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Game Debate to the Death!<br>Best Racing Game? photo

In the last debate, I asked everyone to pick the worst game they've ever played, and it was truly horrifying to see how many different responses I received to that question. Valid arguments were made from a variety of consoles from the past, and as I scrolled down the hundreds of votes they just kept getting worse and worse. Plenty of awful videos were shared as evidence, and some claimed that Squaresoft poorly plagiarized Final Fantasy VII from the anime Berserk, while others even suggested that newer Square Enix games were deserving of this award.

When the debate dust finally settled, out of two hundred different picks, only a few games actually received more than a single vote. Here are the top results:

  • Worst Game You Ever Played:
  • 1st: Superman 64 (15 votes)
  • 2nd: E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial (9 votes)
  • 3rd (Tie): Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde & Rise of the Robots (5 votes)
  • 4th: Final Fantasy XII (4 votes)

This week, as I continue to drive around aimlessly in Grand Theft Auto IV instead of finishing Mario Kart Wii, I started thinking about the few racing games that I've played in the past. Out of a general disdain for the entire genre, I usually steer clear of racing games. But after fully enjoying MotoGP '07, I've given more attention to all adrenaline-filled games lately.

So for this week, I want to know what's the best racing game you've ever played, and what made it so enjoyable? Give it some serious thought, cast your votes, get some speed junkie friends to share their opinions as well, and check back next week for the photo finish winner.

Bonus Question: Which two games or series or even characters would you like to see go head-to-head in a versus match for next week's debate?


Continue: More Racing Games stories





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next 50 comments

123 comments | showing # 1 to 50

BS3 Owner's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 22:57
BS3 Owner
GRID :

Track Design, Sense of Speed, & Graphics...

Make this my hands down Winner above all.
Unicorn's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:01
Unicorn
F-Zero GX. one racing game i actually got hooked into.
sinny's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:01
sinny
Gran Turismo, , the biggest quality jump i saw in any genere
Brian Keljore's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:02
Brian Keljore
Mario Kart DS, because I said so.
TravisOnPhonics's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:04
TravisOnPhonics
Either Burnout 3 or Mario Kart Double Dash.

Fuck.

Burnout 3.

Now I'll hit add before I regret this.
F Whipple's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:08
F Whipple
Mario Kart 64, it was simply great

How about best licensed game?
ajaxender's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:09
ajaxender
Damn... its between Crash team racing (blatant mario kart 64 ripoff that did it better such that i still enjoy playing it, sequels suck ass tho) or Burnout 3 (because it fucking rules)...

Like travis above me, Burnout 3 can have it this time.
mistic's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:10
mistic
Forza2 for the realistic behaviour of the cars on the track! man I love that game! :-)
Joseph Leray's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:10
Joseph Leray
I appalled that Final Fantasy XII even came near the worst games list. Which ever 4 Destructoid readers picked it should be rounded up and shot in the ankles.

For this week, my vote goes to Mario Kart 64.
aborto thefetus's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:12
aborto thefetus
For the bonus Question: Dr. Strange vs. the Nemesis.
NegFactor's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:14
NegFactor
F-Zero GX. This isn't even a question. Just go ahead and post the results with this as the winner.

The only game that could be a better racing game would be the next F-Zero that gets put out. And I will continue to wait on it. :P
Sockapal's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:15
Sockapal
Mario Kart SNES, I played that thing to death....
AlucardX24's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:16
AlucardX24
Mario Kart DS, 2nd place is F-Zero GX.

Also, whoever voted FF12 on the last Game Debate needs to go play Final Fantasy 7 and tell me which one's worse.
Lorex888's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:16
Lorex888
Super Mario Kart for the SNES

Bonus: Kratos vs. Ryu Hayabusa
eternalplayer2345's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:19
eternalplayer2345
Burnout! When a car overtakes you, you can do what you want do in every other racing game. Ram him off the road until his car is nothing but a twisted mess of metal and pain.
rbrooks's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:19
rbrooks
i like the mix between realism and arcade with PGR 2.
Hoodie's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:20
Hoodie
I have to second Ajaxender: the original Crash Team Racing was awesome. Naughty Dog ripped off Mario Kart, but they did it RIGHT.
eternalplayer2345's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:20
eternalplayer2345
bonus: resident evil and silent hill
MrSadistic's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:21
MrSadistic
The very first Need For Speed game.
Chicken008's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:23
Chicken008
Mario Kart 64.
PsychoSoldier's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:25
PsychoSoldier
Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition. One racing that isn't Mario Kart that I like.

Bonus: Bridget vs. Posion
Teta's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:25
Teta
Mario Kart 64, no doubt about it.
Contran's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:26
Contran
Midnight Club 3 Remix
hpv's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:27
hpv
Top Gear 2 (SNES): No arguing.
EternalDarkWing's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:27
EternalDarkWing
Burnout 3 is superior.
Fronz's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:29
Fronz
@ eternalplayer2345: I've don't that debate before in the past, but that was a long time ago, so maybe I'll revisit it. It's funny that you suggested it, since I was actually thinking about making tonight's debate be "scariest game you ever played"

i want to start making these debates be more Something VS Something instead of Best Something Ever.
ghets's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:33
ghets
Im voting for the first Need For Speed:Underground because i played it a lot and it was fun.

Bonus Question. I would like to see Silent Hill bad guys vs. Resident Evil bad guys...
spiffae's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:36
spiffae
No love for Live For Speed? That is the hardest of hard core, but can also be ultra-satisfying.

As a lover of racing games, I'd have to say this is a really tough question! Live For Speed, NFS: Underground (the first one), Burnout 3, Forza 2, GRID, Trackmania...

At the end of the day I'd have to say Forza 2 - it simulates everything that Live For Speed does, but makes it accessible and just a joy to play.
Magesx's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:41
Magesx
Burnout 3/Revenge. Can't decide.

Also, DMC vs Ninja Gaiden.
bVork's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:41
bVork
Outrun. Simple and fun with fantastic music.
thinkfreemind's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:42
thinkfreemind
1st: Gran Turismo series (especially GT4) is my favorite.
2nd: F-Zero GX was great too.
HMs: As a bonus, I'd like to toss in Waverace64 and Burnout 3.
jestarinc's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:42
jestarinc
Burnout 3: Takedown

Awesomesauce in a can
manasteel88's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:43
manasteel88
the american version of biker mice from mars. the one without snickers.
eternalplayer2345's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:44
eternalplayer2345
@Fronz: If you wanna start doing those just do wii vs. ps3 vs. 360. Sit back , relax and watch the shitstorm.
adultswim810's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:44
adultswim810
uhh im not a big racer but.. grid? ALSO FUCK THE 24 HOUR LEMANS!!! I HATE IT IT MAKES ME WANT TO KILLL!!!!!
countryfan1123's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:44
countryfan1123
I have to say Forza 2, it's one of the deepest car games ever. you could spend hours just trying to get your car hooked up right and the way you want it. You can also just jump in and play with no knowledge of how to tune a car and be successful.
As for the bonus, how about best Final Fantasy boss not named Sephiroth.
godkow's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:47
godkow
Mario Kart 64
pedrovay2003's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:48
pedrovay2003
I was a HUGE fan of San Francisco Rush 2049. So many good memories of that.
bbrigg1's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:50
bbrigg1
Dirt Trax FX. I played the donkey balls out of that game.

bonus: Who's badder? Bill and Lance (Contra) or Billy and Jimmy (Double Dragon)
Alexradl's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:53
Alexradl
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2. My poor thumbs were destroyed because of that game. It may not be the best racing game, but it is certainly my favorite.
ElfShotTheFood's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/17/2008 23:55
ElfShotTheFood
Need For Speed: Most Wanted is my choice.
EternalDarkWing's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/18/2008 00:09
EternalDarkWing
Also, bonus.

Devil May Cry VS Ninja Gaiden.
brainderailment's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/18/2008 00:11
brainderailment
I'll have to say the original F-Zero on SNES, I loved that game as a kid.
DrScience123's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/18/2008 00:11
DrScience123
San Fransisco Rush for the n64. Amazing game. With a surf/rock soundtrack, fast cars in any color you like, shortcuts, unlockables, and most importantly crazy over the top races with cars flipping left and right and blowing up and cars that actually showed damage where they were hit! Amazing through and through.
Electro Lemon's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/18/2008 00:14
Electro Lemon
Burnout: Paradise.
n3rv3's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/18/2008 00:16
n3rv3
mario kart 64

bonus: snake from metal gear vs optimist prime
Fronz's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/18/2008 00:20
Fronz
@ eternalplayer2345 -- oh you better believe i plan on doing that eventually. i've just been waiting for the right moment to drop that debate bomb.

@ others -- ahhhh get out of my head! i was also considering doing a ninja gaiden debate and a devil may cry debate tonight, but i didn't think of having them face off for some reason - duh!

thanks for the suggestions, that's two weeks of debates already, anyone else have any requests?
nintendoll's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/18/2008 00:21
nintendoll
Burnout: Revenge. I'd like to give an honorable mention to Cruisin USA because you could race in a school bus and when you got first place, you got boobs with your trophy.
Polish Hill's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/18/2008 00:28
Polish Hill
Forza 2, come on let's get serious
Jaren Face's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/18/2008 00:30
Jaren Face
Hm. That's a tough one.

But, I have to go with Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition. Can't wait for the next one.
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