The 20 Best Racing Games For PS4

To kick off this list of the best racing games for PS4, for hardcore racing fans, Assetto Corsa Competizione features racing with GT3 and GT4 cars. Many consider it to be the best competitive racing sim out there while some think there’s a little less meat on the bone than the average sim. There’s no denying that it’s worth trying for its realistic car physics and how addicting it can be to shave milliseconds off of lap times.

Set in a fictional open world called "Paradise City," Burnout Paradise Remastered lets players free roam or enter other modes like races or cops and robbers. The game’s decision to have an open world was a strange one at first for the style of racing it goes for and while some were iffy about it, it did it incredibly well and has its fair share of other game modes anyway.

This remake of Crash Team Racing surprised even fans of the original game with how faithful it was to the 1999 original. If you don’t mind a bit of a learning curve and games that are genuinely tough to win, then this is one of the best options out there for family fun. The game without a doubt borrows a lot of inspiration from Mario Kart, but it’s far from a carbon copy and more than holds its own as one of the best racing games for PS4 suited for gamers of all ages.

Dirt racing isn’t for everyone, but if you like the feeling of a perfect drift through a corner, getting air, and doing all of this in all kinds of dynamic weather, then DIRT 5 is the choice for you. This game in particular entry in the classic series is well-liked for how vibrant it is and how fun it is to just pick up and play.

The main criticism that this game gets is that little changed from the previous year, but if you’re jumping straight into the series, it still makes an excellent entry point. F1 22 is ideal for gamers who are fans of racing games and want to take things to the next level. That’s not to say you can’t have fun being a beginner here, but the learning curve will be a little tougher.

Gran Turismo came out a little over a year ago now (2022) and with time, the franchise has proved to still be the giant in racing. It’s not without its flaws, namely some of the race payouts versus the price of some cars and the lack of options for some cars, but even with all of that, it’s still tough to find a better all-around racing sim. The game still gets updated regularly with new menus and cars and some certainly prefer the more online-friendly Gran Turismo Sport, but GT7 will continue to be a titan for the foreseeable future as a top recommendation for the best racing games for PS4.

Released in 2022 and developed by Codemasters, GRID Legends takes everything that its predecessor did and adds to it for a fun game that’s packed with more content than most could dream of. The game boasts over 130 tracks and more than 100 vehicles to race with. While the latter might not seem like a lot compared to the aforementioned GT7 which boasts nearly 500 cars, the cars here range from your standard sports cars to semi-trailers and stadium trucks.

A game based on the Hot Wheels toys felt like a no-brainer when it was announced and it had fans wondering why it hadn’t happened sooner. In a third-person perspective, you race other opponents on crazy tracks with loops and sharp turns and it all can happen in someone’s living room. The other great part of this game is the track editor where you can build your own tracks.

This is one of the lesser-known games on this list, but it’s easily one of the most fun ways to spend time gaming as a racing fan. What’s unique about this game is that like most racing games, you use the left stick to steer, but here the right stick, a.k.a. the drift stick, plays a factor too. Combining both for the perfect approach to every corner becomes addictive after a while.

Grand Prix motorcycle racing is a sport that’s a little less popular than your average racing sports that feature cars, but it makes for a great translation to gaming. MotoGP 22 packs the fun, intensity, and chaos of the sport and puts it right into your hands in a very immersive experience. There are over 120 riders to choose from and if you want to take a little history lesson, there are dozens of champions to take you through that too.

It’s tough to have a conversation about top-quality racing games without Need For Speed getting at least a nod. Hot Pursuit beat out big games in Forza Motorsport 4, Gran Turismo 5, and more at the Game Critic Awards for Best Racing Game. The game in particular takes a look at the dynamic between the law and outlaw drivers and explores that dynamic very well, making for some cool moments during its intense gameplay.

Ubisoft approached the racing game genre with a unique gimmick that's pretty damn cool when you experience its execution first-hand. The Crew 2 produces the best version of that signature gameplay style by giving you the power to instantly switch between cars, motorcycles, powerboats, and planes during varied types of on and off-road competitions. This game's massive open-world can be a bit daunting and the always online requirement may be a problem for some, but The Crew 2 provides enough great features for racing game fans to consider.

For a game that offers some of the best variety out there while maintaining great detail in most of those facets, try out Project CARS 2. The developers of this game take great pride in paying attention to detail, from everything from the weather to the temperature of the track. The online mode is also heavily inspired by esports, with an online ranking system and online championships.

The WipEout Omega Collection encompasses remasters of 2008’s WipEout HD (and its Fury expansion) and 2012’s WipEout 2048, which are widely considered two of the best games in the series. The WipEout series has always been a lot of fun to those privy to it. It features anti-gravity racing in vehicles that feel a little more like spaceships and really add to the futuristic atmosphere of the game. Fans of futuristic arcade racers have a super valid pick here for the best racing games for PS4.

If you’re already a fan of the WipEout games, a collection of a couple of which was mentioned earlier, then Redout 2 is essentially a modern take on it. Like that series, this game values futuristic racing and exhilarating speed. This is great for everyone because if you want to pick up and play the game’s fun, plus if you’re willing to put some hours in, there’s a way to get very skilled at it too.

Super Impossible Road is one of the most unique racing games out there. The idea is that during a race, you create your own shortcuts so that you have the best chance at winning. Not much is off of the table here, with knocking your fellow racers off of the track encouraged. For those that love the racing genre but are a little bored with the current selection, Super Impossible Road should scratch the itch. 

For as many great Sonic The Hedgehog games as there are out there, the fact that their attempt at a kart-racing game is one of the fan favorites in recent memory says a lot. If you’ve played Crash Team Racing (which appears earlier on this list), Mario Kart, or any other racer in this lane, you might think you know what to expect and for the most part, that might be true, but this game does offer some great co-operative gameplay where working together is what counts.

Even if you’re not an arcade racing fan, Trackmania Turbo might have what it takes to turn you around. The game was developed by Ubisoft Nadeo and puts emphasis on speed and stunts. What more could you want? There are over 200 tracks and you can tackle these on your own, or in a unique multiplayer mode that lets you and a friend control the same car.

For fans of the DIRT series that like a little more realism in their racing games, WRC 10 fills that void. The upgraded physics engine here and the attention to detail are what make this game great. What makes this game special is its 50th-anniversary mode that takes players through key moments from the World Rally Championship throughout the years.

In your average sim, racing etiquette is a real thing and intentionally crashing into opponents is greatly frowned upon. But in Wreckfest? The more you attack your fellow drivers’ cars, the better. This game is essentially a destruction derby and your goal is to be the last man standing in one of the most chaotic driving games out there.