10 Best Racing Games on PlayStation 5 in 2026

First game I played was Need for Speed, and I assumed it’d be like riding a bike. And when I was playing solo, it did feel relatively easier, until I had to compete with my friends, and I realized how much skill it takes to rule the streets. 

Now, racing games demand way more than they used to. The handling and physics are damn realistic and accurate, and there’s just no winging it. PlayStation 5 especially has some of the most pristine-looking, no-nonsense games that will test your mettle in lots of fulfilling ways. 

Here are our best racing games on PlayStation 5 for this year.

What is a Racing Game?

A racing game has you competing against computer-controlled or human opponents from point A to point B. In between, there may be obstacles to dodge, power-ups to boost your speed, and more tricks and treats to keep an eye out for.

Top Racing Games on PlayStation 5

The best racing games on PlayStation 5 deliver stunning graphics, smooth controls, and lots of content to keep coming back for more.

10. The Crew Motorfest

The way the sun hits the gravel, casting pristine reflections of a bright day. And the shadows the branches of trees make when the sun’s rays cut through the dense jungles you race through. Everything in The Crew Motorfest is a scale above the possibilities today’s graphics engine can achieve.

With your cars and the tracks you race in looking slick and polished, you’re left enjoying the adrenaline rush of winning neckbreaking-speed races and themed events. You get unique challenges, too, like hunting down opponents and finding treasure, to spice up your runs with your crew.

9. F1 25

It’s, indeed, a must-play racing experience when you’re looking for a well-rounded player-centered and managerial role. A realistic sim like F1 25 that’s the current standard for smooth handling and real-world teams.

Feel free to make your playthrough as directed or free-form as you want, whether you want to advance the third chapter of the Braking Point story mode or build your own team and have them write their own stories and legacies.

8. Dirt 5

Can’t be mud-racing when you’re worried about your tyres. But Dirt 5 takes away all your worries, giving you all sorts of powerful toys to push to their limits. Trucks, muscle cars, and rally cars are all available to unlock and test across 70+ ice, snow, and sand routes. 

You’re racing around the world, from under the wonder of the Northern Lights in Norway to the frozen tracks in East River, New York. And every track you try out will have its own trials to push past.

7. Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled

I wanna say that Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled will be the easier runthrough among the best racing games on PlayStation 5. But kart racing is no joke, either, especially with how crazy it gets with the power-ups and weapons you pick up. Brace yourself for controls that may be easy to learn, but it takes a beat to master drifting and boosting to victory.

6. Assetto Corsa Competizione

You talk about professional racing, and Assetto Corsa Competizione won’t be far off your list of the best racing games on PlayStation 5. It’s the ultimate trailblazer for top-grade simulation and driving. 

You feel like a real pro racer, competing in the GT3 championship against official teams and drivers. The cars and circuits are impressive replicas of their real-life counterparts, and overall, a sophisticated take on realism.

5. Wreckfest

Perhaps, though, you just want to wreak havoc on the tracks. Then Wreckfest is the racing game you’re looking for. Take the name as bible, the beating drum of Wreckfest’s heart. In fact, the devs have invested in new ways for cars to crash, and not just practically, but visually-thrilling, as well. 

You’ll need to reinforce your cars with roll cages and side protectors. And then unleash fury out on the field, keeping in mind, though, that the fastest car to cross the finish line still is the winner.

4. Gran Turismo 7

There are three parts to the Gran Turismo 7 experience. First is getting your car collection sorted out, ensuring you have high-performance beasts in your garage. You’ll still need to do fine-tuning on your cars, leveling up the engine and tyres. And then the actual race begins, with solo campaigns and multiplayer opportunities to show off.

3. Need for Speed Unbound

The best racing games on PlayStation 5 include Need for Speed Unbound. All these years, it remains the go-to for outsmarting cops and becoming a street kingpin. Beating the clock is one way to perfect your driving skills, but it’s in the car chases that you’ll learn navigation and tactical maneuvers.

And then the true test begins, where the best of the best gather at The Grand, Lakeshore, for the ultimate street racing showdown.

2. EA Sports WRC

As far as the FIA World Rally Championship goes, EA Sports WRC is the best content and experience you’ll get that mimics the real-world championships the closest. It gathers around WRC, WRC2, and Junior WRC cars for you to combine with your best drivers and teams. 

You also have liveries you can customize that put you into the rally spirit. Except, this time, you get the chance to rewrite history, taking part in recreations of the most memorable races and events from the 2023 season.

1. Riders Republic

Riders Republic knows its stuff and does it extremely well. It gives 20+ players a massive open-world map to compete in whatever extreme sports they fancy, whether biking, skiing, snowboarding, or wingsuit gliding. 

You can do it for fun, trying out tricks and stunts you’ll think twice in real-life. There are diverse spots you can hang out in. Or you can enter a new race, intent on giving it your all until you’re topping the leaderboards. 

Either way, it’s organized, beautiful chaos that you can play your way.