The PlayStation Portable (PSP) was home to a thrilling collection of racing games, offering gamers the chance to experience high-speed action on the go. From the realism of Gran Turismo to the futuristic thrills of Wipeout Pure, the PSP had it all. Before spoiling this best-of list further, here are seven of the best racers on the PSP.
Best psp racing games
7. Dirt 2
This sim racing game defies expectations on the PSP, proving the platform's capabilities for delivering a console-like experience at the time of its release. This rally and off-road racing game simplifies the simulator details and instead focuses on thrilling races across extreme and diverse landscapes. The game's standout feature is its meticulously crafted locations, offering unique terrains and surfaces that impact the gameplay significantly. Whether racing through Iceland's snowy tundra or navigating desert tracks, Dirt 2 emphasizes the crucial connection between the vehicle and the surface, requiring players to adapt to ever-changing road conditions.
The game excels in capturing the weight and feel of off-road vehicles, emphasizing the need for finesse over raw power. Speeding off the track results in penalties, teaching players that controlled throttle application is key to victory. While some aspects of the game's presentation feel rushed, such as abrupt race starts, and occasional frame rate hiccups, they don't overshadow the overall experience. With multiple game modes, including World Tour, Challenges, and Arcade Mode.
Despite leaning towards the easier side, Dirt 2 maintains a consistent rule set, encouraging players to master throttle control. This results in an engaging and accessible off-road racing experience on the PSP, demonstrating that console-quality releases can be effectively compressed into a portable title without compromising on core gameplay.
6. MotorStorm: Arctic Edge
MotorStorm: Arctic Edge is a visual-fest of a racing game. It is also addictive due to its core gameplay being highlighted and even more accentuated by a high-energy rock soundtrack. This game is like Burnout on Ice.
The heart of the game is the Festival or career mode, where players earn points through races to unlock new vehicles, tracks, and customization options. Races are intense and challenging, featuring multiple paths, hazards, and dynamic weather effects. The graphics are visually appealing, with detailed vehicles, animated scenery, and memorable landmarks on each track. There are eight vehicle types to choose from, each with its unique characteristics.
As mentioned earlier, MotorStorm: Arctic Edge offers a gameplay experience reminiscent of Burnout due to its emphasis on boost management. Effective boost usage is crucial but overusing it can lead to overheating and vehicle explosions, adding depth to the strategy. Despite occasional difficulty spikes, the game's spectacular crashes and high-speed racing keep players engaged. This game’s impressive graphics, addictive gameplay, and variety of options make it a top choice for PSP owners looking for a racing game, providing hours of adrenaline-pumping entertainment.
5. Burnout Legends
Burnout Legends, EA's first venture into non-sports titles on the PSP, functions as a compilation of tracks, cars, and features from previous Burnout console games. Despite recycling content, the game manages to provide an engaging portable racing experience, setting a high standard for the genre. Its graphics boast PS2-level textures and complexity, delivering smooth, colorful visuals. The impeccable damage model and intense crashes contribute to the game's allure, all while maintaining a rock-solid framerate.
In the sound department, the game excels in realistic car sounds and crash effects. However, the music selection, dominated by punk rock, often feels mismatched with the on-screen action. Burnout Legends' gameplay caters to both fans and newcomers, offering a blend of intense racing mechanics and spectacular crashes. The game's career mode spans over 175 races, each with medals and points to unlock content, making it one of the best PSP racers at the time. It immerses players in a thrilling sense of speed and offers diverse tracks with varied tilesets.
Its highly addictive nature, top-notch sense of speed, and arcade-like controls make it a must-play PSP title. The multiplayer, albeit lacking online play, offers enjoyable ad hoc racing experiences for up to six players. Despite these very minor and totally ignorable flaws, the game secures its place as one of the best portable console games and the PSP's premier racer.
4. Need for Speed: Most Wanted 5-1-0
Need for Speed, just like Tony Hawk games, in the 2000s are the bee’s knees. Every single gamer out that time knows these games, especially their killer soundtrack. Now that it is mentioned, racing games do have incredible music, whether you like post-grunge or not.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted 5-1-0 delivers an engaging and visually impressive racing experience, defying the platform's limitations. While the game may not boast a complex storyline, even films like The Fast and the Furious do not have an actual story, its graphics are undeniably remarkable, shining in both cutscenes and in-game environments, making it a visually captivating title for a handheld console.
The sound effects are well-executed, providing a realistic audio backdrop with attention to detail, such as sound variations in tunnels. However, the music selection, dominated by lesser-known artists and lacking variety, may not resonate with everyone.
Controls are a pleasant surprise, offering responsive handling through the analog stick or D-pad. Cars handle smoothly, although the challenge escalates with faster vehicles. The gameplay combines elements from the Underground and Hot Pursuit series, offering diverse race types and challenges. While the story mode follows a relatively straightforward structure, featuring boss races and various race types, the game's varied tracks and shortcuts keep the gameplay fresh. The presence of law enforcement in races magnifies the tension, as the relentless cops can disrupt your progress in multiple ways.
3. Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition
Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition for the PSP is an absolute must-have for car enthusiasts and racing game aficionados alike. Rockstar Games has truly outdone itself with this exceptional title, showcasing some of the most iconic and high-end cars and SUVs in the industry. This game offers an unrivaled gaming experience, excelling in nearly every aspect from graphics to replay value.
The attention to detail on every vehicle is mind-blowing, offering a level of realism that's unparalleled. The urban environments, whether in towns or sprawling cities, are equally impressive. Midnight Club 3 boasts the most stunning graphics seen in any racing game at the time of its release, making it a visual masterpiece that any car enthusiast will appreciate.
Controls and gameplay are well-implemented and executed, respectively. With the option for standard transmission, the controls feel incredibly satisfying and responsive. The gameplay is smooth and adaptable, catering to both casual and hardcore players. The challenge level increases as players progress, with numerous challenges and races to keep you engaged. The customization options for the vehicles, some sort of personalization rarely found in racing games.
2. Gran Turismo: The Real Driving Simulator
Gran Turismo: The Real Driving Simulator is one of the most graphically magnificent games on the PSP. It can be said that it closely resembles Gran Turismo 4 in terms of visuals. Gameplay-wise, this racing game offers a solid racing experience.
The best part of this game is the gameplay loop of earning credits to purchase cars in Arcade Mode. This title also includes a drift mode and a Challenge mode with license test-style missions. There are also various difficulty levels but most importantly, the learning curve is smooth.
With numerous challenges, over 800 cars, and 70+ tracks, the game boasts solid replay value. The production and polish of this game are just off the charts.
1. Wipeout Pure
Where have the futuristic arcade racers gone? It appears that Wipeout Pure represents the last of its kind. Adapting Wipeout to the small screen of the PSP was no easy task, but Studio Liverpool managed to deliver the best-looking game in the series. Until Wipeout 2048 looked spectacular on the OLED screen of the Vita and is the new king of visuals of the franchise.
The neo-urban track environments were visually stunning, enhanced by effective lighting effects. The attention to detail, such as neon lights, shimmering water, and sun glare, showcased the PSP's capabilities. The ships themselves reverted to the classic style, abandoning the unwieldy designs of Fusion. Every ship had its distinct look, harkening back to the series' roots.
While the game still didn't fully recapture the classic "floaty" feel, it significantly enhanced the handling and overall racing experience. The airbrakes remained responsive and, while challenging to master initially, became essential in higher-speed classes. Gravity played a more significant role in the craft's behavior, making navigation on inclined tracks more challenging.
Wipeout Pure toned down the weapon strength, making races less chaotic. Weapons were intended more for disruption than outright destruction, promoting strategic use. The weapons themselves became part of the physics engine, affecting your ship's handling and speed. This is a complete turnaround from Wipeout Fusion's Vigilante 8-like gameplay.