10 Of The Best Racing Games On The Original PlayStation, Ranked - Screen Rant

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Sony's PlayStation 1 or PS1 (otherwise simply known as PlayStation) was a landmark platform for the racing genre as franchises like Gran Turismo and Need For Speed took shape in its nascent stages through its PlayStation installments. Apart from conventional car-racing games, there were other multi-genre options too such as the Mario Kart-like Crash Team Racing and the vehicular combat-driven Vigilante 8.

There were also a few other movie/franchise tie-ins in the pantheon of PlayStation racing games, including the likes of Smurf Racer, Toy Story Racer, Looney Tunes Racing, and The Dukes Of Hazard II: Daisy Dukes It Out. Needles to say, there was hardly a dearth of racing games when the console was at its prime, competing against the Sega Saturn and Nintendo 64.

10 Gran Turismo (1997)

The first Gran Turismo was released exclusively for the PlayStation in 1997 and it went on to shatter all sales records, becoming the best-selling PS1 game of all time (with over 10.85 million copies sold as of 2013).

Garnering praise for both its Arcade and Simulation modes, Gran Turismo's release was a watershed moment in the history of racing games creating a high precedent that was then followed by other franchises like Need For Speed. While its spin-offs and sequels might have improved the gameplay, the original progenitor continues to be revered by a cult fanbase.

9 Need For Speed III: Hot Pursuit (1998)

The third entry in the Need For Speed franchise is notable for playing around the element of police pursuits in its gameplay (massively improving the police AI from Need For Speed II). This trope later influenced Most Wanted as well as other racing franchises as well, adding a new thrill of virtually outracing the law.

The game's legacy was carried on by a direct sequel Hot Pursuit 2 for the PlayStation 2, along with a reboot for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

8 Need For Speed: High Stakes (1999)

High Stakes borrowed certain stylistic influences from Hot Pursuit while adding new features like the Getaway and Time Trap modes. In the former mode, the player needs to escape from the police within a particular time limit while Time Trap tasks the player to win a given race within this given time.

As evident from the title, the stakes are high while getting chased by the authorities as police cars can often call for backup or set up spike strips on the road to obstruct one's path.

7 Jet Moto (1996)

Jet Moto (or Jet Rider as it was known in a few markets) is a hoverboard-based racing game. The adrenaline-fueled levels find the player hovering above land and water in vehicles known as the titular 'jet motos'.

While the gameplay was unique for its time, the game polarized players chiefly because of its high difficulty levels. The track design was also pretty vibrant and fresh enriching the overall experience. While Jet Moto spawned two sequels, none match the originality of the first one.

6 Ridge Racer (1993)

Initially introduced as an arcade game, Ridge Racer was shifted to the PlayStation in 1993. The Namco Bandai classic still retains some arcade-like features (for instance, collisions cause no damage but only slow the players down) but also allows the players to switch between first-person and third-person perspectives. The option to choose between auto and manual transmission was also offered.

Today, Ridge Racer is regarded highly for not just its graphics but also its techno-heavy soundtrack, courtesy of composer Shinji Hosoe. As an IGN article elaborates on its impact, "It's undeniable that the original Ridge Racer was one of PlayStation's first big system pushers."

5 Crash Team Racing (1999)

A delightful entry in the Crash Bandicoot series, Crash Team Racing possibly the best kart-racing game on the PlayStation. Crash Bandicoot and his allies race through each level to defeat Nitros Oxide who would ravage the planet in case of his victory. Players are asked to choose between any one of the eight characters that includes fan-favorites like Doctor Neo Cortex.

As can be expected from such kart-racing ventures, offensive attacks and speed power-ups are aplenty in the five player modes of the races resulting in a chaotically satisfying experience.

4 Gran Turismo 2 (1999)

The highly-awaited follow-up to the aforementioned Gran Turismo had its share of glitches and errors during its initial release but still went on to sell millions of copies. The gameplay was pretty similar to its predecessor, a major difference being the option of competing in individual races rather than qualifying for them through tournaments.

The brakes were also massively improved to prevent oversteering, and of course, the inventory of cars and the range of tracks was increased in the Simulation mode. Whether it lived up to the hype of the first game in the series, that can be up for debate among seasoned gamers. But what one can't deny is that Gran Turismo 2 was still a worthy sequel and one of the best examples of its genre.

3 NASCAR 98 (1997)

NASCAR 98 was the first of many NASCAR-themed racing games by EA Sports. The first installment bore an authentic feel to it with real-world cars, licensing, and racing tracks. This ran in stark contrast against the over-the-top racing entries of its time.

To put it in clearer terms, NASCAR 98 was a cutting-edge simulation racer rather than relying on the spectacle and road tricks of a typical arcade game. And this is what went on to set the franchise apart from its contemporaries.

2 Colin McRae Rally 2.o (2000)

If one is an admirer of atmospheric racing environments, Colin McRae Rally 2.0 (inspired by the career of Colin McRae who served as a technical advisor to the game) seems to lie the perfect PlayStation pick. The rally championships and the Arcade mode feature special stages in various regions across the world. The detailing and differences in each setting bear testimony to the visual experience the game succeeds at building.

The graphics and framerate were also sharper than before, providing more detailed vehicles in terms of both interior and exterior features.

1 R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 (1999)

The final Ridge Racer game to be released for the PlayStation, R4 vastly upgraded the franchise's Arcade mode, winning over fans with the power-sliding feature in the cars.

The track designs, the newer cars (with a bonus Pacman car), and the smoothness of the controls drew immense praise making it arguably the greatest arcade-style racing game on the platform. All in all, R4 served as a perfect finale to the franchise. It made a comeback in 2018 as a pre-loaded feature on the PlayStation Classic.

NEXT: 9 Of The Worst Racing Games Of All Time, Ranked

Next 10 Hardest Platformer Video Games Of All Time, Ranked

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Shaurya Thapa (284 Articles Published)

Hailing from and based in India, Shaurya Thapa harbors interests in freelance journalism, cultural diversity, and critical analyses on films and TV of varied genres.