What is the best game similar to Synthwave Dream '85?

The closest game to Synthwave Dream '85 is FlatOut, scoring 62/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 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 Synthwave Dream '85?

The three closest games to Synthwave Dream '85 are: 1. FlatOut (62/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec (57/100, 6 shared attributes) 3. Retrowave (62/100, 8 shared attributes). All share Synthwave Dream '85's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 16 dimensions.

Is Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec similar to Synthwave Dream '85?

Yes — Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec scores 57/100 similarity to Synthwave Dream '85. They share 6 attributes, including deep simulation and racing gameplay. There are some notable differences in pacing or mechanics.

What Simulation games are similar to Synthwave Dream '85?

The best Simulation games similar to Synthwave Dream '85 are FlatOut, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec, Retrowave and Forza Motorsport 3. All share the Simulation genre alongside other key Synthwave Dream '85 attributes like deep simulation, racing gameplay and single-player focus.

How is similarity to Synthwave Dream '85 calculated?

We compare Synthwave Dream '85 against every game in our catalog using 16 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 Synthwave Dream '85 experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

Are there free games similar to Synthwave Dream '85?

Yes — RaceRoom Racing Experience is free and scores well on similarity to Synthwave Dream '85. It's a great way to test whether the play style clicks before investing in other paid titles.

50 Games like Synthwave Dream '85 that you should try

Games like Synthwave Dream '85 · Find similar →

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

Looking for games like Synthwave Dream '85? We analyzed its gameplay DNA — deep simulation, vibe casual and procedural generation — against over 6,700 titles. These 50 alternatives are ranked by real similarity, not marketing tags. FlatOut leads with 62/100, followed by the rest of the list.

iRank90/ 100

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GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

Top games similar to Synthwave Dream '85

50 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Synthwave Dream '85. Each one has been evaluated across 16 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.

#1FlatOutClosest on genre

iRank84

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerOfflinePvPThird Person

Steam👍 91%· 6.4KRAWG👍 87%· 402MC72IGDB80· 2

Year 2004Dev Bugbear Entertainment · Strategy FirstPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Its own twist: punishing difficulty and melee combat, while skipping roguelike runs

Flatout is the racing game with a heavy focus on destruction and associated with the drivers tearing out the front windshield. It is the first part of the tetralogy, followed by the three sequels and one remaster. ###Gameplay The game consists of two modes: survival and racing.

Where it drifts furthest from Synthwave Dream '85: tone.

It predates Synthwave Dream '85 by 21 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode88Visuals54Tone0

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Steam GOG Epic

#2Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

iRank100

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

OfflineSoloMultiplayerThird PersonFirst Person

IGDB100· 1

Year 2001Dev Polyphony Digital · Sony Computer Entertainment

✓ Same family of racing sims: deep simulation, racing gameplay and offline

≠ Where it differs: brings visual first person, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Synthwave Dream '85: visuals.

It predates Synthwave Dream '85 by 24 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode69Visuals41

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#3RetrowaveClosest overall match

iRank77

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerCasualRelaxingCyberpunkThird Person

Steam👍 95%· 15KRAWG👍 49%· 38

Year 2018Dev RewindappPlaytime ~1hOn PC · iOS

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

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, strong narrative focus and melee combat, while skipping roguelike runs

Neon lights, palm trees, synthwave, 80's supercars speeding down an endless highway... Welcome to the world of Retrowave! Listening to Synthwave / Retrowave most people have had this feeling of nostalgia for an era they didn't know or that never existed.

Where it drifts furthest from Synthwave Dream '85: game mode and visuals.

Genre100Setting100Tone95Visuals41Game mode40

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

OfflineSoloMultiplayerThird PersonFirst Person

IGDB90· 5

Year 2009Dev Turn 10 Studios · Microsoft Game Studios

✓ Both are racing sims — sharing deep simulation, racing gameplay and offline

≠ Its own twist: sports simulation and visual first person, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Synthwave Dream '85: visuals.

It predates Synthwave Dream '85 by 16 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode69Visuals41

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#5Forza Motorsport 2

iRank90

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

OfflineSoloMultiplayerThird PersonFirst Person

IGDB90· 2

Year 2007Dev Turn 10 Studios · Microsoft Game Studios

✓ Same family of racing sims: deep simulation, racing gameplay and offline

≠ Where it differs: brings sports simulation and visual first person, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Synthwave Dream '85: visuals.

It predates Synthwave Dream '85 by 18 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode69Visuals41

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#6Wii Sports Resort

iRank90

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

OfflineSoloMultiplayerThird PersonRanged

IGDB90· 3

Year 2009Dev Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.2 · Nintendo

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

≠ Where it differs: brings sports simulation, ranged combat and visual first person, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Synthwave Dream '85: visuals.

It predates Synthwave Dream '85 by 16 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode69Visuals41

Details →

#7Gran Turismo 7

iRank87

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

OfflineSoloMultiplayerThird PersonFirst Person

IGDB87· 8OC87· 163

Year 2022Dev Polyphony Digital · Sony Interactive EntertainmentOn PS4 · PS5

✓ Same family of racing sims: deep simulation, racing gameplay and offline

≠ Where it differs: brings sports simulation, visual first person and visual 2d, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Synthwave Dream '85: visuals.

Genre100Game mode69Visuals33

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#8Gran Turismo 4

iRank87

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

OfflineSoloMultiplayerThird PersonFirst Person

IGDB87· 3

Year 2004Dev Polyphony Digital · Sony Computer Entertainment

✓ Same family of racing sims: deep simulation, racing gameplay and offline

≠ Where it differs: brings visual first person and visual 2d, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Synthwave Dream '85: visuals.

It predates Synthwave Dream '85 by 21 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode69Visuals33

Details →

#9Forza Motorsport 4

iRank86

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

OfflineSoloMultiplayerThird PersonFirst Person

IGDB86· 7

Year 2011Dev Turn 10 Studios · Microsoft Studios

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

≠ Stands apart with sports simulation and visual first person, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Synthwave Dream '85: visuals.

It predates Synthwave Dream '85 by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode69Visuals41

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#10SuperflightClosest on progression

iRank88

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloRelaxingCasualProceduralExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 96%· 12KRAWG👍 77%· 103

Year 2017Dev GrizzlyGamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Same family of racing sims: deep simulation, racing gameplay and vibe relaxing

≠ Stands apart with sports simulation, sandbox freedom and strong narrative focus, while skipping roguelike runs

A quick note from the developers: Superflight is a game about flying in a wingsuit through colorful mountainscapes and scoring as many points as possible by pulling off risky proximity maneuvers. If you enjoy simple games about flying and speed, look no further!

Where it drifts furthest from Synthwave Dream '85: game mode.

It predates Synthwave Dream '85 by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Progression100Tone91World63Visuals54Game mode16

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

OfflineSoloMultiplayerThird PersonFirst Person

IGDB85· 6

Year 2010Dev Polyphony Digital · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3

✓ Both are racing sims — sharing deep simulation, racing gameplay and offline

≠ Stands apart with sports simulation and visual first person, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Synthwave Dream '85: visuals.

It predates Synthwave Dream '85 by 15 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode69Visuals41

Details →

#12Gran Turismo 6

iRank83

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

OfflineSoloMultiplayerThird PersonFirst Person

IGDB83· 11

Year 2013Dev Polyphony Digital · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3

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

≠ Its own twist: sports simulation and visual first person, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Synthwave Dream '85: visuals.

It predates Synthwave Dream '85 by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode69Visuals41

Details →

#13Forza Motorsport 7

iRank86

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerCo-opThird Person

IGDB86· 14OC86· 114

Year 2017Dev Turn 10 Studios · Microsoft StudiosOn PC · Xbox

✓ Nearly identical: deep simulation, racing gameplay and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: roguelike runs.

It predates Synthwave Dream '85 by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode61Visuals54

Details →

#14Forza Motorsport 5

iRank79

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

OfflineSoloMultiplayerThird PersonFirst Person

IGDB78· 11OC80· 58

Year 2013Dev Turn 10 Studios · Microsoft StudiosOn Xbox

✓ Same family of racing sims: deep simulation, racing gameplay and offline

≠ Where it differs: brings sports simulation and visual first person, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Synthwave Dream '85: visuals.

It predates Synthwave Dream '85 by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode69Visuals41

Details →

#15Grid: Autosport

iRank78

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

MultiplayerOfflineSoloThird PersonFirst Person

Steam👍 78%· 8.7KIGDB78· 13OC78· 33

Year 2014Dev Codemasters Southam · CodemastersOn PlayStation 3 · Linux · Android

✓ Same family of racing sims: deep simulation, racing gameplay and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Stands apart with sports simulation and visual first person, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Synthwave Dream '85: visuals.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for Synthwave Dream '85.

It predates Synthwave Dream '85 by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode69Visuals41

Details →

Steam Nintendo

Complete list of Synthwave Dream '85 alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Synthwave Dream '85, 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.

Pallet Jack Racing

Simulation · Racing

Offroad Mania

Simulation · Racing

Gran Turismo Sport

Simulation · Racing

Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed

Simulation · Racing

F1 2011

Simulation · Racing

GTR 2 FIA GT Racing Game

Simulation · Racing

Grid

Simulation · Racing

F1 2018

Simulation · Racing

GT Legends

Simulation · Racing

Forza Motorsport 6

Simulation · Racing

Xpand Rally

Simulation · Racing

Gran Turismo

Simulation · Racing

Grid 2

Simulation · Racing

Race Driver: Grid

Simulation · Racing

Gran Turismo 2

Simulation · Racing

Colin McRae Rally 2.0

Simulation · Racing

Wreckfest

Simulation · Racing

Assetto Corsa

Simulation · Racing

Colin McRae Rally 04

Simulation · Racing

DiRT 4

Simulation · Racing

Xpand Rally Xtreme

Simulation · Racing

Disney Planes

Simulation · Racing

The Need for Speed

Simulation · Racing

DiRT Rally

Simulation · Racing

RACE - The WTCC Game

Simulation · Racing

DiRT Rally 2.0

Simulation · Racing

GTR - FIA GT Racing Game

Simulation · Racing

RaceRoom Racing Experience

Simulation · Racing

F1® 2020

Simulation · Racing

Project CARS

Simulation · Racing

Driver

Simulation · Racing

RACE 07

Simulation · Racing

Need for Speed: ProStreet

Simulation · Racing

Need for Speed II

Simulation · Racing

Motorsport Manager

Simulation · Racing

Explore games similar to Synthwave Dream '85 by category

Rankings in the same genre

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Synthwave Dream '85?: The closest game to Synthwave Dream '85 is FlatOut, scoring 62/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 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 Synthwave Dream '85?: The three closest games to Synthwave Dream '85 are: 1. FlatOut (62/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec (57/100, 6 shared attributes) 3. Retrowave (62/100, 8 shared attributes). All share Synthwave Dream '85's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 16 dimensions.
Is Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec similar to Synthwave Dream '85?: Yes — Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec scores 57/100 similarity to Synthwave Dream '85. They share 6 attributes, including deep simulation and racing gameplay. There are some notable differences in pacing or mechanics.
What Simulation games are similar to Synthwave Dream '85?: The best Simulation games similar to Synthwave Dream '85 are FlatOut, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec, Retrowave and Forza Motorsport 3. All share the Simulation genre alongside other key Synthwave Dream '85 attributes like deep simulation, racing gameplay and single-player focus.
How is similarity to Synthwave Dream '85 calculated?: We compare Synthwave Dream '85 against every game in our catalog using 16 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 Synthwave Dream '85 experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.
Are there free games similar to Synthwave Dream '85?: Yes — RaceRoom Racing Experience is free and scores well on similarity to Synthwave Dream '85. It's a great way to test whether the play style clicks before investing in other paid titles.