Over the years of its existence, the PlayStation 4 console has established itself as a powerful platform for lovers of speed and adrenaline. The huge library of titles covers all subgenres: from hyper-realistic simulators with precise tire physics to crazy arcade games where the laws of gravity exist only to be broken. Choice best racing games on PS4 can be a daunting task given the number of projects available and their diversity.
In this article we will analyze in detail the key hits that every console owner must try. We will touch upon issues of graphics optimization, the importance of support VR helmets and features of playing in co-op. Whether you're looking for a relaxing open-world cruise or a brutal battle for milliseconds on the track, there's a project for you here.
It is worth noting that many projects received significant improvements for the version PlayStation 4 Pro, offering permission 4K and stable 60 FPS. This turns virtual races into a real visual show, where every detail of the body and glare on the asphalt is worked out with manic attention.
Realism and physics: Top simulators
For connoisseurs of an authentic driving experience, nothing is more important than the precision of a car's behavior. The leader in this niche is traditionally considered the Gran Turismo series, which sets industry standards. Gran Turismo 7 offers an incredibly detailed fleet of vehicles and tracks scanned from real terrain. Here, every suspension setting affects cornering, and tire wear becomes a critical factor in victory.
Another pillar of the genre is Assetto Corsa Competizione. This project focuses exclusively on the GT3 and GT4 racing series, providing perhaps the best simulation of engine sound and telemetry performance to date. If you plan to use the steering wheel with force feedback, then this is an ideal testing ground for equipment.
However, simulators require not only powerful hardware, but also patience from the player. It is necessary to study telemetry, select tire pressure and monitor brake temperature. An error in the settings can cost several seconds per lap, which in a professional race is tantamount to losing.
- 🏁 Gran Turismo 7 — the standard of detail and amount of content for a single playthrough.
- 🏎️ Assetto Corsa Competizione - the best choice for fans of circuit racing and steering wheel use.
- ⚙️ Project CARS 2 - a compromise between an arcade and a simulator with excellent weather.
- 🌍 DiRT Rally 2.0 - the king of rally simulators with destructible tracks.
⚠️ Attention: In simulators it seems DiRT Rally 2.0 It is recommended to immediately disable all assistance systems (ABS, TCS), since their presence on rally surfaces often has the opposite effect and impairs control.
The secret to adjusting the steering wheel
To achieve maximum performance in simulators on PS4, use the “Linear” sensitivity settings in the accessories menu, and inside the game, calibrate the rotation angle strictly for a specific car (usually 900 degrees for road and 540 for racing).
Adrenaline and madness: The best arcade games
When you want to discard realism and just enjoy the speed, arcade racing comes to the rescue. Series Need for Speed remains a timeless classic, offering deep tuning and police chases. In part Heat the developers were able to find a balance between illegal street racing during the day and risky racing at night.
It's impossible to talk about arcades without mentioning Burnout Paradise Remastered. Despite the age of the original, the remake looks great and offers a unique mechanic for ramming opponents. There's no track selection menu - you just go outside and race to where you see the event. The speed in the game is felt thanks to the effect motion blur and dynamic camera.
Deserves special attention Wreckfest. This is a hybrid of a damage simulator and an arcade racing game. The physics of destruction here is taken to the absolute level: metal crumples realistically, glass flies out, and parts fall off with every contact. This is not just a race, but a battle of survival, where getting to the finish line with a whole car is already a victory.
It is important to understand the differences in controls between simulators and arcade games. The latter often use a simplified clutch model, which allows you to enter drifts at full speed, which in reality would lead to a fatal outcome. This makes the gameplay accessible to a wide audience, without requiring hours of practice.
Open world and freedom of action
The open-world racing genre gives players unique freedom. Instead of following a track corridor, you can explore huge maps. Forza Horizon 4 and Forza Horizon 5, although Xbox exclusives, are often mentioned in the context of the genre, but on PS4 the king of open spaces is The Crew 2.
B The Crew 2 A smaller copy of the entire US is available. A unique feature of the project is the ability to instantly change transport: you can carry a plane, jump onto a boat and continue on a racing car without interrupting the race. The scale of the map here is simply amazing and requires hours to fully explore.
Another representative of the genre - Just Cause 3 (although this is more of an action game) or specialized titles like Mad Max, where racing is part of survival. However, if we talk specifically about pure racing, then it is worth paying attention to Onrush. This is a team arcade game where it is not so much about coming first as it is about dealing damage and performing tricks.
| Game | Card size | Type of transport | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Crew 2 | All USA (shortened) | Auto, Motorcycle, Boats, Airplanes | Co-op, PvP |
| Need for Speed Heat | Palm City (fictional) | Auto only | Online sessions |
| Wreckfest | Track set | Auto, Tractors, Trucks | Multiplayer up to 24 people. |
| Onrush | Linear routes | Buggy, Moto, Snowmobile | Team 6v6 |
In open world games like The Crew 2, use the map to set route markers - this allows you to quickly switch between race types (circuit, drift, gravel) without returning to the menu.
Split screen and party games
Console racing is a great way to spend time with friends in the same room. Split-screen mode has become a rarity, but some projects still keep this tradition. Trackmania Turbo features crazy tracks and a Double Driver mode where two players control one car using one analog stick each.
It remains a classic of the genre for local multiplayer Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled. This is a remake of the legendary kart racing game that supports up to four players on one screen. Bright graphics, many characters and polished drift mechanics make it a hit for any gathering.
Also, we must not forget about WRC 10 or Dirt 5, which retained the ability to play together on one TV. In the age of online competition, the ability to physically split the screen and have a pizza-and-soda tournament adds extra value to gaming.
- 🎮 Crash Team Racing — the best arcade game for a company of up to 4 people.
- 🤝 Trackmania Turbo — a unique experience of joint management.
- 🏆 Dirt 5 — a colorful arcade game with support for 4 players in split-screen.
- 🚗 WRC 10 - for rally fans who want to play with a friend.
⚠️ Attention: When playing split-screen on regular TVs (Full HD), the picture may appear blurry. For the best experience, it is recommended to use monitors that support
1080pand a diagonal of 32 inches or 4K TV.
Virtual Reality: Immersion
Helmet Mastery PlayStation VR opens up access to a completely different level of perception of racing. Gran Turismo Sport (and partly GT7) offers a VR mode that allows you to sit in the cockpit of the car. The sense of scale and speed here is incomparable to playing on a flat screen.
However, it is worth considering technical limitations. To play comfortably in VR, you need a stable number of frames per second, ideally 60 FPS or even 120 FPS with interpolation. Some projects may not run perfectly on the base PS4 model, so the availability of the model PS4 Pro or PS5 (with backward compatibility) highly desirable.
VR mode in racing simulators is the best way to experience the speed and dimensions of a car, but it requires a high-quality helmet and a powerful console to avoid motion sickness.
Besides Gran Turismo, there are projects like WipEout Omega Collection, which in VR turn into a psychedelic flight on the verge of a foul. The speed in such games is felt by the whole body, and passing narrow tunnels at supersonic speed causes a real adrenaline rush.
Technical aspects and performance
When choosing a game, it is important to consider which version of the console you plan to play on. The base PS4 often limits resolution to 900p or 1080p with frequency 30 FPS in difficult projects. The Pro and Slim models perform better, but may require a system software update to unlock the potential of new patches.
Many modern races support HDR (High Dynamic Range). If your TV supports this standard, be sure to activate it in the console settings through the menu Settings → Sound and screen → Video output settings. This will greatly improve contrast and color reproduction, especially in games with bright sun or night racing.
It is also worth paying attention to the amount of space occupied. Top races can weigh more 80-100 GB. It is recommended to have an external USB 3.0 hard drive to store your library so you don't have to constantly delete your favorite projects.
☑️ PS4 optimization for racing
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What's the best racing game on PS4 for beginners?
Ideal for starting Forza Horizon 4 (if you have an Xbox) or Need for Speed Heat on PS4. They offer flexible difficulty settings, where you can enable all the assistants, and are forgiving of mistakes. It would also be a good start Trackmania thanks to ease of control.
Do you need a steering wheel to play simulation games on PS4?
The steering wheel is not strictly necessary; many people play on gamepads DualShock 4. However, for full immersion and precise control in games such as Gran Turismo or Assetto Corsa, the presence of a steering wheel with feedback (Force Feedback) radically changes the experience.
Do PS4 games work on PlayStation 5?
Yes, the vast majority of PS4 racing games run on PS5 via backwards compatibility. Moreover, many of them receive patches that increase the frame rate to 60 FPS or 120 FPS and improving textures.
Is it possible to play racing games on PS4 without the Internet?
Most games have a full-fledged single-player mode that does not require an online connection. However, to install updates, download new machines or play in online modes, the Internet is required. Some games (like The Crew) require a constant connection even for single player play.