Race forward if you are looking for board games like Downforce because that is what we are going to give you. Downforce is a card-driven bidding, racing, and betting where players first bid to own the six cars in the race, then they play cards from their hand to speed them around the track. Figuring out just the right time to play a card is the key to victory. You even get to make secret bets on who you think will win along the way.
To determine this list we broke down Downforce to what it is. This is an electric racing game that has variable player powers, betting, drafting and tons of stratic actions to take. If you are looking for something similar, you have come to the right place. We took this into consideration and came up with this list of the 5 board games like Downforce.
FOR MORE: Buy Downforce on Amazon
#05 | Quodd Heroes
This is not a conventional choice, so bare with us. Quodd Heroes makes the list of games like Downforce because even though it is an adventure game with lots going on, the most satisfying part is the Mario Kart like racing component. Racing that matches the unique style of Downforce, something not many have achieved. Not an esy choice for the list of games like Downforce but we stand behind it.
Each player controls a cube-shaped character miniature and player board. Your character is basically a 6-side die that you assign actions to sides pregame (Tumble, Jump, Slide, Diagonal Slide, and Dash). Only 5, the 6th is that character’s special. The Die then “tumbles” (rolls) around the board as you move to reveal those actions. Whether it’s a simple point-to-point rally-style race, capture the flag or a quest to uncover hidden secrets each game is filled with unexpected events and lots of player interaction. For 1 – 6 players, game run 30 – 90 minutes.
FOR MORE: Buy Quodd Heroes on Amazon
#04 | Flamme Rouge
Flamme Rouge mainly makes the list of similar games like Downforce because it is also an amazing racing game. Just like Downforce, you have a race to win but you have many factors that are going to help get you there and get you there fast.
You control a team of two riders (a Rouleur and a Sprinteur) with the goal to be the first to cross the finish line with one of your riders. Riders move riders forward by drawing and playing cards from that riders specific deck, depleting it as you go. Use slipstreams to avoid exhaustion and position your team for a well timed sprint for the win. For 2 – 4 players, games last about 30 – 45 minutes.
FOR MORE: Buy Flamme Rouge on Amazon
#03 | Camel Up
Camel Up makes the list of games like Downforce because it taps into a similar betting mechanic to help drive progress. In Camel Up, you are not in the race but betting on it, but you have that same move around a track excitement.
Everyone bets on five racing camels, trying to suss out which will place first and second in a quick race around a pyramid. The earlier you place your bet, the more you can win. Camels don’t run neatly, however, sometimes landing on top of another one and being carried toward the finish line. It all depends on how the dice come out of the pyramid dice shaker, releasing one die at a time. For 2 – 8 players, games last about 20 – 30 minutes.
FOR MORE: Camel Up Page | Games Like Camel Up | Buy Camel Up on Amazon
#02 | Horse Fever
Horse Fever makes the list of games like Downforce because it rolls up many of the same race mechanics, just with horses instead of cars. There are not many games out there that are racing and have the betting, but also have the progression, special character abilities and strategic things to add like Horse Fever.
You are transported to the setting of the noir novels of the 1930s, taking the role of a rich bettor that will use any means necessary to cause your placed bets to pay off. You will need to fix races, bribe bookmakers, make horses fall asleep, buy stables and borrow money from the Mob in order to gain victory for their bets. For 2 – 6 players, games last about 90 minutes.
FOR MORE: Buy Horse Fever on Amazon
#01 | Steampunk Rally
Steampunk Rally takes the top spot on the list of games like Downforce because it is that same exciting car racing game. In addition to just having to win a race you have special character abilities and an economic system to help you become the best and get there faster.
Using a unique dice-placement mechanism, you take on the roles of a famous inventor from the turn of the last century like Nikola Tesla and Marie Curie, constructing fantastical contraptions using steam in an attempt to win a no-holds-barred race through the Swiss alps. You start with a draft for upgrades and then you roll to activate and move. For 2 – 8 players, games last about 45 – 60 minutes.
