What is the best game similar to Need for Speed: Shift?

The closest game to Need for Speed: Shift is Euro Truck Simulator, scoring 100/100 on our similarity scale. They share 8 gameplay attributes, including deep simulation, racing gameplay and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Need for Speed: Shift?

The three closest games to Need for Speed: Shift are: 1. Euro Truck Simulator (100/100, 8 shared attributes) 2. Assetto Corsa Competizione (100/100, 8 shared attributes) 3. Project CARS 2 (100/100, 8 shared attributes). All share Need for Speed: Shift's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 8 dimensions.

Is Assetto Corsa Competizione similar to Need for Speed: Shift?

Yes, very much so — Assetto Corsa Competizione scores 100/100 similarity to Need for Speed: Shift. They share 8 attributes, including deep simulation and racing gameplay. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What Simulation games are similar to Need for Speed: Shift?

The best Simulation games similar to Need for Speed: Shift are Euro Truck Simulator, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Project CARS 2 and My Summer Car. All share the Simulation genre alongside other key Need for Speed: Shift attributes like deep simulation, racing gameplay and single-player focus.

How is similarity to Need for Speed: Shift calculated?

We compare Need for Speed: Shift against every game in our catalog using 8 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Need for Speed: Shift experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

50 Games like Need for Speed: Shift that you should try

Games like Need for Speed: Shift · Find similar →

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If Need for Speed: Shift left you wanting more, this list of 50 similar games is for you. Each one shares part of its essence — deep simulation, open world exploration and single-player focus — and is ranked by a similarity score computed across 8 attributes. Euro Truck Simulator comes closest (100/100).

iRank75/ 100

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GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

Top games similar to Need for Speed: Shift

50 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Need for Speed: Shift. Each one has been evaluated across 8 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Euro Truck Simulator

100

iRank84

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerOpen WorldExplorationFirst PersonThird Person

Steam👍 84%· 7.6K

Year 2008Dev SCS SoftwareOn PC · Mac

✓ Same family of racing sims: deep simulation, racing gameplay and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with vibe relaxing and visual isometric

Details →

Steam

#2Assetto Corsa Competizione

100

iRank80

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerOpen WorldExplorationFirst PersonThird Person

Steam👍 93%· 46KRAWG👍 75%· 76MC76IGDB70· 2OC75· 72

Year 2018Dev Kunos Simulazioni · 505 GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are racing sims — sharing deep simulation, racing gameplay and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: sports simulation

100

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerOpen WorldExplorationFirst PersonThird Person

Steam👍 81%· 18KRAWG👍 69%· 229MC86IGDB84· 8OC82· 97

Year 2017Dev Slightly Mad Studios · Bandai Namco EntertainmentPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of racing sims: deep simulation, racing gameplay and open world exploration

≠ Where it differs: brings sports simulation

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 95%· 114KRAWG👍 81%· 83

Year 2016Dev Amistech GamesPlaytime ~5hOn PC

✓ Both are racing sims — sharing deep simulation, racing gameplay and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: sports simulation, survival mechanics and roguelike runs, while skipping visual third person

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerOpen WorldExplorationFirst PersonThird Person

Steam👍 97%· 393KRAWG👍 88%· 127

Year 2015Dev SureHit StudioPlaytime ~4hOn PC · iOS

✓ Same family of racing sims: deep simulation, racing gameplay and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, adventure storytelling and sandbox world

Details →

Steam

#6GTR 2 FIA GT Racing Game

iRank91

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

MultiplayerSoloFirst PersonThird Person

Steam👍 92%· 346IGDB90· 3

Year 2012Dev SimBin Studios · SimBinPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the racing sims cluster, with deep simulation, racing gameplay and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Where it differs: brings sports simulation, while skipping open world exploration

Details →

Steam

#7Skate 2

iRank83

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerOpen WorldExplorationSandbox World

IGDB83· 4

Year 2009Dev EA Black Box · Electronic ArtsOn PlayStation 3

✓ Same family of racing sims: deep simulation, racing gameplay and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: sports simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world, while skipping visual first person

Details →

#8Automation - The Car Company Tycoon Game

iRank94

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerOpen WorldThird PersonNarrative

Steam👍 94%· 17K

Year 2015Dev Camshaft SoftwarePlaytime ~3hOn PC

✓ Both are racing sims — sharing deep simulation, racing gameplay and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, strong narrative focus and sandbox world, while skipping exploration and discovery

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerFirst PersonThird Person

Steam👍 89%· 345MC84IGDB85· 2

Year 2005Dev SimBin Studios · LibrediaPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the racing sims cluster, with deep simulation, racing gameplay and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings sports simulation, while skipping open world exploration

Details →

Steam

#10Forza Motorsport 6

iRank86

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerFirst PersonThird Person

IGDB84· 14OC89· 86

Year 2015Dev Turn 10 Studios · Microsoft StudiosOn Xbox

✓ Both are racing sims — sharing deep simulation, racing gameplay and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: sports simulation, while skipping open world exploration

Details →

#11Car Mechanic Simulator 2018

iRank81

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 91%· 53KRAWG👍 76%· 100IGDB67· 2

Year 2017Dev Red Dot Games · PlayWayPlaytime ~6hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of racing sims: deep simulation, racing gameplay and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, sandbox world and crafting mechanics, while skipping visual third person

Details →

Steam Epic PS

#12Euro Truck Simulator 2

iRank90

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

MultiplayerSoloOpen WorldExplorationThird PersonFirst Person

Steam👍 97%· 918KRAWG👍 88%· 916MC79IGDB88· 2

Year 2012Dev SCS SoftwarePlaytime ~12hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are racing sims — sharing deep simulation, racing gameplay and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, vibe relaxing and strong narrative focus

Details →

Steam

#13DiRT Rally

iRank83

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerFirst PersonThird PersonHardcore

Steam👍 88%· 40KRAWG👍 71%· 674MC86IGDB85· 13OC85· 59

Year 2015Dev Feral InteractivePlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the racing sims cluster, with deep simulation, racing gameplay and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with sports simulation and punishing difficulty, while skipping open world exploration

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#14American Truck Simulator - Oregon

iRank87

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerOpen WorldExplorationFirst PersonThird Person

Steam👍 97%· 191KRAWG👍 85%· 254MC76IGDB81· 5

Year 2016Dev SCS SoftwarePlaytime ~6hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Fits the racing sims cluster, with deep simulation, racing gameplay and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, vibe relaxing and strong narrative focus

Details →

Steam

#15Grid 2

iRank83

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerFirst PersonThird Person

Steam👍 84%· 30KIGDB81· 12

Year 2013Dev Codemasters Southam · CodemastersOn PlayStation 3 · PC · Mac

✓ Both are racing sims — sharing deep simulation, racing gameplay and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings sports simulation, while skipping open world exploration

Details →

Steam

Complete list of Need for Speed: Shift alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Need for Speed: Shift, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Disney Planes

Simulation · Racing

Race Driver: Grid

Simulation · Racing

American Truck Simulator

Simulation · Racing

DiRT Rally 2.0

Simulation · Racing

Colin McRae Rally 04

Simulation · Racing

Brick Rigs

Simulation · Racing

Xpand Rally

Simulation · Racing

Assetto Corsa

Simulation · Racing

Wreckfest

Simulation · Racing

DiRT 4

Simulation · Racing

Project CARS

Simulation · Racing

Retrowave

Simulation · Racing

The Need for Speed

Simulation · Racing

Xpand Rally Xtreme

Simulation · Racing

RACE - The WTCC Game

Simulation · Racing

Forza Horizon 5

Simulation · Racing

GTR - FIA GT Racing Game

Simulation · Racing

Grid

Simulation · Racing

Forza Horizon 2

Simulation · Racing

100

Midtown Madness

Simulation · Racing

SnowRunner

Simulation · Racing

Forza Horizon 4

Simulation · Racing

F1® 23

Simulation · Racing

The Crew™ 2

Simulation · Racing

RACE 07

Simulation · Racing

MX vs. ATV Reflex

Simulation · Racing

F1 2018

Simulation · Racing

Need for Speed: Carbon

Simulation · Racing

Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit

Simulation · Racing

Forza Motorsport 7

Simulation · Racing

MudRunner

Simulation · Racing

Need for Speed: ProStreet

Simulation · Racing

Need for Speed II

Simulation · Racing

Pallet Jack Racing

Simulation · Racing

Gran Turismo 5

Simulation · Racing

Rankings in the same genre

Best Sim Racing Games Best Simulation Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Need for Speed: Shift?: The closest game to Need for Speed: Shift is Euro Truck Simulator, scoring 100/100 on our similarity scale. They share 8 gameplay attributes, including deep simulation, racing gameplay and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Need for Speed: Shift?: The three closest games to Need for Speed: Shift are: 1. Euro Truck Simulator (100/100, 8 shared attributes) 2. Assetto Corsa Competizione (100/100, 8 shared attributes) 3. Project CARS 2 (100/100, 8 shared attributes). All share Need for Speed: Shift's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 8 dimensions.
Is Assetto Corsa Competizione similar to Need for Speed: Shift?: Yes, very much so — Assetto Corsa Competizione scores 100/100 similarity to Need for Speed: Shift. They share 8 attributes, including deep simulation and racing gameplay. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Simulation games are similar to Need for Speed: Shift?: The best Simulation games similar to Need for Speed: Shift are Euro Truck Simulator, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Project CARS 2 and My Summer Car. All share the Simulation genre alongside other key Need for Speed: Shift attributes like deep simulation, racing gameplay and single-player focus.
How is similarity to Need for Speed: Shift calculated?: We compare Need for Speed: Shift against every game in our catalog using 8 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Need for Speed: Shift experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.