Regardless of the genre, cars and associated four-wheeled automobiles have emerged as a quintessential element of video games. These can include real-world rides in realistic racing games or iconic fictional vehicles such as the Batmobile from a Batman: Arkham game or a space rover from the Mass Effect or Halo franchise.
In terms of Ranker's ranking, the best of these cars can be picked on the basis of their utility, stylistic value, and overall importance in the actual game. The cumulative impact of these vehicles is such that they have become synonymous with the games they are featured in.
M35 Mako - Mass Effect
Designed like a space rover, the M35 Mako is compact, sturdy, and surprisingly very indestructible. For defense systems, it has a mobile turret gun on the top and a 155 m mass accelerator cannon. The indestructibility comes from its armor that can withstand high temperatures and rough terrain.
Talking about terrain, the Mako is well-suited for different surfaces due to the presence of reversible wheels. With Commander Shepherd using the vehicle for interplanetary exploration, M35 Mako has been a significant part of the series right from the first Mass Effect game.
Phantom Corsair - L.A. Noire
The sleek 2-door sedan Phantom Corsair debuted in 1938 as a prototype but unfortunately, never entered production. The car has acquired a legendary status till then and its futuristic features have made people regard it as a vehicle ahead of its times. The vintage car makes an appearance in the period crime thriller LA Noire as one of the 15 rare driveable vehicles. It perfectly fits in the aesthetic of LA noir movies that the game seems to create.
Once players get hold of this rarity, they can have a blast riding it on the streets of 1930s-era Los Angeles. Not only are the controls smooth but it can also reach pretty high speeds when compared to the other bulky cars of the era.
Ghost - Halo 3
In the combat-driven world of Halo, the UNSC relies on the flying vehicles known as the Ghost for missions that require stealth followed by rapid attacks. Armed with two plasma cannons in the front, the Ghost is mobile and fast enough for reconnaissance purposes.
With its elevation, it is easy for players to shoot down and explode ground vehicles such as the Warthog. The Ghost’s speed chiefly comes from an anti-gravity engine called Boosted Gravity Propulsion Drive. This is what allows it to fly in the first place, making it reach speeds of 60 kilometers per hour (90 km/hr with the boost).
Bullet GT - Grand Theft Auto IV
The Bullet GT’s stylish look seems like a mix between 90s sports cars and a modern-day Lamborghini. This is because the car indeed is a hybrid of the designs of Ford GT; Lamborghini Miura; and the 1999-2002 R34 Nissan Skyline. Perfectly suited for heist missions, the car can reach high speeds with a mileage of 163 kilometers per hour. This easily makes it one of the fastest cars in the Grand Theft Auto games.
Even when the players aren’t indulging in any fast-paced missions, it is always a fun experience to just go joyriding in the open environment of Grand Theft Auto’s cities. In this context, a two-door sports coupe like Bullet GT serves as the most stylish option.
Sweet Tooth's Van - Twisted Metal
The killer clown Needles, aka Sweet Tooth, is one of the main characetrs of Twisted Metal. Naturally, he deserves a ride that captures his maniacal mood. While there are several heavy-duty cars in the vehicular combat franchise, Sweet Tooth’s menacing ice-cream truck (complete with the giant clown head) is a threat with its strong armor and the special weapon Sweet Bot.
Upon activation, the Sweet Bot can turn the vehicle into an arsenal of missiles. In Twisted Metal: Small Brawl, the truck also includes ice cream ricochets while some ice-cream cones can function as napalm in Twisted Metal: Head On. Sweet Tooth’s van might not be the fastest vehicle in the games but it still has a heavy appetite for destruction.
Scorpion - Halo 3
While Halo 3's Warthog is perfect for sneak attacks, it is no match for the armored tank Scorpion. The major weapon that forms the crux of Scorpion is the M512 Smooth Bore High-Velocity Cannon that is mounted on a turret that can rotate 360 degrees. The M247T Medium Machine Gun works well as the secondary weapon in case players want to fire rounds of bullets with speed and precision.
Obviously, Scorpion would lack the mobility of a smaller Halo vehicle but it makes up for this with a long shooting range, increasing its capabilities to annihilate targets from a distance.
GT Citroen - Gran Turismo 5
The Gran Turismo racing games are noted for their realistic racing dynamics and car designs. Gran Turismo 5 is no exception, especially when it comes to the GT Citroen. The sleek design and effortless speed make it a perfect pick for players.
The features aside, Citroen actually has a pretty interesting story behind it. Contrary to most of the Gran Turismo cars, the car was an exclusive creation just for the game. However, its popularity grew in such a manner that Citreon actually ended up making the model in real life.
The Regalia - Final Fantasy XV
For laypersons, the Final Fantasy mainline games might just include medieval settings and gameplay. However, the franchise also includes modern inventions such as the fine and sleek car known as the Regalia. Not just limited to the definition of a standard car, the Regalia can also be converted into a flying vehicle of sorts.
The car is mostly used by Noctis and his friends for long rides in Final Fantasy XV's open-world environment. A convertible that also passes on to King Regis, the Regalia actually serves a larger purpose in the game on a metaphorical level. It stands for the freedom that comes with the game's sprawling landscapes.
Warthog - Halo
The M12-FAV aka the Warthog aka the "Hog" is the chief tactical vehicle for Halo's UN Space Command Armed Forces. Not only is the vehicle's compact size and good ground clearance make it the perfect vehicle for quick attacks but the Warthog is also suited to shoot or mow down all enemies in the way.
Attached to the car is a turret-mounted machine gun that is well-suited to fire rapid shots while driving. An AI system or a mission partner can help operate the gun while the players continue driving at breakneck speed.
Batmobile - Batman: Arkham Knight
The Batmobile is in one of its most armored and loaded forms in Batman: Arkham Knight. Not only can the caped crusader’s dark ride run over other cars and fire weapons but it also boasts of other abilities such as launching Batman up in the air. The game introduced the vehicle’s Battle Mode and added newer technology in the process.
The tank-like appearance is supported by a Vulcan gun, a 60 mm cannon, and electroshock defence systems. Along with gamers, Batman himself is extremely fond of the Arkham Knight version of the Batmobile as this game has the most footage of the car as compared to other Arkham games.