We already published the list of best PS1 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best PS1 sim racing games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the PS1 definitely has a great library of sim racing games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the PS1 and sim 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. NASCAR 99
- Release Data: Stormfront Studios/EA Sports, 1998
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
If you have never played a NASCAR game, but like racing games, you should definitely try NASCAR 99 before you buy it.
Let’s face it. A racing game that is packed with straight stretches of road and a bunch of left turns isn’t a whole lot of fun from a gameplay standpoint.
#24. Car and Driver Presents: Grand Tour Racing ’98
- Release Data: Eutechnyx/Atlus, 1997
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
All in all, Grand Tour Racing ’98 is a fine racing game that stands out when compared to most other games in this already crowded genre.
If you’re a racing fanatic or someone who has been waiting for the dust to settle on the genre, GTR is a somewhat decent racing game.
#23. NASCAR 2000
- Release Data: Stormfront Studios/Electronic Arts, 1999
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
In short, NASCAR 2000 is a better version of the previous title with enough new options and features to warrant a purchase by anyone who already owns NASCAR 99.
However, if you are simply a racing-game fan who’s looking for a new game, keep in mind that NASCAR 2000 is still all about driving in circles until your eyes bleed.
#22. Porsche Challenge
- Release Data: SCEE London Studio/SCEE, 1997
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
Porsche Challenge looks absolutely stunning with its high resolution polygon cars and drivers to match.
Once mirror mode is accessed the introduction of a mystery driver provides a stern challenge.
This is a high quality racing game for those who enjoy gameplay similar to Ridge Racer.
#21. Need for Speed: V-Rally
- Release Data: Infogrames, 1997
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
With the sheer wealth of racing games available on the PS1, the appeal of Need For Speed: V-Rally really comes down to personal interest.
If you’re more of an arcade racing fan, it probably won’t deliver the thrills you’re after.
If you like the thought of driving a powerful car off-road, V-Rally‘s racing will definitely deliver the goods.
#20. Newman/Haas Racing
- Release Data: Studio 33/Psygnosis, 1998
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
Newman/Haas Racing presents racing in its purest form and playing it requires equal parts of patience, skill, and raw endurance.
Those looking for an authentic Indy Car experience are in luck, as this is a game of remarkable depth and customization.
#19. F1 Championship Season 2000
- Release Data: Visual Sciences/Electronic Arts, 2000
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
People may see F1 Championship Season 2000 as an updated F1 2000, but the game simply contains too many improvements, refinements, and new features to warrant such an injustice.
In F1 Championship Season 2000, EA has created one of the best-looking and best-sounding PlayStation Formula One titles, and it has excellent gameplay and features to boot.
#18. Monaco Grand Prix
- Release Data: Ubisoft Paris/Ubisoft, 1999
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
In terms of realism, Monaco Grand Prix provides 16 true-to-life tracks, each of which is rendered convincingly well.
In addition to single race and time trial, the game has arcade and full-season simulation.
And since winning races unlocks additional tracks, it offers incentive to keep playing.
Don’t buy an F1 title before first taking this game out for a spin.
#17. Rally Cross 2
- Release Data: Idol Minds/989 Studios, 1998
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
While Rally Cross 2 seems to have all the ingredients needed to be a worthy successor to the original classic, the game on the whole seemed to have lost some of the novelty captured by the first Rally Cross.
However, the Rally Cross series will always stand as the most playable and unique off-road racers the PlayStation has ever seen.
#16. Formula One 99
- Release Data: Studio 33/SCEI, 1999
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
Overall, Formula One 99 is a great F1 racing simulation that is sure to impress fans of the sport with its drivers and tracks.
But more importantly, the game has great control and enough settings to keep any longtime fan of the Formula One series glued to the TV for quite some time.
#15. TOCA 2: Touring Car Challenge
- Release Data: Codemasters, 1999
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
TOCA 2, while specialized in its racing experience absolutely has the balls to stand head-to-head with genre-specific racers like F1 ’99, Colin McRae Rally, and even the venerable Gran Turismo and Ridge Racer series.
Do yourself a favor and get a copy today.
#14. NASCAR 2001
- Release Data: Black Box/EA Sports, 2000
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
Its gameplay is accessible to racing fans of all ages and backgrounds, while its statistics and options provide a lot of replay value.
Sure, it’s no Gran Turismo, but NASCAR 2001‘s diverse variety enables it to appeal to a wider audience, whether you’re a veteran of the series, a simulation fan, or a newcomer to the genre.
#13. F1 2000
- Release Data: Visual Sciences/Electronic Arts, 2000
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
Overall, EA Sports’ F1 2000 is a solid title.
While it isn’t the definitive F1 racing game we were hoping for, it certainly plays well, looks decent, and offers more than enough options and racing modes to keep fans of the virtual F1 racing circuit happy for quite some time.
#12. Moto Racer
- Release Data: Delphine Software International/Electronic Arts, 1997
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
Essentially two racing games in one, Moto Racer features both dirt and street bikes, with tracks that suit each bike’s respective racing style.
Sure, any racing game has the tendency to grow old eventually. But Moto Racer gets extra replay points for including a multiplayer option and a thumbs-up for being a racing title worth checking out.
#11. NASCAR Rumble
- Release Data: EA Redwood Shores/Electronic Arts, 2000
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
Playing NASCAR Rumble, you get the impression that the developers set out to make a fast and simple racing game with a lot of replay value, and they’ve very much succeeded.
But the thing is, it ends up a little too simple to deliver the maniacally addictive experience provided by similar “unrealistic racers”.
#10. Need for Speed: V-Rally 2
- Release Data: Eden Studios/Spike, 1999
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
V-Rally 2 truly has something for everyone.
With an arcade mode for casual rally fans, a downright hardcore mode for the true rally fans, and everything in between, V-Rally 2 is the premiere PlayStation rally game.
Loaded with exceptional features and play modes and great graphics and sound, V-Rally 2 is a complete rally racing package.
#9. NASCAR 98
- Release Data: Stormfront Studios/Electronic Arts, 1997
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
If you’re sick of the unrealistic play style of games like Grand Tour Racing and Test Drive 4, NASCAR 98 offers a refreshing break from the normal city racing game.
Give or take a few flaws, this might just be one of the best real-life racing games.
#8. Moto Racer 2
- Release Data: Delphine Software International/Electronic Arts, 1998
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
In the end, EA took what was already a good game and added a bunch of cool new stuff to it.
It’s a great formula that works for this great sequel. Moto Racer 2 is definitely a game to pick up for fans of the first game and racing-game fans in general.
#7. Colin McRae Rally
- Release Data: Codemasters, 2000
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
Closer to a sim than any other rally racer on the system, Colin McRae Rally is a skill based game that’s deep, challenging, and varied, but still not as annoying as most sims.
It beats GT2‘s rally racing in pure depth, with the exception of perhaps not in the amount of cars offered.
#6. TOCA Championship Racing
- Release Data: Codemasters, 1998
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
Overall, TOCA Championship Racing is one of the better racing games out there.
It plays great, it looks great, and most importantly, it’s fun. Not only that, TOCA has cool tracks, and with the car damage the game is just fun to play.
Any fan of racing games should check out TOCA.
#5. Jarrett & Labonte Stock Car Racing
- Release Data: Codemasters/Spike, 2000
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
In the end, Jarrett & Labonte Stock Car Racing is a solid racing game that’s great fun for anyone who really enjoys spending a great deal of time learning all the ins and outs of a totally in-depth racing game.
It’s definitely one of the best PlayStation sim racing games.
#4. Rally Cross
- Release Data: Sony Interactive Studios America/SCEE, 1997
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
Rally Cross is one of the more unique racing games on the PlayStation.
With a little persistence, racing fans and rookie drivers alike can appreciate what this game has to offer, and should certainly rev this title up for a test drive.
#3. Colin McRae Rally 2.0
- Release Data: Codemasters, 2000
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
Codemasters has opted to smooth out numerous rough edges in order to deliver a more polished sophomore effort.
As such, die-hard fans of the original may feel a twinge of déjà vu when they dig into the update.
For everyone else, though, Colin McRae Rally 2.0 represents one of the most solidly addictive racing experiences that money can buy.
#2. Gran Turismo 2
- Release Data: Polyphony Digital/SCEA, 1999
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
Perhaps the worst aspect of Gran Turismo 2, oddly enough, is the existence of Gran Turismo.
Given the success of the original, the game’s developers probably had no wish to fix anything that wasn’t broken—and preferred to build on the successful formula by adding more cars, car makers, and features, such as the rally mode.
#1. Gran Turismo
- Release Data: Polyphony Digital/SCEE, 1998
- Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile
Gran Turismo is truly the mother of all racing games up to date.
It has it all: awesome gameplay, brilliant replays, and a reality factor that’ll astound even the most hardcore gamers.
No matter what flavor of racer you favor, Gran Turismo will take you for a ride you won’t soon forget.
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See also: Best Gaming Chairs & Best PS2 Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which PS1 sim racing game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
