• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
ProFanboy

ProFanboy

A Video Game Blog

  • GAMES
  • ACCESSORIES
    • Gaming Chairs
    • Gaming Room Accessories
  • YOUTUBE
    • ProFanboy
    • RacingX

25 Best PS3 Racing Games of All Time

We may earn from qualifying purchases.

Best PS3 Racing Games of All Time

We already published the list of best PS3 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best PS3 racing games of all time.

With amazing titles available, the PS3 definitely has a great library of racing games.

So, if you’re a fan of both the PS3 and 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. F1 2010

F1 2010
  • Release Data: Codemasters Birmingham/Codemasters, 2010
  • Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile

F1 2010 does a good job of re-creating the excitement and action of driving a Formula One car.

Clearly there is still room for improvement, but despite its occasional quirks, F1 2010 is a game that any fan of Formula One or simulation racing would do well to take for a spin.

#24. GRID 2

GRID 2
  • Release Data: Codemasters, 2013
  • Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile

This is a game that wants you to experience the thrill of breakneck street racing, and gives you all the tools necessary to do just that.

With terrific handling, gorgeous environments, and a broad selection of event types, Grid 2 slams on the gas and rarely slows down.

#23. F1 2011

F1 2011
  • Release Data: Codemasters, 2011
  • Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile

F1 2011 is a great sequel which captures the fragility of an F1 car for the first time and features significant improvements over its predecessor.

Its extremely steep learning curve will frustrate many novice racers but will delight serious F1 fans.

#22. Blur

Blur
  • Release Data: Bizarre Creations/Activision, 2010
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

If you love a more hardcore racing experience, and the idea of truly chaotic combat sounds appealing, than Blur might be for you.

If you’re looking for a fun, pick-up-and-play combat racer, then I think you need to go back to Mario Kart or, better yet, pick up the excellent Split/Second.

#21. Midnight Club: Los Angeles

Midnight Club: Los Angeles
  • Release Data: Rockstar San Diego/Rockstar Games, 2008
  • Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile

The cars handle fantastically, the city is nearly perfect, the GPS stuff is awesome and customizing your ride is great.

It is way too hard, however, even right from the start.

Fans of street racing, and especially the Midnight Club series in general, will find a lot to like here, but don’t expect an easy time on the streets.

#20. Gran Turismo 6

Gran Turismo 6
  • Release Data: Polyphony Digital/SCEA, 2013
  • Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile

When you’re on one of Gran Turismo 6’s absolutely gorgeous tracks, fused with the car you’re controlling, attacking apexes with confidence and devouring sectors with steely precision, it’s not hard to see why this series is deservedly regarded as one of the best of its kind, and this one is no exception.

#19. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
  • Release Data: Sumo Digital/Sega, 2012
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

Beyond its obvious appeal to Sega fans, this is a rich, bold and substantial arcade racer that demands your attention.

It might not be quite as finely tuned as Mario Kart, but it’s a good deal, more ambitious, and different enough that it deserves a place alongside it in your gaming library.

#18. MotorStorm

MotorStorm
  • Release Data: Evolution Studios/SCEA, 2007
  • Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile

The limited number of tracks and gameplay options hold it back quite a bit, but the fundamental racing is incredible.

The variety in vehicle types is great, the track designs are awesome and the online is extremely fun.

As an over-the-top, gorgeous-to-look-at racer, Motorstorm is absolutely a success.

#17. Pure

Pure
  • Release Data: Black Rock Studio/Disney Interactive Studios, 2008
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

Pure isn’t the most original game out there, and it might have been nice to see it build on the trick system in SSX instead of just copying it.

But nonetheless, its focus on tricks, boosting, and larger-than-life jumps over gorgeous environments pays off.

This is an exciting racing game that seriously delivers on its promise of high-speed, high-adrenaline action.

#16. MotorStorm: Pacific Rift

MotorStorm: Pacific Rift
  • Release Data: Evolution Studios/SCEA, 2008
  • Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile

The track design is its greatest success; the intricacy and variety of the courses will keep you coming back to explore the possibilities and test your spirit.

Aside from a few remaining criticisms, MotorStorm: Pacific Rift is a notable improvement over the original and a blast to play.

#15. ModNation Racers

ModNation Racers
  • Release Data: United Front Games/SCEA, 2010
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Other

ModNation Racers boasts some of the most impressive creation tools yet seen on a console.

The single player career can be difficult, and the long load times quickly become a bind, but ModNation Racers succeeds in providing outstanding online sharing facilities and great multiplayer fun.

#14. DiRT

DiRT
  • Release Data: Codemasters, 2007
  • Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile

On every other front, DiRT delivers a racing experience that’s a lot of fun to play and visuals that are such a joy to watch that you can even bring yourself to forgive the shoddy frame rate.

All around, DiRT is a class act, and it belongs in any racing fan’s library.

#13. Need for Speed: Shift

Need for Speed: Shift
  • Release Data: Slightly Mad Studios/EA Games, 2009
  • Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile

Need for Speed: Shift is a glorious return to greatness for EA’s seminal racing franchise and has delivered a driving experience that is practically dead-on in terms of what it’s like to race around some of the world’s best racing circuits.

The career mode could have been a little better, but the act of driving is basically phenomenal.

#12. Split/Second

Split/Second
  • Release Data: Black Rock Studio/Disney Interactive Studios, 2010
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

In the end though, Split/Second has so much going for it that it’s easy to recommend for kart and arcade racing fans alike.

Even if racing games aren’t typically your thing, Split/Second offers enough action and fun to recommend to everyone.

#11. Gran Turismo 5

Gran Turismo 5
  • Release Data: Polyphony Digital/SCEA, 2010
  • Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile

If you’ve ever fantasized about a Ferrari, Gran Turismo 5 is a game that you’re sure to get a lot out of.

It’s unfortunate that much of what makes Gran Turismo 5 so great is under the hood rather than on display for everyone to see, but a powerful engine trumps a perfect paintjob every time.

#10. Dyad

Dyad
  • Release Data: Right Square Bracket Left Square Bracket Games/SCEA, 2012
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Futuristic

There are a few times when Dyad‘s abstract presentation is so overwhelming that you don’t feel in control of your own destiny. But by and large, this unique game keeps you invested.

It’s a great mix of comfort and excitement, making it easy to lose yourself in the barrage of sound and energy.

#9. Need for Speed: Most Wanted – A Criterion Game

Need for Speed: Most Wanted - A Criterion Game
  • Release Data: Criterion Games/Electronic Arts, 2012
  • Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile

As with all sandbox games the narrative is of your own making but this is even more true of Most Wanted.

It’s the racing game for people who don’t tend to like racing games. You’re not punished for missing that apex or abandoning that nagging racing line.

It’s undoubtedly one of the most exhilarating experiences.

#8. GRID

GRID
  • Release Data: Codemasters, 2008
  • Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile

There are plenty of other racing games on the market, but GRID captures the soul of the track like none other.

Although its car count is low, customization is limited and the repetitive dialogue grates a bit, Grid‘s stands out as a stylish but serious alternative to both hardcore driving simulations and over-the-top arcade racers.

#7. Joe Danger

Joe Danger
  • Release Data: Hello Games, 2010
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

In a lot of ways, Joe Danger feels like it was made by Nintendo: it will constantly surprise and delight you, in the way the best first-party Nintendo games do.

It’s got bright, cartoon visuals, and the level design encourages return visits to look for all the hidden stars and coins.

#6. DiRT 2

DiRT 2
  • Release Data: Codemasters, 2009
  • Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile

DiRT 2 is prettier than its predecessor, has more varied tracks and a functional multiplayer offering.

The vast majority of racing fans are going to love what DiRT 2 has to offer, but there will be a few who long for the days when a hill climb was considered the ultimate racing experience.

#5. Wipeout HD

Wipeout HD
  • Release Data: Studio Liverpool/SCEE, 2008
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Futuristic

Wipeout HD is a compilation of PSP games running in high definition, and it looks considerably better for the visual upgrade.

The game is immensely polished from start to finish, the controls feel fantastic, and really, it’s the best Wipeout game in a long, long time. Do not miss this one.

#4. DiRT 3

DiRT 3
  • Release Data: Codemasters, 2011
  • Genre: Racing » Simulation » Automobile

DiRT 3 improves and builds upon its superb predecessor at just about every opportunity.

Whether you’re a veteran of the DiRT series and the long-running Colin McRae Rally series that preceded it, or someone looking for a way into off-road racing, DiRT 3 is the game you should be playing.

#3. Burnout Paradise

Burnout Paradise
  • Release Data: Criterion Games/Electronic Arts, 2008
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

Burnout Paradise has its share of flaws, but it’s also incredibly fun.

The change to an open world brought its share of issues but it also allows for freedom unseen in any recent racing game.

Most importantly though, Criterion has once again delivered a racing experience that can best be described as controlled chaos, one where even crashing is immensely rewarding.

#2. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
  • Release Data: Criterion Games/Electronic Arts, 2010
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit is one of the most thrilling racing games around.

It doesn’t matter which side of the law you prefer to play on; the unpredictable nature of these events and the sheer speed at which they’re played make this a tough game to put down.

#1. Wipeout HD Fury

Wipeout HD Fury
  • Release Data: Studio Liverpool/SCEA, 2009
  • Genre: Racing » Arcade » Futuristic

The new tracks are excellent, but it’s the game modes that offer the real value for money here.

It’s no surprise Sony Liverpool was keen to get them into gamers’ hands in an expansion rather than having to wait until the release of a completely new game.

If you liked WipEout HD, Fury is a no-brainer. Get it now.


Browse PS3 Games By Genre

  • All Genres
  • Action
  • Beat-‘Em-Up
  • Fighting
  • Platformer
  • Rhythm
  • Shooter
  • Action Adventure
  • Linear
  • Open-World
  • Survival
  • Adventure
  • 3D
  • Point-and-Click
  • Casual
  • Compilation
  • Party / Minigame
  • Trivia / Game Show
  • Puzzle
  • Action
  • Matching
  • Racing
  • Arcade
  • Simulation
  • Role-Playing
  • Action RPG
  • Japanese-Style
  • Western-Style
  • Simulation
  • Flight
  • Vehicle
  • Virtual
  • Sports
  • Individual
  • Team
  • Strategy
  • Real-Time
  • Turn-Based

See also: Best PSP Games & Best PS Vita Games

Are your favorite games on the list?

Deciding which PS3 racing game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!

Primary Sidebar

About

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%.


Disclosure

This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It also participates in affiliate programs with other sites and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

Contact · Privacy Policy

© Copyright 2017–2025 · ProFanboy