Car simulators have always occupied a high place in the ranking of the most popular games. The situation has not changed today. This was made possible thanks to the realism of the process, in which everyone can use the game steering wheel. The latter allows everyone to feel like a professional driver, even if you do not have a driver’s license or extensive experience driving an actual vehicle. Let’s look at such popular car simulators as Gran Turismo, Formula 1, Assetto Corsa, and World Rally Championship and explore the available models.
Gran Turismo
One of the most famous car simulators is, of course, Gran Turismo. This game has over 25 years of history (the first version appeared in 1997) and is in the top 3 of most ratings. It is designed for Sony consoles and provides the ability to use a gaming steering wheel. With the latter’s help, the game becomes as realistic as possible, which is why many players forget that they are driving a virtual car. To date, seven versions of the game have been released. The last of them appeared in March 2022.
In all game versions, the developers of Gran Turismo used not fictional but accurate car models that have already been released by manufacturers or are only planned for the future. This critical advantage made the game even more popular among racing fans. In the newest version, you can control four hundred different vehicles. Among them, the undisputed leader in popularity is the Dodge SRT Tomahawk X VGT. This sports car is the fastest of all presented in the game. It stands out for its futuristic design and excellent racing performance. Of course, the price of such a beauty is very high, so you will have to try hard to become its owner.
Another favorite is the Ford Focus Gr.B Rally. This rally car is perfect in almost every way. It’s fast, stable, and handles well. Its price in the game is relatively low so that anyone can buy it. The following car that deserves players’ attention is the Jaguar VGT SV. This British sports car is so fast that taming it on the track can be challenging. However, the task becomes a little easier if you use a gaming wheel. With a top speed of 255 mph and swift acceleration, this car allows every player to experience what truly fast driving is like. You can get behind the wheel of such a vehicle only if you have many credits (game currency) on your game account.
Gran Turismo also features more traditional cars. Among them, the most popular is the Mazda Demio XD Touring. It requires a small amount of game currency on the account and gives players using the steering wheel complete control over the situation on the track. Good maneuverability, high speed and excellent handling make the car an ideal entry-level option. If you want to develop further, then most likely, one day, you will have to replace the Mazda Demio XD Touring with some sports car. Nevertheless, the acquired virtual vehicle driving skills will help you achieve success in the game.
Formula 1
No review of car simulators can be done without the queen of motorsport, Formula 1. This popular sport attracts millions of viewers’ attention, automatically making the game associated with it popular. The first official version of F1 appeared in 2009, and the last in 2023. Over the years, they were developed for the PlayStation and Xbox game consoles and Windows. The current 2024 version is expected in May. F1 can be played using the steering wheel. This opportunity increases interest and makes virtual racing more similar to real ones. Excellent graphics and clear elaboration of every detail add to the splendor of the game.
In the latest version of the game, cars from 10 teams are available to all fans of the queen of motorsport. Each includes two pilots for whom you can start a career. The game also features a team career mode, local split-screen competitions, and more. An essential feature of the gameplay is the difficulty of control. Controlling the car on the track and taking turns along the optimal trajectory will be challenging. This increased realism and ensured maximum similarity between virtual and real races.
In F1, you can control ten different cars. Each has its characteristics, so adjusting them to your driving style will be difficult. In certain situations, the vehicle may behave unpredictably on the track. If there is damage, you will experience problems with handling and maximum speed. The same will happen when weather conditions change. Everything will happen as in real racing, and you will enjoy the game.
Assetto Corsa
The car simulator from the Italian video game developer Kunos Simulazioni has become a real discovery for many. It appeared at the end of 2014 and was immediately liked by racing fans. The first version of the game was developed exclusively for Windows. However, two years later, versions were presented for the world’s famous game consoles. In 2021, Assetto Corsa became available on mobile devices with the iOS operating system. Assetto Corsa 2 is expected to be released in 2024, which, according to the developers, will become the most realistic car simulator.
The version available today allows everyone to use a gaming wheel. Its presence adds realism and makes the driving process more unpredictable. In addition to the steering wheel, the game can use other modern attributes, from special keyboards to virtual reality glasses mounted on the head. All this makes it possible to diversify the gameplay as much as possible and attract the attention of a vast audience of gamers.
Assetto Corsa features a variety of cars, each with unique features. Among them, the most popular, according to reviews, is the Toyota GT-86. It is equally suitable for beginners and experienced players. This Japanese sports car combines high speed, excellent handling and a stylish appearance. Thanks to these qualities, the car is one of the best for people who use a steering wheel while gaming. This model exists not only in the virtual but also in the real world. It is sold at Toyota dealerships, as well as at the online car auction.
If you prefer classics over sports cars, choose the BMW M3 E30. In Assetto Corsa, this German car is suitable mainly for beginners who are just starting to learn the features of control using a game steering wheel. For experienced virtual racers, the initial capabilities of the BMW M3 E30 will not be enough. However, after the modernization of this transport, the situation may change for the better. Overall, this car is one of the best in terms of balance between high speed and good handling. It requires some getting used to and reveals its potential only after a detailed study of the various features.
Don’t miss your chance if you can get behind the wheel of a Pagani Zonda R while playing Assetto Corsa. This Italian-made racing car features a high top speed and fast acceleration. These qualities make it ideal for short, straight races. At the same time, players driving the Pagani Zonda R will feel discomfort when cornering. You need to gain experience playing with the steering wheel and practice on the most straightforward routes to get rid of it. After this, you will not experience discomfort when driving any car.
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship, held yearly, is second in popularity only to F1 and MotoGP. These specific races on the best gravel and asphalt tracks in the world allow riders to demonstrate their skill, good reaction and composure in all situations. In the virtual world, the analog of real rally racing is the WRC series of games. The first version appeared at the beginning of the 21st century and the latest, as of today, at the end of 2023. All of them are adapted for various versions of Windows, Xbox, and PlayStation. Of course, fans of rally racing can use a gaming steering wheel. It will provide new sensations from the control process and make the game more realistic.
EA Sports developed the newest version of WRC. She preserved the tracks and cars that many loved and added several exciting options. In addition to the well-known WRC and WRC2 models, the game features the classic Citroen C4, Ford Focus RS, Mini Countryman Rally Edition, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI, Subaru Impreza and others. They are replicas of the rally cars stapled during racing in the 90s and 00s. The game also contains some less popular models, the existence of which many players did not even know. For example, the Lancia 037 Evo 2 was used in rally racing in the 80s, and the Opel Manta 400 in the 70s and 80s. Around the same years, the world’s best racers drove the Porsche 911 SC RS, BMW M1 Procar Rally and other similar models. All of them are present in the game and bring some variety. As you control them using the in-game steering wheel, you will understand how difficult the task was for the racers of the past.
Car simulators in which you can use a gaming steering wheel are the most popular. The combination of beautiful graphics and live controls makes them an ideal way to relax after a hard day at work. Each simulator we describe is characterized by maximum realism and unique gameplay. Thanks to this, Gran Turismo, Formula 1, Assetto Corsa, and the World Rally Championship will not leave anyone indifferent and will make you spend many hours at the computer.
