The Year of the Car: 2012’s Big Upcoming Car Racing Games

Every year brings with it a whole new batch of driving-based games, be they racing or combat based or both. Typically, we’ll see new instalments in all of the expected franchises, and 2012 is no exception. That’s not to say that some of those updates don’t look killer, and it’s certainly not to say that there isn’t a healthy dose of brand spanking new high-octane driving action for couch-based petrol-heads to sink their teeth into. Here’s a look at 2012’s vehicular prospects, featuring a mix of perennials and all-new action.

1. DiRT Showdown

This hybrid between a racing and demolition driving game has both single and multi-player gameplay. The game has intense courses with obstacles, pinch points, alternative routes, and ramps to make NASCAR look like child’s play. DiRT pushes the envelope of extreme sports racing with pyrotechnics, unique racing environments, and screeching metal demolition matches.

2. Gas Guzzlers: Combat Carnage

Gas Guzzlers: Combat Carnage is a fast paced racing game that incorporates powerful weapons, car upgrades, and challenging environments that demand that you bring your “A” game at all times. Winning races grants you money that can be used to upgrade your car with everything from speed to armor to weapons. The game is currently in open beta testing (you can get the client here) and has already been wowing gamers with an impressive amount of graphical clout. Just check out the video below to see for yourself!

3. MUM: FIM Motorcross World Championship

MUD is a game shaping up to be the definitive motorcross experience. Pulling out the sort of roster you typically expect to see in a football game, the title boasts a full and accurate repertoire of motorcross superstars, teams and bikes. Being the only game to hold the official licenses for the MX1 and MX2 championships, this game will be the only place to get your realistic, up to date motorcross action without saddling up and hitting the dirt. The game features real time terrain deformation that promises to make every race different as the pack of bikes chews up the terra firma.

4. Wrecked: Revenge Revisited

Wrecked: Revenge Revisited is a combat-based driving game with an emphasis on chaos. Players will find themselves engaged in brutal vehicular combat in a variety of different environments, and will have the option to either go it alone in a series of challenges designed to test your speed and weapons handling skills, or otherwise join three other players in competitive or co-op gameplay. The title will boast a wealth of different weapons, each with their own unique traits and will permit players to customise their ride before taking it out of the garage to take on the world. This one should be a must for anyone who was a fan of the classic Twisted Metal games on the Playstation.

5. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2

The Need for Speed series has been thrilling PC gamers since 1994 and console gamers since 2002. In January this year, EA announced that a new instalment in the series, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 would be released some time in 2012. Details on the game are still a little thin on the ground at the moment, but you can guarantee one thing: it’s going to be bold, brash, and very, very fast. Definitely one to look forward to. Whet your appetite now with this gameplay from the series’ most recent entry: Need for Speed: The Run.

So there you have it, a look at the biggest upcoming driving games of 2012. If that’s not enough for you, don’t fret, there’s loads more in the pipeline besides, and you know the flow of top quality, max speed racing games isn’t going to abate any time soon.

Prefer the real thing? Check out cheap car rental in Liverpool, Manchester and elsewhere around the UK from Vroomvroomvroom.co.uk.