Grand Theft Auto V has numerous game modes that have little to do with stealing cars or committing robberies. After the release of the Cunning Stunts content update in 2016, players had access to a slew of stunt mode events involving jumping off ramps and driving through rings of fire. A collection of vehicles also appeared including nimble motorcycles and blazingly fast super cars perfect for these new death-defying activities.
Unfortunately, despite Rockstar Games regularly supplementing stunt events with more content, it's not always easy to find multiplayer opponents for these dangerous races. If racing and performing stunts are a GTA Online gamer's passion, they are better served by playing other full-fledged racing and driving games. The best alternatives to Grand Theft Auto's stunt series offer additional events and cars to choose from as well as more humans ready for head-to-head action. Also, the following games provide the same thrills of GTA Online's stunt mode with tracks designed so that only the most skilled racers can safely navigate them.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 74 /100 Critics Rec: 59%
- Released
- September 20, 2021
- ESRB
- E For Everyone // In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Milestone
- Publisher(s)
- Milestone
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Hot Wheels
WHERE TO PLAY
Collect the best vehicles in the Hot Wheels universe, build spectacular tracks, and dive into breathtaking races.
The most iconic and sought after Hot Wheels vehicles are waiting for you. Get ready to make them race at full speed!
Prove your skills by competing in awesome races and get ready for pure fun! Drift, charge the booster and launch yourself into spectacular loops. But be careful! If you're too slow, gravity will do its job.
Race side by side with your friends in split screen mode for 2 players or face up to 12 opponents in online challenges.
Waiting to host your races are enormous interactive environments with their own distinguishing features, where every object can become an integral part of the track.
Unleash your creativity with the most exciting track editor ever! Build your track by taking advantage of what surrounds you, and create amazing layouts inside and outside the race course. Bend and stretch the iconic "orange piece", add loops, special boosters, obstacles and special elements to make an incredible amusement park for your races.
Furnish your own personal room with a huge number of elements that you will collect during your adventure and host the most amazing races inside it.
- Platforms
- PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC, Switch
- Publishers
- Milestone
- Genre(s)
- Racing
- Has wild tracks with loop-de-loops
- Lots of vehicles to choose from
- Online community is active
- Free on Game Pass
- Competitors have less skill
- Not as easy as the brand suggests
Finally, we can race cars again without Pixar getting in the way! Yes, this game has loop-de-loops and cartoon-themed vehicles just like Hot Wheels in real life. Although it was originally released in 2021, Hot Wheels Unleashed just recently got added to Xbox Game Pass in February, giving hundreds of thousands of new players access to this nostalgic title.
The bright orange tracks and supersized toy rooms should not fool players though. This Hot Wheels game can be pretty difficult. Sure, there are lots of kooky and unique raceways just like in a Grand Theft Auto stunt race, but also like GTA V, players actually need to be good at racing games in order to be competitive. Braking is essential to drift around corners or avoid fishtailing after sharp turns, and the NPC drivers aren’t shy about running players off the road. Tons of other challenges exist throughout the various game modes.
The online community is going strong, meaning getting into games is quick and easy. If couch co-op is preferred, Hot Wheels Unleashed offers split screen too! As if the included tracks aren't enough, users have created some insane Hot Wheels Unleashed levels, complete with never-ending gravity-defying ramps. GTA V fans can get right into a totally realistic race on a totally unrealistic track in a flash with Hot Wheels Unleashed!
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 75 /100 Critics Rec: 64%
- Released
- August 4, 2022
- ESRB
- E
- Engine
- Unity
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
WHERE TO PLAY
Take on up to seven other competitors in a Grand-Prix style competition. Boost, dash and glide to be the first to get your ball into the hole. Hit the boost pads to charge past your rivals, take shortcuts to outwit them and utilise pick ups to stop them in their tracks.
Step into the ultimate showdown, where precision triumphs over speed, and victory is achieved by fewest shots. Scope out the course with the exclusive aerial camera, and hit your ball further than before with the combined power dash mechanic. Put your golfing skills to the test in casual or custom games!
Race against the clock to earn stars and unlock new courses! Compare your best time on each course against those of your friends, or secure your place on the global leaderboards!
Control the way you play by equipping unique Power Cores to suit your playstyle. Hit your ball with more power, spin, or bounciness, whilst using powerful abilities to grapple onto, freeze or stick to your ball.
Stand out from the crowd in your personalised vehicle. Enjoy over 1 trillion different combinations with customisable car bodies, balls, wheels, spoilers, shields, paints and boosters!
Use your wings, wheels and wit to navigate the terrain, taking advantage of boost pads and boost rings, while avoiding rough, bunkers and trees! Journey through unique biomes, including ancient Aztec temples, gravity defying space courses and industrial wastelands!
- Lots of fun tracks
- Unique gameplay
- Less competitive than Rocket League
- Encourages trick shots
- Steep learning curve
- Lobbies can be a bit empty
This game is pure chaos and it’s so much fun! Turbo Golf Racing is extremely similar to Rocket League, except for a few key elements: players tend to be much less skilled or simply less competitive, and gamers are actively encouraged to do trick shots through a number of mechanics.
For example, there are multiple tracks where if players can get their starting boost and hit their ball just right, it will get caught by boost rings and sent directly to the goal. There are also items to mess up other players, like the rocket and pop-out wings, so vehicles can glide around for a bit.
It’s worth mentioning that the levels are very creative and unique. Every season adds new tracks, each with a specific theme. Currently, there’s an Aztec theme giving hard Legends of the Hidden Temple vibes, fun waterfall obstacles, and new skins for the vehicles and golf balls.
It’s similar to the gameplay of the GTA V stunt series, but making a vehicle do awesome airborne tricks and sabotaging other players are some of the best parts that gamers can keep enjoying with Turbo Golf Racing.
Forza Horizon 5
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 100%
- Released
- November 9, 2021
- ESRB
- E for Everyone // In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Playground Games
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
- Engine
- Forza Tech
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
WHERE TO PLAY
Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.
This is Your Horizon Adventure: Lead breathtaking expeditions across the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.
This is a Diverse Open World: Explore a world of striking contrast and beauty. Discover living deserts, lush jungles, historic cities, hidden ruins, pristine beaches, vast canyons and a towering snow-capped volcano.
This is an Adventurous Open World: Immerse yourself in a deep campaign with hundreds of challenges that reward you for engaging in the activities you love. Meet new characters and choose the outcomes of their Horizon Story missions.
This is an Evolving Open World: Take on awe-inspiring weather events such as towering dust storms and intense tropical storms as Mexico’s unique, dynamic seasons change the world every week. Keep coming back for new events, challenges, collectibles, and rewards, and new areas to explore. No two seasons will ever be the same.
This is Your Open World: Create your own expressions of fun with the powerful new EventLab gameplay toolset including custom races, challenges, stunts, and entirely new game modes. Customize your cars in more ways than ever before with new options such as the ability open and close convertible tops, paint brake calipers, and more. Use the new Gift Drops feature to share your custom creations with the community.
- Franchise
- Forza Horizon
- Genre(s)
- Racing, Open-World
- Beautiful open world
- Plenty of races and challenges
- Online play is fun and competitive
- Driving is very realistic
- Most unique tracks are on DLC
- Driving mechanics can be difficult for new players
Not all of Forza is precision driving in beautiful landscapes; sometimes it’s about having fun in Hot Wheels-themed DLC. Yes, this game is very similar to Hot Wheels Unleashed, but it’s much more difficult and tailored to players who enjoy racing games even when the track isn’t orange. Fans of racing games don’t need help to win, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to goof around sometimes.
Forza Horizon 5 doesn’t offer any default handicaps like easier racing games, such as Mario Kart 8, so players can really improve their speed and overall control in a realistic setting. If players want to get unrealistic without the game becoming too easy, Grand Theft Auto stunt races are a great outlet, but it’s still not the same as a real racing game. Forza Horizon 5 is one of the best racing games ever and with the Hot Wheels DLC, players can take a break from perfect runs across beautiful landscapes to try their hand at daredevil driving.
This DLC gives players 10 new cars, a ton of new maps, and the ability to build their own Hot Wheels tracks using 80 different construction pieces. Forza’s open-world racing game continues to be the best, even when players are killing some time with Hot Wheels.
Gamers who need a reminder about what makes Forza Horizon 5 so popular should read The Best War Games's full review of this comprehensive racer.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- April 28, 2017
- ESRB
- E
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EAD, Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Franchise
- Mario Kart
WHERE TO PLAY
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a racing game in the world-renowned racing game series. The game was released in 2017 for Nintendo Switch and was at the time the first Mario game on the platform. It is an improved version of the Wii U game Mario Kart 8. It comes with added characters and changes in Battle Mode.
Burn rubber across Mushroom Kingdom raceways—underwater, in the sky, upside-down in zero-g, and past the finish—for the win! Get revved up for local multiplayer, online in-game tournaments, a revamped battle mode, and more!
Stay fresh in the Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe game by playing as guest characters Inkling Girl and Inkling Boy! You can use their Splatoon inspired karts on their battle mode stage, Urchin Underpass.
There are also returning items, like Boo, the item-stealing ghost, and the Feather, used exclusively in battle mode. Veterans rejoice—you can hold two items at once! Prove you’re the world’s best racer and battler in online tournaments, or simply race and battle friends online. With many control options and handheld mode, there’s always a way to play on the Nintendo Switch™ system!
- Genre(s)
- Racing
- Lots of fun tracks
- Great music
- Perfect for whole families
- New tracks are recent and upcoming
- Multiplayer could be better
- Game imbalances can be frustrating
Mario Kart may seem an unlikely choice, but there are plenty of stunts to perform in this game, especially once players get into the mini-games. Between boost strips and chaotic items like a literal bomb-omb, players can wreak havoc on each other... Just not with helicopters or all-out gang wars.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe may have the most fun and unique tracks out of all the games on this list, especially with DLC tracks continuing to release every few months. Despite the simplicity of the game, friends and family still love to play together. The game does a lot of work bridging the gaps between players’ skills, making every race feel really competitive, no matter who’s playing.
The online element is also a ton of fun. Despite Nintendo’s aversion to queues, it is typically faster than GTA V at finding a full game. Plus, the mini-games available pit players against each other more directly, encouraging silliness and trick shots. Even though it may be easier than Grand Theft Auto, Mario Kart 8 has plenty to challenge players with.
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1+2
- Publisher
- Activision
- Platform
- PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4|5, Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S S
- Rating
- Teen
The 2020 fully-remastered Tony Hawk's Pro Skater & Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 games have been combined into one epic collection, rebuilt from the ground up in incredible HD. Players can skate their way through various levels and challenges, all while listening to an awesome soundtrack.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Challenging play
- Great music
- Lots of replayability
- Unique maps for each level
- Some long load times
- Tough to beat without serious practicing
The OG pro skater is back with the same old tricks, but that doesn’t mean it’s any easier the second time around! It’s an unfortunate fact that many gamers who grew up on Tony Hawk have inexplicably become older, but one plus side to this is that they can all revisit Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and have the same experience as last time: falling! A lot!
Just like when the series first launched, players can improve their button-mashing skills to make their skater persona collect trash, destroy signs, and maybe even get some major air. Players who enjoy the two-wheel vehicle challenges in GTA V will have a great time trying to master the Casper 360 flip or attempting to land that elusive 900 and achieve some sick combo scores.
It also helps that there’s a lot of customization available to make a character fit their player’s personality. Plus, with 19 different levels set in a variety of spaces, players can enjoy some classic skater scenes or explore a city (usually one with a lot of problems). Finally, challenges and collectibles make it easy to keep having fun even once every level has been beaten, so it’s easy to jump right in after a stunt race in Grand Theft Auto V.
The Best War Games's review of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 and 2 goes into detail about what the skating game looks like in the modern gaming world.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 73 /100 Critics Rec: 46%
- Released
- May 19, 2023
- ESRB
- E10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Visual Concepts
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- LEGO
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to Bricklandia, home of a massive open-world LEGO® driving adventure. Race anywhere, play with anyone, build your dream rides, and defeat a cast of wild racing rivals for the coveted Sky Trophy!
In LEGO 2K Drive, your awesome transforming vehicle gives you the freedom to speed seamlessly across riveting racetracks, off-road terrain, and open waters. Explore the vast world of Bricklandia, show off your driving skills, and build vehicles brick-by-brick!
THE ULTIMATE LEGO DRIVING EXPERIENCE
Get behind the wheel and gear up for tons of open-world exploration and thrilling races! Take on the exciting Story mode, jump into a single race or Cup Series tourneys, and let loose in off-the-wall minigames. Master the art of drifting, boosting, jumping, and using power-ups to defeat opponents!
RACE FOR THE SKY TROPHY
Story mode follows your journey from rookie racer to famous champion as you compete against a series of charismatic rivals. With each victory, you'll work your way up the ranks to take on the infamous Shadow Z.
OPEN-WORLD EXPLORATION
The vast and vibrant world of Bricklandia is yours to explore as you see fit, full of colorful characters and kooky quests. Zoom past lush fields on Turbo Acres' pavement, go off-roading in the deserts of Big Butte County, cruise across Prospecto Valley's picturesque waterways, and more.
UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY
Building vehicles in the Garage is as easy as snapping bricks together. Construct new cars and boats from scratch, modify any vehicle in your collection, or unwind with guided builds, then take your creation for a drive!
- Platforms
- PC, Xbox, PS4, PS5, PC
- Publishers
- 2K
- Genre(s)
- Racing
- Powerful vehicle customization
- Spectacular open-world settings
- Multiplayer is accessible and enjoyable
- Costly microtransactions
- No track editor
LEGO 2K Drive borrows a bit from other kart and miniature toy racing games like Hot Wheels Unleashed and the open-world Forza Horizon. Since the 1999 release of LEGO Racers, LEGO fans have been clamoring for a game that allows players to build vehicles brick by brick and test them with some extreme racing. The four Bricklandia maps LEGO 2K Drive offers upon its release are not connected, but gamers still can explore areas far vaster than found in Hot Wheels Unleashed.
There are plenty of game modes in LEGO 2K Drive to keep players occupied. Competitive racers will enjoy the Cup Series, while other players who crave a cute and engaging LEGO script will gravitate toward Story Mode. Gamers will have to drift, use boosts, and defy gravity as vehicles will transform depending on the terrain.
Races are plenty intense, but LEGO 2K Drive may best resemble stunt mode in Grand Theft Auto when off the track. Bricklandia is a fragile world, and drivers can smash through any number of brick-built obstacles. Players will have to find just the right speed and orientation to fly off ramps in order to claim collectibles like The Spotless Wrench.
Unfortunately, there is no track editor which undoubtedly would result in some crazy stunt-filled racing action. However, in LEGO 2K Drive, players often still spend as much time on menu screens as they do driving. The amount of customization possible with vehicles is impressive, resembling having dozens of LEGO kits at home to complete. Players can also tweak the performance of their creations, so quite a bit of strategy comes into play when trying to complete challenges.
While it may seem like a more innocent racing game, the multiplayer action in LEGO 2K Drive can get fairly ruthless, like in Grant Theft Auto Online. Conventional driving isn't going to win many races, so players have to be willing to risk disaster to beat the competition.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 78 /100 Critics Rec: 73%
- Released
- October 28, 2021
- ESRB
- T For Teen
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Annecy
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Engine
- anvilnext
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, & Xbox Series X/S
WHERE TO PLAY
Jump into the Riders Republic™ massive multiplayer playground! Grab your bike, skis, snowboard, or wingsuit and explore an open world sports paradise where the rules are yours to make—or break.
- Battle against over 20 players simultaneously in a massive multiplayer playground.
- Compete in an all-out mass start race—collide, grind, and fight your way to the finish!
- Customize your character to show off your style to your friends or show up the competition.
- Bike, ski, snowboard, or wingsuit through a seamless open world in Career mode or multiplayer events.
- Go wild on the heights of iconic US national parks like Yosemite, Zion, and Bryce Canyon.
- Genre(s)
- Sports, Racing
- 4 unique vehicles
- Lots of challenges
- Fun character customization
- Huge play area
- Online play is somewhat limited on console
- No large vehicles
Riders Republic is basically the GTA V stunt series as its own standalone game. There’s everything from BMX mountain rides to flight suit challenges, all with online competitions and challenges that keep players entertained even after they’ve mastered every mode. With Ubisoft+ coming to the Xbox in recent months, even more gamers have a chance to pull off some radical stunts.
A bit of a call-back to the plethora of extreme sports games that hit their peak popularity in the 2000s, this game is perfect for players who just want to attempt insanely daring feats. While GTA V stunt races are more often than not done with cars and planes, Riders Republic lets gamers stick to their favorite vehicles without doubling or even tripling their queue time. On Xbox and PlayStation, matches can have up to 20 players, but PC gamers can race against up to 50 players at once, which can get chaotic quickly.
With over 250 square kilometers to explore, Riders Republic is designed for replayability. Weekly challenges help set new goals and each vehicle has its own set of goals that players can try to accomplish. Tons of fun and able to be played online, Riders Republic is the most similar game to the Grand Theft Auto Online stunt series.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 74 /100 Critics Rec: 65%
- Released
- July 1, 2020
- ESRB
- E For Everyone // In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Nadeo
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Number of Players
- 1
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Playable
WHERE TO PLAY
Trackmania is the classic competitive racer that features intuitive but difficult-to-master controls. Gamers compete with a global community of fellow racers head-to-head or solo with the goal of setting record times.
The track editor is where many Trackmania players spend hours creating innovative and challenging courses that keep a never-ending stream of fresh content going. Developers regularly update the game with new content and events featuring community-created tracks.
Experience the thrills of racing and the joy of creation with Trackmania! Choose among three levels of access to discover all the game has to offer and dive into the most compelling remake of the legendary Trackmania Nations.
Trackmania combines easy-to-learn, hard-to-master gameplay with a wide diversity of tracks and skin customization, in addition to regular seasons & live events. Play in an online multiplayer environment or solo against ghosts of players. Improve steadily thanks to innovative gameplay features, regionalized rankings and medals to collect, so you can race your way to the top.
- Genre(s)
- Racing
- Simple controls
- Powerful track and replay editors
- Free mode offers decent amount of content
- Some features require subscription
- No stunt mode in latest version
Trackmania is one of the longest-running current racing franchises, first appearing on Windows in 2003. The latest iteration of the game arrived in 2020, as either a free-to-play or subscription-based PC title. Recently, Trackmania was released for PlayStation and Xbox consoles, so more players could join in on the straightforward but surprisingly challenging racing action.
Racers will have to experience plenty of air time and master jumps and ramps in order to find success in Trackmania. Unfortunately, the stunt mode that existed in the 2016 Trackmania Turbo has yet to make it into the latest version of the game. Even so, thanks to the comprehensive editor in Trackmania, there is a constant flow of some incredibly difficult-to-master tracks requiring unorthodox driving to navigate.
In GTA Online, the multiplayer action is head-to-head, but in Trackmania, players are either racing time records in single-player modes or facing off with the ghosts of other drivers. Multiplayer opponents are driving in real-time, but players can't make physical contact with vehicles and knock them off courses. That comes as a relief for Trackmania players, as it's difficult enough to maintain driving lines with cars moving at breakneck speeds.
Gamers can download Trackmania for free and drive on premade courses and compete in some seasonal campaigns. Otherwise, paying either $10 a year for Standard Access or $30 a year for Club Access unlocks features like the full-fledged track editor and allows entry into official Trackmania leagues. Thrill-seekers who flock to the stunt modes in GTA Online may find the racing more organized but not any less dramatic in Trackmania.
Need for Speed Unbound
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 75 /100 Critics Rec: 60%
- Released
- December 2, 2022
- ESRB
- Teen
- Developer(s)
- Criterion Games
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Frostbite
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS5 & Xbox Series X|S
WHERE TO PLAY
Race against time, outsmart the cops, and take on weekly qualifiers to reach The Grand, Lakeshore's ultimate street racing challenge. Pack your garage with precision-tuned, custom rides and light up the streets with your style, exclusive fits, and a vibrant global soundtrack that bumps in every corner of the world.
Content updates to the game come in the form of Volumes - as the game builds towards becoming the Ultimate NFS Experience in one place for the first time.
- Platforms
- PS5, Xbox, PC
- Publishers
- Electronic Arts
- Genre(s)
- Racing, Open-World
- Car customization more extensive than ever
- Thrilling sense of speed
- Strong soundtrack and audio effects
- Art style doesn't mesh with car renders
- No connection between single and multiplayer modes
Unlike many other alternatives to the stunt mode in GTA Online, Need for Speed Unbound is a game that also embraces the criminal element of street racing. Since 1994, Need for Speed titles have encouraged gamers to take control of the most powerful sports cars in the world and drive them as fast as possible while avoiding the police on city streets and highways. Forza Horizon has a fairly well-developed street racing series, but strangely, cops are nowhere to be found in the game.
The Heat system is the essential gameplay mechanic in Need for Speed Unbound. As players cruise around Lakeshore City at illegal speeds, they gradually gain notoriety among the police force. Participating in street racing events only raises a heat level more, as does the danger of cops targeting racers and confiscating any cash that players haven't already banked. A higher heat level allows players to gain access to more lucrative racing events, so the goal is to find the right balance between earnings potential and the risk of arrest.
In a game called Need for Speed, it's critical that players feel like they are driving well above speed limits. Fortunately, as gamers step on the gas pedal of Porsche or Mercedes-Benz sports cars, the approaching scenery and traffic come and go in a blur. GTA Online fans can relate to the thrill of potential collisions that could cost a gamer a day's worth of winnings.
Multiplayer action is also intense in Need for Speed Unbound but rather bare bones and doesn't carry over progression from the single-player campaign. Regardless, with many story mode events centered on stealing cars and having cars stolen, Need for Speed Unbound scratches the same virtual law-breaking itch as Grant Theft Auto V.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Publisher
- Microsoft
- Genre
- Simulation
- Platform
- PC, Xbox
- Rating
- E
Over 40 years ago, in 1982, Microsoft published its first Flight Simulator. Since then, the series has grown into an iconic franchise that has spread over multiple platforms. Players can experience an array of planes and even use flight-stick controllers to increase the realism further. The latest release features a massive worldwide map allowing players to fly anywhere they want to from the comfort of their homes.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Tons of planes to fly
- The entire world is the playing field
- Lots of replayability
- Literally the best flight simulator ever
- Realistic gameplay is very challenging
- No co-op
Another unlikely choice, players who enjoy airplane, helicopter, and stunt challenges might prefer cranking up the difficulty and venturing into true flight simulation. While flying races are extremely fun, sometimes it’s nice to simply get some practice flying in.
Sure, there are some flight challenges in the Grand Theft Auto campaign mode, but they’re designed for people who don’t normally play flight simulator games. That works well for most people, but there aren’t many of these flight challenges available either, so once they’ve been completed, players must get queued into a flight stunt race. Or, they can boot up good old Microsoft Flight Simulator!
Microsoft Flight Simulator comes with 29 planes to choose from, plus at least five more if players get one of the deluxe editions. That’s more than enough for players to explore literally the entire world through various missions, routes, and challenges. It’s certainly not a Grand Theft Auto game, but players who enjoy virtual flying will have plenty of fun, even if they don’t get to steal their plane first.
TheBestWarGames's full review of this landmark simulation game explains how Microsoft Flight Simulator makes stunts feel as realistic as possible.
Dirt 5
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- November 6, 2020
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Developer(s)
- Codemasters
- Publisher(s)
- Codemasters
- Engine
- Evolved Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Dirt
WHERE TO PLAY
Let Loose
Whilst respecting the heritage and retaining the DNA of the franchise, DIRT 5 writes a new chapter in the legacy of DIRT – bolder and braver than ever before. New features, new innovations and a fresh approach make DIRT 5 a hub of off-road racing, style and culture, where you can constantly create highlight-reel moments.
Blaze a Trail Across the Globe
Take a trip around the world to and race on over 70+ unique routes across 10 different global locations in stunning, dynamic environments. From racing on the frozen East River in New York, to under the Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, to shining by the Northern Lights at Norway, take on opponents, the terrain and extreme, everchanging conditions.
Push The Limits with Incredible Cars
Get behind the wheel of an eclectic and exciting roster of cars. Conquer the toughest of terrain with boulder-beating machines, take iconic rally cars to new locations, or feel the power of 900bhp sprint cars. Rallycross, GT, unlimited trucks, buggies and muscle cars complete the ultimate off-road garage.
- How Long To Beat
- 10 Hours
- Genre(s)
- Racing
- Powerful Playgrounds Mode
- Very colorful settings with convincing weather effects
- Many different event types
- Career mode seems shallow
- Limited vehicle customization
Few racing games transform as much as Dirt 5 did from one edition to the next. While Dirt 4 was more about realism and simulating authentic racing, Dirt 5 is an arcade game at its core. Still, the game's new and more forgiving physics engine allows players to perform wild stunts similar to those in Grand Theft Auto.
There are multiple game modes in Dirt 5 worthy of attention, including a somewhat shallow but entertaining career mode that showcases race types like Rally Raid, Sprint, and Stampede. However, for stunt racers, Gymkhana events and Playgrounds are where they will spend most of their time. Gymkhana is a mode that originated in Dirt 3 and requires players to string together combo moves involving jumps, drifts, and doughnuts to score points.
Playgrounds is perhaps the most surprising addition to the Dirt series. In this mode, designers have a bevy of textures and objects to work with in order to create some devastatingly dangerous stunt courses. Within days of Dirt 5's release, there were already thousands of user-created courses to download with event types like the traditional Gymkhana, Gate Crasher, and Smash Attack. These tracks demand precise launch angles to leap over cavernous openings, as well as advanced drifting skills to glide around tight corners. There is also a hefty amount of strategy involved, as the expansive arenas require knowing exactly which direction to go in to avoid disaster.
Sadly, Playgrounds and Gymkhana don't allow for head-to-head multiplayer action like in GTA Online. Instead, players attempt to top high scores and times in a worldwide ranking system. Multiplayer in general was a sore spot for Dirt 5 when it debuted, with very limited game modes available and a lack of ability to customize events. The situation has improved somewhat, with cross-play across many platforms available, and party modes with mini-games like Vampire and King.
Make sure to read The Best War Games's full review of Dirt 5 to see what more the game brings to single-player and multiplayer arcade racing fanatics.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 71 /100 Critics Rec: 28%
WHERE TO PLAY
ide a massive open world across the Alps, where the powder is always fresh and the run never ends.
Tame the wilderness on the American continent in the Alaska free update, a new region filled with challenges.
The mountain is yours to explore. So strap in, suit up, and drop in.
RIDE YOUR WAY -Conquer the world's most epic mountains on skis, wingsuits, snowboards, and paragliders.
LIVE UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS WITH OTHERS -Ride solo or drop in next to other players to share thrilling, adrenaline-fueled rides.
THE MOUNTAIN IS YOURS TO EXPLORE -Create your own path through a massive open-world, and share your best custom lines with friends.
PUT YOUR SKILLS TO THE TEST -Prove that you're king of the mountain in unique and spectacular challenges.
SET YOUR SIGHTS ON THE ALPS
Rip through the terrains of a snowy open world. Strap in and suit up for some epic stunts as you ride your way to the peak of the excitement. Experience 360° of visual freedom while you explore the Alps. Let your gaze immerse you in the massive winter playground. Situational awareness has never been more fluid with the integrated Tobii Eye Tracking feature set. Using your gaze to shred the hills enhances your gameplay and lets you embark on the ride of your life.
- Genre(s)
- Sports
- Lots of sports to play
- Awesome game locations
- Just like GTA V stunt series
- Tons of challenges to complete
- Online community is dwindling
Steep was one of the last good extreme sports games until Riders Republic arrived, and players have continued to enjoy it for years since. Despite the game having been released in 2016, it still has unique offerings that are hard to find anywhere else.
Similar to Riders Republic, the game features a smattering of extreme sports, albeit with a much longer roster. The game includes skiing, snowboarding, paragliding, and wingsuit flying, with DLC expanding these options to include more niche versions of each sport, such as rocket-powered wingsuit flying and sledding. Performing tricks is a rather complicated process, so gamers will want to set aside plenty of practice time.
Unfortunately, the online scene is about as active as GTA V Online’s stunt series, but it’s still easy enough to meet up with friends for private races or to complete challenges solo. Regardless, players can get into exactly whatever they want to race with, rather than hoping for a lobby that suits them.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 92%
- Released
- August 4, 2020
- ESRB
- E for Everyone: Mild Cartoon Violence
- Developer(s)
- Mediatonic
- Publisher(s)
- Epic Games
- Engine
- Unity
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
WHERE TO PLAY
You’re invited to dive and dodge your way to victory in the pantheon of clumsy. Rookie or pro? Solo or partied up? Fall Guys delivers ever-evolving, high-concentrated hilarity and fun. Prefer to be the maverick behind the mayhem? Build your very own obstacle course to share with friends or the wider community.
Create your own Course: Fall Guys Creative is a level editor that allows you to create fiendish custom Rounds and share them with the wider community.
Competitive & Cooperative: Tumble between competitive free-for-alls and cooperative challenges—or take on the Blunderdome with up to 3 friends!
Play with Friends: Fall Guys supports cross-play, cross-platform parties and cross-progression via your Epic Games Account. Ever-Evolving Content: Play stays fresh with new collabs and game updates which bring new Costumes, Obstacles, and ways to play.
Gloriously Customizable: Choose from a multitude of Colors, Patterns, Costumes and Nameplates. Relish wins with extravagant Celebrations and share your flair with Emotes!
- Genre(s)
- Battle Royale, Platformer, Action
- Free-to-play, cross-platform gameplay
- Tons of character customization
- Unique, challenging obstacle courses
- Difficult to chat with other players
- Console port isn't great
Fall Guys has been making waves for a few years now, but with each season there are new obstacles to overcome alongside friends on any platform. The simple controls hide the fact that the little beans players control are terrible at moving through courses. The intense game physics can be as frustrating as it is funny, especially once friends join in.
Players attempt to dodge swinging hammers, jump between giant fans, and climb slimy summits in a straightforward elimination race. With special events, players are given the chance to play on familiar courses tweaked by low gravity or other unique effects. Plus, there are dozens of costumes to unlock through leveling and even more in the game store. Frequently partnering with popular franchises and releasing new levels almost weekly, this colorful funhouse of obstacle courses is perfect for players looking for simple and fun alternatives to the GTAV Stunt Series. Plus, each game only takes a few minutes, so it's easy to hop in and out of game sessions.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- September 26, 2017
- ESRB
- T for Teen - Diverse Content: Discretion Advised, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Epic Games
- Publisher(s)
- Epic Games
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- All platforms (except iOS/Mac)
WHERE TO PLAY
Play Fortnite your way.
Be the last player standing in Battle Royale, Zero Build, Reload, and Fortnite OG, explore LEGO Fortnite experiences, blast to the finish with Rocket Racing or headline a concert with Fortnite Festival. Play thousands of free creator made islands with friends including deathruns, tycoons, racing, zombie survival and more! Join the creator community and build your own island with Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) or Fortnite Creative tools.
Each Fortnite island has an individual age rating so you can find the one that's right for you and your friends. Find it all in Fortnite!
- Available on every platform
- Hundreds of unique modes to choose from
- Play as famous characters often through leveling
- Mostly a competitive shooter game
- Lots of microtransactions
Although Fortnite is best known for seamless character integration and viral dances, a quick tab over to the creative maps section reveals hundreds of player-made modes ranging from hide and seek to trick shot races. Since they’re made by players, the available games are constantly changing and evolving to meet demand.
Similar to GTA V, Fortnite lets players choose from a variety of character designs, essentially allowing each person to show off their own style. There’s plenty of shooting and driving to be had too, though the goals may not be as simple as getting to the finish line first. The fast-paced gameplay in Fortnite is another factor that might draw the eyes of GTA V fans. Although every creative game is a bit different, most of the player base enjoys frenetic gameplay similar to the chaotic environment found in GTA V.
Why Leave Grand Theft Auto Online's Stunt Mode in the Dust?
For gamers who can't find enough opponents for GTA Online stunt races, there are plenty of other games that allow players to cheat death alongside thousands of other racers. The racing genre is enormous with options that offer the ability to perform spectacular tricks on skateboards and snowboards or outrun the police in souped-up sports cars.
Forza Horizon 5 is one of the most diverse racing titles ever devised, boasting street-racing modes and expansions like Hot Wheels complete with crazy ramps and jumps. Still, racing games like Forza Horizon, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and LEGO 2K Drive don't exactly encourage criminal activity. If breaking every traffic law is more of one's style, Need for Speed Unbound is an obvious next destination for fans of GTA Online's Cunning Stunts content.
Of course, players don't need to be behind the wheel of a sports car to overcome the forces of gravity. Microsoft Flight Simulator presents the most realistic way yet to simulate dramatic barrel rolls and dives in stunningly detailed small plane models. Meanwhile, Riders Republic gives players the opportunity to become birds with flying wingsuits or ski down the most treacherous winter terrain.
Whichever game is the most logical next step for players after GTA Online's stunt mode becomes stale, enjoy the more in-depth but equally nauseating racing action of these other titles.
FAQ
Q: How does one play the stunt events in Grant Theft Auto Online?
If you have purchased Grand Theft Online and downloaded the Cunning Stunts content, look for pink Stunt Series markers when cruising around Los Santos. Players who enter will be transported to a stunt racing event.
Q: What are some advantages to other stunt games over Grant Theft Auto Online?
Alternative racing and driving games are designed specifically for stunt racing and often have more tracks, cars, and online competitors.