The category of racing games covers a fairly wide spectrum, certainly much more than games about automobile racing (of which there are many, with several being excellent). Rather than focus on fast cars, this list includes a wide variety of games in which the goal is to cross the finish line first.
1. Formula D
Image courtesy of Asmodée Editions
For 2 to 10 players, ages 10 and up. Designed by Laurent Lavaur and Eric Randall. Published by Asmodée Editions.
Perhaps the most popular auto racing game available today, Formula D (formerly known as Formula De) uses a creative method of gear changing -- what gear you're in determines how big the die you roll is. Navigating turns can be tricky, and you need to watch your tires. With numerous tracks available (including some city courses and others based on actual tracks around the world), this is a must-have for fans of Formula One racing.
Perhaps the most popular auto racing game available today, Formula D (formerly known as Formula De) uses a creative method of gear changing -- what gear you're in determines how big the die you roll is. Navigating turns can be tricky, and you need to watch your tires. With numerous tracks available (including some city courses and others based on actual tracks around the world), this is a must-have for fans of Formula One racing.
2. Snow Tails
Image courtesy of Asmodée Editions
For 2 to 5 players, ages 10 and up. Designed by Fraser Lamont and Gordon Lamont. Published by Asmodée Editions.
Snow Tails is a very creative race game based on dog sledding. The modular track is the first thing you'll notice -- it allows for a wide variety of course layouts and difficulties. The gameplay involves managing your hand of cards as well as you can. Three cards are always in play: two determine the speed and direction of your sled; the third acts as a brake. Navigating turns can be especially tricky, since this race is in the Arctic Circle and you're sledding on snow and ice.
Snow Tails is a very creative race game based on dog sledding. The modular track is the first thing you'll notice -- it allows for a wide variety of course layouts and difficulties. The gameplay involves managing your hand of cards as well as you can. Three cards are always in play: two determine the speed and direction of your sled; the third acts as a brake. Navigating turns can be especially tricky, since this race is in the Arctic Circle and you're sledding on snow and ice.
3. Ave Caesar
Image courtesy of Asmodée Editions
For 2 to 6 players, ages 12 and up. Designed by Wolfgang Riedesser, published by Asmodée Editions.
Players trying to be the first to complete three laps around a track in ancient Rome. Each player has an identical deck of cards, drawing three to start the game. It then becomes a simple process of playing a card, moving your chariot forward that number of spaces, and drawing a replacement card. But with a track full of players trying to block your way on the narrow track, that's easier said than done. And if you fail to pay tribute to Caesar along the way, you cannot win the race. Ave Caesar, a personal favorite, is deceptively simple.
Players trying to be the first to complete three laps around a track in ancient Rome. Each player has an identical deck of cards, drawing three to start the game. It then becomes a simple process of playing a card, moving your chariot forward that number of spaces, and drawing a replacement card. But with a track full of players trying to block your way on the narrow track, that's easier said than done. And if you fail to pay tribute to Caesar along the way, you cannot win the race. Ave Caesar, a personal favorite, is deceptively simple.
4. Fast Flowing Forest Fellers
Image courtesy of Rio Grande Games
For 2 to 5 players, ages 8 and up. Designed by Friedemann Friese. Published by Rio Grande Games.
Lumberjacks are racing down the river on logs in this puzzle-ish board game. Each player has two lumberjacks who both have to make it down the river, so it's important to set up moves that can benefit both of your pieces if at all possible. The river can be wild, and it is often full of extra logs. Any piece (player or log) that ends up in the current will move wherever the water takes it, and that can generate a series of chain reactions. Like Snow Tails, Fast Flowing Forest Fellers has a modular board system, adding a great deal of variety to the possible courses.
Lumberjacks are racing down the river on logs in this puzzle-ish board game. Each player has two lumberjacks who both have to make it down the river, so it's important to set up moves that can benefit both of your pieces if at all possible. The river can be wild, and it is often full of extra logs. Any piece (player or log) that ends up in the current will move wherever the water takes it, and that can generate a series of chain reactions. Like Snow Tails, Fast Flowing Forest Fellers has a modular board system, adding a great deal of variety to the possible courses.
5. Hare and Tortoise
Photo © Erik Arneson
For 2 to 6 players, ages 8 and up. Designed by David Parlett, published by Rio Grande Games.
Will you sprint or take it slow and steady? In this award-winning board game, a mixture of the two may be the best strategy. Moving forward gets you to the finish line, but moving backward is the only way to earn the energy you need to move forward.
Will you sprint or take it slow and steady? In this award-winning board game, a mixture of the two may be the best strategy. Moving forward gets you to the finish line, but moving backward is the only way to earn the energy you need to move forward.
6. PitchCar
For 2 to 8 players, ages 6 and up. Designed by Jean du Poel, published by Ferti.PitchCar is packed with finger-flicking fun. After assembling the wooden track (which can be put together in many different ways), players take turns flicking wooden discs around the track. If your disc flies off the track, you essentially lose your turn. The winner is the first to cross the finish line after a set number of laps. It's rare that I've played a game of PitchCar without a great deal of laughter.
7. Um Reifenbreite
For 2 to 4 players, ages 10 and up. Designed by Rob Bontenbal, published by Jumbo / Homas Spelen.8. Powerboats
For 2 to 6 players, ages 8 and up. Designed by Corné van Moorsel, published by Cwali.9. Cartagena
For 2 to 5 players, ages 8 and up. Designed by Leo Colovini, published by Winning Moves and Rio Grande Games.Inspired by a (fictional?) 1672 escape of pirates from the fortress of Cartagena, this game challenges players to move through a narrow tunnel and escape on a boat. The movement is similar (but not identical) to Hare and Tortoise -- you have to move forward to win, but you have to move backward to earn the cards that can move you forward. Quick, light and good fun. Also available is a sequel game: Cartagena II.
10. The aMAZEing Labyrinth
Photo © Erik Arneson
For 1 to 4 players, ages 8 and up. Designed by Max J. Kobbert, published by Ravensburger.
A delightful combination of race and maze, players of The aMAZEing Labyrinth must navigate a constantly shifting maze to pick up treasures and return to their starting point. For younger players, a Labyrinth Junior game is available.
A delightful combination of race and maze, players of The aMAZEing Labyrinth must navigate a constantly shifting maze to pick up treasures and return to their starting point. For younger players, a Labyrinth Junior game is available.
