The Best Games Like GTAV’s Stunt Series

Grand Theft Auto has a wide selection of extremely fun game modes that have almost nothing to do with grand theft. Unfortunately, most of these game modes have long queue times or have so many different maps and tracks that being placed into the one that you want can be a challenge in and of itself.

The stunt series in Grand Theft Auto 5 is one of these modes. It’s really popular, but there simply aren’t enough players on the servers to fill each game. Where are they? Are fans of GTA V Online’s stunt series playing something else to get their extreme kicks in? They well could be, as extreme and literally fantastic racing games are available on every platform, without any annoying wait times.

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Finally we can play cars again without Pixar getting in the way! Yes, this game has loop-de-loops and cartoon-themed vehicles just like Hot Wheels in real life. Although it was originally released in 2021, Hot Wheels Unleashed just recently got added to Xbox Game Pass in February, giving hundreds of thousands of new players access to this nostalgic title.

Don’t let the bright orange tracks and supersized toy rooms fool you though: this Hot Wheels game can be pretty difficult. Sure, there are lots of kooky and unique raceways just like in a Grand Theft Auto stunt race, but just like GTA V players actually need to be good at racing games in order to be competitive. Braking is essential to drift around corners or avoid fishtailing after sharp turns, the NPC drivers aren’t shy about running players off the road, and tons of other challenges exist throughout the various game modes.

The online community is going strong, meaning getting into games is quick and easy, but if couch-co op is preferred, Hot Wheels actually offers split screen too! GTA V fans can get right into a totally realistic race on a totally unrealistic track in a flash with Hot Wheels Unleashed!

This game is pure chaos and it’s so much fun! Turbo Golf Racing is extremely similar to Rocket League, except for a few key elements: players tend to be much less skilled or simply less competitive, and players are actively encouraged to do trick shots through a number of mechanics.

For example, there are multiple tracks where if players can get their starting boost and hit their ball just right, it will get caught by boost rings and sent directly to the goal. There are also items to mess up other players, like the rocket, and pop-out wings, so vehicles can glide around for a bit.

It’s worth mentioning that the levels are very creative and unique. Every season adds new tracks, each with a specific theme. Currently, there’s an Aztec theme giving hard Legend of the Hidden Temple vibes, fun waterfall obstacles, and new skins for the vehicles and golf balls.

It’s a little adjacent to the gameplay of the GTA V stunt series, but making a vehicle do awesome airborne tricks and sabotaging other players are some of the best parts that gamers can keep enjoying with Turbo Golf Racing.

Not all of Forza is precision driving in beautiful landscapes; sometimes it’s having fun in a Hot Wheels-themed DLC. Yes, this game is very similar to Hot Wheels Unleashed, but it’s much more difficult and tailored to players who enjoy racing games even when the track isn’t orange. Fans of racing games don’t need help to win, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to goof around sometimes.

Forza Horizon 5 doesn’t offer any default handicaps like easier racing games such as Mario Kart 8, so players can really improve their speed and overall control in a realistic setting. If players want to get unrealistic without the game being too easy, Grand Theft Auto stunt races are a great outlet, but still it’s not the same as a real racing game. Forza Horizon 5 is one of the best racing games ever and with the Hot Wheels DLC, players can take a break from perfect runs across beautiful landscapes to try their hand at daredevil driving.

This DLC gives players 10 new cars, a ton of new maps, and the ability to build their own Hot Wheels tracks using 80 different construction pieces. Forza’s open-world racing game continues to be the best, even when they’re goofing around with Hot Wheels.

Related: Best Games Like Grand Theft Auto 5 On Xbox Game Pass

Mario Kart may seem an unlikely choice, but there are plenty of stunts to perform in this game, especially once players get into the mini-games. Between boost strips and chaotic items like a literal bomb(omb), players can wreak havoc on each other…just not with helicopters or all-out gang wars.

Mario Kart may have the most fun and unique tracks out of all the games on this list, especially with their DLC tracks continuing to release every few months. Despite the simplicity of the game, friends and family still love to play together. The game does a lot of work bridging the gaps between players’ skills, making every race feel really competitive, no matter who’s playing.

The online element is also a ton of fun and typically, despite Nintendo’s aversion to queues, is faster than GTA V at finding a full game. Plus, the mini-games available pit players against each other more directly, encouraging silliness and trick shots. Even though it may be easier than Grand Theft Auto, Mario Kart 8 has plenty to challenge players with.

The OG pro skater is back with the same old tricks, but that doesn’t mean it’s any easier the second time around! It’s an unfortunate fact that many gamers who grew up on Tony Hawk have inexplicably become older, but one plus side to this is that we can all revisit Tony Hawk Pro Skater and have the same experience as last time: failing! A lot!

Just like when the series first launched, players can improve their button mashing skills to make their skater persona collect trash, destroy signs, and maybe even get some major air. Players who enjoy the two-wheel vehicle challenges in GTA V will have a great time trying to master the Casper 360 flip or trying to land that elusive 900.

It also helps that there’s a lot of customization available to make a character fit their player’s personality. Plus, with 19 different levels set in a variety of spaces, players can enjoy some classic skater scenes or explore a city (usually one with a lot of problems). Finally, challenges and collectibles make it easy to keep having fun even once every level has been beaten, so it’s easy to jump right in after a stunt race in Grand Theft Auto V.

Riders Republic is basically the GTA V stunt series as its own game. There’s everything from BMX mountain rides to flight suit challenges, all with online competitions and challenges that keep players entertained even after they’ve mastered every mode.

A bit of a call-back to the plethora of extreme sports games that hit their peak popularity in the 2000s, this game is perfect for players who just want to attempt insanely daring feats. While GTA V stunt races are more often than not done with cars and planes, Riders Republic lets gamers stick to their favorite vehicles without doubling or even tripling their queue time. On Xbox and Playstation, matches can have up to 20 players, but PC gamers can race against up to 50 players at once, which can get chaotic quickly.

With over 250 square kilometers to explore, Riders Republic is designed for replayability. Weekly challenges help set new goals and each vehicle has its own set of goals that players can try to accomplish. Tons of fun and able to be played online, Riders Republic is the most similar game to the Grand Theft Auto Online stunt series.

Another unlikely choice, players that enjoy doing the airplane and helicopter race and stunt challenges might enjoy cranking up the difficulty and venturing into true flight simulation. While flying races are extremely fun, sometimes it’s nice to simply get some practice flying in.

Sure, there are some flight challenges in the Grand Theft Auto campaign mode, but they’re designed for people who don’t normally play flight simulator games. That works well for most people, but there aren’t many of these flight challenges available either, so once they’ve been completed, players must get queued into a flight stunt race. Or, they can boot up good old Microsoft Flight Simulator!

Flight simulator comes with 29 planes to choose from, plus at least five more if players get one of the deluxe editions. That’s more than enough for players to explore literally the entire world through various missions, routes, and challenges. It’s certainly not a Grand Theft Auto game, but players who enjoy digital flying will have plenty of fun, even if they don’t get to steal their plane first.

Steep was one of the last good extreme sports games until Rider’s Republic arrived, and players have continued to enjoy it for years. Despite the game having been released in 2016, it still has unique offerings that are hard to find anywhere else.

Similar to Riders Republic, the game features a smattering of extreme sports, albeit a much longer roster. The game includes skiing, snowboarding, paragliding and wingsuit flying, with DLC expanding these options to include more niche versions of each sport, such as rocket-powered wingsuit flying and sledding.

Unfortunately, the online scene is about as active as GTA V Online’s stunt series, but it’s still easy enough to group up with friends for private races or to complete challenges solo. Regardless, players can get into exactly whatever they want to race with, rather than hoping for a lobby that suits them.