The article explores horseback riding as a prevalent and immersive traversal mechanic in video games, especially those set in historical or fantasy worlds. It highlights how various games uniquely implement mounted travel, from the alien direhorses in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and robotic Striders in Horizon Zero Dawn to the iconic horses in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Each game offers distinct gameplay elements such as combat on horseback, environmental interaction, and narrative significance, with mounts often enhancing exploration and player engagement.

Among the top horseback experiences, Red Dead Redemption 2 stands out for its realistic and detailed horse mechanics, allowing players to engage in activities like racing, combat, and transporting goods across the American wild west. Other notable mentions include Shadow of the Colossus, where the horse Agro is essential to the story and gameplay, and Elden Ring, which introduces the spectral steed Torrent with unique abilities like double jumping. Overall, horseback riding remains a beloved and versatile feature that enriches the gaming experience across diverse settings and genres.