Written by David Key16.04.2021

Keyboard Racing: Best Games Where You Don’t Need a Gamepad

If you prefer to play PC racing games with a keyboard rather than a gamepad or steering wheel, there are many great games that provide addictive gameplay using only the keys. Here are some of them:

Forza Horizon 5: This game offers an open world with a variety of tracks and cars. Many players have commented that the keyboard controls in Forza Horizon 5 are quite comfortable and allow you to enjoy the game without the need for a gamepad.
Need for Speed Heat: A classic arcade race with dynamic gameplay and exciting plot. The keyboard controls are intuitive, making the game accessible to a wide range of players.
GRID (2019): The game combines simulator and arcade elements, offering realistic physics and a variety of racing modes. Many users successfully complete the entire game using only the keyboard.
Trackmania: The Trackmania series is known for its exciting tracks and the ability to compete against other players. Keyboard controls provide the precision and quick reactions needed to successfully complete levels.
Wreckfest: A destructible racing game where players can enjoy chaotic races and collisions. Keyboard controls allow for easy maneuvering and exciting racing.
VDrift: An open and free game with realistic drift physics. Supports keyboard control, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Speed Dreams: An open racing simulator with keyboard control support. Offers a variety of tracks and cars, as well as the ability to customize the controls to your preferences.

These games demonstrate that the keyboard can be an effective control tool in racing games. With the right sensitivity settings and getting used to the controls, you can enjoy exciting racing without the need for additional devices.

Did You Know?

The first browser-based racing game in history was Need for Madness (2004). It combined stunts, racing and even destruction, becoming iconic for school computers at the time.
Racing games often use pseudo-3D, where there is no real volume, but the effect is achieved by “tricks” with scale, so that you feel the depth and dynamics - like in the games of the 90s!
Physics in browser games is made possible by WebGL and Box2D, the same technology used in Angry Birds. Yes, yes, your favorite “cars” also fly according to the laws of real gravity!
In some HTML5 games, the speed of map loading depends not on the Internet, but on “sprite optimization”. A well-assembled track can load 5 times faster!
The longest online track in a browser game is in “Moto X3M”. One user created a level almost 3 kilometers long - it took 6 minutes to pass it without stopping.