The PS3 era was famous for its amazing racing games, boasting what felt like photorealistic graphics at the time, but many of which have not stood the test of time. However, some games are successful, and can pass as new releases at first glance. What these games may have lacked in technology, they made up for in style, and it’s a shame to see how the genre has regressed in so many ways compared to the PS3’s golden era of racing.
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From open world maps to explore for hours to more competitive and racing-focused titles, the PS3 era was not short on racing gems, and whittling down a definitive top ten was no easy task. That said, these are outstanding titles that wouldn’t look like modern storefronts, and from which new racing developers can learn a lot.
10
GRID 2
The Art of Song Design
The GRID series is one of the reasons why the racing brand has such a great reputation for visual reliability. Towards the end of the PS3 era, GRID 2 really showed what the hardware was capable of handling with incredibly detailed and graphical renderings of several real-world locations.
The atmosphere in places like Chicago or Japan was completely different back then, and GRID 2 does a great job of letting its cars and tracks do the talking. The game has some interesting off-track content too, and a real sense of progression as you upgrade both your garage and the cars inside it.
9
Fading
Chaos at Every Chance
If you’ve ever wondered what a life-like Mario Kart race might look like using classic and modern supercars, Blur is the answer. This arcade racer was unlike many others of the time that strived to go beyond realistic physics and simulation. Instead, the blur is based on the crazy elements of dynamic running games, attacking, and emphasizing combat.
The purity of the race was not the goal here, and your goal was usually to beat the other racers by destroying them rather than taking them out. Visually, the game doesn’t say anything about the art of its time. The graphics still hold up today and look better than most modern arcade racers.
8
Pollution 2
Immersive Arcade Classic
Colin McRae’s DiRT2 was one of the most atmospheric and visually stunning of its time, but it’s amazing how it still holds up today, especially on tracks like Croatia and Battersea. Although the racing was arcade-y and the main job would have you go from rally cars to super trucks and everything in between, the undeniable atmosphere of the 2000s is something that can never be replicated.
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One area where the game really influenced the genre was its immersion. Between races, you can test your motorhome in the paddock and get a real feel of being a professional driver touring the world. Sadly, it’s a feature we don’t get enough of in modern titles.
7
A motorcycle
That’s What The Title Suggests
If you’re a realism purist, look away now. Motorstorm is what you get when you combine the likes of DiRT and Mad Max with a Star Wars podrace. It was ridiculous, chaotic, unbelievable, and a lot of fun. Set in the fictional desert of ‘Monument Valley’, this game offers you to race all kinds of vehicles, from wagons to dirt bikes, quads to big rigs – often against each other in the same event.
The results were, as you would expect, very busy. Part of the real fun of the game was the variety of vehicles, and that something as nimble as a motorcycle would have to avoid larger vehicles and avoid collisions, while a reverse strategy would be possible when it was your turn to use four wheels. Easy to read but hard to understand, Motorstorm Racing still inspires many modern racers in the style of the theater, and its unique setting also makes it a cult favorite among racing fans.
6
MX vs. ATV Supercross
Best MX Experience
The MV vs ATV series has always managed to strike a balance between realistic physics and arcade racing. MX vs. ATV Supercross is no exception, and despite not being the most popular title in the series, it is certainly one of the best of the PS3 era. While it may not be as realistic as the official Monster Energy Supercross games, MX vs. ATV Supercross was actually one of the best SX games of its time.
Even today, it can hold its own against the likes of MXGP Pro and the latest MXGP games. Although features such as real world degradation or dynamic weather haven’t been introduced yet, this title has great jump physics and smooth rider animations. If you’ve just seen the short clip, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was released within the last 3–5 years.
5
Hot Paradise
Racing Dream
It’s hard to think of a game that helped pioneer the open world racing genre more than Burnout Paradise during the PS3 era. Rather than being modern simulations of real-world locations, Burnout Paradise takes place in the fictional Paradise City, built specifically for the chaos of racing above all else.
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As you progress throughout the game world and acquire new licenses and vehicle types, you quickly realize how much variety the game world has to offer. From steep jumps and tight tunnels to open highways and rally-style mountain tracks, there’s plenty to keep you busy in Paradise City. The hand-crafted world also made for great racing, with multiple lanes and obstacles allowing for more creative gameplay.
4
Need for Speed Rivals
Kicking Back in Style
Widely considered to be the most divisive game in the Need For Speed franchise, Need For Speed Rivals was a latecomer to the PS3 and came after the disappointing 2012 version of Need For Speed: Most Wanted. Comparing the two titles is really like comparing chalk and cheese, as Rivals looks like it was released ten years later than just one.
With stunning visuals that wouldn’t look out of place on the PlayStation 5, this game uses the Frostbite Engine to deliver a chaotic, but still stable one of the most intense races imaginable. The physics of driving and crashing, and the beautiful scenery make this an overlooked classic, and one that still holds up to modern standards.
3
Gran Turismo 5
Iconic Racing Gem
The Gran Turismo series has long been one of the defining titles in the racing genre, and Gran Turismo 5 is widely regarded as the best of the PS3 era. With some of the best looking tracks we’ve seen in any game to date, the game really goes the extra mile to bring an atmospheric feel to each of its locations. The fans feel real instead of just cut and paste backgrounds, and many of the game’s tracks are modeled after their real-world counterparts.
One of the most underrated features of the game was cinematic replay, which, for my money, is one of the best in any racing game. In addition, the variety of cars and tracks, even the inclusion of karts, and their very different handling characteristics are what make Gran Turismo 5 stand out in its era.
2
Check out Drive Unlimited 2
Unlimited Possibilities
There’s a reason why Test Drive Unlimited 2 is considered one of the best open world games of all time, not just open world racing games, but open world, period. With great visuals, an amazing and deep story mode and a lot of player freedom and customization, it’s a shame that many games still don’t want to replicate it, and that the latest follow-up, Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown, is largely considered a disappointment compared to this gem.
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Although Test Drive Unlimited 2 set the benchmark for open world racing games, its driving physics were not as good as some of its competitors. However, it is still remembered as a legend of the PS3 era and many consider it among their favorite racing games of all time.
1
Midnight Club: Los Angeles
Classic in The City of Angels
Arguably the greatest racing game of its generation, and one that still holds up to modern standards, Rockstar Games’ Midnight Club: LA This open-world classic that allowed players to roam a realistic version of Los Angeles was one of the best arcade-style racers of its era.
On top of the racing action and great visuals, Midnight Club: LA also features an extensive car layout, the likes of which we rarely see even in modern titles. What made the game so interesting was the way it combined racing and police chases with what felt like a rewarding and important progression system.
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