SportsCarMonitor’s Five Best Driver Video Games for 2010

By Lyndon Conrad Bell

Lyndon Conrad Bell

Contributing Writer

LATEST ARTICLE
Demanding Unobtanium: Cars We Want, But Can't Have
Believe it or not, there was a time when Mitsubishi's Evo and Subaru's WRX were not available on... Read More

• N/ALEADERBOARD RANK
• 142ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
• 0COMMENTS POSTED

3,157 views Dec 6, 2010

Driver: San Francisco

Just in time for Christmas gift giving, or gift hinting, SportsCarMonitor wants you to give the best car presents you can.

Here's our guide to 2010's best driving video games. In them, you’ll pilot some of the hottest cars ever made, through some of the most imaginative scenarios ever concocted. Everything from cops and robbers chases to racing through an apocalyptic urban environment can be yours at the touch of a button. And best of all, there are no tires, fuel, or insurance to buy. Just plug in, turn on and zone out.

DRIVER: San Francisco

In Ubisoft Reflections homage to the Steve McQueen film Bullitt, you play as “Detective John Tanner” on a relentless manhunt for crime lord “Charles Jericho” through the streets and alleys of San Francisco, Calif. As the game takes place in a coma-induced dream “Detective Tanner” is experiencing, you can "shift" between well over a hundred licensed vehicles, keeping constantly in the heart of the action. With its varied settings, unique car handling and renewed playability, DRIVER San Francisco is said to revitalize the classic free roaming, cinematic car chase experience for the current generation of gaming platforms.

Gran Turismo 5

A Sony-produced title for PlayStation, Gran Turismo 5 is widely regarded as the best and most authentic driving simulator ever created—due to its true-to-life graphics, authentic physics technology and design. In GT5, you'll tackle the world's most famous racetracks— rendered in high-definition—from behind the wheel of some of the most legendary sports and racing cars ever created. The line-up of over 1,000 cars includes Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, Lexus LF-A and McLaren MP4-12C.  You'll go head-to-head with other players on previous Gran Turismo racing circuits such as Autumn Ring, Deep Forest Raceway, and the Grand Valley Speedway. Also included are renowned real-life circuits such as the Nurburgring and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Kinect Joy Ride

Developed by BigPark and published by Microsoft Game Studios for XBox Kinect,  Kinect Joy Ride is controlled by holding your arms out like you're grabbing an invisible steering wheel, and turning them in the direction you want to steer. Pushing your hips forward causes your car to drift, while pulling the "wheel" back toward you and then pushing it forward produces turbo boost. While airborne, you can perform twists and spins to win extra points. Game modes include Races, Battles, Stunt, and Trick. As you progress through the game, you earn fans, which will unlock content fpr you, such as new tracks and game modes.

MotorStorm Apocalypse

Also developed by Sony for PlayStation, Motor Storm Apocalypse is set in a crumbling city, beset with military contractors, looters, earthquake aftershocks and a group of racers, fighting for survival amidst it all. You pick your vehicle from one of 13 classes, including supercars, muscle cars, superbikes, and even choppers, then choose one of 40 unique races while looters and military contractors fight for what is left of the city. No track is ever the same as you endure hundreds of explosive real-time dynamic events in the most unpredictable and spectacular races of your life.

Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit

Produced by Criterion Games for Electronic Arts, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit brings the intensity of cops vs. racers to the connected generation. SportsCarMonitor's recommended version is the Limited Edition, which features cars like the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Ford Shelby GT500, Audi TT RS Coupe, Chevrolet Camaro SS, Porsche Cayman S and Dodge Challenger SRT8. The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and Ford Shelby GT500 are only available in the Limited Edition. However, the Audi TT RS Coupe, Chevrolet Camaro SS, Porsche Cayman S and Dodge Challenger SRT8 can be unlocked by leveling up in the game.