If the lazy days of summer means you have spare time to catch up on video game playing, read on for our pick of the driving titles worthiest of your attention from the last six months' releases. Rallying, drag racing, drifting, and even motorcycle racing make the cut in our six-strong selection of motoring games roaring out of the first half of 2016, running from glossy freemium release "Forza Motorsport 6: Apex" to the turbulent fun of "Omnibus."
- "Dirt Rally" -
Better known for its ongoing Formula One series, studio Codemasters returned to its roots with a dedicated rallying simulation that has been winning converts since an early access Windows PC release in 2015.
A PlayStation 4, Xbox One and boxed retail edition followed in April 2016 with the console version every bit as consuming as its PC predecessor: rallying's benchmark, going forward.
- "CSR Racing 2" -
Third in the Android and iOS drag racing series, and first since its studio and publisher became part of social gaming force Zynga.
"CSR Racing 2" provides all manner of glossy vehicles to acquire, race, and tune up, plus a heck of social features: in-game crews, real-time races, issue and answer to challenges, and hatch shared strategies to beat rival racers.
- "Forza Motorsport 6: Apex" -
Part of the first wave of former Xbox One exclusives to find space on PC -- more specifically, on PCs running Microsoft's Windows 10 -- "Apex" offers a free if not cut down edition of the console's premium racer, with less cars and tracks, but it's mindful of welcoming newcomers to the franchise, and includes the option to unlock extra content via payment as well as through race victories.
- "Omnibus" -
There was no video game tie-in for Keanu Reeves's 1994 pre-"Matrix," pre-"John Wick" blockbuster "Speed." But if there was, it might be a little like throwback Mac, PC and Linux title "Omnibus": buses that cannot slow down, bizarre missions, cities that inexplicably incorporate pinball bumpers, and four-player multiplayer.
- "Thumb Drift" -
Scream round corners at breakneck speeds, collect cumbersomely-placed coins, feel confident in the generous width of the provided roads, and shatter into smithereens when the next cruel S-bend makes a mockery of your one-touch gaming skills.
Then unlock cars that cheekily resemble real-world marques and, perhaps, will one day do so more closely with official approval. Free on Android and iOS with ad support or an in-app purchase option.
- "Valentino Rossi The Game" -
Motorcycle racing is a difficult sport to adapt for games, but this PS4, Xbox One and PC tribute to nine-time world champ Valentino Rossi does better than most.
It helps that Italian developer Milestone has close to 20 years of experience with the genre, and this rebranded entry to the MotoGP franchise offers both a retrospective on Rossi's career as well as a shot at the 2016 title.
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