Best Racing Games for PS4 & PS5

How we picked

We weigh driving feel, content, longevity and how well each game runs on PlayStation hardware. The aim is a list that works whether you want a deep sim career to sink dozens of hours into, or a quick, fun blast after work. We've covered every major style so there's something here for everyone.

The best PlayStation racing games

1. Gran Turismo 7 — PlayStation's flagship sim racer. Gorgeous, deep and endlessly detailed, with a genuine love of car culture running through its campaign, collection and online play. The default pick for PS5 sim fans, and stunning on the newer hardware.
2. Dakar Desert Rally — off-road rally raid on console, bringing open-desert navigation and five distinct vehicle classes to PlayStation. A unique, endurance-focused experience that stands apart from the circuit racers here.
3. EA Sports WRC — the official World Rally Championship, with a deep career, the full roster and modern handling that works well on a pad or a wheel. The best rally pick on PlayStation.
4. DiRT Rally 2.0 — the stage-rally handling benchmark, superb on a wheel and still excellent on a controller. Demanding but fair, and a must for serious rally fans on console.
5. Wreckfest — demolition-derby racing with brilliant damage physics and a wicked sense of humour. Crashes are the point, and the carnage is endlessly entertaining. The best pick for pure, chaotic fun.
6. F1 (latest) — the definitive open-wheel package, updated yearly, with a deep career, strong online play and the full official grid. Essential for fans of single-seater racing.
7. The Crew Motorfest / The Crew 2 — huge open-world arcade racing that mixes cars, bikes, boats and planes across enormous maps, with plenty of off-road to explore. Great for relaxed, free-roaming fun.
8. Need for Speed (recent entries) — arcade street racing with slick customisation, big personality and accessible handling. The pick for players who want style, speed and a more forgiving drive.

Sim vs arcade vs off-road

Match the pick to your taste. For sim racing, start with Gran Turismo 7 or DiRT Rally 2.0 — both reward practice and a wheel. For arcade thrills, Wreckfest, The Crew and Need for Speed deliver instant fun with forgiving handling. For off-road, Dakar Desert Rally leads the way with its open-desert raid. Most players will want at least one from each camp, since they scratch completely different itches. If you only buy one, pick the style you enjoy most rather than the most acclaimed game overall.

For full write-ups of the rally and off-road picks above, browse the reviews hub, or see best rally games for PC if you also game on computer.

What to look for in a PlayStation racer

The right racing game for you depends entirely on what you want from it. Sim racers like Gran Turismo 7 and DiRT Rally 2.0 reward practice, patience and ideally a wheel, delivering deep, realistic driving and long careers. Arcade racers like Wreckfest and Need for Speed prioritise instant fun, forgiving handling and personality, perfect for shorter sessions or playing with friends. Off-road and rally games such as Dakar Desert Rally and EA Sports WRC bring car control onto dirt and dunes. Think about whether you value realism, accessibility or variety most, and let that guide your pick rather than chasing the highest review score.

Honourable mentions

Also worth considering on PlayStation: Assetto Corsa and its sequel for hardcore sim fans, WRECKFEST's ongoing content, and the back catalogue of F1 titles, which are cheap once a newer edition arrives. Each fills a specific niche, and any could be your favourite depending on your taste.

Best for each type of player

To make the choice simple: if you want the deepest sim experience, get Gran Turismo 7. If you want rally, EA Sports WRC or DiRT Rally 2.0 are the picks. For off-road, Dakar Desert Rally stands alone on console. For chaotic arcade fun, Wreckfest is unbeatable, while Need for Speed and The Crew offer slick, accessible open-world and street racing. And for open-wheel fans, the latest F1 is essential. Most players end up owning a couple from different camps, because a relaxing cruise and a flat-out sim lap scratch completely different itches. Whichever you choose, buying during a PlayStation Store sale keeps the cost down, and many of these titles see deep discounts regularly throughout the year. Whatever you pick, PlayStation's racing line-up is strong enough that you really can't go far wrong.