Do you ever feel the need for speed right in your living room? The roar of the engine, the thrill of the perfect overtake—that’s what race car games bring to the PlayStation 5. But when you scroll through the PlayStation Store, doesn’t the sheer number of titles make your head spin? Choosing the best racing experience shouldn’t feel like a chore; it should feel like picking your dream car off the lot.
Finding the perfect PS5 racer means balancing stunning graphics, realistic handling, and exciting career modes. Maybe you crave the detailed realism of a simulator, or perhaps you just want arcade fun that lets you drift around every corner. We know the struggle of investing time and money into a game only to find it doesn’t quite match the adrenaline rush you were hoping for.
This guide cuts through the noise. We break down the top contenders on the PS5, explaining exactly what makes each game unique. By the time you finish reading, you will know which title perfectly fits your driving style and what kind of racing legacy you are ready to build. Get ready to put your foot down; let’s dive into the fastest games available right now!
Top Race Car Games Ps5 Recommendations
- High-Speed, Adrenaline-Fueled Arcade Racing - Race across high-intensity tracks in licensed supercars with cinematic style, drifting, nitro boosts, and precision driving that captures the thrill of the original arcade classic.
- The Top Tier Arcade Racer, Brought to Console - Experience the full-throttle thrills of the arcade game at home, now optimized for consoles and with the same explosive action that made the original a fan favorite in arcades.
- Race Iconic Vehicles - Hit the road in 8 legendary cars including the Dodge Charger, Corvette Z06, Shelby GT500 KR, Ford GT, Bronco DR, Jeep Wrangler, and more.
- Customize Your Look, Your Way - Style your ride with custom vehicle color schemes that let you stand out on the track and represent your personality.
- Race Together in Local Multiplayer - Grab a friend and hit the track with 2 players in split-screen local multiplayer, bringing the arcade rivalry home with side-by-side action and nonstop competition.
- Explore a vibrant Hawaiian open world. The Crew Motorfest has settled down in one of the most breathtaking places on Earth: the island of O’ahu, Hawaii. Join high-speed street races through the bustling city of Honolulu, test your skills off-road on the ashy slopes of a volcano, or master the perfect curve on the tracks
- Celebrate all the facets of car culture. Enjoy a variety of thrilling driving activities and choose how you want to have fun with your cars! Discover the playlists and dive into thematic campaigns that will immerse you in the most exciting car culture universes, including American muscle, Japanese-style street racing, and legendary machines of the past!
- Collect the most legendary cars. Compete in intense driving races, show off your own style, collect the most iconic cars, and much more! Master every driving challenge and fill your collection with the most legendary vehicles ever created
- Offer available while supplies last. Limited quantities available
- With the return of classic cars, iconic tracks, and fan-favourite modes like GT Simulation and Sport Mode - Gran Turismo 7 is the complete Real Driving Simulator, 25 years in the making.
- Find your line. Whether you're a racer, collector, tuner, designer, photographer or arcade fan - immerse yourself in the facets of automotive culture that matter most to you.
- Connect and compete. Join an international community of drivers to share race strategies, tuning tips, livery designs and photos, before taking to the track to go head-to-head.
- English (Subtitle)
- READY, SET, WARP! Race across 24 tracks and warp to 15 CrossWorlds with Travel Rings, a unique gameplay mechanic that transports the iconic characters from the Sonic and SEGA universes into new dimensions. Use unpredictability to your advantage as you change the landscape of each race!
- RACE WITH THE BEST! Choose from 23 iconic Sonic characters, the largest roster of any Sonic racing game!
- MAKE IT YOURS: Mix and match between 45 unique original vehicles and 70 different gadgets to trick out your ride, level up your kart, and create the ultimate machine to match your racing style.
- GAIN THE ADVANTAGE WITH POWERFUL ITEMS! Dominate your opponents with 23 different items including returning favorites and all-new items like the Monster Truck!
- MULTIPLE WAYS TO PLAY: Gather with friends and play local split-screen in Grand Prix and the new party mode Race Park, compete against a community of players from around the world with up to 12 players online in World Match, or test your driving skills in Time Trials.
- Drive legendary vehicles in a huge game area with rich & diverse environments
- Remastered graphics for an intense experience
- Save the family racing team from bankruptcy in Career Mode
- Alone or with friends: the game offers many multi-player possibilities, with up to 4 players in local split-screen mode
- Find all Gear Club Unlimited 2 DLCs for the most complete racing experience and hours of fast-paced driving
- ICONIC HOT WHEELS VEHICLES & TRACKS - Choose from a full garage of iconic Hot Wheels vehicles, like the GT-Scorcher, Super Twin Mill, Roger Dodger and Duck N’ Roll, each with their own unique handling, abilities, and style. Zoom through 12 wild, over-the-top tracks based on the series.
- MEET THE RACERS - Play as your favorite Hot Wheels Let’s Race characters including Coop, Spark, Mac, Brights, Axle, and Cruise.
- MORE MODES, MORE FUN - There are five thrilling gameplay modes including Racing Camp, Cup Champ, Speed Trials, Track Builder, and Free Races. In Track Builder mode, you can create your dream course with all your own twists and turns!
- BOSS SHOWDOWNS - Face off against massive bosses like Professor Rearview’s giant cobra and his fire breathing dragon in fast-paced, action-packed battles on the track. Each showdown brings high-speed thrills and epic moments.
- ULTIMATE CUSTOMIZATION - Earn flame badges to unlock new cars, decals, and track parts in the Ultimate Garage. Customize your own Hot Wheels car and show it off on the track.
- ALL-STAR CAST OF DREAMWORKS CHARACTERS: Who will you choose? With favorites such as Shrek, Po, Tigress, Boss Baby, Puss in Boots, Hiccup, and Astrid, it’ll be hard to choose just one.
- 20 AWESOME KARTS: Each kart draws its distinct design from the unique personality of its DreamWorks character-driver! Put your very own twist on the kart with hundreds of parts and accessory combinations to level up!
- RACE THROUGH ICONIC LOCATIONS: Be transported into fantastical worlds as you speed, shift, jump and drift through tracks inspired by your favorite DreamWorks movies: The Kingdom of Far Far Away from Shrek, Bergen Town from Trolls, Baby Corp from The Boss Baby, New York City Zoo from Madagascar, and many more!
- TROLLS AS RACE HOSTS & POWER-UPS: Poppy, Branch, Barb, Cooper and others from the colorful world of the DreamWorks Trolls are not only rockin’ it as your hosts for each race, but also help you hit the right notes for your racetrack success with their power-up potential. Collect them to ride along with you throughout each race for special surprises!
- MULTIPLE RACING MODES: Awesome online and split-screen local multi-player for non-stop action the entire family will love.
Your Fast Track to Fun: The Essential PS5 Race Car Game Buying Guide
Choosing the right racing game for your PlayStation 5 can feel like navigating a tricky chicane. Do you want realistic simulation or arcade chaos? This guide breaks down what matters so you can cross the finish line with the perfect pick.
1. Key Features to Look For
Great PS5 racing games offer more than just fast cars. You need features that keep you coming back for more laps.
Graphics and Performance
- 4K Resolution and High Frame Rate (60 FPS): Look for games that truly leverage the PS5’s power. Smooth graphics make high-speed action look incredible and feel more responsive.
- Ray Tracing: This feature makes reflections on the cars and track surfaces look super realistic. It adds a huge layer of immersion.
Gameplay Modes
- Career Mode: A good single-player journey lets you work your way up from beginner to champion. This mode offers long-term goals.
- Online Multiplayer: Check how many players the game supports online. Robust servers mean less waiting and better racing with friends or strangers.
- Time Trials and Custom Lobbies: These modes offer flexibility for quick practice or setting up private races with specific rules.
Car Roster and Customization
- Variety of Cars: Do you love classic muscle cars, futuristic racers, or official F1 machines? Ensure the game features the vehicles you want to drive.
- Tuning Options: The ability to adjust tire pressure, spoilers, and engine settings significantly improves the simulation experience.
2. Important Materials (What Makes the Game Tick)
While you aren’t buying physical parts, the “materials” of a racing game refer to its core programming and content.
Physics Engine
This is the most critical component. A strong physics engine dictates how the car handles bumps, grips the road, and responds to steering input. Realistic physics means the car feels heavy and challenging. Arcade physics means the car drifts easily and feels light.
Track Design and Licensing
Authentic, licensed tracks (like Silverstone or Suzuka) are a huge plus for realism fans. Well-designed fictional tracks offer creative challenges. The quality of the track scanning greatly influences the visual experience.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The overall quality of your experience depends on several technical and design choices.
Quality Boosters:
- DualSense Controller Integration: The PS5 controller’s haptic feedback is revolutionary for racing. Games that use it well make you feel every pebble and the exact grip level of your tires.
- Sound Design: High-quality engine sounds are crucial. You need to hear when your engine is stressed or when you need to shift gears.
Quality Reducers:
- Loading Times: Long loading screens break immersion. The PS5’s SSD should reduce these significantly, but poorly optimized games still suffer.
- Aggressive Microtransactions: If the best cars are locked behind excessive real-money purchases, the game quality suffers for non-spenders.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Think about *how* you plan to play.
Simulation Use Case (The Serious Racer)
If you own a steering wheel and pedal set, you need a game with deep settings and accurate physics. Look for titles that emphasize realism and competitive online leagues.
Arcade Use Case (The Casual Fun Seeker)
If you plan to pick up the DualSense controller for quick, fun sessions, prioritize excellent handling, explosive power-ups, and chaotic multiplayer modes. Realism is less important than instant fun.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About PS5 Race Car Games
Q: Do I need a special steering wheel controller for these games?
A: No, you do not. All great PS5 racing games work perfectly with the standard DualSense controller. However, a wheel setup greatly enhances the realistic simulation experiences.
Q: Which games use the PS5’s DualSense vibration the best?
A: Games that focus on high fidelity physics usually excel here. They use the adaptive triggers to simulate throttle and brake resistance, and the haptics to mimic different track surfaces.
Q: Are all PS5 racing games backward compatible?
A: Many excellent PS4 racing games run better on the PS5 due to boosted frame rates, but true next-gen titles are built specifically for the PS5 hardware for the best results.
Q: How important is the frame rate (FPS) in a racing game?
A: It is extremely important. Racing requires split-second reactions. A locked 60 FPS ensures the visuals are smooth, making it easier to judge braking points and cornering speeds.
Q: What is the difference between an Arcade racer and a Simulation racer?
A: Arcade racers prioritize immediate fun, easy controls, and often include crashes and power-ups. Simulation racers focus on realistic car physics, detailed tuning, and accurate track modeling.
Q: Can I play these games offline without the internet?
A: Most single-player modes, like Career or Time Trials, can be enjoyed offline. However, you usually need an internet connection to download initial patches or play online multiplayer.
Q: How often do new racing games get released for the PS5?
A: Major, high-budget racing titles usually release every year or two. Smaller, specialized titles often release more frequently throughout the year.
Q: Should I wait for a sale, or buy new releases immediately?
A: If the game is a major simulation title, buying early is often better for competitive online play. For arcade or casual games, waiting for a sale can save you money, as the core experience rarely changes.
Q: What about futuristic or non-standard racing games?
A: The PS5 library includes diverse options beyond standard cars, such as anti-gravity racing or monster truck games. Check reviews specifically for these niche genres.
Q: Is a subscription service like PS Plus needed to play online?
A: Yes, generally, you must have an active PlayStation Plus membership to participate in competitive online multiplayer races against other players.