5 Best PS4 VR Racing Games of 2020
Virtual reality is finally becoming the big hit people have been waiting for. Gone are the days of over expensive prototypes and lackluster technology. Nowadays, there are multiple different headsets available from a variety of different companies all vying for the VR crown.
Arguably one of the biggest markets for VR right now is gaming, with improvements in graphics and mechanics making virtual reality a far more polished and immersive experience than it ever was before. One particular genre of gaming that is receiving a fair amount of interest is racing, and in this guide, we will be comparing some of the best VR racing games on the market.
| Budget |
|---|
 |
| Gran Turismo Sport |
| 4.5/5.0 |
| Excellent graphics |
| Realistic physics |
| Low price, decent racing sim. |
| Check Amazon |
| Best Value |
|---|
 |
| Assetto Corsa |
| 4.6/5.0 |
| Various drive modes |
| Various race modes |
| Well priced, plenty of content. |
| Check Amazon |
| Top Pick |
|---|
 |
| Project Cars 2 |
| 4.9/5.0 |
| Over 170 licensed cars |
| 12k resolution (PC only) |
| Excellent game, decent price tag. |
| Check Amazon |
What to look for in a VR racing game
Before we get into that, however, let’s take a look at what makes a good racing game. This is a somewhat subjective topic. However, there are still a few key factors to consider when choosing a good racing game.
When looking for a racing game, the first thing you want to consider is the type of game you want to play. For racing games, there tend to be two main categories, those that try to simulate real-life racing as much as possible and those that take a more arcade-like approach.
For true to life racing simulators, you generally want to look for games offering realistic physics and accurate vehicle and circuit modeling. This means cars that are correctly sized in proportion to everything else and tracks that have the correct length and changes in height. You will also want the game to provide accurate handling, simulating the effects of oversteer and understeer, as well as aquaplaning when driving through large pools of water.
For arcade racers, the emphasis is less on creating a true-to-life simulator and more on providing an enjoyable easy-going racing game that anyone that jump on and play. This doesn’t mean arcade racers aren’t difficult, it’s just that they are very much designed to be a game first and foremost.
For this reason, arcade racers are generally seen as the better option for those looking to play casually, as the learning curve required to be good is a lot lower than you would typically find with a racing simulator. Arcade racers also tend to place an emphasis on customization, with extensive aftermarket libraries often being a big selling point.
The type of racing you are looking to do will also be a factor when deciding which game to purchase. Generally speaking, racing simulators tend to focus on real-life circuits, including both race tracks and street tracks.
Arcade racers, on the other hand, are usually more akin to a typical street racing game, where various streets in the game are used to create a circuit. This means that more often than not the circuits used in arcade racers don’t actually exist in real-life, as the towns and cities inside the game are often made-up.
VR Racing Games Comparison Table
| Game Title | Key Features | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Cars 2 |
| PS4, PC | Check Price |
| Assetto Corsa |
| PS4, PC | Check Price |
| Gran Turismo Sport |
| PS4 | Check Price |
| Dirt Rally 2.0 |
| PS4 | Check Price |
| DriveClub |
| PS4 | Check Price |
1. Top Pick: Project Cars 2
Project Cars 2 has fast become one of the most popular racing games available. It’s realistic simulation mechanics coupled with its excellent graphics made it an instant hit with sim racing enthusiasts, and the sequel, Project Cars 2, is even better.
Key Features
Some of the best features of Project Cars 2 include a wide selection of different cars, up to 12k resolution gaming on PC, and the largest track roster ever seen in a racing game. As mentioned, Project Cars 2 also includes the realistic physics and crisp graphics that made the first game so popular.
Project Cars 2 also benefits from providing exceptional handling. This, of course, ties into the physics aspect of the game. However, unlike some games which take things too far, Project Cars 2 seems to get the balance just right. The handling on the original game was decent, but Project Cars 2 takes things to another level.
The game also includes a comprehensive career mode, with a huge selection of races across multiple different classes and car types. Like many racing games, Project Cras 2 also requires you to prove yourself in less powerful cars first, before being able to drive GT cars or other high-end racing vehicles. You can, however, start in any class you choose, allowing you to at least skip certain material if you really aren’t interested.
The online multiplayer has also been improved, which now includes online championships to allow you to really test yourself against other racers. You can also create custom races, which can make for some pretty interesting battles, and there are even added features for broadcasters.
Another huge selling point for the game is its dynamic weather features, which are quite simply stunning. Not only do cars handle differently in various weather conditions, but puddles also form and evaporate according to the weather in real-time. Car tires will even dissipate water creating clear racing lines on the track in wet weather conditions.
If you are a true car enthusiast, you will also no doubt appreciate the sound in this game. All of the cars sound absolutely phenomenal with authentic engine noises, as well as exhaust pops. Tire squeals are also accurate as well as the sounds of collisions and gravel traps.
Availability
Project Cars 2 is available on both PS4 and PC. However, for the best experience, you are going to want to play the game on a PC. the reason for this is that if you have a powerful enough machine, you will be able to run the game at 12k, which is pretty ridiculous even in virtual reality.
Playing the game at this resolution makes for some impressive viewing and it gives you a much more immersive experience as well. PC’s also benefit from being compatible with a lot of high-end equipment, which is especially useful if you are looking to build a proper racing simulator setup.
Rating: 4.9/5.0
Project Cars 2 is an almost flawless game with impressive visuals and a larger pool of content to work through, which should keep you entertained for hours on end. The game also comes packed with impressive esports features, allowing you to take your racing to the next level should you wish to do so.
| Specs |
|---|
Key Features:
|
Availability:
|
| Pros |
|---|
| Excellent range of cars |
| Superb resolution options on PC |
| Large number of tracks |
| Excellent simulation features |
| Excellent availability |
| Cons |
|---|
| none |
2. Best Value: Assetto Corsa
Assetto Corsa is a somewhat older racing game compared to the other options in this guide. However, it provides good value for money and has a lot of decent features that still hold up against today’s big titles. The game isn’t as polished as some of the other options, but it does have a few quirks up its sleeve that still manage to make it appealing nonetheless. The game is also a decent racing simulator in terms of physics and handling, making it a good game in terms of realism.
Key Features
Assetto Corsa isn’t blessed with the large number of cars and tracks you will find in a game such as Project Cars 2, but it does include over 100 fantastic vehicles, as well as many famous tracks from all over the world. There are also various race modes available in the game, as well as drive modes that allow you to set different tuning and driver-assist profiles.
One of the main draws of Assetto Corsa is the emphasis it puts on the cars themselves. Unlike some other racing sims, it is clear that Assetto Corsa wants you to really appreciate each car in all its beauty. This is evident in the amount of work that has gone into making each car look as much like the real thing as possible, with excellent modeling work put into each and every one of them. The graphics aren’t as crisp as you will find on some of the other games we are featuring, but there is something about them that is rather endearing nonetheless.
The game is notoriously difficult for newcomers, however, with many gamers often needing to rely on at least some of the driver assists when first playing the game. These can, of course, be turned down or completely off over time as you get more comfortable with the game quirks and race mechanics.
Assetto Corsa also provides a high degree of realism, with cars handling as you would expect them to in real life. The game also does well to represent the physics of real racing with cars visibly moving around as the weight shifts around a corner, as well as sliding when you get things right on the limit.
Another unique aspect of the game is that Assetto Corsa supports a variety of third-party content, meaning additional tracks and other content can be added to the game by different developers. This is an excellent feature for the game, as it allows gamers to have an increased impact on the game and the features it provides.
Assetto Corsa is also a game with a large fanbase despite its age, which is in part due to its modding platform. This means that unlike some games which have a life cycle of around a year or two, Assetto Corsa looks like a game that will be popular for quite a while. This makes it a great option if you are looking to stick with and master one racing sim, as the game continues to grow even today.
Availability
Assetto Corsa is available on both PS4 and PC and supports VR on both platforms. You can also pick up the game on Xbox One. However, with no dedicated VR support on that console, you will be forced to play the game in its regular format.
Like with Project Cars 2, we recommend playing the game on PC if possible, as this will allow you to make the most of the graphics provided your specs are high enough. The game still looks decent on console, of course, but it doesn’t quite compare to the experience you can have on a powerful PC.
Rating: 4.6/5.0
If it wasn’t for the ability to add mods this game would probably have a lower score. However, the game remains a popular option with gamers and is still a competent racing sim even by today’s standards. Assetto Corsa is also showing no signs of slowing down, meaning it should be a game you can enjoy for years to come.
| Specs |
|---|
Key Features:
|
Availability:
|
| Pros |
|---|
| Decent range of cars |
| Large number of tracks |
| Excellent simulation features |
| Plenty of content to work through and enjoy |
| Excellent availability |
| Cons |
|---|
| none |
3. Best Budget: Gran Turismo Sport
Gran Turismo has been a mainstay in the world of racing games for years, with Gran Turismo Sport becoming the franchise’s first title to be available in VR. The game itself is yet another masterpiece in the series, featuring a huge selection of cars, as well as numerous tracks and other content.
Key Features
With over 330 different cars available in the game, Gran Turismo Sport boasts the largest roster of vehicles of any of the options in this guide and by some margin. This gives you plenty of options when it comes to choosing the type of car you wish to race, as well as the ability to drive most if not all of your favorite cars.
The game is also extremely well built, with superb graphics and polished physics, making it an absolute joy to play both casually and competitively. It isn’t as flamboyant as some of the other racing games out there, but if you are looking for a reliable, refined alternative, Gran Turismo Sport is a decent option to consider.
One downside to the game that we have to mention, however, is that the game has a clear focus on its online multiplayer. This isn’t so much of an issue if you are mainly interested in racing against other players, but for those who enjoy a meaty single-player career mode, this game might fall short of expectations.
The career mode does provide a great way to learn about the various nuances of the game though, such as how different types of cars handle and move about, especially when cornering. At the same time, however, the game lacks the same dynamic weather features found in the likes of Project Cars 2, and while engine and exhaust sounds are decent, they still don’t quite compare either.
As for the online multiplayer, we have to say that it holds up very well compared to its competition. Alongside scheduled championships, drivers are also treated to daily races which rotate hourly. This makes for some great racing, as the scheduled nature of the multiplayer means you are often part of a packed lobby with plenty of other drivers.
The game also includes a ‘Sportsmanship Rating’ to help tackle aggressive drivers, meaning that once your rating is high enough you should stop coming up against disrespectful players. This feature is a great addition to the game as it means true racers can properly enjoy racing each other, without needing to dodge over-ambitious, or downright dirty players.
Availability
Gran Turismo Sport is developed by Polyphony Digital exclusively for PS4, meaning that, unfortunately, you won’t be able to find this game on PC. This isn’t the end of the world, of course, but it does mean you will need to invest in a console if you don’t already have one.
Fortunately, however, PS4 comes with a very competent VR headset, meaning you will still be able to enjoy the various nuances of this game in virtual reality. The headset is usually sold separately though unless you are able to purchase it as part of a bundle.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Gran Turismo Sport isn’t the best racing game in this guide, but it still shows a lot of promise with excellent online features and the hallmarks of a great racing sim. Its lack of availability on PC does let it down a little bit, however, and the career mode could also do with an improvement.
| Specs |
|---|
Key Features:
|
| Availability: PS4 |
| Pros |
|---|
| Excellent range of cars |
| Large number of tracks |
| Excellent simulation features |
| Cons |
|---|
| Only available on PS4 |
4. Dirt Rally 2.0
View on AmazonDirt Rally 2.0 is a somewhat different type of game compared to the other options we have looked at, with its focus very much on rallying rather than conventional circuit racing. This puts it in a relatively niche market compared to the other games in this guide, but it is still a great game in its own right.
Key Features
Dirt Rally 2.0 has done a fantastic job of recreating the world of rallying, with over 50 iconic rally cars to choose from, as well as six full rallies with over 70 stages. The game also features official World Rallycross content, which adds a significant degree of realism to the experience, especially in VR.
Another aspect of the game that is often lauded is the amount of depth available to you when upgrading and tuning your vehicles. The game also provides stunning graphics in all weathers, with rain impairing visibility at times, and sunlight beaming down to light up the road ahead. Night rallies are also very entertaining, creating stunning visuals of nearby towns and cities when high up in hills or mountains.
Another great feature of Dirt Rally 2.0 is its ability to let you add another person to your game as a co-driver. This is an excellent feature to have when playing with friends, and it is great to see the game implementing such an important aspect of rallying in an effective way.
One of the more interesting features in the game is its ability to change the difficulty of the AI with a slider. Usually, most games offer a bunch of preset difficulties for you to choose from. However, Dirt Rally 2.0 has opted for a slider instead. This means that you can adjust the AI difficulty to exactly how you want it, allowing you to progress at a rate that suits you.
One thing we would say is that the game is definitely more enjoyable with a wheel rather than a gaming pad. It is certainly playable with a pad, but the increased realism you experience with a wheel or full-on driving rig is hard to ignore.
The other reason we recommend using a wheel is that the game is notoriously difficult. Being a rally sim, the way you drive the cars is completely different to how you would if you were racing on circuits. This alone can make things tough if you are unfamiliar with rallying. However, on top of this, you also have to contend with the fact that Codemasters has tried to make this game fairly realistic, which adds yet another layer of difficulty to an already tricky game.
Availability
Dirt Rally 2.0 is available on both PS4 and Xbox One, as well as PC. For VR, however, you will of course need to be either on PS4 or PC. For best results, we recommend a PC, due to the potential of better graphics and a better VR headset. However, the game runs on PS4 just fine and the visuals aren’t compromised too much.
Rating: 4.7/5.0
This game is difficult to judge against the competition, as it is somewhat in a class of its own compared to the other games in this guide. As a rally sim, it performs very well with great graphics and physics elements, as well as plenty of content to work through. The career mode does fall a little bit short of expectation though, and for that reason, we have opted against giving it a higher score.
| Specs |
|---|
Key Features:
|
| Availability: PS4 |
| Pros |
|---|
| Decent range of cars |
| Large pool of content |
| In-depth tuning features are superb |
| Excellent simulation features |
| Cons |
|---|
| Only available on PS4 |
5. DriveClub
View on AmazonThe last game in this guide is DriveClub. This game received a lot of hype when it was first released back in 2014. However, its popularity has somewhat diminished in recent years, with the online servers for the game actually shut down earlier this year. Despite this, the game is still an enjoyable single-player racer. Although, you will probably want to pick something else if you are anything more than a casual gamer.
Key features
DriveClub is a game that was renowned for its incredible graphics and realistic physics. In 2020, this remains the case. However, it is important to note that many other games have caught up and even surpassed it at this point. Having said that, the game still holds its own in this department rather admirably at least for the time being.
The game also features a large roster of cars and tracks. However, given the age of the game, it, of course, lacks some of the more modern vehicles found in newer racing sims. There are still plenty of cars to enjoy though, and each of them has been modeled with a lot of attention to detail.
The game doesn’t feature real tracks, however, which is a bit of a shame. It means that unfortunately, you won’t be able to race around classic circuits such as Spa or Monza. Instead, you are left with unique tracks developed solely for the game itself. This isn’t the end of the world, as many of the tracks are very enjoyable to race on, but it would have been nice to see some real tracks featured nonetheless.
One aspect where the game excels is in its Photo mode. This mode lets you take photos of your car while driving and the results are truly stunning. The images take a good few seconds to render, but once they do the results are pretty spectacular.
As for the career mode, it’s good but not amazing. There is still plenty of content to work through and plenty of interesting races. However, it doesn’t quite match the career modes being put out by a lot of other games at the moment.
Availability
DriveClub is exclusively available on PS4, meaning you will need to be using the PSVR headset in order to experience the game in virtual reality. This means that if you are a PC gamer, you are unfortunately out of luck when it comes to DriveClub unless you are willing to invest in a PS4, which hardly seems worth it for one game.
Rating: 4.4/5.0
DriveClub is a competent racing simulator for its time, but in truth, there are a lot of better alternatives now available. The lack of an online multiplayer is also a massive blow to the game, as this was arguably the main selling point of DriveClub when it was initially released.
| Specs |
|---|
Key Features:
|
| Availability: PS4 |
| Pros |
|---|
| Decent range of cars |
| Large pool of content |
| Excellent graphics |
| Excellent simulation features |
| Cons |
|---|
| Only available on PS4 |
Contents
- What to look for in a VR racing game
- VR Racing Games Comparison Table
- 1. Top Pick: Project Cars 2
- Key Features
- Availability
- 2. Best Value: Assetto Corsa
- Key Features
- Availability
- 3. Best Budget: Gran Turismo Sport
- Key Features
- Availability
- 4. Dirt Rally 2.0
- Key Features
- Availability
- 5. DriveClub
- Key features
- Availability