"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
This article was updated with new products and information in August 2025.
What You Need to Know:
With more car options than a billionaire's garage and gorgeous graphics, Gran Turismo 7 is a digital auto dream disguised as a racing game
Despite being an older title, Nascar Heat 5 is just what stock car fans are looking for in a racing game, even if it feels more like a nostalgic trip to the arcade
Assetto Corsa Competizione is a love letter to the GT3. It delivers precise car handling that'll delight sim racing purists and have amateur drivers understanding the adoration
Since its release in 1995, the Playstation console has seen its fair share of racing titles come and go. Few are as iconic as Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo, but there's been no shortage of options to choose from going back through each generation of console. But what about racing games for Sony's latest PlayStation 5 consoles?
To help you choose which racing title might best fit your needs, we've rounded up a collection of the best racing games out there, from the famed Need for Speed series to the more simulation-style options like Assetto Corsa Competizione. Check out our collection below and let us know in the comments what titles you think we're missing out on.
More Sim Racing: Best Racing Games for Xbox | Best Sim Racing Games | Best Sim Racing Wheels
Things to Consider When Buying a PlayStation Racing Game
Before you dive in and purchase your next racing game for your PlayStation 5, there are a few things you'll want to consider.
Sim or Arcade?
Consider whether you prefer simulation racing games, which aim to replicate real-world driving experiences as accurately as possible, or arcade racing games, which prioritize fun and accessibility. Titles like Gran Turismo and Assetto Corsa will be more simulation-specific, while Dirt and Need for Speed will have more of an arcade feel.
Car and Track Selection
Look at the variety and number of cars and tracks available in a given title. Some games focus on specific car brands or racing styles, while others offer a wide variety. Choose one that best fits what you're looking to enjoy.
Online Features
If you're interested in competing against other players, consider whether the game has an online multiplayer component. Some games have more vibrant online multiplayer scenes (such as Assetto Corsa Competizione), while others might lack one.
Updates and DLC
Check if the game is regularly updated and if any downloadable content (DLC) packs are available to enhance your gaming experience. Keep in mind that some DLC packs could add unexpected costs to the game's original purchase price.
The Best Sim Racing Games for PlayStation
Gran Turismo 7
Gran Turismo 7 (GT7) stands alone as the pinnacle in racing simulation for PlayStation, bringing together decades of development and innovation. With a garage filled with hundreds of cars ranging from classic models to the latest supercars, and a vast array of tracks from around the world, GT7 offers an unparalleled depth of content.
The attention to detail, including realistic driving physics and stunning visuals, set a new standard for what is possible in a racing game. The game features a robust single-player campaign, but competitive online modes ensure there is plenty of content to keep players engaged for years to come.
What sets GT7 apart from the competition is its authenticity, realism, and ability to cater to both rookies and veteran racers alike. The game includes extensive tuning and customization options that allow players to tweak their vehicles to perfection, while its dynamic weather and time-of-day system add an extra layer of challenge and immersion throughout races.
Since its debut in 1997, Gran Turismo has released title after title that delivers an uncompromised racing experience, and GT7 is no exception. As expected, Campaign Mode is time-intensive, but our time playing GT7 impressed us with the breadth of cars, tracks, and customization available to gamers.
F1 25
F1 25 on PlayStation 5 aims to strike a middle ground between realism and accessibility in the world of Formula 1 racing sims. The visuals are detailed--cars are sharply rendered, weather effects add genuine variability, and track environments carry enough fidelity to be recognizable to fans of the sport. Handling leans toward the simulation side, with noticeable weight shifts and traction dynamics, but remains manageable for players without a racing rig. The game's physics engine delivers convincing performance feedback and supports nearly any wheel the Playstation 5 itself supports.
The game's single-player career mode offers a familiar progression to previous F1 games: develop your driver, upgrade your team, and manage race strategy. It's a functional loop, though not especially innovative. The online multiplayer mode runs smoothly in most sessions, with solid skill-based matchmaking. Sure, F125 doesn't radically reinvent the genre compared to its predecessors, but it refines key elements to incrementally improve the experience.
For players looking for a modern, console-friendly take on F1 racing that rewards both casual laps and committed sessions, F1 25 checks most of the necessary boxes without pushing too far outside the curbs.
Nascar Heat 5
Nascar Heat 5 delivers an authentic stock car experience on PlayStation 5, putting you in the driver’s seat of all your favorite teams, drivers, and tracks. Daytona, here we come! The game nails the unique thrill of this kind of racing, from drafting on the big superspeedways to mastering the tight corners of short tracks. Martinsville is a challenge. With realistic car handling and dynamic racing conditions, Nascar Heat 5 captures the excitement and strategy of the beloved American series.
Beyond the fast-paced action, the game offers a pretty robust career mode where you can rise through the ranks as a driver, securing sponsorships and customizing your car for peak performance.
With online multiplayer, Nascar Heat 5 is perfect for fans at all levels of racing. It'll be competitive, and it will be fun.
Assetto Corsa Competizione
If it's a hardcore simulation experience you're looking for, Assetto Corsa Competizione delivers with an emphasis on GT3 and GT4 racing. The game boasts impressive realism, with highly detailed cars, advanced tire and aerodynamics simulation, and realistic weather conditions. The track selection includes some of the most famous circuits in GT racing, all of which are laser-scanned for pinpoint accuracy.
Assetto Corsa Competizione offers a variety of single-player and multiplayer modes, including a career mode, championship mode, and competitive online races. The game is a stalwart in the competitive Esports community, which is a testament to its realism and capabilities. While we would suggest playing the game with a dedicated sim racing wheel if you intend to be competitive online, using a controller is perfectly fine for offline events and less serious gamers who simply want to enjoy realistic racing from their couch.
Project Cars 3
Project Cars 3 strikes a balance between realism and accessibility, offering an approachable racing experience when you're first starting but more than enough setup and strategy complexity to keep veteran drivers interested. The game features a wide selection of cars, from everyday road vehicles to high-performance race cars, all of which can be customized and upgraded as you progress through the game. The track selection is equally impressive, with more than 140 circuits from around the world.
Project Cars 3 includes a comprehensive career mode that challenges players to rise through the ranks, earn credits, and unlock new vehicles and upgrades. The game also offers robust multiplayer options, including scheduled events and competitive racing leagues which, from our experience, are usually matched well with equally capable drivers.
It might not necessarily excel in any one area, but Project Cars 3 is a solid experience for PlayStation users that makes racing accessible for newcomers while also catering to players who want detailed control over the settings and upgrades offered throughout the game.
Wreckfest
Wreckfest deviates from the standard racing-game formula, opting instead for a more demolition derby–style experience. This title challenges gamers to push beyond their boundaries, steering a strange array of cars to their ultimate capacity in perilous scenarios where collisions are more or less intentional—especially in the assortment of purpose-built modes for demolition.
Tracks available range from wildly improbable vehicular combat arenas to circuits that more or less mirror traditional racing tracks. The vehicle roster is equally as distinct, offering everything from souped-up riding mowers to classic muscle cars. Gameplay is undoubtedly more arcade-based than others in this list, but the collision and racing physics are top-tier, creating dramatic displays of twisting metal and flying wreckage.
It's hardly shocking that Bugbear, the game's creator, is the same studio that brought us the celebrated FlatOut 1 and 2, games renowned for their rag-doll physics in the racing genre.
NFS Heat
Need for Speed: Heat returns the series to its street-racing roots. The title offers a thrilling blend of high-speed chases, underground culture, and a vast open world to explore as you see fit. Set in Palm City, a fictionalized version of Miami, Florida, players can race through various environments, from bustling city streets to winding country roads. The game features a diverse lineup of cars, from tuners and exotics to classic muscle, all of which can be customized to suit your style.
What sets apart Need for Speed: Heat from its predecessors is its unique day-night cycle, with sanctioned races taking place during the day and illegal street races at night. The law enforcement in the game are always on the lookout, adding an extra layer of excitement and danger to nighttime races.
With its engaging gameplay, extensive customization options, and vibrant open world, Need for Speed: Heat provides the thrilling and customizable experience we've come to know and love from the Need for Speed series.
FAQs
Do I need a steering wheel, or is the DualSense controller good enough?
You can absolutely set fast laps with the DualSense—the adaptive triggers and haptics are shockingly useful—but a force-feedback wheel (Logitech, Thrustmaster, Fanatec) makes car control more natural and consistent. If you’re new, start with a midrange wheel-and-pedal set and a basic stand; you’ll gain precision without turning your living room into a pit lane.
PS5 or PS4–will these games still run well?
Most top racers are cross-gen, but the PS5 brings higher frame rates, cleaner image quality, faster loads, and better haptic support. PS4 still delivers the goods; PS5 just delivers them faster at a higher resolution. If you care about smoothness (read: 60 fps or better) and online stability, PS5 is the move.
What settings should I tweak first for faster lap times?
Turn on ABS, set mild traction control, kill steering/braking assists, and choose cockpit or chase cam based on comfort. In wheel menus, start with moderate force feedback, low spring/damper, and set pedal dead zones so braking bites early but doesn’t plateau. Small tweaks, big gains.
Is PSVR2 worth it for racing?
If immersion is your drug of choice, yes, but not without some caveats. PSVR2 can make familiar tracks feel brand-new, but it’s far from a computer-based sim racing experience. You’ll also want to plan on a learning curve and mind your comfort over long sessions: start with short stints, lock horizon if the option exists, and keep frame-rate-friendly settings. It’s the closest thing to seat time without smelling race fuel.
How’s the online experience—cross-play, ranked lobbies, the works?
Most marquee racers now support robust matchmaking, safety ratings, and scheduled events; some also offer cross-play across platforms and PS4/PS5 cross-gen lobbies. Read the fine print before you commit–penalty systems and netcode quality vary–and practice racecraft. Fast is fun; clean is faster.
You Might Also Like
Comments