10 Best PS3 Racing Games that Aged Extremely Well

The PS3 era was famed for its amazing racing games, boasting what felt like photorealistic graphics at the time, but many of which didn't withstand the passage of time. However, some games did, and would even pass as brand-new releases at first glance. What these games might have lacked in technology, they certainly made up for in style, and it's a shame to see how the genre has actually regressed in many ways compared to the PS3 golden era of racing.

From open world maps to explore for hours on end to the more competitive and race-focussed titles, the PS3 era was not short on racing gems, and narrowing down a definitive top ten has been no easy task. With that said, these are the standout titles which wouldn't look out of place in modern storefronts, and from which newer racing developers could learn a lot.

10 GRID 2

A Masterpiece of Track Design

The GRID series is one of the reasons the racing genre has such a good reputation for visual fidelity. Towards the end of the PS3 era, GRID 2 really showed what the hardware was capably of handling with the astonishingly detailed and photorealistic renditions of several real-world locations.

The atmosphere in locations like Chicago or Japan was truly like nothing else at the time, and GRID 2 does an excellent job of letting its cars and tracks do the talking. The game did have some interesting off-track content too, and a genuine sense of progression as you upgrade both your garage and the cars within it.

9 Blur

Chaos at Every Turn

If you ever wondered what a lifelike Mario Kart race might look like using classic and modern supercars, Blur is the answer. This arcade racer wasn't like most others of the time which were striving to move towards more realistic physics and simulation. Instead, Blur leaned into the more crazy elements of racing games with power-ups, attacks, and an emphasis on combat.

Racing clean was definitely not the aim here, and your goal was usually to beat the other racers by destroying them rather than out-braking them. Visually, the game is nothing short of a masterpiece for its time. The graphics still hold up today and even look better than many modern arcade racers.

8 DiRT 2

An Immersive Arcade Classic

Colin McRae's DiRT2 was one of the most atmospheric and visually stunning of it's time, but its surprising just how well it still holds up today, particularly on tracks like Croatia and Battersea. While the racing was very arcade-y and the main career would have you switching from rally cars to monster trucks and everything in between, the unmistakable 2000s atmosphere is something that simply can't be replicated anymore.

One area in which the game really made an impact on the genre was with its immersion. Between races, you could explore your motorhome in the paddock and get a genuine sense of being a professional driver touring the world. Sadly, it's a feature which we don't get enough of in modern titles.

7 Motorstorm

Exactly What the Title Suggests

If you're a realism purist, look away now. Motorstorm was what you'd get if you combined the likes of DiRT with Mad Max and a Star Wars podrace. It was ridiculous, chaotic, unbelievable, and a lot of fun. Set in the fictional desert of 'Monument Valley', this game had you racing all kinds of vehicles, from buggies to dirt bikes, quads to big rigs — often against each other in the same event.

The results were, as you'd expect, extremely hectic. Part of the real fun of the game was the vehicle variety, and how something more nimble like a motorcycle would have to dodge larger vehicles and avoid contact, while the reverse strategy was possible when it was your turn on four wheels. Easy to learn but hard to master, Motorstorm's racing still trumps many of the modern arcade-style racers of today, and its unique setting also makes it a cult classic among race game enthusiasts.

6 MX vs. ATV Supercross

A Surprisingly Good MX Experience

The MV vs ATV series has always managed to strike a fine balance between authentic physics and arcade racing. MX vs. ATV Supercross is no different in this regard, and despite not being the most popular title in the series, it is definitely one of the best from the PS3 era. While it might not be as realistic as the official Monster Energy Supercross games, MX vs. ATV Supercross was really one of the only good SX games of its time.

Even today, it can hold its own visually against the likes of MXGP Pro and the later MXGP games. While elements like realistic terrain deformation or dynamic weather weren't yet introduced, this title has great jump physics and smooth rider animations. If you just saw a brief clip, you'd be forgiven for thinking this had been released within the last 3–5 years.

5 Burnout Paradise

A Racer's Dream

It's hard to think of a game which helped to pioneer the open world racing genre more than Burnout Paradise during the PS3 era. Rather than today's replicas of real-world locations, Burnout Paradise took place in the fictional Paradise City, which was tailor-made for racing chaos above all else.

As you progress throughout the game world and obtain new licenses and car types, you quickly realise just how much variety the game world has to offer. From stunt jumps and tight tunnels to open highways and rally-style mountain routes, there was plenty to keep you busy in Paradise City. The hand-crafted world also made for good racing, with multiple routes and obstacles allowing for more strategic gameplay.

4 Need for Speed Rivals

Bouncing Back in Style

Widely considered the most polarizing game in the Need For Speed franchise, Need For Speed Rivals was a relative latecomer to the PS3 and came in the wake of the disappointing 2012 version of Need For Speed: Most Wanted. Comparing the two titles is really like comparing chalk and cheese, as Rivals looked as though it had released ten years later rather than just one.

With astounding visuals which wouldn't look out of place on a PlayStation 5, this game utilized the Frostbite Engine in order to bring a chaotic, yet still relatively grounded experience with some of the most intense racing you can imagine. The driving and crash physics, as well as the incredible environments make this an iconic underrated classic, and one which most definitely still holds up to modern standards.

3 Gran Turismo 5

An 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 have seen in any game to date, the game really goes the extra mile to bring a sense of atmosphere to each of its locations. Fans feel real rather than just a cut-and-paste backdrop, and many of the game's tracks were modeled on their real-world counterparts.

One of the most underrated features of the game was it's cinematic replays, which, for my money, are some of the best in any racing game. On top of that, the sheer variety of cars and tracks, even the inclusion of karts, and their vastly different handling characteristics are what make Gran Turismo 5 a standout of its era.

2 Test Drive Unlimited 2

Limitless Possibilities

There's a reason why Test Drive Unlimited 2 is regarded as one of the best open world games of all time, not just open world racing games, but open world, period. With great visuals, an awesome and immersive story mode as well as plenty of player freedom and customization, it's a shame that more games haven't sought to replicate it, and that the recent follow-up, Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown, is largely considered a disappointment when compared to this gem.

While Test Drive Unlimited 2 set the benchmark for open world racing games, its driving physics weren't as good as some of its competitors. However, it is still remembered as a legend of the PS3 era and one that many consider among their favorite racing games of all time.

1 Midnight Club: Los Angeles

A Classic in The City of Angels

Arguably the greatest racing game of its generation, and one which most certainly still holds up to modern standards, is Rockstar Games' Midnight Club: L.A. This open world classic that lets players roam around a realistic rendition 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: L.A. also features extensive vehicle customization, the likes of which we rarely see even in modern titles. What made the game even more fun was the way it combined both racing and police chases with what felt like a rewarding and worthwhile progression system.