39 Games like Synthwave Dream '85 on PC that you should try

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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.

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We filtered the 50 games similar to Synthwave Dream '85 down to the 39 that fit the “PC” category. Retrowave, FlatOut and Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Synthwave Dream '85.

iRank90/ 100

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GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

The best games like Synthwave Dream '85 on PC

39 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.

#1RetrowaveClosest 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

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Steam

#2FlatOutClosest on game mode

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

#3Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed

iRank72

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

MultiplayerOfflineSoloThird Person

Steam👍 68%· 2.6KIGDB81· 6

Year 2011Dev Slightly Mad Studios · Electronic ArtsOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Nearly identical: deep simulation, racing gameplay and multiplayer gameplay.

≠ Missing: roguelike runs.

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

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

Genre100Game mode69Visuals54

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

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Steam Nintendo

#5Colin McRae Rally 2.0

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

OfflineSoloMultiplayerThird PersonFirst Person

Year 2000Dev CodemastersOn PC

✓ 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 25 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode69Visuals41

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#6SuperflightClosest 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

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

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#8F1 2011

iRank73

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

MultiplayerSoloCo-opThird PersonFirst Person

Steam👍 76%· 745RAWG👍 59%· 49MC83IGDB77· 10

Year 2011Dev CodemastersPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

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

The official FORMULA ONE™ game returns with new circuits, split-screen and co-op Championship modes plus all the cars and stars from the 2011 season.

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 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode62Visuals41

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Steam Xbox PS

#9RaceRoom Racing Experience

iRank52

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerPvPThird PersonCompetitive

Steam👍 76%· 27KRAWG👍 17%· 143

Year 2013Dev Sector3 StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC

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

≠ Its own twist: sports simulation, competitive edge and punishing difficulty, while skipping roguelike runs

RaceRoom Racing Experience is a free-to-play racing simulator. It houses official race series such as DTM, WTCC and ADAC GT Masters, but to get access to all content players are bond to excruciating grind.

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

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

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

Genre100Game mode65Visuals41Tone0

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Steam

#10Grid

iRank72

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

MultiplayerSoloCasualThird PersonMelee

Steam👍 70%· 6.6KIGDB73· 8OC75· 73

Year 2019Dev CodemastersOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

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

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

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

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

Genre100Tone64Game mode41Visuals41

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Steam PS

#11Offroad ManiaClosest on visuals

iRank94

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloRelaxingProceduralExploration3DThird Person

Steam👍 94%· 518

Year 2020Dev Active GamesPlaytime ~2hOn PC

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

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, sandbox freedom and strong narrative focus, while skipping roguelike runs

Offroad Mania — based on realistic car physics game for everyone, who like off road and challenge. We've prepared for you 120 levels + free roam (rocks, trees, bridges, ramps and so on) and 5 amazing 4×4 off road cars (differents suspensions, engines) for fun driving.

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

Genre100Visuals100Progression65Tone63World50Game mode13

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Steam

#12F1 2018

iRank80

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

MultiplayerSoloPvPCompetitive

Steam👍 89%· 14KRAWG👍 61%· 201MC84OC83· 72

Year 2018Dev CodemastersPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Its own twist: sports simulation and competitive edge, while skipping roguelike runs

F1® 2018 HEADLINE EDITION Buy F1® 2018 HEADLINE EDITION to get F1® 2018 and the F1® 2018 ‘HEADLINE CONTENT DLC PACK’ About the Game MAKE HEADLINES in F1® 2018. F1® 2018 is the official videogame of the 2018 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™.

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

Genre100Game mode60Tone0

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Steam Xbox PS

#13Xpand Rally

iRank83

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayer3DManagement

Steam👍 83%· 615MC82

Year 2006Dev TechlandPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Same family of racing sims: deep simulation, racing gameplay and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with sports simulation and resource management, while skipping roguelike runs

Xpand Rally is a breathtaking game that gives you the true to life experience of driving powerful rally cars amidst photorealistic sceneries. Realistic weather effects, rolling hills, and animated scenery all add to game's visual perfection.

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

It predates Synthwave Dream '85 by 19 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Visuals77Game mode41Progression0

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Steam

#14GTR 2 FIA GT Racing Game

iRank91

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

MultiplayerSoloThird PersonFirst 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 and visual first person, while skipping roguelike runs

The Game That Revolutionized the Racing Genre. The successor to the international award-winning racing simulation GTR accurately represents the challenges of Motorsport racing.

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

It predates Synthwave Dream '85 by 13 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode41Visuals41

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Steam

#15GT Legends

iRank87

GenreSimulationSubgenreVehicle SimSub-subgenreSim Racing

SoloMultiplayerThird PersonFirst 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 and visual first person, while skipping roguelike runs

Return to the Days Of Thunder The golden age of motor sports has returned. Experience one of the world’s most exciting racing series in GT LEGENDS, including the legendary touring cars of the 60′s and 70′s.

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

It predates Synthwave Dream '85 by 20 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode41Visuals41

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Steam

Complete list of games like Synthwave Dream '85 on PC

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.