Every racing game on PlayStation Now

Initially launched as an Open Beta in 2014, PlayStation Now was a video game streaming service a good seven years ahead of its time – and some would argue, that remains the case even now in 2022.

Originally touted as a way of playing PlayStation 3 games on Bravia televisions and the PlayStation Vita, it morphed into a monthly or yearly subscription service that had some steaming games and some available to download and still exists on PlayStation 4 and 5.

But, its library has been stagnant for a long time, but only small updates every month mostly made up of older titles. As of June 2022, it will officially cease to exist, being rolled into the new PlayStation Plus subscription, which includes Extra and Premium tiers.

It’s that PlayStation Plus Premium tier that sounds as if it will include the PS3 game streaming straight from Now, while the Extra tier may take some inspiration from the existing PS4 game library on Now.

With that in mind, here’s every racing game on PlayStation Now, and their current format and availability, so that we can see what carries across – or not, as the case may be – when the new service arrives in June.

There are 52 racing games on PlayStation Now at present, and the results are more than a bit mixed. There are three Disney Pixar Cars games, but the best one – Cars 3: Driven to Win – is notable only by its absence. Plus, are you really going to play through three sub-far, outdated, Cars games?

In a similar vein, there are five MX vs ATV games. I just don’t believe even a super-fan will be able to put enough hours into each to justify a subscription, however as a warm-up for the upcoming MX vs ATV Legends, perhaps these will whet your appetite.

I suppose this is a similar gripe to any video game subscription available today. There’s a lot of filler, and the killer is a time sink.

If you’re happy paying per month for access to a variety of games you’d like to dip in and out of, then go for it. But if you really get into a game, or like one or two genres, it’s probably ‘better value’ to just buy those games outright and cancel your recurring payment for 300 games you’ll never touch.

Despite these criticisms, there are some belters on the service. Here are the best…

The best racing games on PlayStation Now

Assetto Corsa

Still heralded by many a sim racer to be the best handling game of all time, the original Assetto Corsa from 2016 may be long in the tooth and the console version may lack mod support – but this is a great PS4 conversion, with still-functioning private lobbies, a single-player career and a varied car and track list.

Danger Zone

Former Criterion Games developers split off from the Electronic Arts mothership, found Three Fields Entertainment and create Danger Zone – something that harks back to the original Burnout game’s Crash Mode.

The results are typically explosive if a little shallow. This went on to form the basis of Dangerous Driving, a game we hope receives a sequel.

Daytona USA

DAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYTOOOONA, LET’S GO AWAY. With Trophies, the PS3 re-release. A shame you can only stream it.

MotorStorm Apocalypse and RC

It’s a sad reality that all three of the PS3-era Motorstorm games, plus Motorstorm RC from PS3/PS Vita and Motorstorm Arctic Edge on PSP, are not officially playable in any backwards compatibility capacity. An entire arcade racing series lost to the annals of time and the Cell Broadband Engine.

A crying shame. You can however play the final ‘main’ entry, Apocalypse via streaming on PlayStation Now, alongside the pint-sized remote-controlled car spin-off. Both are excellent games but come on, Pacific Rift is where’s it’s at…

Sébastien Loeb Rally EVO

This was saddled by an inconsistent frame rate – and that’s being kind – and some mediocre content creator opinions, without giving the game a fair shake.

But, overlook the visuals, plug in a steering wheel peripheral, select the DS3 WC and a Sanremo stage. Then come back to me.

Plus, the car variety was better, arguably, than the far more recent DiRT Rally 2.0 and it featured one of the last video game appearances of the Pikes Peak Hillclimb.

Split/Second: Velocity

I don’t need to say more here than Rich’s excellent video, so please watch that instead.

Truck Racer

Aha, bet you didn’t see this one coming. This is a very overlooked game, by Kylotonn in its nascent stages, now of Test Drive Unlimited and WRC fame.

You race trucks, duh. But there’s damage and destruction, a pliant – for the time – handling model and a surprising amount of fun. It’s of its time and not to be confused by an inferior title with the same name on the Wii and PS2.

Valentino Rossi: The Game

I went back to this official MotoGP game recently, which included rally driving and remote-controlled cars, and found it to be charming.

Not a simulator by any stretch, something that MotoGP 22 is aiming for, but a fun title that beguiles you. There’s a lot to be said for the variety and charm on display here.