From classic arcade cabinets to authentic console exclusive simulators to colorful mascot go-karts, many players would have grown up and discovered a racing game that clicks with them. There's just the simple pleasure of being able to simulate driving a car as fast as possible without getting in trouble that makes players quite happy.
But even the biggest fans may not be aware of some of these hidden details, secrets, or easter eggs that Redditors found or wanted to share with the community. From a hidden message in classic retro games that players have only recently discovered to an unusual blink-and-you'll-miss sighting, these are just some of the secrets unearthed by Reddit s.
Gran Turismo 5
The beloved PlayStation exclusive racing series, Gran Turismo, has made a name for itself since the original PlayStation console. While the games have recently made some controversial decisions over the years, many fans still have fond memories of the older titles, especially with the hidden details added in over the years.
One of these was found by Reddit naffantait who spotted one hidden secret in the Trial Mountain Circuit across the 5th and 7th games. Taking place around Scotland's Loch Ness, it's possible to spot the mythical monster who lives in the lake. "Nessie is back!"
California Speed
Produced by Atari Games, they released the arcade racer California Speed in 1998 where players can steer their way through many cities in California while performing stunts. Midway Games ported the game the following year for the Nintendo 64, but the port wasn't well-received by critics at the time.
But in 2014, a gamer discovered a hidden detail that no one noticed before, according to IHad360K_KarmaDammit. They say that the person who played the game discovered a hidden billboard that said "SoMETIMES... God TAkES MOMMIES ANd PuPPIES AWAY..." An unsettling thing to find, to say the least.
Forza Horizon 5
The smash-hit Xbox console exclusive racing series has become one of the system's most popular franchises. the fastest cars in the series. Within one year, it was played by half of the gamers who owned the console.
While macaco324 was driving an F1 GTR during one of the PR stunts in a canyon when they unexpectedly discovered an easter egg. One of the commentators "said something like making McLaren proud bringing a piece of art to Mexico and throwing it out." They believed that this was a nod to a missing McLaren that was owned by one of former drug lord El Chapo's men.
Crash Tag Team Racing
Perhaps one of the things some gamers didn't know about Crash Bandicoot was his spin-off racing games. After Crash Bandicoot's success on the PlayStation 1, the crazy marsupial returned to racing after some stumbles in the platforming genre. Crash Tag Team Racing featured the ability for cars to merge to create a powerful vehicle that also had a devastating weapon to reach the top spot.
CrystalFissure posted a video of a cheat to unlock a skin for Crash that would turn him into "Japanese Crash." By typing in a cheat code, players will be able to play the version of Crash that was redesigned for the box art on multiple games for Japanese audiences.
Wreckfest
Wreckfest may not be as ed as fondly compared with other racing titles, but it is still considered by many as a fun game that saw it have multiple re-releases on different consoles. Based on destruction derby races, players must race and knock opponents off the tracks to become the top driver.
Perhaps one of the oddest discoveries on the list, Lancelot308 believed that they discovered "a fake or some mod for PC." If gamers can get out of Eagle Peak's map's boundaries without getting hit, they can find a cow that is holding onto a tommygun. And it's easy to see why this Redditor thought it wouldn't be real.
Need For Speed: Most Wanted
Released in 2012, Need for Speed: Most Wanted to receive positive reviews at the time and a few award nominations too. Taking part in multiple types of races within an open world, players were given many ways to play and have the chaotic fun that only a few racing games can muster.
In 2013, the game came to the Wii U with some additional content, including Co-Driver mode and the use of the Miiverse, Nintendo's social platform for the console. But the best of all was the "Nintendo Easter Egg" shared by Super Mario games that took players to a secret room with other vehicles based on iconic Super Mario characters.
Team Sonic Racing
The 3rd Sonic racing game developed by Sumo Digital, Team Sonic Racing is also the latest racing title that saw the blue hedgehog and his friends compete on the track. But the game also tried to steer clear from other mascot racers as it focussed on cooperative gameplay as you and your team must get the best positions possible to win.
"If you guys didn't know there are hidden sprites in the tracks of Team Sonic Racing." Meurway found a sprite of Knuckles from one of the older games in the platforming series and this sparked a reaction from commenters hoping to find some from their favorite games.
Gran Turismo 7
ranked among the fastest cars in the game, only time will tell to see if this and future patches will bring some fans back behind the wheel.
One of those that played the game, Alex57030, discovered "a little easter egg on GT7." Sharing a video of one of their races, they spotted a UFO briefly hovering in the sky before it shot off into the distance.
Mario Kart 64
The second title in what would become the best ranked Mario Kart games to date.
Discovered by _50981213, they found a "Diddy Kong Secret Easter Egg." In the Toad's Turnpike circuit, one of the vehicles is a bus and if you peak at the front window, a shadow of Diddy Kong can be seen.
Burnout Paradise
The Burnout series has had a devoted fanbase since the 1st game's release on the PS2, GameCube, and the original Xbox console in 2001 and 2002. One of the destructive racing game's most popular titles, Burnout Paradise, was remastered back in 2018 and was re-introduced to a new console generation.
Reddit Headcase0 found shared this "funny little Easter egg in Burnout Paradise." While driving in the White Mountains, a small health hazard sign can be found. But on it, it says that "If you can read this then the texture is too high."