Forza Motorsport 7

This driving simulation is easily the best racing game of the year thus far, thanks to its tight, responsive handling, multiple modes, and exceptional production quality. Xbox gamers who bought 2015's Forza Motorsport 6 will also find a huge leap froward in the way the game looks and plays. Car collecting remains a key element in Forza Motorsport 7, where gamers will aim to win races to unlock better and better (and more diverse) vehicles. Called "Forza Driver's Cup," the career mode is more than meaty, with a smart progression system spread out over six major championships -- with its high-end sports cars, NASCAR, trophy trucks, American muscle cars, JDM (Japanese domestic market) classics, and so on. As you might expect, the vehicles handle very differently (Mini Cooper vs. Lamborghini, anyone?) especially when coupled with the kinds of races you're embarking on, track difficulty, and weather conditions (such as rain). In fact, while there are 32 different tracks -- including Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Prague in the Czech Republic, to name a few, there are more than 120 different track combinations/layouts to race on (such as weather, time of day, and so on).

For the first time, you can also unlock Driver Gear -- to customize the way your driver looks (helmets, jumpsuits), for some pre- and post-race scenes -- along with fun car mods (modifications) as part of the randomized "Prize Crates" you'll earn. Bottom line: Whether you're playing by yourself against the AI, against someone beside you, or online, there's a ton of depth and breadth to take advantage of in this game. Add some outstanding graphics, hundreds of unlockable vehicles, and tight controls, and you'll find that developer Turn 10 has done a fantastic job with this family-friendly racing sim.