Hardware, Software, Hype: 5 Sim Racing Tops and Flops in 2025
A turbulent year of sim racing lies behind us: new hardware and software releases, great events, and empty promises shaped the scene. Here you will find our top 5 and flop 5 of the sim racing year 2025, divided into different topics.
Tops
Here are our top 5 for 2025:
Sim racing events: Expo, Gamescom, and more
Some of the highlights of the year were definitely the various events such as Simracing Expo and Gamescom. While sim racing is finally no longer a marginal phenomenon at Gamescom, Simracing Expo reported new visitor records this year. Over 24,000 sim racers attended the event in Dortmund, making it a great event in combination with the numerous exhibiting companies.
Affordable high-end hardware
Another area that has seen progress this year is the high-end segment. It is becoming increasingly accessible, with even active pedals available for less than €1,000 thanks to the release of MOZA’s mBooster Active Pedals (MOZA Racing mBooster Active Pedals – Review). Steering wheels with screens are also gradually becoming more affordable. In 2025, CONSPIT in particular has distinguished itself in this area with a range of new budget wheels.
Software-Releases and Updates
2025 was also the year of software releases and updates. New titles such as AC Rally captivated many sim racers, while existing simulations such as Automobilista 2, iRacing, and Raceroom continued to expand and improve their existing base. Particularly noteworthy here is Le Mans Ultimate, which developed from an initially very poorly rated simulation in 2025 into a real alternative for many sim racers.
DIY-Projects
DIY projects are still a big topic in the sim racing community in 2025. Whether it’s steering wheels (even high-end wheels are no longer an exception in the DIY sector), peripherals, or practical solutions for sim rigs, the focus is once again on 3D printers, which have become even cheaper and better in 2025.
USB-Passthrough
One hardware feature that has become widely available by 2025 is USB passthroughs. After Asetek got the ball rolling, a whole host of manufacturers jumped on the bandwagon this year and now offer their own systems for connecting steering wheels directly to the base via their own QR solution. VRS, Simagic, VNM, and CONSPIT are now on board.
Flops
Of course, alongside the tops, there have to be some flops too. Here are our top 5 flops of 2025:
Proprietary hardware
One annoyance for sim racers that cannot go unmentioned in 2025 is proprietary hardware. Contrary to the trend toward USB passthrough, Simucube, for example, has introduced its own standard for its new SC3 series that is explicitly incompatible with existing USB steering wheels. Even though the manufacturer provides some understandable reasons for this, the majority of the sim racing community is still disappointed.
Subscriptions
Unfortunately, subscriptions are still playing a very important role in 2025. More and more sim racing services require active subscriptions, which can sometimes result in high costs for users. It’s not always clear what you’re actually paying for or which subscription makes sense. Here you can find a more detailed article on the topic: Between Passion and Profit: The Commercialization of Sim Racing
AI
In 2025, artificial intelligence is a much-discussed topic. Unfortunately, it is often misused in sim racing, whether it’s when it comes to choosing the right sim racing hardware, finding the right force feedback settings, or setup tips. In these areas, AI still lags miles behind and often even gives completely wrong advice.
False promises and hype
In contrast to the positive mentions of new software releases in 2025, the other side of the coin must also be examined. Titles such as Rennsport and, most recently, Project Motor Racing unfortunately stand out in a negative way. Even though the basic framework is there, the latter title in particular has upset many sim racers, as the bold announcements made in advance were simply too ambitious. The situation is similar in some cases with sim racing hardware providers, who often follow the “higher, faster, further” marketing concept and tend to overshoot the mark with their promises.
Negativity
The last point in the Flop 5 concerns negativity. In case of doubt, certain members of the community should simply take a step back. You can still have fun with a G29, and not everyone has to love the hardware that you just spent a lot of money on. The same applies to online duels. Here, too, you don’t always have to have the last word and it’s okay to take a step back sometimes. “Live and let live” can often make the difference between frustration and fun.
