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This guide covers the best racing games you could play on PlayStation 5 during 2021, not only games released that year. There was no standardized head-to-head test behind these picks, so treat them as a guide to different racing styles rather than a measured ranking. For a licensed Formula 1 career, try F1 2021; for arcade racing and track building, Hot Wheels Unleashed stands out; and rally fans should look at WRC 10.
Best PS5 racing games available in 2021
| Game | Best fit | What distinguishes it |
|---|---|---|
| F1 2021 | Formula 1 fans and career players | Licensed F1 racing, story and career modes, split-screen and online play |
| Hot Wheels Unleashed | Arcade racing and creative track building | Toy-car presentation and a course editor |
| WRC 10 | Rally fans | Rally focus, DualSense feedback and historic rally challenges |
| Gran Turismo Sport | Players seeking structured online competition | Scheduled Sport mode races and a growing car selection, as described by TopGear.com in its 2021 guide |
| Wreckfest | A further contemporary recommendation | Included in TopGear.com’s five must-play PS5 racing games; the available description does not establish more detail about its modes |
These are different kinds of recommendations, not interchangeable entries in a performance ranking. TopGear.com included F1 2021, Hot Wheels Unleashed, WRC 10, Gran Turismo Sport and Wreckfest in its contemporary December 2021 PS5 guide. Separately, PlayStation Universe’s staff awards named Hot Wheels Unleashed its best racing game of 2021, with F1 2021 second and WRC 10 third. That is one publication’s editorial selection, not a universal industry verdict. (PlayStation Universe, December 17, 2021.)
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Gran Turismo 7 Standard Edition - PlayStation 5 | $42.65 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Wreckfest (PS5) | $24.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Rennsport - PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition - PlayStation 5 | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Which game suits your racing style?
Choose F1 2021 for Formula 1 career modes
F1 2021 is the natural choice for players who want the official Formula 1 championship and multiple ways to build a season around it. PlayStation’s listing includes the Braking Point story, two-player Career, Real-Season Start, My Team, split-screen and online modes. The official page gives its release date as July 16, 2021. (PlayStation: F1 2021.)
For PS5, PlayStation lists support for up to 120 FPS with a compatible display, haptic trigger feedback, ray-traced replays, improved loading and 3D Audio. These are platform features listed by the publisher, not results from a cross-game performance test.
#1 Best Overall
- With the return of classic cars, iconic tracks, and fan-favourite modes like GT Simulation and Sport Mode - Gran Turismo 7 is the complete Real Driving Simulator, 25 years in the making.
- Find your line. Whether you're a racer, collector, tuner, designer, photographer or arcade fan - immerse yourself in the facets of automotive culture that matter most to you.
- Connect and compete. Join an international community of drivers to share race strategies, tuning tips, livery designs and photos, before taking to the track to go head-to-head.
Choose Hot Wheels Unleashed for arcade racing and track creation
If building courses matters as much as racing them, Hot Wheels Unleashed is the clearest fit in this shortlist. TopGear.com highlighted its toy-car presentation and course editor, while PlayStation Universe selected it as its 2021 racing-game award winner. Both are editorial assessments; neither establishes a measured advantage over the other games.
Choose WRC 10 for rallying and historic challenges
WRC 10 brings a rally focus rather than Formula 1 circuits or arcade-style track building. TopGear.com recommended the PS5 edition and called attention to DualSense feedback and historic rally challenges. PlayStation Universe placed it third in its 2021 racing-game award.
Rank #2
- READY, SET, WARP! Race across 24 tracks and warp to 15 CrossWorlds with Travel Rings, a unique gameplay mechanic that transports the iconic characters from the Sonic and SEGA universes into new dimensions. Use unpredictability to your advantage as you change the landscape of each race!
- RACE WITH THE BEST! Choose from 23 iconic Sonic characters, the largest roster of any Sonic racing game!
- MAKE IT YOURS: Mix and match between 45 unique original vehicles and 70 different gadgets to trick out your ride, level up your kart, and create the ultimate machine to match your racing style.
- GAIN THE ADVANTAGE WITH POWERFUL ITEMS! Dominate your opponents with 23 different items including returning favorites and all-new items like the Monster Truck!
- MULTIPLE WAYS TO PLAY: Gather with friends and play local split-screen in Grand Prix and the new party mode Race Park, compete against a community of players from around the world with up to 12 players online in World Match, or test your driving skills in Time Trials.
Choose Gran Turismo Sport for scheduled online races
TopGear.com described Gran Turismo Sport’s Sport mode as a way to give online competition structure through scheduled races, and noted its growing car selection. That characterization comes from the guide’s author; it is not a comparative assessment of online matchmaking across all five games.
Consider Wreckfest as another year-end pick
Wreckfest appeared in TopGear.com’s contemporary list of five must-play PS5 racing games. The available description does not provide enough detail to compare its modes, handling or features with the other choices, so it is best treated as an additional recommendation rather than a fully characterized alternative.
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- Awesome cars - old, banged-up, patched-together cars that simply ooze style! From old American heavy-hitters to agile Europeans and fun Asians, you won't find anything like this in other gamesMeaningful customization - change not only the look of your cars but also upgrade their body armor!
- Multiplayer - wreck your friends online and take racing to the limit while chasing for Demolition dominance!
- Challenge modes - have hilarious fun with crop harvesters, lawns mowers, school buses, three-wheelers and more!
- 1 player game Network Players 2-16 - Full game requires PlayStation Plus membership to access online multiplayer
Does “of 2021” mean released that year?
Not in this guide: it means games recommended for PS5 players during calendar year 2021, including games already available on the console. The distinction matters. PlayStation lists F1 2021 as released on July 16, 2021, but the shortlist also includes Gran Turismo Sport, which TopGear.com recommended as a game to play on PS5 rather than identifying it as a 2021 release.
Gran Turismo 7 should not be counted as a 2021 release. PlayStation’s 2021 announcement gave its release date as March 4, 2022, and the PlayStation Store listing also shows that 2022 date. (PlayStation announcement; PlayStation Store listing.)
Quick Recap
Best Value
- High-Speed, Adrenaline-Fueled Arcade Racing - Race across high-intensity tracks in licensed supercars with cinematic style, drifting, nitro boosts, and precision driving that captures the thrill of the original arcade classic.
- The Top Tier Arcade Racer, Brought to Console - Experience the full-throttle thrills of the arcade game at home, now optimized for consoles and with the same explosive action that made the original a fan favorite in arcades.
- Race Iconic Vehicles - Hit the road in 8 legendary cars including the Dodge Charger, Corvette Z06, Shelby GT500 KR, Ford GT, Bronco DR, Jeep Wrangler, and more.
- Customize Your Look, Your Way - Style your ride with custom vehicle color schemes that let you stand out on the track and represent your personality.
- Race Together in Local Multiplayer - Grab a friend and hit the track with 2 players in split-screen local multiplayer, bringing the arcade rivalry home with side-by-side action and nonstop competition.
Rank #4
- ULTRA-PRECISE / ULTRA-REALISTIC: Every single detail is crafted with meticulous precision, from ultra-realistic physics to lifelike car models and authentic sound down to the exhaust note. RENNSPORT delivers an authentic racing experience, developed in close collaboration with car manufacturers and professional drivers to ensure all cars look, feel, and drive true to life.
- MORE THAN 14 OFFICIAL TRACKS: Travel the globe and master legendary, laser-scanned tracks such as Spa-Francorchamps, Nürburgring, Daytona, and Fuji International Speedway. Then take on unique community content like Crest Da Cauras and Singapore’s Orchard Road, each offering demanding layouts and breathtaking scenery.
- MULTIPLE CARS INCLUDED: Get behind the wheel of fan-favorite GT3s like the Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) and Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, or push cutting-edge hypercars like the BMW M Hybrid V8.
- ONLINE MULTIPLAYER (2 - 24 PLAYERS): Join online leagues, special events, and improve your racecraft by facing AI in our Championship mode or chasing down milliseconds on the global Time Trial leaderboards.
- CROSSPLAY (PC / XBOX / PS5): Compete with friends or face your rivals across all supported platforms through native cross-play. *RENNSPORT requires internet connection to play.
How to choose among them
- Pick your discipline first: Formula 1, rallying, arcade racing and scheduled online competition are distinct experiences in this list.
- Decide whether you want a career or a creative tool: F1 2021 offers several career and story modes; Hot Wheels Unleashed is the pick noted for its course editor.
- Check who you plan to play with: PlayStation lists both split-screen and online modes for F1 2021. The cited descriptions do not provide equivalent detail for every other game.
- Consider controller features where documented: PlayStation lists PS5-specific features for F1 2021, and TopGear.com highlighted DualSense feedback in WRC 10.
- Separate a year-end recommendation from a release-year claim: a game could be a strong PS5 pick in 2021 without having launched that year.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
