Unrivaled console graphics… Racing wheel support… Virtual reality… PS4 racing games are the future of console racing, and there are a ton of games coming out that will fulfill that need for speed (and none of them are actually Need for Speed). From the newest iteration in the Gran Turismo franchise to unique concepts like BlazeRush, PS4 gamers will finally have something to play that isn’t Drive Club or NFS, and that is definitely something to be excited about. I picked the 5 best upcoming racing games that any driving fan should be excited about, each of which will be examined below…
Gran Turismo Sport
GT7 has been announced, but it’s still a long way off, and we don’t know a lot about it. We do know, however, about Gran Turismo Sport, which is due in 2016. GT Sport features three unique modes and is sponsored by the FIA, which means that it’ll be very competitive. GT is less arcade and more sim, with players being able to represent their favorite car manufacturer or their home country, with tournament winners being recognized internationally. Real money can be won by good GT drivers, so Sport is definitely getting a lot of attention.
DiRT Rally
If you’re more into off-road racing, DiRT Rally is going to be the game for you. Having already been released to rave reviews on the PC, DR is coming to PS4 to show off the incredible graphics and intense rally challenge that the title has already become known for. From head-to-head races through snowy Finland to time trials through the forests of Germany, DiRT’s realistic rally experience promises to provide hours of adrenaline-fueled entertainment.
BlazeRush
BlazeRush is an incredibly unique racing experience for two big reasons. The first is the fact that the game is played from an isometric point of view (think Diablo or your MOBA of choice), and the second is the fact that you get to use weapons. Yep, that’s right, this is more Twisted Metal than racing-sim, and that’s definitely not a bad thing. If you’re more into machine guns than finding the perfect racing line, this is going to be the game for you.
TrackMania Turbo
There is no better modern game to define “arcade racing” than TrackMania. Instead of head-to-head racing, TrackMania Turbo is all about time-trials… you can strive to beat your best time or race to beat the best TrackMania driver in the world, and you’ll be doing it across the 200 tracks in the base game or over a track that you design yourself. The 90’s are alive in TrackMania Turbo, from neon signage to the “insert coin” screens that will flash at the beginning of a race. There’s truly nothing like TT in the modern world of gaming, so this’ll be a good title to pick up if you’re a racing fan.
Flatout 4: Total Insanity
If you’re the type of person that only watches NASCAR for the crashes, then Flatout 4 is a game to look out for. The core of this game is destruction, and so you’ll be participating in demolition derbies and races where wrecking other cars is way more important than maintaining a clean run to the finish line. The physics have been fantastic in past Flatout titles, making crashes just as destructive and devastating as they are in real life… only without any real life pain.
Project CARS 2
Project CARS has become one of the highest rated and most popular racing sims in the modern world, and the sequel promises to raise the bar even higher. With the introduction to rally racing and a bigger focus on social interaction, Project CARS 2 may very well be the deepest racing experience on current-gen consoles. The release date is in the air, but one thing is for certain- if you’re looking for a diverse, customizable racing simulation, Project CARS 2 is going to be the game for you.
Bonus: a New Burnout?
Burnout Paradise was an incredibly fun experience, but both developer Criterion and publisher EA have been dismissive about a new title in the popular franchise. However, former Criterion devs have recently been teasing via Twitter that something akin to Burnout is in the works, though they’ve called it more of a “spiritual successor.” Still, anything like Burnout would be a welcome addition to many PS4 gamers’ libraries.
Has this article inspired you to invest in a racing wheel? Which racing titles are you most excited about? Leave your comments down below.
I’m Nate, PS4 gamer and freelance writer from Denver… I like to game, obviously, as well as hike and camp and all of that stereotypical stuff! My favorite game of all time is GTA: San Andreas, but I love playing Diablo 3 with my girlfriend!