Published on April 3, 2022
Updated on February 26, 2024

19 Best PlayStation 3 Racing Games

The PlayStation 3 was home to some big titles that still maintain their charm to this day. The racing genre was no exception as the PS3 was full of amazing racing games varying from exciting unrealistic arcade racing games, to hardcore sim-racers, there is enough to satisfy every kind of gamer.

While a lot of the games on this list are over a decade old, you will be surprised at how good the PlayStation 3 graphics are (looking at Wipeout HD), some of these games are unbelievably stunning leaving me surprised.

So without any further delay, get your PlayStation 3 and put on your seat belts as we drive through the best PlayStation 3 racing games of all time.

Table of Contents

Fuel


2009
About
Release Date
June 02, 2009
Developer
Asobo Studio
Publisher
Codemasters
Genre
Arcade Racing
Concept
Post-Apocalyptic
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
France
PS3 Releases
2009-06-02
2009-06-05

Fuel is an Open World arcade racing game. The game takes place in an alternative post-apocalyptic United States, offering a huge map that covers over  14 400 square kilometers to roam freely, the terrains include forests, deserts, and mountain hills.

The gameplay consists of playing various races located across the map, each race is different, you can experience various weather changes such as tornados, lightning, thunder, and sandstorms, as well as a night and day cycle, there is a decent vehicle selection to choose from as you unlock them over the course of the game.

MotorStorm™ / MotorStorm: Pacific Rift / MotorStorm: Apocalypse


2006 / 2008 / 2011
About
Full Name
MotorStorm™
Release Date
December 14, 2006
Developer
Evolution Studios
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Franchise
MotorStorm
Genre
Arcade Racing
Graphics
3D
Perspective
Third-Person
Interaction
Real-Time
Players
Online PvP, Single Player, Split-Screen PvP
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
PS3 Releases
2006-12-14
2007-03-06
2007-03-23
About
Full Name
MotorStorm: Pacific Rift
Release Date
October 22, 2008
Developer
Evolution Studios
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Franchise
MotorStorm
Genre
Arcade Racing
Concept
Modern
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
PS3 Releases
2008-10-28
2008-11-07
About
Full Name
MotorStorm: Apocalypse
Release Date
March 31, 2011
Developer
Evolution Studios
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Franchise
MotorStorm
Genre
Arcade Racing
Concept
Post-Apocalyptic
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
PS3 Releases
2011-03-17
2011-03-31
2011-05-03

Motorstorm series mark one of the greatest racing game on the mighty Playstation 3. Starting with Motorstorm 1 the game puts the player in the shoes of an extreme racing rider, where you visit several offroad landscapes participating in high-octane racing competitions while unlocking several vehicles ranging from trucks, cars, minivans, and many more. Motorstorm: Pacific Rift takes place on a green and lively island, giving the game a beautiful vegetation look while differing from the previous titles with occasional post-apocalyptic elements such as volcanic eruptions.

MotorStorm: Apocalypse continues the legacy of the series with an amazing sequel taking place in a post-apocalyptic environment. This time the players will compete in various locations around the world, while buildings are collapsing, roads are broken, and competitors are furious. A total of 44 vehicles are available including cars, trucks, and even bikes. As a whole, the Motorstorm series is a landmark on the mighty Playstation 3 as many of its titles are still exclusive to the PS3 to this very day.

Burnout Paradise


2008 バーンアウト パラダイス (Bānauto paradaisu)
About
Release Date
January 22, 2008
Developer
Criterion Games
Publisher
Electronic Arts
Franchise
Burnout
Genre
Arcade Racing
Graphics
3D
Interaction
Real-Time
Concept
Modern
Players
Online PvP, PvP, Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
PS3 Releases
2008-01-22
2008-01-25
2008-02-07
2008-02-21

Burnout Paradise is an open-world arcade racing game and the sixth entry in the Burnout series. The game takes place in a fictional city called Paradise City, you can play various events scattered across the city varying from races, stunt runs, road rages, and more.

Unlike the previous games, Burnout Paradise is completely open even when you take a race you are free to approach the route as you like as long as you get to the finish line. There is a lot to enjoy here single-player wise you can spend hours finishing the game’s tracks but unfortunately, the online multiplayer servers were shut down on the PS3. If you’re more into online than single-player, the newer remastered version of the game might please you. Overall this is a must-own on the PS3 for arcade lovers.

GRID™ Autosport


2014
About
Release Date
June 24, 2014
Developer
Codemasters
Publisher
Codemasters
Franchise
GRID™
Genre
Simulation Racing
Graphics
3D
Perspective
Third-Person
Interaction
Real-Time
Concept
Realistic
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
PS3 Releases
2014-06-24
2014-06-26
2014-06-27

Grid Autosport is a simulation racing game and the ninth game in the Toca series. The game leans more toward realistic driving, as you build your career taking off various rivals and competitors to satisfy your sponsors.

The career mode is divided into various seasons, the player has the option to choose between numerous racing teams at the beginning of each season. There is over 108 cars selection to choose from including DLCs, each vehicle is divided into tiers and classes, over 15 real-world circuits are accessible in addition to a few fictional tracks to satisfy all kind of racing fans.

Gran Turismo® 6


2013 グランツーリスモ6 (Guran Tsūrisumo 6)
About
Release Date
December 06, 2013
Developer
Polyphony Digital
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Franchise
Gran Turismo
Genre
Simulation Racing
Concepts
Modern, Realistic
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
Japan
PS3 Releases
2013-12-06

Gran Turismo 6 is a realistic racing simulation game, and the twelfth installment on the Gran Turismo series. This is the pinnacle of racing simulation games on the PlayStation 3 system, presenting both realistic driving and stunning visuals, the game physics are insanely realistic and polished giving both old and new players a whole new experience.

Gran Turismo 6 is tremendously huge in terms of content, you have over 1200 cars to choose from and more than 20 vehicles designed exclusively for the game, 37 tracks are also available with a few new exclusive tracks, you can compete on career mode or enjoy the game locally with a friend.

Test Drive®: Unlimited 2


2011
About
Release Date
February 08, 2011
Developer
Eden Games
Publisher
Atari
Franchise
Test Drive™
Genre
Arcade Racing
Concepts
Modern, Realistic
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
France
PS3 Releases
2011-02-08
2011-02-10
2011-02-11

Test Drive Unlimited 2 is an open-world racing game and the nineteenth entry in the Test Drive series. You start the game as a driver working for Tess Wintory, while driving her to a certain location she is surprised by the player’s skills giving him a chance to participate in a big racing championship taking place at various locations on the island.

The game takes place on two main island Ibiza and Oahu giving the player a huge map to explore, there is over 100 car to unlock varying from sports cars to SUVs and more. Your progress is made by earning experience points to level up, there are 60 levels to claim. The experience points can be earned by playing various events across the map as well as buying new cars and discovering the islands.

Need for Speed™ Hot Pursuit


2010
About
Release Date
November 16, 2010
Developer
Criterion Games
Publisher
Electronic Arts
Franchise
Need for Speed™
Genre
Arcade Racing
Concept
Modern
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
PS3 Releases
2010-11-16
2010-11-18
2010-11-19

Need For Speed Hot Pursuit is an exciting arcade racing game and the sixteenth entry in the Need For Speed series. You have the choice to either be an outlaw racer on the run or be the chaser and play as a police member.

This game is considered one of the last good arcades Need For Speed games, as it takes its inspiration from the previous classic Need For Speed Hot Pursuit I and II, there is a full career mode for both racers and police, each side has several power-ups and attacks varying from nitro boosts to road spikes and many more. Visually the game is eye candy and still holds up to this day. I was amazed by how this game still looks and plays fantastic, both visually and technically, this game is a must-own on the Playstation 3 system.

Midnight Club: Los Angeles


2008
About
Release Date
October 20, 2008
Developer
Rockstar San Diego
Publisher
Rockstar Games
Franchise
Midnight Club
Genre
Arcade Racing
Concept
Modern
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United States
PS3 Releases
2008-10-20
2008-10-24

Midnight Club: Los Angeles is an open-world arcade racing game and marks the fourth game in the Midnight Club series. The game takes place entirely in Los Angeles, providing a huge detailed city to explore while cruising at midnight. Though the game sticks to its predecessor’s formula there are a lot of new things to enjoy such as a day and night cycle, a new weather system, and new driving physics.

A pursuit system is here to keep things heated, police can chase you over any lawbreaking. You have the choice to slow down and face the consequences of your behaviors, or of course, run and enjoy the chase. The game offers 43 cars to unlock, in addition, there are also 4 motorcycles to ride, while the graphics are a bit outdated for my taste the gameplay covers up for it offering an exciting ride to enjoy.

DiRT® 3™


2011
About
Release Date
May 24, 2011
Developer
Codemasters
Publisher
Codemasters
Franchise
Colin McRae Rally / DiRT
Genre
Arcade Racing
Concept
Modern
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
PS3 Releases
2011-05-24
2011-05-26

Dirt 3 is an arcade racing game and serves as the eighth installment in the Colin Mcrae series. The game takes place in several places around the globe as you take a tour of each country completing several challenges.

There are over 50 cars to enjoy if you count the DLCs. Just like its previous predecessor, you can rewind time as you please during the races, up to 5 times this ability can be used depending on the difficulty you choose.  With stunning graphics and responsive tight controls, this is a must-have for off-road racing lovers.

Blur


2010
About
Release Date
May 25, 2010
Developer
Bizarre Creations
Publisher
Activision
Genre
Arcade Racing
Players
Multiplayer, Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
PS3 Releases
2010-05-25
2010-05-28

Blur is a creative arcade racing game, made by the famous studio Bizarre Creation known for its awesome racing games. The game combines elements of a realistic arcade racer and combat kart racing games generating a very creative and new idea.

Over 64 events are available varying from racing, checkpoint, boss battles, and destruction. The game can be played solo or with a friend locally and online, visually the game still looks beautiful and stunning for its age, unfortunately, Blur didn’t get the love that it deserves upon its release but you know, as they say, it’s better late than never.

Wipeout HD


2008
About
Release Date
September 25, 2008
Developer
Studio Liverpool
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Franchise
Wipeout
Genre
Arcade Racing
Concept
Sci-Fi
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
PS3 Releases
2008-09-25
2008-10-29

Wipeout HD is a fast-paced futuristic racing game and marks the eighth installment of the famous Wipeout series. The game takes place in a futuristic setting, where you compete in anti-gravity high-speed racing events.

The game uses the tracks of the previous game and upgrades them to stunning 1080p HD graphics, and smooth 60fps. Five game modes are here to keep you busy varying from standard racing events, tournament mode, time trials, speed lap, and zone mode. The game looks awesome for its age providing a modern look, tight controls, and an enjoyable challenge.

Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends


2012
About
Release Date
July 03, 2012
Developer
Slightly Mad Studios
Publisher
Rombax Games
Franchise
Test Drive™
Genre
Simulation Racing
Concepts
Modern, Realistic
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
PS3 Releases
2012-07-03
2012-07-06
2012-08-22

Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends is a simulation racing game and acts as the twentieth game in the Test Drive series. The gameplay is similar to the earlier games in the series offering a realistic perspective. You race on closed-circuit tracks taking several laps to finish, the career mode is divided into eras each era has its own vehicle selection.

The game takes simulation aspects to the hardcore level offering responsive controls, realistic physics, and accurate tracks. Over fifty licensed Ferrari cars are available to unlock through the course of career mode, thirteen tracks are accessible, a few of these tracks can be played through different eras. Graphic wise the game still looks stunning despite its age.

Sega Rally Revo


2007 セガラリーREVO (Sega Rarī REVO)
About
Release Date
September 27, 2007
Developer
SEGA
Publisher
SEGA
Genre
Arcade Racing
Concepts
Modern, Realistic
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
PS3 Releases
2007-09-27
2007-09-28
2007-10-09

Sega Rally Revo is an arcade off-road racing game and marks the fourth installment of the Sega Rally series. The game is far from being realistic focusing totally on arcade gameplay, responsive controls, and stunning colorful visuals, offering a very fun and enjoyable experience.

Sega Rally Revo has over 30 licensed cars divided into different classes, 16 tracks are available in total, some of them can be played in reverse. Tracks terrains offer a huge selection varying from safaris, arctic, canyons, jungles, and more.

Split/Second


2010
About
Release Date
May 18, 2010
Developer
Black Rock Studio
Publisher
Disney Interactive Studios
Genre
Arcade Racing
Concept
Post-Apocalyptic
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
PS3 Releases
2010-05-18
2010-05-21
2010-09-09

Split/Second is an arcade racing game that focuses on combat racing using destruction mechanics. The game takes you on a fictional reality tv show where racers compete on several tracks in which everything is chaotic and destructible.

The main focus of the game is to take on various challenges such as racing, survival, elimination, and many more. You have the ability to trigger special events where you can wreck your opponents to pieces in countless creative ways, this can be done by filling a meter called the power play meter through drifting, jumping, and doing tricks across the race.

Driver™: San Francisco


2011
About
Release Date
August 30, 2011
Developer
Ubisoft Reflections
Publisher
Ubisoft
Franchise
Driver™
Genre
Arcade Racing
Concepts
Modern, Realistic
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
PS3 Releases
2011-08-30
2011-09-01
2011-09-02

Driver San Francisco is an open-world racing game, the game marks the fifth and last installment of the well-known Driver series. The player takes control of John Tanner a police detective who falls into a coma after an accident. John finds himself stuck in the dream world pursuing the same criminal that put him in this situation.

The game differs a lot from its predecessor by removing completely the ability to free-roam on foot, instead, the player can jump from one driver’s mind to the other using an ability called shift. The player participates in different missions including chases, street races, and stunts. The game also offers a fictional representation of San Francisco featuring over 300 km of roads, making the map one of the biggest in the game series. Overall, this is an absolute must-play, especially for the original Driver fans, it’s never too late to pick this up!

Need for Speed™ Carbon


2006
About
Release Date
October 30, 2006
Developer
EA Vancouver
Publisher
Electronic Arts
Franchise
Need for Speed™
Genre
Arcade Racing
Concepts
Modern, Realistic
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
Canada
PS3 Releases
2006-11-16
2007-03-22
2007-03-23

Need For Speed Carbon is an arcade racing game, the game acts as the tenth installment in the Need For Speed series. NFS Carbon takes place in the fictional city of Palmont City, taking place just after the events of Need For Speed Most Wanted.

The player participates in a huge selection of street race events across the city, earning money and fame will allow the player to buy new cars or upgrade owned cars to the maximum performance. The game features over 80 cars to be unlocked,  divided into 3 tiers, the cars are fully customizable including colors, outer looks, and upgrades. The HD consoles version is the best visually including the PS3 offering up to 720p resolution. In a word, Need For Speed Carbon is arguably one of the best Need For Speed games to date, marking a true modern classic.

F1® 2013


2013
About
Release Date
October 04, 2013
Developer
Codemasters
Publisher
Codemasters
Franchise
F1™
Genre
Simulation Racing
Graphics
3D
Perspectives
First-Person, Third-Person
Interaction
Real-Time
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
PS3 Releases
2013-10-04
2013-10-08

F1 2013 deliver the pinnacle of F1 thrill to your home screen, this amazing game collect all the good aspect of its previous games in the series and deliver them in one package. Since it’s tart the F1 series was always aimed toward hardcore fans, the game put a huge emphasis on realism with authentic physics, full licensed content, and brutal challenge if you play on harder difficulties. The game exclusively introduces a new mode under the name of classic mode, this mode allows the player to relive the golden age of F1 racing driving vehicles that dated way back in the 80s.

The PlayStation 3 version also offered amazing visuals at the time, with detailed car models, realistic track environments, and various weather conditions that added to the challenge of the races. I hugely recommend starting with this game if you’re new to the series, if you’re an old fan I recommend starting out with this one and venturing back into previous titles one by one.

MotoGP™ 13 / MotoGP™ 14 / MotoGP™ 15


2013 / 2014 / 2015
About
Full Name
MotoGP™ 13
Release Date
June 17, 2013
Developer
Milestone
Publisher
Milestone
Franchise
MotoGP™
Genre
Simulation Racing
Graphics
3D
Perspective
Third-Person
Interaction
Real-Time
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
Italy
PS3 Releases
2013-06-17
2013-06-21
2013-07-04
About
Full Name
MotoGP™ 14
Release Date
June 20, 2014
Developer
Milestone
Publisher
Milestone
Franchise
MotoGP™
Genre
Simulation Racing
Graphics
3D
Perspective
Third-Person
Interaction
Real-Time
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
Italy
PS3 Releases
2014-06-20
2014-07-17
2014-11-04
About
Full Name
MotoGP™ 15
Release Date
June 24, 2015
Developer
Milestone
Publisher
Milestone
Franchise
MotoGP™
Genre
Simulation Racing
Graphics
3D
Perspective
Third-Person
Interaction
Real-Time
Players
Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
Italy
PS3 Releases
2015-06-24

The MotoGP series has long provided one of the most realistic bike racing games in the gaming industry, providing both a difficult challenge as well as authentic content with fully licensed motorcycles, real-life tracks, and championships. During each race, all three games take full advantage of the Playstation 3 hardware, providing HD visuals, intricate bike designs, and stunning sceneries.

As the final installment on the PlayStation 3, MotoGP 15 is the most full game of the three, with stunning visuals and an enormous boost in content. The career option lets the user begin on a long adventure, customizing their own rider, selecting their own sponsors, and rising through the ranks to become the finest MotoGP rider ever. This mode provided an immersive experience in which player performance influenced contract offers and career advancement.

Furthermore, the player can compete solo on time attacks against the clock, as well as engage in online multiplayer against various players from all over the world. A new element in the career mode allows the user to relive major moments in MotoGP history as a full-fledged rider. Overall, MotoGP is a solid series on the PlayStation 3, this game offers a perfect balance between realism, challenge, and accessibility to please fans of all tastes.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed


2012
About
Release Date
November 16, 2012
Developer
Sumo Digital
Publisher
SEGA
Franchise
Sonic™, Sega All-Stars
Genre
Arcade Racing
Players
Multiplayer, Single Player
Monetization
Buy to Play
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
PS3 Releases
2012-11-16
2012-11-18
2014-05-15

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is an exciting kart racing game, that might have gone under the radar of many racing enthusiasts. Developed by the legendary Sumo Digitals, who are behind many good racing IPs including the legendary Outrun Coast to Coast, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed delivers a solid karting experience merged with the beautiful world of Sega. The game features a diverse roster of iconic Sega characters, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails, and Knuckles, as well as characters from other Sega franchises such as Alex Kidd, Aiai, Ryu Hayabusa, and many more.

Just like other kart racing video games, you’ll participate in many events where you can race and collect various powerups, attacks, and traps to gain the upper hand during each race. The ingenious usage of numerous terrains, where your vehicle will morph based on the terrain you’re on, is what makes this game special. Driving on water, for example, will immediately transform your vehicle into a boat, and flying into the air will likewise automatically transform your vehicle into an airplane.

The game adds more to the package with one of the best tracks I have ever seen on a racing game, taking inspiration from numerous world of Sega games such as Jet Set Radio, Ninja Gaiden, Nights Into Dreams, and so on. All in all, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is the best kart racing game on the Playstation 3 as it provides perfect gameplay and a huge content that will keep players digging for more and more.

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Freecs

A casual gamer who loves everything Nintendo, and swears by arcade racers, platformers, and hack 'n slash games.

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