iRacing Arcade on Xbox Series X/S delivers a colourful, approachable take on motorsport that prioritises fun over pure simulation.
This third-person arcade racer from iRacing and Original Fire Games features stylised versions of real licensed cars and circuits, from Porsche 911 GT3 Cup machinery to GTP prototypes and even quirky additions like Caterhams and big rigs. Handling is forgiving and controller-friendly, described as a "tactile physics model" it reminds me of some of my favourite racing games ever, the GRID series by Codemasters. Like them it has instinctive handling and just enough tyre wear and fuel management to add light strategy without overwhelming newcomers or boring hardened racers. I won't go into the subtleties of the tyre wear and fuel usage (because I don't think that's what the game is about), but I'm convinced fuel gets used more quickly if you're aggressive with the throttle–and that can make a significant difference in endurance races.
Whether they're 5 laps or 20+ in length, races always feel lively and chaotic, especially with aggressive AI that keeps things unpredictable - they’ll bump and block you but also make mistakes of their own, but you never feel that their cars are stuck to the track better than yours, unlike some games/sims, meaning you can always nerf them back. Any track limits infringement means a ‘power down’ 2-second penalty, so a well-timed lunge can demote a nuisance opponent several places!
The career mode stands out as an addictive solo experience. You build and upgrade your own racing organisation, hire drivers, expand facilities and progress through series, creating a satisfying loop of on-track success that feeds off-track growth as you build your base of operations which allows your garage of vehicles to grow and improve. This is all done with an optional, hands-on building section at the end of a race week that compliments the racing without intruding. Think: The Sims: Racing Team Manager Edition.
Visually bright and cartoonish, the game runs smoothly and looks sharp on Xbox. The only thing we’d have liked to see that is missing from the game is a cockpit view or bonnet cam.
As well as the comprehensive single player modes you get: Xbox Local Multiplayer (2-4) shared/split-screen for brilliant couch sessions, Online Multiplayer (2-12) and Xbox Cross-Platform Multiplayer, which plays great but is rather underpopulated as yet. It's a real shame there's no Xbox<>PlayStation crossplay, as we've played both, couldn't tell them apart and highly recommend both (although we prefer the Xbox controller for racing games.)
Ok so they could have made the other pit crews get out of your way during pit stops and there seem to be some missing timings at the conclusion of a race, but to be honest that's really just picking holes for the sake of it.
So maybe it lacks the depth and polish of bigger titles, and the AI can frustrate, but for quick, enjoyable races mixed with light management, iRacing Arcade is a charming, accessible package that does exactly what its name promises. A similar game we reviewed earlier this year, Formula Legends, wanted to be this cute–this good, but failed. At a price of only £20.99 iRacing Arcade offers solid value for casual racers and families seeking something more engaging than pure arcade fare, yet far less intimidating than a full sim. This is an essential addition to any serious race fan's library.
Many thanks to Original Fire Games, iRacing and Sandbox Strategies