The best racing game for a large group depends on how everyone will connect. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the clearest choice for four people sharing one screen, or up to 12 across multiple consoles on wired LAN. For a large online race, The Crew Motorfest advertises races with up to 28 players. Forza Horizon 5 is a strong social-driving alternative, but its official pages do not establish a current large-race player cap.
Choose by how your group will play
“Large multiplayer group” can mean four people on one console, friends on nearby systems, or a large online lobby. Those formats have different limits, so compare the activity and connection method—not just the biggest number attached to a game.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Amazon Exclusive Edition - Nintendo Switch | $36.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Crash Team Racing - Nintendo Switch | $26.91 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Lexibook, Cyber Arcade Racing Console, JL3150 | $44.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Nickelodeon Kart Racers (PS4) | $34.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Garfield Kart: Furious Racing (NSW) - Nintendo Switch | $19.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| Game and format | Documented group size | What the number means |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, offline split-screen | Up to 4 players | One Switch or Switch 2 in TV or tabletop mode; each local player needs a compatible controller. Nintendo UK |
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, local wireless | Up to 8 players | Local wireless multiplayer, distinct from one-console split-screen. Nintendo |
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, LAN | Up to 12 players | Multiple Switch or Switch 2 consoles connected over wired LAN. Nintendo Support |
| The Crew Motorfest, online races | Up to 28 players | Ubisoft advertises 28-player races on the official game page. Ubisoft |
| The Crew Motorfest, Last Crew Standing | Up to 32 players | A separate crew-based mode: 32 players divided into eight crews, not a standard 32-player race. Ubisoft Help |
| Forza Horizon 5, Hide & Seek | 6 players | A specific mode, not a general race-lobby cap. Turn 10 Studios |
Best racing games for large groups
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: best for couch play and organized local events
For a group gathered around one TV, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has a straightforward, officially documented four-player offline split-screen option. It is the strongest fit here when everyone shares a single system and wants to race together without an online connection. Nintendo’s product information also lists TV and tabletop play, but the key point for a large gathering is that one console does not equal a 12-player race.
If the group has multiple consoles, the options scale differently: Nintendo lists local wireless for up to eight players, while its LAN support page documents up to 12 players across multiple Switch or Switch 2 systems connected with a wired network. LAN requires the additional consoles and wired setup; it is not an expanded split-screen mode.
#1 Best Overall
- READY, SET, WARP! Race across 24 tracks and warp to 15 CrossWorlds with Travel Rings, a unique gameplay mechanic that transports the iconic characters from the Sonic and SEGA universes into new dimensions. Use unpredictability to your advantage as you change the landscape of each race!
- RACE WITH THE BEST! Choose from 23 iconic Sonic characters, the largest roster of any Sonic racing game!
- MAKE IT YOURS: Mix and match between 45 unique original vehicles and 70 different gadgets to trick out your ride, level up your kart, and create the ultimate machine to match your racing style.
- GAIN THE ADVANTAGE WITH POWERFUL ITEMS! Dominate your opponents with 23 different items including returning favorites and all-new items like the Monster Truck!
- MULTIPLE WAYS TO PLAY: Gather with friends and play local split-screen in Grand Prix and the new party mode Race Park, compete against a community of players from around the world with up to 12 players online in World Match, or test your driving skills in Time Trials.
Nintendo says online play requires a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. Check controller availability for local play and membership access for online play before setting up. The published limits on Nintendo’s cited pages do not include publication dates.
The Crew Motorfest: best documented option for a very large online race
Ubisoft advertises races of up to 28 players in The Crew Motorfest, making it the clearest pick in this group for a conventional large online race. The game also has a distinct 32-player activity, Last Crew Standing, in which eight crews compete. That larger figure describes the mode’s total participants, not a 32-car race.
Rank #2
- Start your engines with the original game modes, characters, tracks, power-ups and controls
- Power slide to glory in additional karts and tracks from beyond the original game
- Race online with friends and Crash the competition with online leaderboards
Ubisoft Help’s entry stating that the mode supports up to 32 players was updated October 1, 2026. Because platform-specific mode support can vary, confirm that the mode is available on the version your group intends to play.
Forza Horizon 5: best for a mixed racing-and-roaming session
Forza Horizon 5 suits groups that want more than head-to-head races. Its online activities include races, co-op Horizon Tour, Arcade events, and player-created EventLab content. Hide & Seek is a six-player mode, according to Turn 10 Studios’ August 21, 2024 announcement.
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- INTUITIVE TILT CONTROL - Pilot your console with motion sensor control! Tilt your console to turn the steering wheel and virtually drive the vehicles in the games for even more thrills.
- 30 CLASSIC GAMES INCLUDED - Choose from a selection of 30 extraordinary games, ranging from thrilling races to thought-provoking action challenges.
- PRACTICAL ERGONOMICS - With its integrated handles, easily accessible buttons and 2.8’’ color screen, your games come to life in your hands!
- CUSTOMIZABLE SETTINGS - Adjust the sound volume and screen brightness to suit your environment.
- BATTERY POWERED - Take your console with you wherever you go, with no need for cables. Simply insert 2 AA batteries and you're ready for hours of gaming!
Playground Games announced cross-play across Xbox consoles, PC, and PS5 on January 30, 2025. That can help a group whose members use different platforms. However, the official pages cited here do not establish a current cap for conventional races or convoys, so do not select it on the assumption that it supports the biggest race lobby.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 3 GAME MODES: Grand Prix, Single Race, Time Trial
- MULTIPLAYER: Up to 4 players in split-screen mode and up to 8 players in online mode or portably on Nintendo Switch
- 16 CIRCUITS: Crazy races in stunning environments inspired by the world of Garfield, such as Palerock Lake and Pastacosi Factory
- 8 CHARACTERS: Garfield, Odie, Jon, Nermal, Arlene, Liz, Harry and Squeak
- 9 Attack and Defense Bonuses to turn the race in your favor
Rank #4
- Hit the Slime-filled race tracks with Nickelodeon Kart Racers
- Choose a racer from 12 of the most iconic Nickelodeon series: SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Hey Arnold!, Rugrats and MORE!!!
- Race on 24 different Slime-filled tracks, including Bikini Bottom, NYC sewers, Tommy Pickle's house, Arnold's school and more!
- Customisable Karts with multiple power-ups and special attacks
- Awesome Co-Op and Local Multi-Player for non-stop action the entire family will love!
What to check before inviting everyone
- Connection format: Decide whether players will share one screen, use local wireless, connect over wired LAN, or play online. Those are separate modes with separate group limits.
- Hardware and game access: Confirm each player has a compatible console or PC, the correct game, and access to the relevant mode. For Motorfest, verify support for your platform and version.
- Controllers: For Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on one system, have one compatible controller per local player.
- Online membership: Nintendo specifies a paid Nintendo Switch Online service requirement for online play. Check each platform’s current online-access requirements for the games and modes you plan to use.
- What the player count describes: A race, a crew-based survival mode, and a shared open-world activity are not interchangeable. Match the advertised count to the activity your group actually wants.
How to choose
- One console and one TV: Choose Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for up to four-player offline split-screen.
- Several nearby Nintendo consoles: Choose Mario Kart 8 Deluxe local wireless for up to eight, or wired LAN for up to 12 across multiple systems.
- A large online race: Choose The Crew Motorfest for its advertised 28-player races.
- A large online group that wants varied activities: Consider The Crew Motorfest’s separate 32-player Last Crew Standing mode, or Forza Horizon 5 for a mix of racing and cooperative or social play. Do not treat either option’s other-mode count as a conventional race limit.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
