I think it was around 2016 when I first discovered this game, since then it became my favourite racing game.
TrackMania Nations Forever is a game with infinite replayability thanks to its online component, gives players the chance to build their own tracks and offers an amazing campaign of official tracks.
All of this comes for free, you don't have to spend anything to enjoy this game to the fullest (unlike more recent entries in the series).
About the official tracks, I think I have to mention the final track in the game: one of the most difficult challenges I've encountered in a racing game, a 1-hour endurance test that really pushes the player to his limit. Completing the final track was in itself an experience and it's just one of the many things this game has to offer.

I've decided that from now on, I'm going to hook the reader with a clickbait title. Here's my title:

if you enjoyed Celeste, you might loveTrackmania Nations Forever.

Disclaimers: I'm not a fan of cars in real life. 2. I'm not a fan (at first glance) of simulation games. Luckily, Trackmania Nations Forever isn't a game for car enthusiasts or simulation fans. I'd go even further: it's not really a traditional racing game. You don't navigate the 65 tracks to beat opponents but to beat a time. The whole appeal of the game lies in this singular goal: a certain idea of perfectionism.

Everything surrounding this goal is far from perfect: TMNF's graphics are generally quite generic despite some nice lighting effects. The music is a kind of dull lounge house. There's no damage physics, all cars have the same characteristics. All tracks seem to have been made with the same level editor.

What makes TMNF a great game is the driving mechanics. The simplistic controls (accelerate, turn left, right, and sometimes brake) demand great precision. It's all about perfect timing. Revelation for me: I realize that racing games are mostly 3D games but with 2D game controls. Like a platformer, inputs could be articulated on a simple X-axis (left and right) and Y-axis (accelerate, brake). I'd struggle to say why this particular game has such exceptional control, but it's a feeling I've never had in any racing game before. It's both immediately easy to grasp but exponentially difficult to master.

You do need a certain mindset to get into this game: having the 'grind' culture. Being a bit obstinate to restart the same course dozens or even hundreds of times to get the medal you want (for me, I stopped at the gold medal). A bit like Celeste, we work on micro-segments (the average duration of a race is about 45 sec.) that we must master. Another totally unique element of this game is the ability to 'brake in the air' and decide on your trajectory (like a 2D platformer). It's physically totally improbable but very interesting in terms of gameplay.

There's obviously a highly competitive aspect and a ranking system on two scales: a local one (a bronze to Nadeo medal system (higher than Gold)) and a quite laughable global leaderboard system. It's always fun to be proud of one of these courses before realizing that you're just entering the top 100,000 worldwide. The somewhat comical patriotic or regional aspect, I'm quite proud to be in the top 100 of a part of Switzerland (which is not already a big country).

Anyway, play it, it's free

TMNF is really good. A simple racing sim with easy controls to learn, but difficult techniques to master. Combined with a great selection of dev made maps to race, multiplayer, and even a built in track editor and share function. All together making TMNF one of the best racing games I have played, even considering its age. If I had to make one complaint however, I would add that it does get quite repetative. Even despite the increase in difficulty and complexity of the later levels, it still felt lacking to me personally. However I do understand this is a individualistic take; given how many people are able to spend hundreds of hours grinding away at TMNF's maps.