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25 Best PS1 Arcade Racing Games of All Time

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Best PS1 Arcade Racing Games of All Time

We already published the list of best PS1 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best PS1 arcade racing games of all time.

With amazing titles available, the PS1 definitely has a great library of arcade racing games.

So, if you’re a fan of both the PS1 and arcade racing games, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.

And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.

#25. Circuit Breakers

Circuit Breakers
  • Release Data: Supersonic Software/Mindscape, 1998
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

The graphics in Circuit Breakers are decent, but don’t stand out in any way.

Having over 30 tracks is a nice touch, but most of the tracks are pretty dull.

All in all, Circuit Breakers is a flawed clone of a flawed game. It might hold the attention of a young child, but that’s about it.

#24. Hot Wheels Turbo Racing

Hot Wheels Turbo Racing
  • Release Data: Stormfront Studios/Electronic Arts, 1999
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

It’s a shame that many will underestimate Hot Wheels Turbo Racing just because it’s got the toy car license attached to it.

The driving is great, and the stunt aspect of the game gives it a skateboard-like feel. It’s definitely poised to become a sleeper hit.

#23. Demolition Racer

Demolition Racer
  • Release Data: Pitbull Syndicate/Infogrames, 1999
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

If you’ve played Destruction Derby, you’ve played Demolition Racer.

While Demolition Racer is a better game, it would have been nice to see a more realistic scoring system that took things like radiator shots and driver’s side-door hits into account.

It’s a solid, fun game, but it lacks any real originality.

#22. NGEN Racing

NGEN Racing
  • Release Data: Curly Monsters/Infogrames, 2000
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Other

NGEN Racing, at any rate, has it where it counts.

It is a fully realized, innovative take on a genre constantly aching for fully realized, innovative concepts.

While by no means a perfect product, NGEN does a good job of establishing an aspect of the racing genre that will obviously see many reinterpretations.

#21. Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story Racer

Disney/Pixar's Toy Story Racer
  • Release Data: Traveller’s Tales/Activision, 2001
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

All in all, Toy Story Racer is a fine example of how a company can put a new twist on a familiar concept.

It’s no Crash Team Racing, but Toy Story Racer provides plenty of challenge for young and old alike.

#20. Turbo Prop Racing

Turbo Prop Racing
  • Release Data: SCEE London Studio/SCEA, 1998
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Other

In the end, Turbo Prop Racing proves to be a worthy addition to any racing game fan’s library—especially if you enjoyed the Wipeout series.

It’s not without flaws, but its better points are good enough to keep you playing from start to finish.

#19. Looney Tunes Racing

Looney Tunes Racing
  • Release Data: Circus Freak/Infogrames, 2000
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

If you’re looking for a racing game for the kids, Looney Tunes Racing is a wise choice.

The gameplay is simple, the difficulty is laughable, and the graphics are bright and fun.

If you’re a dedicated kart racing fan, Looney Tunes Racing doesn’t offer anything that hasn’t been done better many times before.

#18. Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed

Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed
  • Release Data: Eden Studios/Electronic Arts, 2000
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

Perhaps the game’s saving grace is its awesome array of Porsche memorabilia, doled out in equal amounts of FMV and actual drivable Porsches.

For the Porsche fanatic, Porsche Unleashed is a worthy investment.

It’s just a real shame it didn’t come on more powerful hardware, as the PlayStation’s hardware simply don’t do justice to the game.

#17. Walt Disney World Quest: Magical Racing Tour

Walt Disney World Quest: Magical Racing Tour
  • Release Data: Crystal Dynamics/Eidos Interactive, 2000
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

Magical Racing Tour on the surface may just seem like another Mario Kart or Crash Team Racing clone, and once you spend any amount of time with the game you’ll realize that it truly is one.

However, with its awesome levels, characters, vehicles, shortcuts, items, and gameplay, Magical Racing Tour has more than enough style to make the game worthwhile.

#16. Jet Moto 3

Jet Moto 3
  • Release Data: Pacific Coast Power & Light/989 Sports, 1999
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Futuristic

It’s a brutal race through a ton of unforgiving courses applied in a futuristic setting.

But it still manages to be a whole lot of fun, and you’ll be playing through each course more than once.

And the gameplay itself is sure to make you hope that one day you’ll be seeing the Jet Moto championship on your favorite sports network.

#15. Championship Motocross Featuring Ricky Carmichael

Championship Motocross Featuring Ricky Carmichael
  • Release Data: Funcom/MediaWorks, 1999
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Other

Championship Motocross Featuring Ricky Carmichael, with its control, visuals, and overall feel is the best motocross game for the PlayStation.

For fans of the sport, this is the one to get, although if you’re not a fan of the sport, this title probably isn’t going to make you one.

#14. Micro Machines V3

Micro Machines V3
  • Release Data: Codemasters, 1997
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

Most players will pass this by because it just doesn’t look that great and the premise of racing little toy cars around a breakfast table just doesn’t sound as exciting as something as Wipeout XL or F1.

But those who play this will be rewarded with one of the most fun and addictive multiplayer games yet seen on PSX.

#13. Rollcage

Rollcage
  • Release Data: Attention To Detail/Psygnosis, 1999
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Futuristic

It’s a futuristic racing game where you pick up weapon, shield, and speed power-ups to help you race past or vex your competition.

The main differences from the Wipeout series are that you’re now piloting a four-wheeled vehicle that can drive on walls and ceilings, and the game isn’t nearly as good.

#12. Jet Moto

Jet Moto
  • Release Data: SingleTrac/SCEE, 1996
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Futuristic

This game was the true start of the hoverbike racing games.

It’s got the tracks, the speed, and the sound along with the decent control.

Although there were a few places that could have used some tweaking, this game does live up to the amount of fun that it proclaims.

#11. Rollcage Stage II

Rollcage Stage II
  • Release Data: Attention To Detail/Midway, 2000
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Futuristic

The game may not have the lasting appeal of Wipeout or Ridge Racer, but it has enough gameplay, eye candy, and bonus secrets to put it near the top of what the PlayStation has to offer.

If anything, it certainly delivers on the premise of 360-degree racing better than its predecessor did.

#10. Speed Punks

Speed Punks
  • Release Data: Funcom/SCEE, 2000
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Other

In the end, Speed Punks is a quality go-kart racing game that offers more than enough variety to warrant yet another kart-racing game purchase.

If you’re a fan of Crash Team Racing and have been looking for another fun four-player racer, or if have wondered if any of these kart games are any fun, Speed Punks won’t disappoint.

#9. Rage Racer

Rage Racer
  • Release Data: Namco/SCEE, 1997
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

Rage Racer is a very good racing game, and anyone who even remotely enjoyed either of the first two Ridge Racer games will go crazy over it.

Overall, it’s got a lot of gameplay spread out over the two different tracks, and there are hours upon hours to be spent attempting to earn every single car.

#8. Sled Storm

Sled Storm
  • Release Data: EA Canada/Electronic Arts, 1999
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Other

The challenge might be a little high, since you get only three lives to complete a championship.

Fortunately, there’s a nifty option to turn off automatic catch-up by computer racers, which evens the odds a bit.

For any gamer looking for a uniquely fresh adrenaline rush, Sled Storm makes for one very worthy title.

#7. Need for Speed: High Stakes

Need for Speed: High Stakes
  • Release Data: EA Canada/Electronic Arts, 1999
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

All in all, Need for Speed: High Stakes is a great driving game, but a few of the game’s smaller problems keep it from being all that it could be.

The inability to call for backup in two-player hot pursuit games is unforgivable and keeps the gameplay score from being even higher.

#6. Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit

Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit
  • Release Data: EA Canada/Electronic Arts, 1998
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

In the end, NFS III: Hot Pursuit does what it wanted to do; create a fun arcade racing game that is challenging and offers plenty of modes to race.

If you are a fan in arcade racing at all, you’ll love the game!

#5. Wipeout 3

Wipeout 3
  • Release Data: Psygnosis/SCEI, 1999
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Futuristic

Wipeout 3 should appeal to longtime fans of the series who are looking for a new challenge and perhaps to folks who didn’t find the license tests of Gran Turismo too frustrating.

It is, however, sure to turn off many new players because of its high level of difficulty.

#4. Driver

Driver
  • Release Data: Reflections Interactive/Spike, 1999
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

Overall, Driver is a game that might be mediocre in its presentation but more than makes up for it in its gameplay and concept.

The best thing about Driver is the feeling you get when you’re speeding away from the fuzz after smashing your way through a roadblock.

It’s the feeling of impending doom that makes playing Driver quite fun.

#3. R4: Ridge Racer Type 4

R4: Ridge Racer Type 4
  • Release Data: Namco, 1999
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

Above all, R4 is incredibly fun to play. Unlocking the cars quickly becomes an obsession, and the Jogcon adds a ton of depth to the game’s control.

Sure, you can play with a Dual Shock or even a standard controller, but the Jogcon is definitely the way to play.

#2. Crash Team Racing

Crash Team Racing
  • Release Data: Naughty Dog/SCEI, 1999
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

Crash Team Racing may seem like just a Mario Kart clone.

And, with the exception of an additional mode or two and the superior track design, it is.

But it’s a great Mario Kart clone, and it succeeds where the likes of Mega Man, Bomberman, Diddy Kong, the Chocobo, and even Mario himself have failed.

#1. Wipeout XL

Wipeout XL
  • Release Data: Psygnosis, 1996
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Futuristic

Wipeout XL is probably the best futuristic racing game you can buy for the PlayStation.

The graphics are absolutely gorgeous, with some of the best light sourcing and effects ever.

The control is smooth, the gameplay is fast, and the music is just awesome. It’s games like this that make you proud to be a PlayStation owner.


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See also: Best Gaming Chairs & Best PS2 Games

Are your favorite games on the list?

Deciding which PS1 arcade racing game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!

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Hi, I'm R, and I've been playing video games since I was a kid. My first console was the original PlayStation (the gray one) and I spent countless hours playing Crash Bandicoot series and Spyro series. My second console was the PS2 Fat, and I completed all of the GTA series 100%.


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