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The Absolute Best PlayStation 4 Racing Games of All Time

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The Absolute Best PlayStation 4 Racing Games of All Time

What’s your favorite genre of PlayStation games? There’s no shortage of options to choose from. Strategy, hack-and-slash, puzzle, first-person shooter… and, of course, racing. Above all else, there is perhaps no other genre as consistently thrilling in such short bursts as the racing game subgenre. This is particularly true of the PlayStation 4.

It has arguably one of the best libraries of racing games in modern console history. Across franchises and one-offs alike, what are the absolute best PlayStation 4 racing games of all time? We’ve taken a look back through our collection in search of the very best.

It wasn’t easy, but we’ve narrowed down the absolute best PlayStation 4 racing games to seven spectacular titles. Representing the latest and the greatest in the decades-old history of racing video games, these seven titles are the most entertaining and enjoyable PlayStation 4 racing games money can buy.

Whether you’ve played them all or never heard of any of them, you can be certain these seven racing games serve as the very best of the best for the PS4.

A Brief History of Racing Games

In truth, you could trace the origins of racing games all the way back to the little yacht racers of the early 1900s. Found in arcades and amusement parks, these tiny ponds full of remote-controlled boats were the first taste of what it was like to control a cool vehicle from a distance.

1950s

The 1950s saw another step toward racing games with the advent of driving test simulators. Capitol Projector’s Auto Test (1954) was one such example, projecting a film reel of pre-recorded driving footage and giving players a point for every right decision in the test.

1960s

Rear-projection arcade games of the 1960s and early ’70s — such as Indy 500 (1968), Speedway (1969), and Super Road 7 (1970) — elevated the racing game concept once more. These sorts of arcade games had a direct impact on the development of console racing games.

1970s and ’80s

Wipeout (1972) for the Magnavox Odyssey was one of the first examples, giving players control of a dot that moves around an outlined race track. This led to the creation of more 2D top-down racing games throughout the ’70s and the pseudo-3D racing games of the 1980s.

1990s

The introduction of kart racing games in the 1990s helped continue the success of the racing game subgenre. From Super Mario Kart (1992) to Diddy Kong Racing (1997) to CTR: Crash Team Racing (1999), these kart racers brought a whole new kind of racing game into the fold.

With their weird tracks, their over-the-top graphics, and their exciting multiplayer options, these kart racers ushered in an excellent new era for racing games. As console gaming neared the 21st century, racing game developers had two options: serious and realistic racing simulators or fun and wacky-kart racers.

21st Century Racing Games

As the 2000s inched ever closer, Sega and Namco shared a monopoly on 3D racing games. Then, something crazy happened; Gran Turismo (1997) hit the PlayStation. It blew every last one of its competitors in both the racing simulator and kart racing spheres completely out of the water.

From its remarkable graphics to its wide range of customizations to the simple fact that it was a blast to play, Gran Turismo elevated racing games to the genre we know and love today. It didn’t stop there, though.

Open-World Maps

A few years later, Midnight Club: Street Racing (2000) took things a step further. It introduced open-world maps to the equation. Prior to this, racing games were restricted to a set of fixed courses. You couldn’t go beyond the set course or else you’d face elimination.

With the introduction of Midnight Club: Street Racing, racing games were now about more than just crossing the finish line first. Players could now seek out races on their own out on the streets of a virtual world. Today, it’s considered a key component of 21st-century racing games.

Continued Advancements

With the continued advancements of consoles and PCs alike, the modern-day racing game looks and feels much different than its yacht-racing origins over a century ago. However, all those gameplay elements are there: the joy and the thrill of controlling a miniature vehicle you might not have ever commanded otherwise in the real world, and the simple pleasure of roaming around an open world in a cool car.

It’s not hard to see why this video game subgenre has remained ever-popular for more than 50 years now, dating all the way back to the very beginning of video games. From the latest entries in long-running racing franchises to fun little one-offs free from the obligations of a series, these are the very best PlayStation 4 racing games of all time. Did your favorite make the cut?

7. CTR – Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled

Crash Team Racing - Nitro Fueled - PlayStation 4
$22.00
  • Start your engines with the original game modes, characters, tracks, power-ups, weapons and controls
  • Power slide to glory in additional karts and tracks from beyond the original game
  • Race online with friends and Crash the competition with online leader boards
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03/10/2024 09:33 pm GMT

The newest Crash Team Racing game in a series dating back to 1999, CTR: Nitro-Fueled is a Mario Kart-esque kart racer featuring the cast of characters from the long-running Crash Bandicoot series. Single-player and multiplayer gameplay options are quite similar to Mario Kart, as well: local races, Grand Prix races, battle races, online races… all with the wacky and wild gameplay you’d expect from the Crash Bandicoot franchise.

All in all, there are nearly 60 playable characters and a massive library of unlockable bonus content. It’s definitely one of the best PlayStation 4 racing games ever.

PublisherActivision
Available PlatformsPlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
DeveloperBeenox
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
ReleasedJune 21st, 2019

6. Wreckfest

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03/11/2024 05:31 pm GMT

The best PlayStation 4 racing games are the ones that add fun twists to the classic racing game format. Wreckfest is one such game, adding the ability to wreck other cars in the competition to thrilling and challenging results.

Seen as something of a spiritual successor to the cult classic PC game Street Rod (1989), Wreckfest boasts amazing graphics and convincing physics as you wreck and race in truly believable ways. Wreckfest deserves heaps of praise for the way damage uniquely impacts your controls, only adding to the overall fun and excitement of the game.

PublisherTHQ Nordic
Available PlatformsPlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC
DeveloperBugbear Entertainment
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
ReleasedAugust 27th, 2019

5. Need for Speed: Heat

NFS Heat (PS4)
$24.84
  • Take chances, take victories - Lay it on the line in the speedhunter showdown by day, competing to win bank in race, drift, and off-road events, then take on the city by night and hit up underground...
  • Be unruly, be expressive - With even more options to customize your stable of cars as well as personalize your identity behind the wheel, this isn't the time to hold back be unique and make sure...
  • Beat the heat - You will have to go out of your way to rile up the cops patrolling palm city during daylight hours, but after dark the rules change when a rogue task force comes out to play now...
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03/11/2024 07:41 am GMT

The Need for Speed franchise has been around since 1994, which makes Need for Speed: Heat something of a 25th-anniversary gift to the fans. And what a gift it is; an open-world racing game with both legal and illegal races for you to partake in.

During the day, players must evade the police. During the night, players must dodge an elite task force determined to take them out. With over 127 cars and more than 33 recognizable manufacturers, Need for Speed: Heat proves to be the best of the franchise for PS4 (and one of the best PlayStation 4 racing games, to boot).

PublisherElectronic Arts
Available PlatformsPlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
DeveloperGhost Games
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
ReleasedNovember 8th, 2019

4. Burnout Paradise Remastered

Open-World Arcade-Driving Game
Burnout Paradise Remastered (PS4)
$26.99
  • Features DLC from the Year of Paradise, including the Big Surf Island update
  • Freely explore the open roads of Paradise City
  • 1080p on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One or 4K@60fps on PlayStation 4 Pro, Xbox One X, and PC
  • Supports multiplayer for up to 8 people
  • 150 playable vehicles
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03/11/2024 07:15 am GMT

Burnout Paradise Remastered takes everything that was great about Burnout Paradise (2008) and brings it into the next generation of console gaming. This remastered version of the classic Burnout game is free from the restrictive, rigid formula of other racing games, permitting players to progress through Paradise City at their own pace.

With an expansive open-world environment full of shortcuts and secrets (not to mention plenty of races), it’s hard not to consider Burnout Paradise Remastered one of the best PlayStation 4 racing games.

PublisherElectronic Arts
Available PlatformsPlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
DeveloperStellar Entertainment
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
ReleasedMarch 16th, 2018

3. Project CARS 2

Project Cars 2 (PS4)
$35.98
  • The Pinnacle of Authenticity: Created by gamers and fine tuned by pro drivers. Featuring class leading visuals, 1:1 digital craftsmanship, precision physics, challenging AI, and dynamic real time...
  • Over 170 licensed cars from the most iconic brands.
  • Largest track roster of any console racing game ever.
  • Full VR headset and 12K resolution (PC only) support.
  • Revamped controller pad handling..The Heat of Competition: Discover your ultimate driver journey and test your skills against the most intense competition to become the next motorsport hero. Project...
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03/11/2024 09:22 am GMT

As many as 140 different tracks across 60 unique locations with more than 180 separate cars to pick from… Project CARS 2 doesn’t mess around with its customizations and unlockable content, and it’s all the more remarkable for it.

Featuring a special feature called LiveTrack, each lap sees the track change with the weather, the environment, the population, and more. You’d struggle to find a more expansive, involved game in all of the PlayStation 4’s library of racing games. It’s what makes Project CARS 2 one of the very best.

PublisherBandai Namco Entertainment
Available PlatformsPlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
DeveloperSlightly Mad Studios
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
ReleasedSeptember 22nd, 2017

2. Dirt 5

DIRT 5 (PS4)
$37.99
  • Blaze a trail across the globe take a trip around the world to and race on over 70+ unique routes across 10 different global locations in stunning environments complete with dynamic weather and time...
  • push the limits with incredible cars get behind the wheel of an eclectic and exciting roster of cars. Conquer the toughest of terrain with boulder-beating machines, take iconic rally cars to new...
  • own The spotlight in a star-studded career world-renowned voice talents Troy Baker and nolan North head up the cast of dirt 5's story-driven career mode. Under the tutelage of an icon, all eyes are on...
  • compete or co-operate in off-road action local split-screen of up to four players on offline modes, including career, makes dirt 5 the perfect couch multiplayer racing game as you battle for position...
  • create and capture with new features capture your biggest jumps and best moves with a detailed Photo mode, and show your creative flair with dirt's deepest ever livery editor for all cars. Plus, more...
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03/10/2024 10:21 pm GMT

Dirt has long been one of the most underrated PlayStation 4 racing games. With the release of Dirt 5 in 2020, this has never felt more true. Interestingly focusing on off-road racing as opposed to streets or tracks, Dirt 5 spans seasons, continents, and weather types to create one of the most enjoyable games to ever hit the PlayStation 4 — racing games or otherwise.

As per usual for the Dirt franchise, players can also take part in a narrative career mode. It’s everything PlayStation gamers love about Dirt, but amplified to fantastic new heights.

PublisherCodemasters
Available PlatformsPlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
DeveloperCodemasters Cheshire
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
ReleasedNovember 6th, 2020

1. Gran Turismo Sport

Gran Turismo Sport Hits - PlayStation 4
$18.95
  • The award-winning real driving Simulator series speeds onto PlayStation 4 for the first time, putting you on course for high OCTANE thrills to truly get your pulse racing.
  • The award-winning real driving Simulator series speeds onto PlayStation 4 for the first time, putting you on course for high OCTANE thrills to truly get your pulse racing
  • The real racing simulator - race from over 140 high-performance on 19 real-world and historic GT locations across 27 layouts, built from the ground up only for PS4
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03/11/2024 01:17 am GMT

Is it any surprise to see a Gran Turismo game at the top of this list of the absolute best PlayStation 4 racing games? After helping to usher in a new era of racing games back in 1997, the Gran Turismo franchise continues to revolutionize the racing game subgenre in continually new and exciting ways.

Gran Turismo Sport is proof of this, complete with nearly 350 cars and more than 80 distinct tracks in all. Gran Turismo is and always has been synonymous with peak racing games for the PlayStation family, and Gran Turismo Sport lives up to that on the PS4.

PublisherSony Interactive Entertainment
Available PlatformsPlayStation 4
DeveloperPolyphony Digital
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
ReleasedOctober 17th, 2017

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Frequently Asked Questions

What was the first racing video game?

The honor of very first racing video game belongs to Wipeout (1972) for the forgotten Magnavox Odyssey.

What is the best selling racing game of all time?

At over 47 million units sold, Mario Kart 8 is the highest-selling racing game of all time. The franchise on the whole is also the longest-running racing game franchise still around. As a matter of fact, Mario Kart games account for four of the top five best selling racing games of all time.

When did the PlayStation 4 launch?

The PS4 launched on November 15th, 2013.

What was the first racing game to be released for the PS4?

The first racing game for the PlayStation 4 came in the first round of games for the console, and it was Driveclub (2014).

What's the best racing game for the PS4?

As far as the best racing games for the PS4 are concerned, you can’t go wrong with any Gran Turismo entry — specifically Gran Turismo Sport.

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