Fuse Games' 2026 title, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, stands out with its innovative roguelite campaign, unique multiplayer, and masterful use of the Star Wars license. While no other game offers precisely the same experience, its blend of sci-fi racing and its developers' roots in Criterion Games' Burnout series provide a rich history to explore. Here are seven racing games that capture similar thrills and showcase the evolution of the genre.
Star Wars Episode 1: Racer
Available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, the 1999 title Star Wars Episode 1: Racer is a direct precursor to Galactic Racer. This game faithfully recreated the podrace sequence from The Phantom Menace and added more tracks and planets. Like Galactic Racer, it features a boost mechanic that, when overheated, can lead to your craft exploding.
Burnout Paradise Remastered
Burnout Paradise Remastered is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, and Xbox One, and is included with EA Play, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and PC Game Pass. The founders of Fuse Games and many of its staff previously worked at Criterion Games, the creators of the Burnout series. While Burnout 3: Takedown might be the closest in spirit to Galactic Racer's aggressive gameplay, Burnout Paradise is considered the series' finest entry and is readily accessible on modern platforms following its 2018 remaster.
F-Zero GX
Nintendo's F-Zero series, which debuted in 1990, pioneered the sci-fi anti-gravity racing genre with its emphasis on extreme speed and competitive racing. Players can experience various titles through Nintendo Switch Online or try the battle-royale variant, F-Zero 99. However, F-Zero GX for the GameCube, developed by Sega's Amusement Vision studio, is often cited as a highlight for its intense and exhilarating racing style.
Wipeout Omega Collection
Available on PlayStation 4, the Wipeout Omega Collection compiles entries from the PlayStation 3 and Vita eras, offering a visually stunning and accessible way to experience Sony's iconic sci-fi racing series. Unlike F-Zero's arcade-like physics, Wipeout features more grounded handling and incorporates weapon pickups reminiscent of Mario Kart.
Fast Fusion
Developed by indie studio Shin'en Multimedia, the Fast series has consistently kept the high-speed anti-gravity racing genre alive on Nintendo consoles. Fast Fusion, a launch title for the Switch 2, continues this tradition with technically impressive and fast-paced gameplay.
Reality Drift
For players interested in the roguelite aspects of Galactic Racer, Reality Drift offers a unique indie take on the genre. This surreal driving game, featuring art contributions from Keita Takahashi, the creator of Katamari Damacy, combines roguelike structure with a style inspired by OutRun. A demo is available on Steam, with a full release scheduled for November 11.
Need For Speed Unbound
Need for Speed Unbound, available on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X, shares a thematic link with Galactic Racer through its developers. Creative director Kieran Crimmins and lead designer Bill Lane, who worked on Unbound, later joined Fuse Games to develop Galactic Racer. Unbound features a gritty street-racing campaign where players must earn upgrades by betting on their performance within a limited in-game calendar, mirroring the strategic progression found in Galactic Racer.