Good racing games on PS5 have a very specific kind of magic: you turn in, the car takes a set, and you instantly know whether you nailed it. That “feel” matters more than car count or fancy menus, because it’s what keeps you coming back after the first weekend. For this list, I stuck to racers where driving is the main event and races have clear outcomes, whether that’s a championship, a timed run, or a ranked lobby. You’ll see a mix of sims, arcade racers, rally, bikes, and futuristic speed, all picked for solid handling and dependable PS5 performance.
This article is part of our guide on the Best Multiplayer PS5 Games
How We Ranked These Games
We ranked these PS5 racers by how strong they feel in your hands, how good the tracks and event structure are, and whether the game holds up after the honeymoon period.
Criterion | Weight | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
Driving and handling | 30% | The core feel: control, feedback, and whether skillful driving is rewarded |
Tracks and content | 25% | Quality and variety of circuits, stages, events, and cars that support structured racing |
Performance and clarity | 20% | Stable play and clean readability at speed so losses feel fair, not technical |
Competitive and progression | 15% | Ranked modes, careers, rewards, and reasons to keep racing after your first win |
Polish and longevity | 10% | Overall finish, support cadence, and whether it stays worth your time in 2026 |
The Top 10 Best Racing Games for PS5 (2026)
The ranking below is ordered from the strongest overall PS5 racing pick to the most specialized. Even the lower entries are worth your time if they match the kind of racing you actually like.
“The definitive PlayStation sim with 400+ cars and genre-leading polish”
Why We Picked This
Gran Turismo 7 takes #1 because nothing else on PS5 nails the full package like this: car feel, presentation, and a ladder of events that keeps you learning. The license tests and missions give you clear goals, while the Menu Books push you into new disciplines so you don’t just grind the same race forever. Sport Mode is the reason it stays installed on my console, since the daily races are structured and the standards are high. The always-online bits can be annoying, and the economy can feel tight. Still, it’s the platform benchmark.
“The official 2025 F1 experience with authentic cars, tracks, and atmosphere”
Why We Picked This
F1 25 earns #2 by being the cleanest way to get modern Formula One on PS5 with proper weekend structure. You’re not just hot-lapping. You’re managing qualifying, tire choices, and those tiny mistakes that turn a good lap into a ruined race. I like it most in career because the season rhythm makes every result matter, even when you’re stuck in the midfield. Online is also well set up for ranked play and leagues. The catch is longevity. A yearly series means the community shifts once the next game lands, so it’s best when you’re in an F1 mood right now.
“Hardcore GT3 racing with uncompromising physics, but console port has limits”
Why We Picked This
Assetto Corsa Competizione is here for one reason: the driving model feels serious. When you’re on the limit in GT3, you can tell what the tires are doing, and small setup changes actually show up on track. It’s also a proper racing package, with structured sessions and a ratings-driven online ecosystem that rewards clean laps instead of chaos. The reason it sits at #3 is that it’s narrower than the games above it. You’re basically living in GT3 and GT4, and the console version can feel a bit rough around the edges compared to native PS5 showpieces. If physics is your priority, this is the pick.
“Skill-based kart racer with championship-level depth and 40+ tracks”
Why We Picked This
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is the kart racer pick that still respects skill. The drift system is deep enough that you’re thinking about lines, boost timing, and keeping speed through corners, not just firing items and hoping. The track roster is also packed, with loads of layouts that stay interesting once you start learning shortcuts and safer routes. One warning: the game doesn’t explain high-level techniques well. Your first hour can feel like getting bullied by faster players. Stick with it and it turns into a surprisingly competitive racer with clear race outcomes and a strong “one more cup” pull.
“The premier motorcycle sim with 200+ bikes and authentic two-wheel physics”
Why We Picked This
RIDE 5 makes the list because two-wheel racing needs a dedicated option, and this one rewards patience and precision. You’re constantly balancing braking, lean angle, and throttle so you don’t unsettle the bike on corner exit. When it clicks, it’s addictive. I also like the sense of ownership from building a garage and stepping up through different categories, since it gives you a reason to keep trying new machines. It’s not the best pick for quick online competition, and the career structure can feel more functional than inspiring. But for motorcycle handling on PS5, it’s a strong anchor.
“Hawaii-set festival racer with 600+ cars and constantly evolving playlists”
Why We Picked This
The Crew Motorfest lands at #6 as the best “festival” style racer on PS5 if you want structure without being locked to a circuit calendar. The Playlist system is the secret sauce. You jump between themed events, different vehicle types, and curated challenges that feel like a tour of racing culture rather than a menu of identical races. It’s also a great game to play in short bursts, since there’s always another event with a clear finish and a reward. The trade-off is feel. The handling is fun and accessible, but it doesn’t have the precision of the top-ranked track racers. Come here for variety and vibe, not purity.
“Surprisingly skill-based arcade racer with toy cars and flawless performance”
Why We Picked This
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged is the arcade pick I recommend when you want speed and clean readability. It’s toy cars, sure, but it’s also about managing boost, taking smart jump angles, and drifting in a way that keeps momentum instead of just sliding for style. Races are short, decisive, and you can feel yourself improving as you learn how each environment flows. The track builder adds real longevity if you like making or browsing community creations. Progression is the weak spot. It can get repetitive if you’re only chasing unlocks. If you’re here for tight arcade laps, it delivers.
“Timeless futuristic racer, remastered to perfection for PS5 performance”
Why We Picked This
WipEout Omega Collection is an older release, and it’s a rare exception we’re happy to make. The series isn’t actively getting new mainline games, and this collection is still the definitive way to play it on PS5. The anti-gravity handling is fast, sharp, and high-skill, especially once you start using airbrakes correctly and planning lines around weapon pads. One sentence summary: it demands focus. The reason it’s not higher is that its progression and online ecosystem feel dated next to modern competitive systems. Still, for futuristic racing with clear wins and losses, nothing else on PS5 feels quite like it.
“Precision time trial racing with unlimited community-created content”
Why We Picked This
Trackmania is the purest “get good” racer on this list. The goal is simple: drive a perfect run, then shave off tiny mistakes until you’re climbing leaderboards. I love that races are decided by execution rather than car builds, because it keeps the competition honest. The daily and weekly events give you structure, and the community track ecosystem means there’s always another challenge once you’re tired of the official set. The big caveat is that it’s a different kind of racing. If you want wheel-to-wheel battles and long strategy races, look elsewhere. If you like precision and repetition, it’s a PS5 time sink.
“The official current WRC experience with 200+ stages despite tech hiccups”
Why We Picked This
EA SPORTS WRC takes #10 because rally needs representation, and this is the current official WRC package. Stage variety is the selling point. You’re reading surface changes, managing weight transfer, and trying to keep the car tidy when the road narrows and the pace notes get mean. Career and builder-style progression give you a long runway, so it’s not just a weekend fling. It ranks last because the PS5 version can still feel inconsistent in clarity and smoothness compared to the top entries, which matters a lot when you’re flying through a blind crest. If you can tolerate that, the underlying rally driving is worth it.
Honorable Mentions
These didn’t make the top 10, usually because they’re more niche or have a notable drawback, but they’re still good racing games if you’re shopping for a specific flavor.
MotoGP 25
MotoGP 25 just misses the top 10 because it overlaps with RIDE 5, and most players only need one motorcycle-focused game. Still, if you’re a MotoGP fan, the official structure is the draw. You get the full “race weekend” vibe with the right riders, teams, and the pressure of championship points adding up over a season. The handling leans toward that GP feel where smooth inputs matter more than wild saves, and it rewards learning braking markers and exits the hard way. The downside is the same problem most yearly sports racers have: once the next installment arrives, momentum shifts. Pick it if authenticity matters most.
KartRider: Drift
KartRider: Drift is worth a look if you want a competitive kart racer with an active online pulse and you don’t want to pay up front. The racing is built around drifting, holding speed, and picking clean lines through shortcut-heavy tracks, so it’s more skill-based than it first appears. When matchmaking is healthy, it’s easy to get into quick races with clear outcomes and a steady progression loop. The reasons it stays an honorable mention are the usual free-to-play compromises. Monetization and seasonal structure can make it feel like you’re playing the game’s calendar as much as the tracks. Great for online-first players on a budget.
Monster Energy Supercross 25 - The Official Video Game
Monster Energy Supercross 6 is here for players who want racing that’s more about rhythm than racing lines. Supercross is tight stadium tracks, whoops, and jumps where timing matters as much as speed, and that makes it feel genuinely different from road racing or rally. I like it most when you’re learning a track and suddenly stop fighting the bike, because then laps become consistent and you can actually race, not just survive. It didn’t crack the top 10 because the appeal is narrower, and the overall package doesn’t have the same depth or long-term pull as the bigger names. If supercross is your thing, it scratches the itch.
Circuit Superstars
Circuit Superstars is the “one more championship” pick when you want racing fundamentals without full sim seriousness. The top-down view looks simple, but the handling has enough weight that you’re managing braking points, rotation, and traction rather than just pinning the throttle. The best part is the variety across disciplines, which keeps the event structure fresh as you move between different car types and track styles. It didn’t make the top 10 because the presentation and competitive systems aren’t as compelling as the bigger racers, and it won’t satisfy players chasing realism. Still, it’s a smart, skill-based racer that works well in shorter sessions.
Wreckfest
Wreckfest is the honorable mention I recommend when you’re bored of clean racing. The handling is weighty enough that you can drive properly, but the real hook is how impacts change the race. One bad corner can crumple your car, mess with steering, and force you to adapt for the rest of the event, which makes wins feel earned in a different way. The reason it’s not top 10 is focus. Progression is fairly straightforward and it’s more about chaos than precise technique, even though skill still helps. If you want structured races where contact is part of the strategy, this is a great change of pace on PS5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Racing games come with a lot of fine print. These are the questions I see most from PS5 players trying to pick the right one.
What’s the best PS5 racing game if I only buy one?
Gran Turismo 7 is the safest single purchase because it covers so many styles of racing with strong driving feel and a long progression path. If you only care about one discipline, you can do better with a specialist like F1 25 or Assetto Corsa Competizione. But as an all-rounder that stays relevant, GT7 is the easy call.
Which game here is closest to a real sim?
Assetto Corsa Competizione is the most sim-leaning pick on this list in terms of car behavior and the way it rewards consistency. It’s also very focused, so you’re buying into GT racing rather than a big variety platter. If you want realism with broader content and a smoother overall package, Gran Turismo 7 is the next stop.
I want fast races and quick restarts. What should I play?
Trackmania is built for rapid attempts and immediate feedback, so it’s perfect if you like chasing a better run. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 is also great for short, decisive races that still reward skill. Both are easy to drop into for 15 minutes and still feel like you made progress.
Are older racing games still worth it on PS5 in 2026?
Yes, but only when the older release is still the definitive version and holds up technically. WipEout Omega Collection is a good example because the series isn’t actively getting new entries, and the collection is polished and fast. For active yearly series, you’re usually better off buying the latest installment so online and updates are where the players are.
Which pick is best if I care most about ranked online racing?
Gran Turismo 7’s Sport Mode is the most reliable ranked ecosystem overall, with structured events that encourage clean driving. F1 25 is also strong if you want leagues and a season-like competitive vibe. Trackmania works too, but it’s more leaderboard competition than wheel-to-wheel racing.
Conclusion
If you want one PS5 racer that covers everything, start with Gran Turismo 7. From there it’s about taste: F1 25 for modern grand prix structure, Assetto Corsa Competizione for serious GT physics, EA SPORTS WRC for rally stages, or something lighter like Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 when you just want speed without homework. The good news is PS5 has range now, and you don’t have to force yourself into one sub-genre. Want more personalized game recommendations? Try our AI-powered suggestion tool.
