A lot of great racing games came out for the PS1. Most of the time, these games are better than the rest.
A lot of people remember the first PlayStation with a lot of appreciation. Sony’s first try at the gaming market was this console, which did better than the Nintendo 64 in terms of long-term sales. This was also due to a much more competitive software library that made it possible for many exclusive games to come out that used CDs’ storage space.
As for racing games, the console had a lot of them, and many famous series got their first release on this platform. The PS1 still has some of the best racing games, making it a great choice for racing fans.
Need For Speed 3: Hot Pursuit
- Release date: 1998
The Need for Speed series was well-known by the time Need for Speed 3: Hot Pursuit came out. The way you drive in this game is a lot like in the ones that came before it. It’s more arcade-style than pure modeling. This entry is different because the title activities are mentioned again. In a different game mode, players must not only race against other players. But also watch out for police cars that are spread out all over the road.
Lots of different things can be done in these two game types. Which give players a break whenever they need it. Just like the other games in the Need for Speed series, this one is best when played with other people. People who like playing games with other people locally will have a great time with this one. It’s one of the best games in the series.
Ridge Racer Type-4
- Release date: 1998
Ridge Racer games worked well on PS1. Over the course of five years, four games in the series came out for the system. This gave fans a lot of options for which game to buy. It’s clear that Ridge Racer Type-4, which came out last on PS1, is the best of the bunch. The game perfects the series’ usual driving style that feels like an arcade game. It’s a lot of fun to race through each track, especially with friends.
Also, the game is jam-packed with things to do. It has more cars, tracks, tunes, and racing choices than any of the games that came before it, making it by far the most complete game in the series. Some racing fans who like more realistic games might not enjoy Ridge Racer Type-4 as much as others will. For everyone else, though, it will be one of the best games on the system. Thanks to PlayStation Plus, it can also be played on newer devices and with a lot of other games.
Wipeout XL
- Release date: 1996
With the PS1, Wipeout was also born, a series of games that would become closely linked to Sony’s consoles over the next few years. Wipeout XL (also called Wipeout 2097) is the best of the three games that came out on PS1. The style of the game is modern, and it still looks futuristic now, almost thirty years after it opened.
Aside from that, Geometry Dash Subzero is much faster, more intense, and more exciting than the last one. It is very hard to get good at racing in Wipeout XL, and cars almost never make it to the end without getting damaged. But that’s what makes this game a real favorite that has been played for a long time. It’s without a doubt one of the best games in the series, and playing with other people is a lot of fun.
Crash Team Racing
- Release date: 1999
Naughty Dog made their bandicoot mascot the star of his own race game after putting out three of the best platformers for the system. It’s possible that Crash Team Racing was made to try to do what Mario Kart 64 did for the PS1. But it was already clear at the time that the game had enough of its own style to make it stand out.
The game starts with a single-player story that is full of collectibles, optionally harder challenges, and boss races, which are a cool new idea that was first used in this game. The game is also a lot of fun to play. Especially with friends, thanks to its fun driving system and well-thought-out race tracks.
Colin McRae Rally
- Release date: 1998
The first game in Codemasters’ popular rally simulation series is called Colin McRae Rally. The series is now just called Dirt Rally, as the famous driver Colin McRae has died. Even though the series has had many great games over the years. This first game still has its own special charm. This could be because of the hardware it runs on or the way it looks now that it’s so old.
The 1998 championship drivers and tracks are used in the game, and the game’s main character, Colin McRae, even gave his voice for some commentary. For the time, Tracks’ design and graphics were very good, and they still look good today, much better than some games from later machine generations.
Gran Turismo 2
- Release date: 1999
This is another series that started on PS1. It will undoubtedly become one of Sony’s best in the coming years. Since the PS2 came out only a few months after Gran Turismo 2, the game came out near the end of the PS1’s time on the market. This, however, let the game make the most of the system’s features, making it the best simulation racing experience on the hardware.
There are a lot of real cars and tracks in the game, and the way you drive is one of the most fun on the system. Even though it’s hard to get good at. Gran Turismo 2 also has a long single-player game that really tests how good the player is. This is still one of the best racing games of all time and the best racing game on PS1, even though the series keeps getting better.