Key recommendations
- The PlayStation 2 had some iconic racing games, from arcade thrills to realistic simulations, offering diverse experiences for players to enjoy.
- Titles like
Jak X: Battle Races
,
Splashdown
and
The Midnight Club 3
left a lasting impact on the PS2 racing game landscape. -
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
has stood out as a top racing simulation game that requires players to strive for excellence and complete various challenges.
With one of the most beloved libraries of video games, the PlayStation 2 was packed with all-time hits and lesser-known gems that made it one of the best-selling consoles in history. So many titles from developers big and small have created memorable experiences that people look back on fondly.
One genre that was very popular during the PS2 era was racing games. From arcade experiences to simulations, there have been plenty of popular racing titles that have left an impact, some of which have led to many sequel racing games. But while there are plenty for players to choose from, only a handful stand out above the rest.
Updated on October 5, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: The PlayStation 2 is a legendary console that served as a giant leap forward from its predecessor, allowing gamers to check out a number of incredible titles that showed the new direction in which gaming is moving. Real-time action and fast-paced gameplay were slowly becoming the norm, and one genre that flourished on this console was racing games. Players loved to reach breakneck speeds and overtake their opponents to take the lead. The best ps2 racing games knew how to use this hardware and allow players to enjoy fun high-speed racing in some great cars.
12 Jak X: Battle Races
Action packed gameplay meets arcade racing for a winning combination
Any racing game with combat as one of its priorities is a great time and Jak X: Battle Races is not an exception. This brilliant game wasted no time in hooking players with a multitude of familiar characters and racing gameplay that is incredibly satisfying.
There were times when the difficulty peaks could get quite overwhelming, but players who put their heads down and used the tools at their disposal effectively were able to defeat most opponents with relative ease. The story mode was a huge bonus that forced players to hone their skills with this game.
11 The Midnight Club: Street Racing
Competitive street racing that is as atmospheric as they come
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance
- Release date: October 26, 2000
- Developers: Angel Studios, Rebellion Developments
It's a shame that Rockstar Studios actually removed it The midnight club series. These racing games allow players to engage in atmospheric races against tough opposition while trying to achieve victory in night races that have been soaked in a well-crafted atmosphere.
For a first outing, The Midnight Club: Street Racing was one of best ps2 racing games, and showed a lot of potential for this franchise. The graphics were impressive and helped the quality of this racing game stand out even more, immersing players in an arcade racing game that was a lot of fun to play.
10 Splashdown
Jet ski racing is a blast
Water racing isn't as popular in video games as it once was in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In that era, a lot of major franchises were made, but one that has slipped under the radar is Splashdown. However, the racing experience published by Atari is one of the best racing games on the PS2.
Players take control of professional jet ski racers as they race across multiple tracks. Like the adjacent jet ski-focused races, Splashdown has players navigate routes by staying on the correct side of the buoys that are placed. A penalty is awarded if players do not stick to the correct path.
9 Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition
An atmospheric racing game made by Rockstar
There was a time when Rockstar used to make racing games with a lot of style. The The midnight club The series may be nothing more than a figment of history at this point, but there was a time when gamers couldn't get enough of this amazing series and the racing goodness it brought to the table.
The Midnight Club 3 was another excellent entry in the series, packed to the brim with three amazing open-world environments to explore. The car collection is impressive and allows players to slowly progress from half-decent vehicles to speed demons that leave most enemies in the dirt.
8 The Midnight Club 2
One of the best street racing games ever
Rockstar is known for implementing great racing mechanics in grand theft auto franchise, but also published their own racing games. During the PS2 era, they published some of the best racing games the console has seen, one of the greatest being The Midnight Club 2.
One of the best open world street racing experiences on PS2, The Midnight Club 2 builds on its predecessor by unlocking three new locations for competitors to explore: Los Angeles, Paris and Tokyo. Additionally, this edition of the game is the first to feature motorcycles, expanding an otherwise solid roster to 31 vehicles.
7 NASCAR Thunder 2002
A racing simulation that is loved by die-hard NASCAR fans
While games surrounding the popular racing product continue to emerge, it has been years since NASCAR has had a consistent run of games from a major publisher. Biggest name to take out NASCAR games is EA, with NASCAR Thunder 2002 being one of the best PS2 racing games EA has released.
First NASCAR game to have the nickname “Thunder”, NASCAR Thunder 2002 offers many modes for those who either want to have a quick race or those who want to play an entire season's worth of races. There is also an extended career mode where players can compete in multiple seasons, as well as a car creation mode that allows players to customize their vehicle.
6 Need For Speed: Underground
One of the best NFS games that fans still love today
Another popular EA racing series is The need for speeda franchise that made a name for itself on the original PlayStation before being released on multiple platforms and becoming such a massive hit that it got a movie adaptation. When looking back at the series, many fans point to Need for Speed: Underground as one of the best.
Although it doesn't come out long after its previous entry, Need for Speed: Underground is considered by many to be a reboot as it shifts the focus of the franchise from high-end sports cars to vehicles from the import scene. The game is the first in the franchise to have a career mode with a substantial story.
5 Colin McRae Rally 3
Dirty rally racing feels great in this racing simulator
Codemasters has long been a game developer known for its racing titles. They were the creators of many well-known racing franchises that continue to gain entries today. One of the best PS2 racing games they had an active hand in developing is Colin McRae Rally 3.
Taking place after the 2002 World Rally Championship, players can use most of the vehicles used in the massive tournament. In addition, there are numerous customization options to make the vehicle as rugged or as fast as you want it to be. In terms of modes, there are both quick races and three-season tournaments for players to choose from.
4 Burnout Revenge
A stellar entry in a series where wreaking havoc during races is the best part of the game
The Burnout The series combines high-octane racing with spectacular crashes to create a compelling gameplay loop that never ceases to be addictive. Burnout Revenge designed to enhance the established gameplay of the series, allowing players to perform a lot of amazing moves to eliminate opponents and rack up points.
The improvements to the series' formula have been well received, with players able to pull off more flashier destruction than ever before. Burnout RevengeThe enticing gameplay made it a hit on the PS2 that most fans couldn't get enough of.
3 Need For Speed: Underground 2
The first game in the series to feature an open world
The The need for speed the series was already establishing itself as one of the biggest street racing franchises in the world, but it needed to do something more to attract new fans. As open world games slowly become one of the most attractive genres in the industry, EA decided that their flagship racing series needed to take that step as well.
This led to the development Need for Speed: Underground 2one of best ps2 racing games which greatly expanded the scope of the previous title and allowed players to enjoy the first open world in a NFS game. It set the standard for the future The need for speed games would follow, with players loving the free-form exploration of this sandbox while taking on rides that allowed them to experience familiar environments with a new twist.
2 Burnout 3: Elimination
A legendary entry in the Burnout series
Criterion Games, a subsidiary of Electronic Arts, has also made a name for itself creating racing games. But no game from this UK developer is more fondly regarded Burnout 3: Elimination. While there were a handful of Burnout games of the PS2 era, none felt as good as a game about destroying the competition.
Arcade Racer has many modes with different objectives that can be played together in World Tour mode. But the main game mechanics a Take down is how players can race against their opponents while simultaneously trying to run them off the road or destroy their vehicle. From Road Rage mode to Crash mode, the game is all about creating as much destruction as possible with highly detailed collisions never seen in games before.
1 Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
One of the best Gran Turismo games with advanced racing physics
PlayStation didn't have a lot of primary racing franchises, but there was one that stood the test of five console generations. The Gran Turismo franchise is a racing simulation series meant to be a celebration of cars with realistic gameplay. Best Gran Turismo on PS2 it is Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec.
While most games don't force players to attempt 100% completion, Gran Turismo 3 it almost demands it, and the game requires players to complete as many tournaments and individual races as possible to keep earning new vehicles. There are two major modes in the game: Simulation and Arcade.
