The Sega Saturn had a reputation for being a good system for racing games since it could handle 3D graphics, and polygons well. It could also have something to do with the high number of racers released for the system

Some of the more successful franchises like Sega Rally Championship and Daytona USA are still popular today.

Both of these franchises (and more) had been produced by Sega of America but were eventually re-released by Sega’s Japanese branch Sega AM2. In total, Sega AM2 developed and published over 20 racing titles for the Saturn. But in this list, we are going to go a little deeper with the

7 Best Racing Games For the Sega Saturn

F1 Challenge

F1 Challenge is one of the most iconic racing simulator games for those who are a fan of F1-style racing. The game was developed by Bell Corporation and released in late 1995.

F1 Challenge Racer

It was considered revolutionary at the time because it featured realistic physics and an accurate track map. The game also has all of the classic cars but sadly only 2 game modes; Arcade, and Time Attack. For such a realistic simulation racer, it is a shame they did not include a Championship or tournament mode.

It is one of the best-selling games on the Sega Saturn console, with an estimated 5 million copies sold worldwide.

Manx TT SuperBike

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to ride a motorcycle at speeds over 300 miles per hour on the Isle of Man?

Motorcycle enthusiasts are always looking for the next best bike to race on. Manx TT SuperBike for the Sega Saturn is one of the best motorcycle games of all time. The game was developed by Sega and was released in 1995.

It is based on the annual Isle of Man TT motorcycle races held on the Isle of Man in England. It is the only international motorsports event to take place on an island.

Manx TT featured 4 different tracks and up to 8 to choose from. The arcade mode is picture-perfect. You can enter the races for the best time or compete with a friend.

Road Rash

The Sega Saturn’s Road Rash is a port of the 1991 arcade racer of the same name. It focused on vehicular combat to determine who was the best racer. In Road Rash, you hop on a bike and battle opponents, dodge obstacles, and fight to stay in first place.

Road Rash for Saturn

As the name suggests, you’ll be fighting for your life in Road Rash. You can hit opponents, break their bikes, and use weapons to win.

The game has grown in popularity over the years and remains one of the most popular games for sega Saturn to date. There are many remakes and spin-offs, but as a home console port of an arcade classic, this one is still worth going back to.

Virtua Racing

How can a 1992 three-track, one-car arcade game that doesn’t even have polygon textures become one of the best Sega Saturn racing games you can buy today? Well, first of all, it is the main template many modern racers are built from.

Virtua Racing

It also features superb handling mechanics and a difficulty curve that allows anyone to entertain themselves but provides real pros with countless hours of the pursuit of perfection.

In case you don’t have a Saturn, there is a recent Nintendo Switch port that was done by the awesome M2. They also handled the phenomenal 3DS / Switch OutRun conversion and a host of other Sega Ages games. Everything this team touches seems to turn to retro gold.

Daytona USA

Another early 90s arcade port, this historic game was originally released in 1993 and made the jump to the Sega Saturn shortly after.

Daytona USA for Sega Saturn

Many racing fans enjoy the extreme adrenaline rush of hitting the top speeds a car will allow. If there is one thing Daytona USA does right, it is speed! This is an experience with which most people cannot help but become enthralled, as it offers a sense of freedom and exhilaration that few games at the time could match.

Through its many versions, it never lost the sense of speed and adrenaline that makes it one of the most memorable games in the genre. The Sega Saturn release of this game contains some new features not found in any other version, but the gameplay remains true to the original idea.

With its impressive graphics and super fast gameplay, it quickly became a hit with gamers and still finds a place on many top 100 lists to this day.

OutRun

After all the praise I gave Daytona USA, you would think it could at least get the number 2 spot on this list. But I am an old-school Sega fan and I love me some OutRun.

The original OutRun is a well-known Sega game that was released in 1986 to arcades and hit the Sega Master System in 1987.

Yes, the graphics are a bit cartoony but it is a top-notch racing game with the feel of an arcade racer at home. To me, fun trumps realism any day of the week.

It is a fast-paced race around a variety of tracks set in sceneries from around the world, while trying to beat the clock. The goal is simple: get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible.

The game is best known for its fast-paced gameplay in which you control a Ferrari Testarossa through branching paths. The franchise is also known for its banging soundtracks which still hold up to this day. Find a racer with better music, I dare you.

Sega Rally Championship

Sega Rally Championship was the first racing game for the Sega Saturn. It was released to the public in 1995, but it wasn’t until 1997 that it became widely available in North American stores.

Sega Rally Championship Racing

The game features a low-polygon count and looks very primitive by today’s standards. Sega Rally Championship was an anticipated game because Sega didn’t have much of a reputation with sports games at this time. It was an arcade game at home with multiplayer!

When it comes to racing games, Sega Rally Championship is one of the most competitive. You control your racecar over various terrains including tarmac, dirt, mud, gravel, ice, snow, and water. Players are able to choose from three different cars with varying stats that affect performance on each terrain type and choose from manual or automatic.

Sega Rally Championship is widely regarded as one of the best racing games ever made and certainly holds its spot at the top of this list.

The Sega Saturn has some amazing racing games that are worth checking out. There is something here for all playstyles and skill levels, so grab a few of your favorites and put the pedal to the metal.

On a final note, if you want to drive all over the world from the comfort of your couch, don’t forget your steering wheel. Because of the great racing library, some equally great racing accessories were made for the console. If you are a person that likes racing and are gaming on the Saturn, it is worth picking one up.