The Best Demolition Derby Games

There is a peculiar satisfaction that often follows a chaotic display, and no other sport captures that feeling better than the demolition derby. The simple act of smashing two big hunks of metal against one another has delighted audiences around the world for years.

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By  Ritwik Mitra

Lucky for the fanbase, the sport has been lovingly made and remade in the world of video games time and time again, usually with as much content as Rocket League. Some of these games try to recreate the sport in as much detail and realism as possible. Other games have taken the prospect of vehicles trying to destroy one another to its logical extreme. In either case, it can be a sight to behold.

Updated September 11, 2024, by Jason Wojnar: Those who come to racing games as car enthusiasts might not like seeing these beautiful automobiles being demolished. However, those who are into fast arcade action or the demolition derby culture come almost exclusively to see the cars thrash each other around. Crashes become more detailed as technology improves, but graphics alone do not make a good demolition derby game, as this list shows. In the update, we add a couple of games and expand upon what justifies putting these games on this list.

19 Grid 2: Autosport

A Tacked-On Demolition Derby Mode

Grid 2: Autosport is not the only game on this list that is not exclusively a demolition derby game. However, the other games on this list include crashes, and their derby modes are more than just an afterthought. The same can't really be said here.

Though Grid 2 is a fine game, its demolition derby offering feels tacked on and does not add to the experience. The destruction and physics do not support a mode like this. All the same, it is still a diversion for players to temporarily enjoy if they want to spice up the gameplay.

18 Demolition Racer

A Racing Game That's Not About Coming In First

This PS1 game is a close relative to the Destruction Derby series from around the same time. It perfectly mixes traditional racing with the down-and-dirty tactics of a destruction derby. Players not only need to come in first place during a race, but they also need to crash into other cars to accumulate enough points to claim victory.

Of course, players also need to pay attention to their own car, lest the vehicle be completely wrecked, losing the race instantly. It does not have the bells and whistles of later games that add more content and minigames, but it got the job done for PlayStation owners.

17 Armageddon Riders

Racing Other Drivers And Mowing Down Zombies

Armageddon Riders feels like a budget form of Carmageddon, with players competing in various events in a post-apocalyptic wasteland covered in zombies. Not only do players have to contend with other competitors in their vehicles, but they also have to make sure the undead don't damage their vehicle too much.

The gameplay is not deep and events grow repetitive, but it is a perfect game to play with a friend together locally since the campaign can be played in co-op. Definitely more of a game to turn one's brain off and enjoy some carnage than a title that challenges their racing prowess.

16 Cel Damage

Cel-Shaded Car Combat

Car combat games were more plentiful in the 90s and early 2000s, with Twisted Metal really leading the charge. Cel Damage takes a lot of cues from the Sony series, but adds its own twists and uses a unique cell shaded art style.

The original release was seen as a solid combat racer, and the HD version made a few tweaks to make the experience more enjoyable. The cartoon aesthetic also makes it more accessible for younger gamers who otherwise might not feel welcome by the darker aesthetic of games like Twisted Metal.

15 Crashday Redline Edition

Highly Customizable Demolition Derby Chaos

Players who love realistic racing games will enjoy exploring Crashday Redline Edition's vibrant and beautiful world. Thanks to Crashday Redline Edition, demolition derby fans can enjoy the explosive fun of the original while also exploring new and expanded features.

In Crashday Redline Edition, players can dive into a world filled with unbridled chaos and heart-pounding action, enjoy multiplayer arcade racing, and try to wreck, shoot, and smash their way to victory. Players can also try seven diverse game modes and can even share their own insane circuits. Since the game also embraces modding, players can download user-created content from the Steam Workshop or create their very own mods for endless customization. Gamers can also choose from a wide range of vehicles, weapons, and tuning options and can customize their ride for maximum chaos.

14 Destruction Derby Arenas

The Best-Looking Demolition Derby Game Of Its Time

Destruction Derby Arenas was the fourth installment of the iconic Destruction Derby series and is a great choice for players who enjoy retro games. This fun derby game has vibrant visuals with intense colors, making every smash and collision visually striking.

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Thanks to this iconic game, players can engage in fierce derby battles while trying to destroy opponents' vehicles and keeping theirs in working condition. During the battles, players can score points in various ways, including by ramming into opponents and wrecking their cars. While racing, players could also choose from a variety of vehicles, each with its own unique attributes, so decisions were made based on their strategic choices. Destruction Derby Arenas is an action-packed and fast-paced game filled with challenging opponents and chaotic arenas.

13 Carmageddon: Max Damage

Post-Apocalyptic Car Combat

Carmageddon: Max Damage is a perfect choice for players who love over-the-top demolition games with great graphics. This fun combat racer is one of the most action-fueled open-world demolition derby video games with many exciting vehicles, as well as hilarious characters. There are also a large number of tracks, and, thanks to its unique game modes, players get to experience high-speed collisions and over-the-top destruction.

Players can go on their adventures solo or try the multiplayer mode if they feel ready both online and offline. Carmageddon: Max Damage is not a simple demolition derby game since it has a wide range of environments, and players can also participate in hilarious challenges while exploring the game's violent but surprisingly funny world.

12 Trail Out

An Especially Hectic And Unpredictable Level Of Destruction

Trail Out is one of the best fast-paced games with screaming drivers, explosive races, and, of course, lots of destruction. While this destruction racing game has dozens of big-city tracks, players can also try its fun derby arenas and other dangerous tracks with crossroads to challenge themselves. Thanks to Trail Out's unique take on vehicular combat and destruction, players can experience unpredictable, chaotic, but thoroughly entertaining demolition derby-style gameplay.

Trail Out is a great choice for racing game fans who love not only demolition derby games, but also playing with racers that have various game modes. Players can not only drive a wide range of cars, but also race in different eras, which makes the experience much more unique and engaging.

11 Zombie Derby: Pixel Survival

A Derby With Zombies, But It's Also Cute

Zombie Derby: Pixel Survival is one of the most vibrant and fun family-friendly demolition derby games that can still be entertaining and challenging for players of all levels. Thanks to this hilarious racer, players will get to navigate through vibrant post-apocalyptic landscapes that are filled with not only generic obstacles but also deadly zombies.

During their adventures, players will get to test their driving and maneuvering skills, as well as use a wide variety of weapons to fight for their survival while eradicating the evil zombies and overcoming challenging obstacles. Since Zombie Derby: Pixel Survival not only has satisfying destruction mechanics but also successfully combines two of the most thrilling gaming genres, racing and survival, it provides players with a one-of-a-kind gaming experience while immersing them in a colorful and entertaining world filled with fast-paced action.

10 Flatout

Drivers Can Fly Through The Windshield

Bugbear Entertainment has several entries on this list, with Flatout being the oldest one. It is not the studio's first game, but it is their first foray into more arcade-style sensibilities. Though the game received mixed reviews upon release, its dedication to hectic demolition derby action is undeniable.

The novelty of launching the driver through the windshield also does not grow stale throughout the hours of playtime, once again proving that ragdoll physics make everything better. Besides races, various minigames also take advantage of this mechanic.