Consoles can provide gamers with a great simulation experience without requiring a powerful computer setup. They also tend to work well with racing games, bwhut some are better than others. This article will particularly be discussing the best PlayStation sim racing games.
The 6 best PlayStation sim racing games are:
Each of these games provides a unique take on sim racing, and they all have their own advantages and disadvantages. Our list comprises racing games for every genre, and there is sure to be something for every type of sim racer, whether you’re on PS4 or PS5.
- • Optimized for wheel and controller
- • Lots of cars and tracks
- • Looks incredible
- • Realistic handling model
- • Decent car and track selection
- • Fun online mode
What To Look For In A Good Console Sim
Playing Experience
You need to decide what kind of sim racing experience you are looking for. If you are just starting out, you might want to go for a more arcade-style sim to get the hang of the controls. This can be a good way to get used to the sim racing experience, and it can make it a lot of fun without being too difficult.
If you are more experienced however, and if you perhaps already have a sim racing rig setup, you might want to go for a simcade. These games involve finding the right balance between fun and realism and are the perfect choice for those that want to get a taste of what racing sims have to offer, while still being able to play the game just for fun as well.
If you are much more advanced you might want to put a focus on realism, and perhaps even the realism of the in-game competition. These games are full racing simulators and can often be intimidating for beginners. They work much better with racing rigs than with controllers. However, they still provide a fun racing experience once you get the hang of things.
Look & Feel
Aside from playstyle, you also want to consider how the game looks and feels. All of the games on our list are handpicked for many reasons, but one thing they all have in common is exceptional graphics. Consoles have improved dramatically in recent years in terms of visuals, and so you always want to make sure you pick a game that takes advantage of the console’s capabilities.
The way the game sounds is also important, and this includes everything from the in-game soundtrack to the sound effects of the cars and the environment. If the game sounds bad, you will probably struggle to enjoy playing it. However, if the game does well at emulating the sounds of the real cars, it can make for a much more immersive racing experience.
Game Modes
The next important thing to consider is the playability of the game. This can include what style of game it is, but it also covers aspects such as progression. You might want a heavily multiplayer-focused racing game, or you might instead want one with a long career mode. Some of the games on this list have plenty of room for progression-based gameplay.
If you are looking to play with your friends or simply take on the world of sim racers out there, you will obviously want to make sure that your game of choice has multiplayer capabilities. However, you will then also need to pay attention to how old the game is, as some older games won’t have active servers and even if they do, you may struggle to find other players online.
Compatibility & Realism
You also have to consider the compatibility of the game with any equipment you have. If you are just a beginner and you are looking to play exclusively on a gamepad, you will be able to play all of the games on our list with ease. However, some of them are more optimized for wheels and pedals than others, and so if you want more immersion, you need to consider equipment compatibility as well.
If you are going for full immersion, you will then need to think about the realism of the game itself. You need to consider things like driving physics and how accurate the car and track modeling is to the real thing. Customization of the car can make things more realistic, and dynamic weather and track surfaces can also make things feel a lot more lifelike.
How many cars and tracks are available will help to determine what is and is not a good console racing sim, as you will want some variety. Not only do you want choice, but you also want the cars to have realistic specs and driving styles. This can help to make things feel more real, but it also ensures that the cars don’t all just feel like the same one.
So, there are clearly plenty of things to consider when choosing a console racing sim. Each of the games on our list covers all of these points, but some will definitely be more suited to others. So, what are the best playstation racing sims?
The 6 Best PlayStation Sim Racing Games
1. Gran Turismo 7
Released: 2022
Gran Turismo 7, or GT7, was released in 2022 as a PlayStation exclusive. It tops our list of the best racing sims for PlayStation for many reasons, and is often compared to the Xbox/PC exclusive Forza series of games. This game has lots to offer sim racers of all levels of experience and can be enjoyed by those that want a simcade experience as well as some enhanced realism.
Lots To Do
The game has several different game modes that ensure you will never be bored. There are standard time trials and quick-play arcade events that will allow you to dip into this game as often as you like, while you can also try to collect all the cars in GT7’s career mode. Aside from that, there is even a great multiplayer mode too.
You can challenge your friends whenever you like, or you can take advantage of GT7’s live competitive races that change every week. These races pit you against other players from around the world that are of a similar experience level, and they aim to provide realistic competition for those that want it. The game even utilizes FIA rules to make it that bit more realistic.
Plenty Of Realism
In terms of gameplay, Gran Turismo 7 really does a good job of mixing playability with realism. The game holds up very well with a racing rig setup and is compatible with many of the big names in sim racing equipment. It also plays well with a gamepad, and so is a good choice even if you are a beginner. While it was designed for the PS5, it’s also great on PS4.
The driving physics are pretty on point (although obviously not iRacing level), and there are lots of in-game tuning and customization options. These range from tire compositions to brake biases, and they give you plenty of control over the finer aspects of your racing experience. There are over 440 vehicles to choose from, and more than 100 track layouts which pave the way for hours of fun.
Great Looking, Great Sounding
The game also looks and sounds great, and so you can enjoy the graphics even if you aren’t just going for total realism. The sounds of the cars from the engines to the gear shifts all sound unique and realistic, so you will be able to race in your dream car knowing that it is a good representation of the actual vehicle.
There is a lot on offer in the career mode of the game, but the main focus of GT7 is definitely in the online aspects. There is an extensive sportsmanship rating system, that usually means you are playing against other people of similar experience and skill. This makes GT7 a great game for simulator enthusiasts, while also being very accessible for beginners too.
PROS:
- Lots of cars and tracks
- Great driving physics and graphics make for a lot of realism
- Ideal for all experience levels
CONS:
- Heavily online focused, which isn’t for everyone
- The penalty system can be inconsistent
2. Assetto Corsa
Released: 2016
Assetto Corsa is the most realistic racing game on our list, which makes it the ideal choice for those looking for more of a simulator type of game rather than a simcade experience. It’s not up there with iRacing in terms of realistic handling, but it’s arguably the best that you’ll find on PlayStation.
Excellent Realism
Assetto Corsa may not be the newest game on our list, but it still holds up even today. It offers great graphics and a decent sound system, but it truly shines in the realism department. It’s designed to offer a realistic handling model that replicates how the different cars feel to drive in real life.
This obviously means it’s best enjoyed on a sim racing rig, with a decent wheel and pedals. This way, you’ll be able to feel all of the subtleties in the force feedback that help make this game one of the most immersive on console. However, you can definitely still enjoy the game on your gamepad, but we recommend getting a sim racing friendly controller to get the most out of it.
Decent Range Of Cars & Tracks
Assetto Corsa also offers a good selection of cars to enjoy, with more than 170 to try out with the base game. There are 15 tracks with various layouts to try, and there are more available as paid DLC.
You can enjoy these cars and tracks on a range of game modes, although there isn’t quite as much on offer as on some of the other games on this list. There is a very good multiplayer mode though, which pits you against other racers all over the world for a truly realistic and immersive online racing experience.
Ideal For Those That Prioritize Realism
Overall, this is the ideal choice for sim racers that prioritize realism, thanks to the excellent handling model and immersive feel of the game. It’s not totally inaccessible for beginners either, and once you get the hang of things, it’s incredibly fun!
PROS:
- Very realistic handling model
- Decent selection of cars and tracks
- Plays very well on a sim racing rig
CONS:
- Not the most beginner friendly
- Not the newest game on this list
3. Project Cars 2
Released: 2017
Project Cars 2 comes in at second place. It topped our list of Xbox racing sims, and it performs very well on the PlayStation as well. The game has some of the best sound effects in the sim racing industry, and this adds to the realism of PC2. There are plenty of other reasons that this game is a great simulator, but it is also really fun to play for beginners.
This is an expansive game packed with content for PlayStation racers to enjoy. It offers a great level of immersion, and the career mode in particular is incredibly fun.
Lots Of Progression
There is a brilliant career mode that sees you race in championship style events, which means this game has plenty of room for progression. Aside from that, you can also enjoy a solid multiplayer mode, but there are the usual free play modes such as time trials that will keep you entertained if you don’t have an internet connection, or just want to practice.
To go with the excellent and realistic sounds of Project Cars 2 the game also has some amazing graphics. Being a fairly recent release in terms of console racing games, it has taken advantage of the excellent graphical capabilities of the PS4 and of course it looks great on PS5 too. You will also be able to enjoy some very realistic driving physics, which put this game heavily on the simulator side of simcade racing.
Realistic Track Dynamism
Project Cars 2 also has its signature LiveTrack 3.0 feature, which involves some of the most impressive track dynamism available on console and even on PC. They come close to the track dynamics of rFactor 2, which is arguably the most realistic racing simulator on the market for PC. This means you can enjoy feeling every bump on the road, along with a realistically evolving racing surface.
With 180 cars to choose from, Project Cars 2 doesn’t have the biggest selection of all the games on this list. However, each model handles exactly like the real thing and looks great too. With 140 track layouts, there is nearly endless room for finding combinations of cars and tracks that suit you. There is also plenty of customization available, giving you even more control over your experience.
Overall, Project Cars 2 presents a great option for advanced sim racers and beginners alike. You can enjoy a good mix of realism and fun playability, making it very ideal for those with a decent racing rig that want a lifelike racing experience, as well as for those that just want to play a couple of laps on a gamepad.
PROS:
- Very realistic gameplay
- One of the best sounding racing sims
- Extensive and enjoyable career mode
CONS:
- Not a huge range of cars
- Inconsistent AI
4. F1 2022
Released: 2022
Up next we have the ultimate choice for fans of the fastest motorsport on the planet. This is the newest in the F1 line of games from Codemasters, and it’s packed full of features that make it one of the most fun sim racing games on the market.
This is the best choice for fans of the fastest motorsport on the planet. It's full of fast-paced racing, and it's packed with fully licensed F1 cars and tracks.
An Immersive F1 Experience
F1 2022 strikes the balance between realism and fun, as it replicates the feel of driving one of the fastest cars on the planet in a way that is accessible to beginners. It takes some time to get to grips with the handling model, and the cars are incredibly fast of course, but once you do, it’s a very enjoyable and challenging experience.
The handling model isn’t quite on par with games like iRacing and rFactor 2, but that doesn’t mean the average sim racer won’t find it to be immersive. It plays well on controller if you want to use a gamepad, but it’s best enjoyed with a wheel and pedals. The game is compatible with most big sim racing brands out there too.
Fully Licensed
The F1 series from Codemasters is also the only line that is fully licensed by Formula 1, meaning the cars and tracks are true to how they are in real life. This makes it the best choice for those that want the most authentic F1 experience possible. The cars all look great, and the experience doesn’t stop with the on-track action either.
You can of course drive any track in any car you want, and you can play entire seasons just as they play out in the real life sport. However, you can also play modes like MyTeam, where you build your team from scratch and handle things like research and development on your journey to the top step of the podium.
Other Game Modes
While there are no classic cars in F1 2022, there are some supercars you can test out in some hot lap challenges. There is also the opportunity to race in the Formula 2 cars as well. There’s even the F1 Life feature that is supposed to replicate some of the lifestyle aspects of being an F1 driver, but we found this to be far from a selling point of the game.
The game really shines in the fast-paced fun you can have on the track, and it’s definitely one to pick up if you’re a fan of F1 or just want a unique high-speed challenge!
PROS:
- Fully licensed F1 cars and tracks
- Great representation of the world’s fastest motorsport
- Highly immersive
CONS:
- Lacks classic cars
- Some game modes are lackluster
5. Dirt Rally 2.0
Released: 2019
Up next we have Dirt Rally 2.0. It is solely a rally simulator, and so is definitely geared towards those that prefer rally racing over other disciplines, but that does not mean it is not a great racing sim for those that just enjoy general sim racing. It is a truly versatile title, with lots to offer sim racers of all experience levels.
Realistic Rallying
The game looks and sounds excellent, and with rally racing being such a chaotic form of racing there is always a lot to look at and a lot to hear. From the gravel spraying beneath your car to the roar of the engine while you are pushing it at max RPM, Dirt Rally 2.0 captures everything perfectly. Not only that but it also has brilliant graphics that make it look very realistic.
The realism continues into the driving physics of the game, which are some of the best that any rally game has to offer. This makes the game ideal for those that are looking for a realistic rally simulator, while also making it predictable enough to allow beginner racers to get the hang of things quite quickly.
Plenty Of Fun
There are lots of different game modes in Dirt 2.0, ranging from career mode to time trials, and there is multiplayer as well. You might find that the rally cross courses are better for multiplayer, as point to point tracks tend to be less exciting in a multiplayer situation given that it is essentially a competitive time trial. However, it is still a very fun mode to try.
With 80 cars and loads of course layouts to test your skills, there is a lot of racing to be done in Dirt Rally 2.0. You can enjoy a lot of fully licensed vehicles that have realistic customization options, and the realistic damage modeling of the cars makes it that bit more lifelike. It also means that you have to hone your skills, with a damaged car becoming difficult to drive.
Dirt 2.0 does an excellent job of a rally simulator and is fully compatible with racing rigs as well as a controller. This means it is a very good choice for beginners that want to try something different, as well as for rally aficionados that really want to get the most immersive rally experience possible.
PROS:
- Very realistic rally racing experience
- Lots of cars to choose from
- Looks and sounds fantastic
CONS:
- Rally centered, so not for those that don’t like dirt racing
- Not the best multiplayer setup
6. TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge
Released: 2018
Finally, we have a very unique addition to our list in TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge. This game is definitely targeted towards fans of motorcycle racing, but nonetheless it provides an extremely enjoyable racing experience for sim racers of all kinds and experience levels.
This is the perfect choice for fans of motorcycle racing. It offers a realistic representation of one of the most incredible races in the world, and the high speed action is hard to beat.
Experience The Thrill Of The TT
Starting with the gameplay and game modes, Ride on the Edge brings the crazy road race to life in an exceptionally realistic fashion. Dubbed by many as the most insane motor race in the world, the TT is also one of the fastest. The game does a very good job of capturing the excitement, and it has some very realistic driving physics that can make you feel like you are really there.
There is a built-in career mode that features various fictional tracks, and this all builds up to the final real race that is an accurate representation of the real thing. You can also enjoy some free roam riding that will take you on a tour through some truly magnificent countryside, with long stretches of road that really allow you to open up the throttle.
Only To Be Played On A Gamepad
Perhaps the aspect of this game that sets it apart the most from the others on this list, aside from the lack of two extra wheels, is the lack of wheel compatibility. There is no built-in wheel support, and that obviously makes sense given that you don’t steer a bike with a wheel.
However, this means it is limited in its realism, as sim racing rigs for motorcycle games are just hard to come by and often extremely expensive. Nevertheless, although not one for pure sim racing enthusiasts, we have included TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge on our list of racing sims as it is a truly unique and fun experience.
PROS:
- Very good representation of the real thing
- Lots of detail
- Fun free roam mode
CONS:
- Very niche gameplay style
- Not too many courses to choose from
- Lacks racing rig support
Final Thoughts
Our list of the best PlayStation sim racing games really has something for everyone, whether you are a rally fanatic or even a motorcycle buff. There are also games for those that want the perfect balance between fun and realism, but our ultimate top pick for the best PlayStation sim racing game is definitely Gran Turismo 7.
I created and have been writing on this site since 2019, collaborating with drivers, coaches, engineers and manufacturers to provide you with the most reliable information about motorsport. Find out more about me here.