Futuristic Racing Games That Take Combat to the Next Level

19 July 2025

Ready to buckle in and push the throttle beyond the edge of sanity? Let’s talk about a genre that blends two of the most adrenaline-pumping things in gaming: high-speed racing and explosive combat. I'm talking about futuristic racing games that don’t just ask you to cross the finish line—they dare you to survive the ride.

These games are more than your usual lap-around-the-track experience. They throw you into chaotic arenas where speed is only half the battle. Want to outrun your enemies? Great. Want to blast them to bits while drifting at 300 mph? Even better.

This is where sci-fi meets destruction. It’s like Mario Kart’s evil twin that grew up listening to heavy metal and watching Mad Max on repeat. Let’s dive into the world of futuristic racing games that crank combat up to eleven.

Why Do We Love Futuristic Racing Combat Games So Much?

You know what’s better than going fast? Going fast while dodging missiles and firing EMP blasts. There’s something so satisfying about leaving your rivals in the dust—or a smoking pile of debris.

These games hit that sweet spot between strategy and chaos. You can't just be fast—you have to be smart, aggressive, and dangerous. The futuristic setting also lets developers run wild with creativity. Think anti-gravity racers, plasma weapons, neon-lit tracks on distant planets, and game physics that throw realism out the window.

Let’s be real: real-life racing will never let you drive a rocket-powered hovercraft armed with laser cannons. These games? That’s just the starting grid.

The Mighty Legacy of Combat Racing: Where It All Began

Before we jump into the newest and wildest titles, we’ve got to tip our hats to the pioneers. Games like F-Zero, Wipeout, and even Twisted Metal (though it’s more combat-car chaos than traditional racing) set the tone for where speed meets violence.

Back in the '90s, futuristic racers gave us a glimpse of gaming’s potential. They weren’t afraid to get weird or stretch the rules. And boy, did it pay off.

Fast-forward to now, and developers keep raising the bar with visuals, speed, mechanics, and sheer firepower. So, let’s check out some of the most mind-blowing, combat-fueled futuristic racing games you can play today.

1. Redout 2 – Speed Meets Style… With a Hint of Mayhem

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch

Let’s kick things off with Redout 2, a spiritual successor to Wipeout and F-Zero. This game doesn’t just make you go fast—it makes you feel like you’re tearing holes in space-time.

While it leans heavily on classic anti-gravity racing mechanics, Redout 2 sneaks in combat elements that give it an extra layer of intensity. Between the stunning visuals, insane track designs, and pulsating synthwave soundtrack, it’s like stepping into a Tron-inspired fever dream.

Sure, it focuses more on speed than full-blown destruction, but when you’re racing at breakneck pace around a curve that looks like it was designed by a rollercoaster engineer on Red Bull, staying alive feels like combat.

2. GRIP: Combat Racing – Physics-Defying Carnage

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

If you've ever wondered what it would feel like to race a tank on steroids, strap in for GRIP: Combat Racing. This title is loud, fast, and utterly unhinged.

Inspired by the old-school classic Rollcage, GRIP's vehicles can drive on walls, ceilings, and any surface they touch, thanks to their physics-defying design. The tracks are vertical, twisted, and full of traps—and yes, you can and will be shot at in the process.

Weapons? Check. Chaos? Double check. There’s nothing quite like flipping upside down on a tunnel wall while auto-turrets lock onto the player ahead of you.

3. Distance – Survival Racing in a Neon Nightmare

Platforms: PC, PS4

Distance isn’t just about racing. It’s about surviving.

This neon-drenched title is like a fever dream of futuristic dystopia meets racing thriller. You’re not just gunning for the finish line—you’re dodging laser grids, jumping over death pits, and outrunning traps designed to annihilate you in the flash of an LED.

Combat here is more environmental than direct. The enemy is the track itself. But don’t let that fool you—Distance is as intense and aggressive as they come. Think "Need for Speed meets Saw."

4. Pacer – Combat Racing Reborn

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

Pacer is something special. It’s like Wipeout reincarnated, and yes, many of the developers behind Wipeout helped bring this game to life.

High-speed anti-gravity racing? Check.
Heavy-duty customizable combat loadouts? Oh yeah.
Tracks that look like they’ve been airlifted from a dystopian sci-fi movie? Absolutely.

Pacer leans hard into both the speed and the guns. Loadouts are fully tweakable, meaning you can craft a racing death machine that suits your exact style—whether that’s homing missiles, energy blasters, or good ol’ fashioned machine guns.

Multiplayer battles in Pacer are brutal, and every race feels like a warzone. It ain’t for the faint of heart, but if you love chaos, this one’s a no-brainer.

5. Fatal Inertia EX – Underrated, Unhinged, and Unapologetic

Platform: PS3 (Backward Compatible)

Let’s go retro for a second. If you’ve never played Fatal Inertia EX, you’ve missed out on one of the most under-the-radar combat racers of our time.

Set in a future where speed is king but weaponized vehicles rule the scene, Fatal Inertia blends futuristic hovercraft racing with sticky mines, magnetic disruptors, and all kinds of gadgets designed to make your opponents scream.

It's got a learning curve, sure, but once you get the hang of it, it's one of the most rewarding (and explosive) experiences out there.

6. Trailblazers – A Splash of Color and a Punch of Strategy

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch

Now, this one’s a bit different.

Trailblazers combines high-speed team-based racing with combat... and a paint mechanic. Wait, what?

Yeah. You "paint" the track as you race. If your team's color is on the ground, your teammates can turbo boost along it. Add in some aggressive collisions and smart item usage, and suddenly it's like Splatoon met F-Zero in a back alley.

It’s quirky, stylish, and surprisingly tactical. Plus, there’s nothing quite like stealing a win with a last-second paint trail boost.

7. Antigraviator – No Speed Limit, No Mercy

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

If Redout 2 made you feel fast, Antigraviator puts a jet engine where your racer’s heart should be.

This game trades traditional weapon systems for trap-based combat. You can trigger explosions, rockslides, collapsing tunnels, and other passive-aggressive surprises to take out competition.

There’s no upper speed limit here—literally. Your only limiter is your skill (and your reaction time). It’s smooth, brutal, and ridiculously fun once you get into the groove.

Honorable Mention: Wipeout Omega Collection

Platform: PS4, PS5 (via backward compatibility)

Even though Wipeout’s glory days are behind us, the Omega Collection keeps the dream alive. With remastered HD graphics, upgraded mechanics, and classic combat-loaded anti-grav racing, it’s a must-play for any fan of the genre.

Plus, there’s nothing quite like hearing that lock-on alarm and praying you’ve got a shield or turbo handy.

The Future of Futuristic Combat Racing

So, what’s next for this wild genre?

Well, with indie developers stepping up in a big way and AAA studios testing out sci-fi racing ideas again, we could be looking at a pretty epic comeback. Games like Phantom Spark and Ion Driver are in alpha stages, and the hype is real.

VR is another game-changer. Imagine piloting a cannon-loaded hovercraft in full virtual reality. Terrifying? Absolutely. But also kind of awesome. Expect to see more VR integration in the future, plus online multiplayer modes that lean into esports-level precision.

What Makes a Great Combat Racing Game?

Let’s wrap this up with the core recipe for an unforgettable combat racer:

- Speed – You should feel like you're barely in control… in a good way.
- Weapons – The more creative, the better. Rockets are fun, but black-hole guns? Yes, please.
- Track Design – Twists, loops, traps, hazards. If a race track doesn’t scare you, it’s not doing its job.
- Visuals & Sound – The genre thrives on neon lights, booming bass, and futuristic cityscapes.
- Replayability – Modes, unlocks, multiplayer. You want to keep coming back for more punishment.

Bottom Line: It's Not Just Racing, It's War

If you’ve never dipped your toes into futuristic combat racing, now’s your chance. These games bring pure chaos, insane speed, and tactical depth into one package—and they’re just plain FUN.

Whether you're looking to dominate online leaderboards, rage against your friends in split-screen, or just blow stuff up at 300 mph, there's a game out there with your name on it.

So gear up, pick your ride, lock and load… and remember: in the future, finishing first means surviving the fight.