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Best Racing games on PlayStation 1

The 12 best Racing games on PlayStation 1, ranked from 2,321 critic and player ratings.

The best Racing game on PlayStation 1 right now is Gran Turismo 2, with a critic score of 93/100 — updated November 2026.

How this ranking is built
  • Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
  • A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
  • Each game is ranked in one genre only, the one that defines it best, so the same title never tops two different genre charts.
  • Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
  • Release window covered: 1970 to 2026.
  • 12 games are listed on this page, carrying 2,321 ratings between them.
  • Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 13 November 2026.

Top 12

Played them? Give your tier with the + next to each game. No account needed to try — create one to keep your tiers.

01 Gran Turismo 2 B Gran Turismo 2 1999 · 220 ratings · 1 Tier vote Gran Turismo 2 is a racing game for the Sony PlayStation and the sequel to Gran Turismo. The game uses two different modes: Arcade Mode and Gran Turismo Mode. In the arcade mode, the player can freely choose vehicles they wish to use, and can enable damage. However, the Gran Turismo Mode requires the player to earn driver's licenses, pay for vehicles, and earn trophies in order to unlock new courses. Gran Turismo 2 features nearly 650 automobiles and 27 racing tracks, including rally tracks. Compared with Gran Turismo, the gameplay, physics and graphics are very similar. The major changes are the vastly expanded number of cars, tracks and races in simulation mode. Other differences include that the player can race events separately, if they don't want to enter the whole tournament. The player is no longer able to "qualify" for each race entered. 93 /100
02 Crash Team Racing Crash Team Racing 1999 · 312 ratings 88 /100
03 Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit 1998 · 282 ratings Drive some of the most exotic cars in illegal street race on many different tracks, while trying not to be caught by police! 88 /100
04 Need for Speed: High Stakes Need for Speed: High Stakes 1999 · 96 ratings Just like its predecessors Need for Speed: High Stakes is an action racing game with a wide selection of exotic sports cars and many different types of tracks. The trademark Hot Pursuit mode game mode from the first game in the series is still present, where players race opponents on tracks filled with regular traffic and police cars that chase the racers. The classic pursuit mode is extended with two additional modes: Getaway and Time Trap. In Getaway the player needs to shake off the police in a set amount of time, or playing as the police trap a speeder before time runs out. In Time Trap an entire race needs to be completed before time runs out, or as the police all speeders need to be arrested. There are minor differences between the two platforms for this game mode, regarding spike strips, road blocks, and back-up. The latter for instance is unique to the PlayStation version. The Pursuit mode is available in multiplayer as well and players can take different sides or race together. It is the first game in the series to introduce a Career mode with a set of challenges. Beating these is rewarded with trophies for unlocks, and money to spend on new cars, repairs and upgrades. In the PlayStation version the Career mode is split up into two different sets of challenges: Tournament (required races) and Special Event (optional races). High Stakes in the title refers to races where players bet their cars. In the PC version these are a part of the Career mode when the player owns more than two cars. In the PlayStation version two players can insert their memory cards and race against each other. The winner immediately receives the opponent's car and it is deleted from the loser's memory card right away. In addition to the new game modes it is also the first game in the series to have a detailed physics models. Damage now affects both the appearance and the performance of the car for the first time. 86 /100
05 Driver (1999) Driver (1999) 1999 · 233 ratings The player is John Tanner, an undercover cop who try to take advantage of his own excellent driving skill in order to infiltrate a criminal organization. In the storyline, the player has the chance to drive several cars in four american cities (Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York), facing many different missions and tasks such as delivering a vehicle without damaging it, eliminating competitors or being the getaway driver in a bank robbery. 85 /100
06 Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed 2000 · 242 ratings You've pushed yourself to the edge - now drive over it! Need for Speed Porsche 2000 lets you experience the adrenaline rush of high-speed driving with 74 different Porsche models dating from 1948 to 2000. Roar down the roadways in classic models such as the 1948 356 No.1, or push the state-of-the-art 2000 996 Porsche Turbo to its absolute limit. The choice is yours. Grid-based tracks feature 20 open road segments, and with the capacity for 4 people to play, this game lets you take part in a thrills 'n' spills journey through Porsche's fast-paced 50-year history. Fasten your seat belt! 78 /100
07 The Need for Speed The Need for Speed 1994 · 104 ratings Welcome to The Need For Speed racing game. Here you'll find spine-tingling action coupled with awesome graphics. As you race down an alpine road in your choice of eight high performance cars, you'll be amazed by the detail and realism. The sophisticated physics model recreates the feel of the cars themselves; you'll notice the difference in handling, breaking and just plain power. Plan your strategy for each track, there are six to choose from during regular play, and each demands a different style of driving. There's also a bonus track if you win the Tournament. There are four game modes to try, with an option to compete against another driver over a modem. With different cars, different tracks, and different styles of racing fueling your need for speed, you'll find your addiction growing to a fewer pitch. No need to worry, when you crash and burn in the game, there's always another day. 76 /100
08 Gran Turismo B Gran Turismo 1997 · 295 ratings · 1 Tier vote Gran Turismo is a racing game designed by Kazunori Yamauchi and is the first entry in the critically acclaimed simulator racing series bearing the same name. After five years of development time, it was well-received publicly and critically, shipping a total of 10.85 million copies worldwide as of March 2013, making it the best-selling PlayStation game. The game uses two different modes: Arcade Mode and Gran Turismo Mode. In the arcade mode, the player can freely choose the courses and vehicles they wish to use. Winning races unlocks additional cars and courses. However, Gran Turismo Mode requires the player to earn different levels of driver's licenses in order to qualify for events, and earn credits, trophies and prize cars by winning race championships. Gran Turismo features 140 cars and 11 race tracks (as well as their reversed versions). 73 /100
09 Twisted Metal 2 Twisted Metal 2 1996 · 104 ratings Twisted Metal 2 is a vehicular combat game released in 1996 for the PlayStation and PC. Players choose from a roster of armed vehicles to battle in destructive arenas across global locations. Each character has a unique backstory and special weapon. The gameplay emphasizes fast-paced action and environmental hazards. It is the second installment in the Twisted Metal series and is built on the formula of its predecessor with expanded content, such as vehicle-common advanced moves. These moves allow players to press button combinations in order to perform special rechargeable maneuvers such as cloak, shield, and a napalm blast. 73 /100
10 Need for Speed 2 Need for Speed 2 1997 · 199 ratings There are three main game types. The first two are single race and tournament and the last is a knockout race. Single races allow players to become familiar with the circuits and increase their skill of any one of the six tracks. The six tracks are called Mediterranean, Mystic Peaks, Proving Grounds, Outback, North Country, and Pacific Spirit. 71 /100
11 Driver 2 Driver 2 2000 · 113 ratings 62 /100
12 Colin McRae Rally (1998) Colin McRae Rally (1998) 1998 · 121 ratings 50 /100
Browse all the best PlayStation 1 games

Other platforms

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Same platform, other genres

Best Action games on PlayStation 1Best Adventure games on PlayStation 1Best Arcade games on PlayStation 1Best Fighting games on PlayStation 1Best Platformer games on PlayStation 1Best RPG games on PlayStation 1Best Shooter games on PlayStation 1Best Strategy games on PlayStation 1

Nearby rankings

Best Racing games of 2019Best Racing games of 2018Best Racing games of 2017Best Racing games of 2013

Catalog statistics

Most abandoned gamesMost completed games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Racing game on PlayStation 1?

Gran Turismo 2 currently tops the ranking with a score of 93/100 across 220 ratings. Ranking updated November 2026.

How is this ranking built?

Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.