7 PS5 racing games to satisfy your need for speed

There are quite a lot of things that a game console needs to be successful. It needs great hardware to run games smoothly, as well as a comfortable controller to make playing a joy. However, what’s most important are the games themselves — if they’re no fun, why would you buy the device in the first place?

Fortunately for PlayStation 5, it’s home to some of the best games of this console generation, withh even more great games coming to the system this year. There are great shootersand RPGs to play — basically anyone will find something to entertain them on their PS5.

That being said, a great console is nothing without an equally excellent racing game. Whether you want to sit back on your couch and do some laps with your controller, or you’re into sim racing with the whole setup ready for your next track day, a fun racing simulator is a must-have. So, here are the best racing games available on the PlayStation 5. Whether you want a fun arcade racer, or a realistic simulation with true-to-life driving and crash physics, the system has it all — and here are the best ones to choose from.

1 Gran Turismo 7

PlayStation’s racing king keeps its crown

Gran Turismo 7

$60 $65 Save $5

Developer

Polyphony Digital

Platforms

PS5

At this point, it’s honestly boring to place Gran Turismo at the top of the best racing games list for PlayStation, but there really is nothing else you can do. The game, now in its seventh iteration, is just an excellent racing simulation. It’s approachable for beginners who just want to try their luck using a controller, but it also scales up very well and offers immense depth for racing sim enthusiasts with advanced setups.

The game has it all, starting with excellent driving physics, through incredible racetracks, to an amazing lineup of cars to choose from. You can drive around in a tuned-up version of your own car or go totally wild and start competing with the newest hypercars — it’s all up to you in Gran Turismo 7.

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2 Assetto Corsa Competizione

It doesn’t get more real than that

Assetto Corsa Competizione

$12 $40 Save $28

Developer

KUNOS Simulazioni

Genre

Racing

If you’re looking for the most lifelike driving experience on PlayStation 5, you have to play Assetto Corsa Competizione. This Italian game redefined what a lifelike racing simulation is, creating a game that feels like taking your own car for a spin around the track. It combines incredible physics with detailed vehicle build, which means not only precise handling of the machines but also accurate damage and even precise changes in handling when the weather changes.

That being said, Assetto Corsa Competizione is a difficult game that is much less forgiving for newcomers than Gran Turismo, which is why it places lower on our list than the PlayStation staple. That being said, if you’re a racing sim veteran, Assetto Corsa will probably be much more fun, and it’ll provide a real challenge even for veterans of the genre.

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3 Wreckfest

Racing and carnage

Wreckfest

Developer

THQ Nordic

Genre(s)

Racing

We’ve gone through some amazing simulations, but racing games are not only about accurately representing the way a car handles or creating the most lifelike images of famous tracks. Sometimes you just want to grab a controller and unleash the carnage — something you really shouldn’t do in real life.

That’s where Wreckfest comes into play. It’s a spiritual successor to such classics as FlatOut and Destruction Derby, and the latter title describes the whole premise very well. Not only are you racing other drivers, but you can do absolutely everything to win — no crash, T-bone, or pushing another car off the track is off-limits. It’s all coupled with a fantastic physics engine that makes every crash look spectacular but also keeps it realistic. If you’re looking for something to really get your blood pumping, Wreckfest is an excellent choice.

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4 Need for Speed Unbound

When tuning is your calling

Need for Speed Unbound

Developer

Criterion Games

Genre(s)

Racing

You really cannot make a racing games list without including a Need for Speed title. The series is an absolute classic and has come up with so many legendary titles, such as NFS Underground or Most Wanted, that it would be a crime to miss out on its latest installment — Need for Speed Unbound.

The newest NFS game really is a journey back to the roots of the series. It features a sprawling open world with a multitude of races to take part in and a plethora of amazing cars that you can tune up and customize to your heart’s content. Building on that, the driving itself is also excellent, providing a fun, arcade-y experience that you’re sure to enjoy whether you’re using a controller or a steering wheel to get your vehicle moving.

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5 F1 23

The fastest racing game around

F1 23

Developer

Codemasters

Genre

Racing

There are few things that get your adrenaline up higher than driving at really high speeds. Well, if you want high speeds, tight corners, and shocking amounts of g-force, the only correct choice for your racing game is the newest F1 23. It’s a must-have for every Formula 1 enthusiast, with all the well-known cars and drivers right there, taking part in the story for your own enjoyment.

However, the story is second to driving itself in every racing game, and F1 23 delivers on that front as well. F1 cars handle really well, giving you insight into what it would be like if you were in the shoes of Max Verstappen racing around Silverstone. The AI is also a highlight here, making driving around even in single-player mode a challenging, fun experience that requires you to not only drive well — but also strategize your tires, pit stops, and all the other aspects of the race to succeed.

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6 EA Sports WRC

Get your tires dirty

EA Sports WRC

$20 $50 Save $30

Developer

Codemasters

Genre

Racing

From the smooth tarmac of the F1 tracks, we go straight to the dirt and debris of rally racing. EA Sports WRC is the first WRC title published by EA, and the company didn’t disappoint with its first outing into the space of rally racing.

WRC is something completely different from track-based simulation games, but it keeps up with Gran Turismo 7 and Assetto Corsa Competizione in terms of its realism and attention to detail. The cars are varied and handle perfectly, giving you a feel for what it could be like to speed through a lush Finnish forest at 250 km/h. You can feel the types of surfaces changing, influencing steering and acceleration. To top it all off, the stages are much longer now, testing not only your precision — but endurance as well.

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7 Trackmania

Build your own track

Trackmania

Developer

Ubisoft

Genre

Racing

Now for something completely different. Trackmania is a series that’s often been in the background of bigger racing games, but it’s a title that can give you countless hours of fun thanks to its unique gameplay mechanics. The focus here is not strictly on driving around the track but on building that track first.

So, aside from being a top-notch racer, it’s also a game where you need to think about what your racetrack is going to look like, what boosts it needs, and what crazy stunts you’ll be able to do thanks to all the ramps. It’s far from realistic, but it’s a lot of fun making your cars fly just to reach the other end of the track. Plus, once you get sucked into the world of user-created tracks, with their twists, turns, and incredible physics, you’ll never look at other racing games — or your old Hot Wheels sets — the same.