The original PlayStation was a major revolution for the gaming industry, ushering in an entirely new era of 3D games with advanced graphics. It brought us games like Crash Bandicoot, Tomb Raider, and Resident Evil — all of which eventually became some of the biggest franchises in gaming history. Of course, we can’t undermine how important the PlayStation was for racing games either.
Even if the PS1 jagged polygons and shimmering textures seem primitive today, the leap to full 3D visuals was a major step forward for racing games. From realistic simulators to high-octane arcade racing, here’s a nostalgic lap through five of the best racing games for the PS1.
Best Racing Games For The PSX
Gran Turismo 2
This is definitely one for the history books. Gran Turismo would eventually go on to become one of the most successful racing series of all time, but on the PlayStation, it was just finding its footing. The original game was already a decent starting point, but the sequel improves on nearly everything. You get more cars, better tracks, improved visuals, and a more overall polished experience.
It was really ahead of its time as it featured over 600 cars and 27 tracks, something unheard of at that time. This added a lot of replayability to the game, and the driving was fantastic. Deep license tests, realistic damage modeling, and car tuning all came together to create a very immersive game. Gran Turismo 2 was one of the first games that focused more on the driving experience rather than over-the-top racing. It’s a formula that modern “sim-cade” racers still follow today.
Ridge Racer Type 4
This was a masterclass in arcade handling, atmosphere, and presentation. Ridge Racer was already a household name for arcade racing, but Type 4 took the franchise to another level. It improves upon its predecessor with a cleaner UI, buttery smooth controls, and a groundbreaking career mode. To top it all off, its visual presentation pushed Sony’s first console to its limits.
You could join one of four distinct racing teams, each with its own unique narrative, manufacturers, and progression path. Combine this with eight tracks and over 300 car variations, and you get immense replayability. The racing itself was very satisfying, thanks to the incredible drift handling and overall maneuverability of the cars. From its slick lighting to the compelling story, this was the total package.
Toca 2: Touring Cars
TOCA 2 was the ultimate underdog of its time in sim racing. It features incredible graphics with a gritty, realistic feel. This was one of the few licensed racing sims on the console, and because of its focus on realism, this game can be punishingly authentic at times. However, it is a welcome challenge compared to most other racing games at the time, which were fairly easier.
In the game, you were racing with real teams, drivers, and cars on eight authentic British circuits. This one also features damage modeling that affects your car’s performance, a feature that was very rare at the time. Handling is tight and weighty, and the overall feel is technical yet rewarding. This was one of the earliest games to highlight the brutal, panel-denting reality of touring car racing, and it does it exceptionally well.
Crash Team Racing
With Mario Kart on the Super Nintendo being such a major success in the early ’90s, it was only natural for studios to try to copy the formula. Crash Team Racing is a game that came surprisingly close, and for a lot of PlayStation fans, this is the kart racer that they grew up with.
The tight, responsive drifting mechanics and a unique boost system made a skill-based racer that was just as chaotic as its Nintendo inspiration. CTR also offers something its competitor doesn’t — a full-blown adventure mode with bosses, keys, and secrets to be unlocked. Multiple challenge types like time trials, relic races, and token hunts kept you busy regardless of the mode you played.
This one also got a remaster in the form of Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, and we highly recommend checking it out.
Wipeout 2097
The anti-gravity racer that blended speed, style, and sci-fi ferocity. This one directly competes with F-Zero, bringing anti-gravity racing to the PlayStation. The game had a mindblowing sense of speed for its era, with futuristic weapons and energy shields creating an exhilarating Sci-Fi experience. It also had an incredible soundtrack and featured artists like Daft Punk and The Prodigy.
The game offers tons of interesting features, and one of those is the multiple ship classes with unique stats and a distinctive driving feel. It’s refined, physics-based hover racing demanded precision and sharp reflexes, creating a high skill ceiling for players who took the time to master its controls. This was a fantastic showpiece for couch competition, featuring an excellent 2-player split-screen mode perfect for intense head-to-head races. If you’re looking for a modern successor, check out the Wipeout Omega Collection.
