, the game also features other vehicle types, including boats, bikes, planes, and helicopters, although these are not countedwithin the 600+ car listing.
Similar to theForza Horizonseries, acquiring new cars inMotorfestis relatively easy and straightforward, allowing players to quickly amass an impressive collection. However, certain elite playlists require the purchase of high-cost vehicles, incentivizing exploration and participation in events to earn prize money. This balance between accessibility and challenge keeps the gameplay engaging for all types of players.
Building on its predecessors,Forza Horizon 4offers not only a larger, more visually stunning and diverse map but also a significantly expanded car roster. Over years of post-launch updates, thegame’s car count has grown to over 750 vehicles, with some being so rare that obtaining them requires both perseverance and luck at the auctions.
Staying true to the series' roots, vehicles are categorized into various types, such as Super GT, Track Toys, Vintage Racers, and Retro Muscle. Players can explore an impressive lineup of renowned manufacturers, including iconic and exotic brands like AMC, Apollo, Ascari, Hennessey, Italdesign, Toyota, and Zenvo. Additionally, the game features pre-tuned Forza Edition (FE) cars with enhanced performance and unique bonuses for events and free roam.
Keep in mind thatForza Horizon 4will be delisted from digital storeson PC and Xbox on December 15. While the servers will remain operational, this marks the final chance to secure the game for long-term play.
Forza Horizon 5stands at the pinnacle of the open-world arcade racing genre, and for good reason. The game boasts the best visuals in its class, a massive and intricately detailed map with distinct biomes, dynamic seasonal changes, player-created tracks, and regular content updates packed with unique challenges and new exotic cars as rewards. By the end of 2024,Forza Horizon 5offers anastounding roster of over 830 vehicles, with the list continually expanding as new rides are added.
For car enthusiasts, the game is a true paradise, offering vehicles spanning different eras, classes, and disciplines. Players can collect both real-life licensed cars and fictional creations from other media, all recreated with stunning accuracy. While its customization options may not be as deep as theNeed for Speedseries, the ability to upgrade and personalize vehicles both inside and out adds personal touch. For some, managing and expanding their car collection becomes just as engaging — if not more so — than racing itself.
