Top 8 best racing games on PS5, ranked

Now that we’re a few years into the current generation of consoles, the PlayStation 5 has racked up a good roster of racing games. If you’re just upgrading from a PS4 or Xbox One and racing games are your thing, then look no further.

We’ve compiled a ranked list of the eight best racing games on PS5. Although the competition is very tight, you can’t really go wrong with any of the selections below. So, let’s take a look.

8. The Crew Motorfest

If you’re into open-world racing games like Need for Speed, then The Crew Motorfest will continue to scratch that itch beyond that. The Crew games have always been pretty solid overall, so if you liked those as well, this spinoff of the second will keep you occupied for quite some time. With the seasonal additions of vehicles from different types of performance like hypercars, drift cars, and street racing, there’s always more to come back to.

7. Rocket Racing

Arcade racers are a bunch of fun. If you’re on a bit of a budget and still want some high-octane (pun intended) action, look no further than Rocket Racing. Made by Psyonix, this game is basically what Rocket League would feel like if turned into a racing game, and now it is. With constant updates, you’re going to be coming back and experiencing new levels, new vehicles, new quests, and new events regularly.

Plus, this game provides a great break apart from Fortnite if you’re looking to go specifically into racing.

6. F1 23

F1 23 is a must own for any fans of Formula 1. There’s no other way to get your 2023 Formula 1 fix with every team, driver, and track in a single game. Whether you’re team Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen, this is the game to get.

The game features the most realistic Formula 1 racing yet, with multiple modes to enjoy. You can choose your favorite driver and play a season with them, create your own driver and play through your entire career, or even create an entire team from scratch.

If you like the high-flying world at the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 23 will suck you in for hundreds of hours.

5. Assetto Corsa Competizione

On PC, Assetto Corsa is up there with the best games that sim racers, including professional drivers, have installed on their incredibly expensive set-ups. Unfortunately, a lot of those games are strictly PC only, but Assetto Corsa Competizione on PS5 is an excellent port of that experience.

Assetto Corsa Competizione isn’t for the faint hearted though. This is a racing game that will really test your abilities in a virtual car. That’s why it’s commonly used in Esports competitions around the world.

Playing Assetto Corsa Competizione on PS5 is a great way to get your start in the sim racing world without dropping thousands of dollars right off the bat. You can play the game with a controller, but a good racing wheel will really take the experience to the next level.

4. EA Sports WRC

EA Sports WRC is the first official World Rally Championship game to be developed by Codemasters since 2002’s Colin McRae Rally 3. Despite losing the WRC license, Codemasters has been arguably the top rally game developer of the last few console generations with the Colin Mcrae and Dirt games.

Recent WRC games have been hit or miss, so Codemasters taking over the reins once again had promise. Thankfully, the developer has knocked it out of the park with EA Sports WRC.

For rally fans in search of a realistic rally experience, you really don’t need to look any further. There are 78 rally cars, 18 WRC rallies, and over 200 stages in the game, all with driving that’s as realistic as it gets.

3. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged

It’s criminal how under the radar this game flew when it came out last October. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 is a terrific game with a fun gameplay loop. Basically, if you combine Trackmania and Hot Wheels, this is what you get. You get a fun arcade racer with dozens of vehicles to race with, all with different stats and from iconic franchises. It’s also very nostalgic if you’re a collector or ever grew up playing with Hot Wheels.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 also has a full-fledged campaign mode that will help ease you into the various modes the game has to offer. Pair that with modes aside from racing like the Derby, Gear Collecting, and even a custom track editor. It’s a game that can have endless possibilities.

2. Need for Speed Unbound

Need for Speed Unbound isn’t like the rest of the games on this list. If you’re after pure simulation, then check out one of the games above. However, if you want something a little more quirky, arcadey, and just downright fun, Need for Speed Unbound is for you.

A unique anime-like art style, combined with seriously fun arcade racing, makes this one of the better Need for Speed games in recent years. It’s truly unlike any of the games that came before it, and the route that Criterion Games chose really works.

You have all of the aspects players have loved about Need for Speed games since the PlayStation 2. Customizable cars, street racing, and pursuits with the police. The game also features a surprisingly stand-out story. It’s an all-rounder that pretty much any racing fan can enjoy.

1. Gran Turismo 7

For racing game fans, a PlayStation console hasn’t truly arrived until it gets its first Gran Turismo game. Luckily, the wait for Gran Turismo 7 wasn’t too long, and the franchise continues to set the standard for racing games on Sony’s consoles.

Gran Turismo 7 did have somewhat of a rocky launch, as long time fans of the series complained that features such as the ability to sell cars were missing on release. However, Polyphony Digital has been regularly updating the game with quality of life improvements and new content throughout 2022 and 2023. And yes, cars can now be sold.

Gran Turismo 7 was already a top tier racing experience at launch, and it has only gotten better since then.