Horse Racing Games: What Is the Best Title for Equestrian Enthusiasts To Play?
There are few more popular genres of games than sports, with millions getting closer to the action that they love on their mobile devices and consoles. Games such as EA FC and NBA 2K have amassed cult followings throughout recent history, but horse racing has also achieved huge success.
Racing fans have been able to grow their level of understanding by playing some of the most exciting titles on the market, whether that be revolved around the breeding or racing of the equine superstars.
But, what are some of the most popular horse racing games on the market that all racing enthusiasts should download and play?
Win, Place & Show
Image: Vintage Win Race & Show Board Game Credit: Amazon Customer Review
“Win, Place & Show,” one of the earliest horse racing games, was released in 1966, with players able to get closer to the action on track by controlling a horse in a six-runner race. The board shows an oval track with six lanes for each runner involved, and while it may not boast the same level of graphics that can be enjoyed in this current day, it is seriously addictive for players looking to get involved.
The dice play forms the biggest role in a player’s success, but there is also the need to be skillful in ensuring that your horse is in the right place at the right time. Horses are rated based on their previous runs, meaning that the most skillful runners will always stand the best chance of victory.
Meanwhile, a unique feature of the game is that each horse will also have their own preferred style of running, whether that be a fast starter, stalker, or fader. You can mimic the style of famous races like the TwinSpires Belmont Stakes and pretend you are competing in the Triple Crown.
Gallop Racer
Gallop Racer was one of the first horse racing video games made available to fans on a console, with the title developed by Tecmo being released across PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. The original series of games remains very popular among racing fans, and the main premise remains.
Users will need to purchase and train their runners while managing their stable to ensure that they are at peak levels of fitness for the action on the track. Gallop Racer 2004 is the only exception to this style, as there is extra emphasis on jockeying in the game, with gamers having to find the right in-race tactics based on the runner that they are riding.
However, due to licensing issues, the game doesn’t use names of actual racetracks, while real-life jockeys and horses also aren’t found in the title. But, it does rank among the best racing games of all-time, and is a must for all racing fanatics.
Image: Gallop Racer 2004 Credit: Amazon
Starters Orders 6
Starters Orders 6 is one of the most in-depth racing titles available on the market, and it is available to download on PC. This title does offer the same glossy graphics that are available with Gallop Racer titles, but it is much more tailored to racing fans who have deeper knowledge when it comes to training and breeding the equine stars.
Users will be tasked with training their string of runners, before then targeting some of the most prestigious races on the planet. The simulation game also enables users to take the riders on their runners in order to give them the best possible chance of success in their respective races. Starters Orders 6 is largely regarded as one of the best racing games of all time, and it ranks top of the standings based on the rankings put together by Ranker.
The open-ended game is addictive, and you will quickly be looking to try out new breeding lines in order to try and produce the most talented horse that can win some of the biggest purses on the calendar.
Image: Starters Orders 6, Credit: Steam
G1 Jockey
G1 Jockey is one of the most popular racing game franchises across Asia, with six titles having been released since the 90s. Each title has been released on the PlayStation, with the most recent editions also being made available on the Nintendo Switch and Xbox.
The first three titles are the most engrossing, with users able to train race horses, as well as taking up a career mode, which is a longer form of training runners and pointing them toward big races. The latter of these modes also take into account the individual characteristics of the horse, meaning that it will have a desire to either front run or sit out the back.
Image: G1 Jockey 3, Credit: 10min Gameplay
The most recent version of the game was released in 2009 following the merging of Tecmo and Koei. Champion Jockey: G1 Jockey & Gallop Racer is an excellent blend of two of the most popular racing games in recent memory, with aspects from Gallop Racer taking the series to a new level. It was a hugely popular release in Japan, which saw a Switch port released in 2017 called Champion Jockey Special.