The PlayStation has been home to several iconic racing games over the years, from the early days of Gran Turismo on the PS1 to its forthcoming next iteration on the PS4 and PS5. Some of those games have even served as a showcase for their respective hardware, as each subsequent generation approached increasing levels of photorealism.

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But good-looking graphics aren't the only things that go into making a racing game great though, as the cars within the game equally need to feel good and fun to handle. So whether you prefer simulation racers like the ones mentioned above, or something more on the arcade side of things, there's something for everyone on our list of the best PlayStation racing games.

8 DriveClub

A screenshot showing a race in DriveClub

Released in 2014 in what was considered a less-than-stellar launch, DriveClub managed to redeem itself over the course of the PS4 generation.

The racing game had players join or create clubs of up to six fellow players, with their performance in races against other clubs determining their overall ranking. Its run was brought to an end when servers for the game were taken offline in 2020 though after the game itself was delisted from the PlayStation Store.

7 Need For Speed Heat

A screenshot showing gameplay in Need For Speed Heat

For the 25th anniversary of the Need for Speed series, EA released Need for Speed Heat, an open-world racing game developed by Ghost Games.

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Set in a fictionalized version of Miami called Palm City, the game once again had players taking the role of a racer trying to navigate the world of illegal street racing. The game would mark Ghost Games' final entry in the series, with development shifting to Criterion Games for subsequent installments and the studio being assigned to work on future iterations of the Frostbite engine instead.

6 F1 2021

A screenshot showing gameplay in F1 2021

The latest installment of the F1 series, F1 2021, graced both the PlayStation 4 and 5 this summer, along with versions for the Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Developed by Codemasters and published by EA Sports (following the former's acquisition by the latter), the game introduces a revamped career mode where two players can play together as teammates or rivals. It is also the first game in the series to include a story mode, which has players taking control of a Formula 2 driver as he ascends the ranks into Formula One.

5 Team Sonic Racing

A screenshot showing Sonic, Knuckles and Tails in Sonic Team Racing

Not to be outdone by Mario and crew, Team Sonic Racing is Sega's answer to Nintendo's popular kart racing game.

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In it, players get to race around a total of 21 tracks spread across the Sonic Universe, with characters like Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow. Each playable character is grouped into one of three classes that include speed, technique, and power so that players can choose the one that best suits their playstyle.

4 Dirt 5

A photo depicting gameplay in Dirt 5

The Colin McRae Rally and Dirt games have always had a home on the PlayStation since the first game was released all the way back in 1998.

Over the years, they have not only successfully catered to the needs of off-road racing fans, they've also proven to be some of the best rally simulation racers out there. So when Dirt 5 was released on pretty much every modern console other than the Nintendo Switch, it was met with much praise and accolades, even scoring a nomination for the Best Racing Game at the 2020 Game Awards

3 Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled

Crash, Coco, and Doctor Neo Cortex racing in Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled.

When Crash Team Racing was originally released on the PS1, it was dismissed as a Mario Kart knockoff by some. But the game had managed to set itself apart with its refined take on kart racing.

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With its 2019 remaster though, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, the game has not only managed to recapture the original's whacky blend of humor and arcade-style racing, it also completely overhauled the visuals, taking advantage of the improved graphical capabilities of the PS4 and PS4 Pro.

2 Burnout Paradise Remastered

Screenshot From Burnout Paradise Showing The Paradise City Sign In The Background

The Burnout racing series had been on a bit of a hiatus, following the release of the excellent Burnout Paradise back in 2008. That changed somewhat with the release of Burnout Paradise Remastered in 2018, bringing the open-world racer up to current standards.

The series has always been known for its focus on high-octane action, and all that gets to shine even more on modern consoles. Key improvements include a bump in resolution (all the way up to 4K) as well as 60 frames per second gameplay.

1 Gran Turismo Sport

A screenshot showing gameplay in Gran Turismo Sport

Gran Turismo has served as Sony's flagship racing franchise since the series began on the PlayStation. So it shouldn't really come as a surprise that it remains one of the most beloved simulation racers on the platform.

Each game in the series has been almost unrivaled for its time, with incredible levels of detail on display on its race tracks and licensed vehicles alike. And at the top of the current technological pinnacle stands Gran Turismo Sport on the PS4, at least until Gran Turismo 7 gets released sometime in 2022.

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