Rival Stars Horse Racing has been on Steam and Meta Quest for a while now, but coming to Xbox Series X felt like a real event. This is the horse management and racing game I’ve been waiting to include in my Horse Games video on Xbox in 2022, and it absolutely justifies that wait. Yes, it bears the hallmarks of its desktop origins with some UI quirks that are frustrating at times, but the core experience of building a stable from scratch, breeding horses with a purpose, and racing them on beautiful courses translates remarkably well to console. With a controller in hand, it’s the best way to experience this charming equestrian adventure.
Building a legacy, one horse at a time
Rival Stars Horse Racing is fundamentally about progression and legacy. You return to your family ranch after a personal tragedy and are tasked with restoring it to its former glory. The story unfolds through stylized comic book presentation and text rather than voice acting, which gives the narrative a readable, digestible quality without requiring constant attention.
The core of the game is horse breeding and racing. You start with a single first-year horse and gradually progress through strategic breeding partnerships. The genetic system is accessible without being too simplistic. Ideal breeding matches are presented to you based on your horses’ types, grades and stats. Combine two horses wisely and you will produce foals with mixed traits that can become something special.
This breeding loop is addictive. You must constantly decide which horses to breed, which to race, which to sell, and which to invest in for the long term. At first, progression seems inevitable. But as you progress through the horse classes, strategy becomes crucial. Should you go for incremental improvement or take risks on higher class couples? Should you further improve a horse’s stats or start from scratch with a new bloodline? These decisions are important and the game gives you enough freedom to approach them as you see fit.
Races that reward skill and strategy
The race itself is simple but engaging. You hit a timing window at the start for an ideal launch, then you ride and manage acceleration throughout the race. It sounds basic, and it is. But it’s also deceptively nuanced.
Each horse has a privileged position on the track. When positioned correctly, their sprint bar fills up faster. The sprint system is divided into segments, with each segment granting accelerations. Early races don’t require careful sprint management, but higher level competitions absolutely do. You will need to observe how other horses position themselves, when they accelerate, and adjust your tactics accordingly.
“Perfect” button timing can trigger even stronger acceleration, rewarding precision. Some horses thrive in the middle of the pack where they build sprint meters more quickly when surrounded by others. Others prefer to lead from the front. Some excel from behind. This variety means you develop different strategies depending on the horse you are racing with. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s definitely satisfying, and the short races encourage you to jump right into another one.
If you prefer not to race yourself, you can hire a jockey to compete for you, although their services are deducted from your winnings. This is an interesting option when you want to progress without the active gameplay.
Free movement and relaxation
Beyond racing and breeding, Free Roam simply lets you explore and spend time with your horses. You unlock additional locations like Switzerland and beautiful desert areas. There’s no pressure here, just the satisfaction of touring your ranch, watching your horses graze, and listening to the warm soundtrack. This mode is relaxing and perfectly suited to controller gaming.
The game does something clever by removing UI elements when you’re idle, allowing you to simply enjoy your stables and horses in lovely tranquility. It’s a small touch, but it creates a relaxing atmosphere when you need a break from the menu systems.
Controller experience
Here’s what matters for console gamers: the controller’s handling is excellent for racing and free roaming. Acceleration, steering, and sprinting mechanics feel natural with a gamepad. Free-roaming exploration is smooth and intuitive. This is where the game shines on console.
However, and I need to be transparent here, the menu systems sometimes feel awkward with a controller. The game is clearly designed around mouse and keyboard interactions, and some menu navigations carry that DNA. There are times when you don’t know which button you currently have highlighted. More frustratingly, some screens require you to press Start (the three-line menu button) to exit, while all other interactions use the face buttons. Having spent hours playing keyboard and mouse, I’m used to moving quickly through these systems, so inconsistency sometimes interrupts the flow.
But after prolonged play, you adapt. You learn the layouts, you remember which button leaves which screen, and the frustration subsides. This isn’t a problem, just a minor inconsistency that reflects the game’s mobile heritage.
The management loop works
The progression systems are incredibly well designed. You are always working towards something. Upgrading training facilities in show jumping, agility, speed and acceleration provides consistent revenue. Races generate money, experience points and skill points to improve your horse’s abilities. Early upgrades require money and XP, but later stages require additional skill points and resources. It’s a difficult task, but it’s an enjoyable task that keeps holding you back for “one more thing.”
The visual representation of this progress is satisfactory. Your ranch is slowly transforming with upgrades. The stables are improving. The main house needs to be renovated. Change of gates and fences. You’re constantly looking for something new, and you see your initial dilapidated legacy grow into something you can be proud of.
Visual and audio presentation
Visually, Rival Stars Horse Racing clearly comes from mobile. It’s simple, pleasant and relaxing rather than flashy. The stylized user interface is attractive and the 3D racing sections are well detailed, especially the Japanese Sakura racing track. Some textures are less polished, but nothing revolutionary. Oversized UI elements that might have bothered console purists are actually perfect for relaxed gaming on a TV.
The audio design deserves special praise. The music is nice and warm while exploring and navigating menus, creating a relaxing atmosphere. But during races, the music cues change brilliantly. Arriving 500 meters from the finish line, you feel the thrill thanks to intelligent composition. The narrator has some big names to work with and hearing “Dodgy mustache, rising inside” made me smile. And yes, those racing trumpets at the start of every race are absolutely iconic.
What this means for equestrian game enthusiasts
If you’ve been waiting for a real horse game on Xbox, this is worth it. It’s not the level of detail or simulation of Red Dead Redemption 2 (on the horse), but it’s not trying to be either. This is a user-friendly, strategic management game with satisfying racing mechanics, wrapped in beautiful presentation and excellent audio design.
The extent of customization in horse breeding is remarkable. The genetic system takes real liberties to remain accessible, but the breadth of coat colors, patterns, traits and bloodlines makes each horse feel unique. The amount of terminology you will learn about horses is significant.
There is no rival!
Rival Stars Horse Racing is a charming horse riding adventure that absolutely justifies its inclusion in any list of serious horse games. The breeding and racing mechanics are satisfying, the progression loop is addictive, and the controller experience for racing and free roaming is excellent. Yes, the menu systems carry their desktop/mobile origins and sometimes seem awkward with a gamepad. But after you adapt, it becomes a relaxing and comfortable experience that rewards the time investment with meaningful progression and real beauty. At £24.99 it’s great value for the depth it offers. Whether you’re a horse game enthusiast who’s been waiting for this console release or simply someone looking for a relaxing management experience, Rival Stars Horse Racing comes highly recommended. I’m happy to finally have it on Xbox, and I’m also happy to finally add it to my list of horse games.
