Growing up, I didn’t much care for racing games outside of Mario Kart. That was until my junior year of high school, when one of my buddies got Gran Turismo. He didn’t just get Gran Turismo, though; he got the entire racing setup, including pedals, a steering wheel, and a shifter. So, we spent hours in his basement taking turns racing sports cars around tracks that we thought were the peak of graphics at the time. Racing games have never been my favorite, but they are a fun reminder of that nostalgic time in my life.
Fast forward to the present day, and my kids know their way around a track. While they aren’t console games, my thirteen-year-old daughter can’t skip the racing games at any arcade we go to. At home, we don’t have the full setup, but we have a healthy selection of racing games. Most of them are kart games, but we are starting to graduate to more mature genre fare. While there are a surprising number of PS5 racing games on the market, the titles I have chosen all do something just special enough to set themselves apart from all the others.
I’ve included the recommended age range for each game, and while this is a list of the best PS5 racing games for kids and teens, I’ve also included other consoles where these games are available.
Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship Is Great For Beginners
Recommended Ages: 3 to 7 years old
What Sets Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship Apart: We went through a massive Paw Patrol phase with my son, so this one has to make the list. While he’s moved on to more mature racing games, we have played many Paw Patrol video games in the past, and they have never let us down. This 2025 release fits perfectly with the Paw Patrol brand. Kids get to take control of their favorite pup as they drive around the track, collect dog treats, and do tricks. Just like every other racing game, the goal is to finish in first place. The difference is that during gameplay, kids hear their favorite Paw Patrol slogans, like “Chase is on the case!”
Why Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship Is Great For Kids: This is truly an amazing introductory racing game for kids because the stakes are low and the controls are simple. Unlike other racing games that require features like handling and even shifting in some cases, this one is as simple as pressing the gas. There are some kart racing elements to the game where players’ vision can sometimes be blocked, and you can crash off the track, but there is little delay before you’re back on the track again. Ultimately, this game is best for this age range because the youngest kids can control the car around the track, while older kids will enjoy more technical elements like power-ups and secret areas.
Also Available on: Xbox and Switch
Matchbox Driving Adventures Combines Story and Racing
Recommended Ages: 6 to 10 years old
What Sets Matchbox Driving Adventures Apart: This combination story and racing game is an excellent choice for kids who aren’t ready for the competition of couch co-op or online racing games. Despite having the Matchbox label, there isn’t much that is distinctly Matchbox about it. That being said, in a genre where there can’t be that much individuality, this game manages to carve out its own niche for young players. It can almost be described as a young kid’s version of GTA. You aren’t stealing cars, but you do crash into them while you drive on highways from one race to the next. You are also required to complete mission-based tasks, such as catching runaway cars and delivering items. The races do have some minor obstacles, but the biggest obstacle during the actual racing is crashing into other cars.
Why Matchbox Driving Adventures is Great for Kids: This game is fantastic because it gives kids more to do than just drive around in circles. The races are short and not too challenging, so it is a great starter game for new racers. Kids will love this game, but parents will enjoy that there is way more replay value, so kids won’t get bored with it a week after they get it.
Also Available On: Xbox and Switch
Garfield Kart: All You Can Drift Is A Showcase Of America’s Favorite Feline
What Sets Garfield Kart: All You Can Drift Apart: Have you ever met someone who doesn’t like Garfield? Who wouldn’t want to take control of everyone’s favorite portly pet or one of his friends? The idea behind Garfield Kart isn’t exactly a fresh one, especially considering the lack of originality in the game. That said, this game is buoyed by the charm of the Garfield universe. It’s very much a classic kart game where players drive around, throwing items at each other in hopes of impeding their forward progress. There is a noticeable update to the graphics in this game compared to its predecessor, but it could still use some polishing.
Why Garfield Kart: All You Can Drift Is Great For Kids: This game’s biggest strength is that it is a bridge from younger racing games to more mature ones. It also has the relatable, relatively tame humor associated with Garfield. Most noticeably, it limits kids’ options so they aren’t as overwhelmed. There is a small selection of characters and tracks to choose from, and though it allows for vehicle customization, it is on par with Mario Kart’s. The tracks are also much less challenging than Mario Kart. If your child isn’t quite ready for the competition level of Mario Kart, this is an excellent beginner game that helps them get the mechanics down.
Also Available On: Xbox and Switch
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged Is Awesome for Kids Who Love Hot Wheels
Recommended Ages: 6 to 14 years old
What Sets Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged Apart: The best way to describe this game is kids getting to be behind the wheel on their favorite Hot Wheels track. It’s really a simple game, but it’s so much fun for kids and adults. Instead of focusing on dodging obstacles from other opponents like in kart games, your main focus is on making sure the track doesn’t take you out. There are booby traps everywhere, just like on real Hot Wheels tracks, because the tracks are based on the real-life toys. There are speed boosts everywhere with massive jumps and loops that feel harrowing. One of the coolest features that this game has that you won’t find in many racing games is the ability for your car to jump by itself (not off a ramp). Most surprisingly, the graphics are excellent for a game that could have mailed them in and still been fun.
Why Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged is Great for Kids: This game is great for everyone. The cars do have different strengths and weaknesses, but that is pretty similar to other kart games. I contend that this game isn’t just great for kids but for everyone who has ever enjoyed Hot Wheels. As a grown man, I will play this game with my son just for the nostalgia, but it’s more than that. Even if you didn’t grow up daydreaming about what it would be like to zip around a Hot Wheels track, you will still enjoy the thrill of doing it. This is probably the universally best racing game because everyone, from small kids to the most serious players, will find joy in it.
Also Available On: Xbox and Switch
Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway Has All The Favorites
Recommended Ages: 7 to 12 years old
What Sets Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway Apart: This may be another Mario Kart knockoff, but it brings many of the kids’ favorite Nickelodeon characters together. Considering this is the third iteration of the game, they must be doing something right. Just like other kart racing games, Slime Speedway is all about racing other characters around the track while trying to impede their progress with various items. What sets this game apart from others is the licensing. Everything is Nickelodeon, from the beloved characters spanning generations of TV, to the item boxes that are the iconic Nickelodeon blimp. Parents may find themselves more into this game than kids, as they get to play as characters from their youth, like Rocko, Ren, and CatDog.
Why Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway Is Great For Kids: Although it has a Mario Kart feel, it isn’t quite Mario Kart. It is a little more watered down, and the power-ups aren’t nearly as aggressive as Mario Kart. This game deserves a slight bump in age range because the mechanics can feel unfair at times and require a bit more maturity. There can also be a lag in frame rate every once in a while, and computer-generated opponents sometimes feel like they are being given unfair advantages. That being said, I genuinely enjoy playing this game with my seven-year-old, for the character selection alone.
Also Available On: Xbox and Switch
Sonic Racing Crossworlds Has Redeeming Qualities
Recommended Ages: 7 to 14 years old
What Sets Sonic Racing Crossworlds Apart: This isn’t Sega’s only Sonic racing game, but it is the newest and most intriguing of them. As one of the newer entries on this list, it benefits from updated graphics, which are nice in some areas but can be a detriment in others. Much like Mario Kart, this game doesn’t keep racers on a single track; it changes environments throughout the race, so players can race on land, in the air, and on water. There are multiple elements that make this game genuinely Sonic, including picking up his famous rings. One of the biggest downsides to this otherwise generic kart game is the lack of character diversity. Sonic doesn’t have a huge stable to choose from, and even then, most of them have similar features. However, they seem to be adding new character DLC packs, with the Pac-Man collection and Super Monkey Ball being the latest offers.
Why Sonic Racing Crossworlds Is Great For Kids: This one all comes down to the characters and racing style your kids like. Mine have never been deeply into Sonic, so this game doesn’t feel right for us. However, if you have a Sonic lover in your family, this will probably be fantastic for them. What I like the most about Sonic Racing Crossworlds, and what makes it stand out from other Kart Racers, are the captivating tracks and unique power-ups that don’t feel like copy-and-paste from other kart racers.
Also Available On: Xbox and Nintendo Switch
Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled Is 100% Crash Bandicoot
Recommended Ages: 7 to 14 years old
What Sets Why Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled Apart: Crash Team Racing shares much in common with many racing games, but it’s hard not to when they are all about driving around in circles. However, unlike most games that feel like cookie-cutter versions of the original, you can feel the originality coming out of this one. Fans of the Crash games will recognize the characters and items they’ve seen, as well as the maps, which are very reminiscent of the Crash Bandicoot games. What really sets this game apart is that it is far more skill-based than other kart games, so it is a great next step for kids who feel like they’d like to move into more traditional racing games but aren’t quite ready to give up the chaos that kart games offer. Crash Team Racing still has power-ups, but it focuses much more on driving ability than power-up chaos. Additionally, there is an entire racing storymode that players can enjoy if racing just to race gets monotonous.
Why Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled Is Great For Kids: We have all the Crash Bandicoot games on our PS4 and PS5, so Crash Team Racing was an easy pick for my family. The most significant reason this game is great for kids is its story mode, which adds more layers and allows them to practice. It also has all the fun, zany antics of the entire Crash crew, which just makes it plain entertaining to play.
Also Available On: Xbox and Switch
Lego 2K Drive Capitalizes On Everyone’s Love For Legos
Recommended Ages: 8 to 14 years old
What Sets Lego 2K Drive Apart: Lego has grown from humble beginnings as a basic children’s toy to a massive entity that spans toys, games, movies, and more, so it is no surprise to see them in the racing game club. As they are prone to do, Lego takes a familiar concept and makes it uniquely its own. While this is still very much a racing game, it has more story elements than most, like side quests that grant XP for harder races. In some ways, this game mirrors kart racers with objects that can be used to slow your opponents down during the races. Unlike other kart racing games, Lego 2K Drive gives you options to try to decrease the impact of other people’s power-ups on you. In true Lego fashion, this game is all about fun, so the story and the quirky characters play a larger role than they do in other racing games. While this game definitely stands out in its genre, what makes it the most unique is how customizable your cars are. As Lego is known for, the only thing that holds you back when building your dream Lego racer is your own imagination.
Why Lego 2K Drive is Great for Kids: Like most Lego games, this one is awesome for all ages, but older elementary kids will get the most out of it. Lego is often seen as a product for younger kids, but this game has some dynamics that make it suitable for the eight-and-up crowd. Kids younger than that may run into issues understanding certain mini-games or knowing which upgrades are necessary to take their car to the next level and win a race or beat a sidequest. Open maps and endless car configurations also give this game tons of replay value, so parents’ dollars are stretched further.
Also Available On: Xbox and Switch
Tokyo Xtreme Racer Revives a Cult Classic
Recommended Ages: 9-14
What Sets Tokyo Extreme Racer Apart: It is a revival of a cult classic from the Dreamcast/PS2 era, so parents can relive some nostalgia with their kids. Tokyo Xtreme Racer throws the rules of most racing games out the window for some controlled chaos. Unlike other racing games that put you on a race track, this game allows you to drive around the streets of Tokyo looking for other people to race. All the racing in this game is done at night on Tokyo’s Shuto Expressway, which creates extra challenges because racers must dodge busy highway traffic during their races. This game also has a unique race type that you won’t find in other games, where there is no finish line. Instead, racers have a spirit gauge that drains when they fall behind or crash into anything. The first person who empties their spirit gauge in these one-on-one races loses. This game is awesome because it strays from the traditional racer formula without losing the heart of a racing game. Since this game is set solely in Japan and focuses on Japanese car culture, you only get Japanese cars, but there is still a decent selection. Additionally, being stuck on the highway loop may sound like it would get boring after a while, but there will be so much going on and so many obstacles to dodge that you probably won’t pay much attention to the repetition of the highway loop.
Why Tokyo Extreme Racer is Great for Kids: This is just a fantastic, fun game that doesn’t take itself too seriously while delivering an excellent experience for kids and adults. The most violence in the game is light car crashes with no consequences past lowering your spirit gauge. The mechanics promise not to be as challenging as some other racing games, and the graphics are more than acceptable for a reboot of a Dreamcast game. This game is set for a PS5 exclusive release on February 26, 2026, so I haven’t had a chance to play it yet, but I have every intention of getting my hands on it when its realeased. My favorite part is the nostalgia from playing the original on my friend’s Dreamcast (not surprisingly, the same friend who ended up with all the Gran Turismo gear), but I also love how my son gets to enjoy something I got to enjoy when I was his age, while working on his hand-eye coordination.
Also Available On: PlayStation Exclusive
Asphalt 9: Legends Doesn’t Take Itself Seriously
Recommended Ages: 9-15
What Sets Asphalt 9: Legends Apart: The Asphalt series is what you get when you ask a kid to dream up what driving is like. This is an over-the-top game with crazy speed, strange physics, and flashy visuals. Everything in this game, from the tracks to the physics to the cars, is something out of an overactive mind. This game has gained popularity for several reasons. The first is that it is absolutely free to play, and while you can pay to play with this game, you can also earn cars by winning races, which leans more into skill instead of whose parents have the most expendable income. People also enjoy that the races are fast-paced and quick, so it is easy to bust out a game or two whenever you feel like it. The car selection is also an appeal to this game; like everything else about it, it doesn’t keep the cars rooted squarely in reality. This means kids get to drive wild concept cars that have never seen the showroom.
Why Asphalt 9: Legends is Great for Teens: I have a couple of family members who swear by this game. They love it because of the pace of the game and how reflexive you have to be. This is another fantastic transition game for kids growing out of kart games, but not quite ready for the most serious racing games. The fact that it is free is another huge draw for parents who don’t have to worry about wasting money on a game they’re not sure their kids will like. The age split on this one is different: younger kids will find it easy enough to get the hang of it, but older kids will find it challenging to unlock all the cars. There is nothing to say older teens and adults can’t play this game, but the suspension of disbelief may make it hard for them to get into.
Also Available On: Xbox and Switch
Gran Turismo 7 Is The Gold Standard In PS5 Racing
Recommended Ages: 12+
What Sets Gran Turismo 7 Apart: There are quite a few racing games that focus on realism, but few are as good as Gran Turismo. This franchise has consistently brought the best racing technology could afford at the time, and Gran Turismo 7 is no different. Not only do players have a selection of real-life cars to choose from, but the mechanics are also closer to realistic driving. This game prides itself on realism so much that it even focuses on wear and tear, just as in real life. Issues like tire tread, fuel storage, and weight are all considerations players must make to optimize their cars for races. The thing that really sets this game apart from similar racing games is its realism in driving conditions. There is incredible attention to detail, from cloud movement to slippery conditions, and even watching the rain dry from the road.
Why Gran Turismo 7 is Great for Teens: If you have an aspiring car aficionado in your home, this is a must-have game. Gran Turismo isn’t just a game for people who really love cars; it is an experience, and likely the closest that your teen will get to driving a race car any time soon. What I love the most about this game is the lengths they go to make it feel realistic, so if you have all the fancy gear that can come with a racing game, like a wheel and pedals, it really does feel like you are behind the driver’s seat of a race car. Because of how realistic this game is, it’s definitely meant for teens who can understand the nuances of mechanics like shifting gears and traction.
Also Available On: PlayStation Exclusive
F1 Is The Madden Of Racing
Recommended Ages: 12+
What Sets F1 Apart: F1 offers a unique experience compared to most other racing games because it features a variety of cars. Instead of sports cars, you are driving the ultra-fast F1 racing cars with impressive graphics. There are two parts to this game that make it a must-have for any racing game lover. The first is the races themselves, with amazing graphics and immersive gameplay that feel like you are behind the wheel of an F1 car. The races fill you with adrenaline while sitting on the couch. The other is the game’s management aspect, which makes this feel like the Madden of racing. You are required to manage your career and your team throughout a storymode much like managers do in the Madden football franchise. There is a new F1 every year; the most recent one is F1 ‘25.
Why F1 is Great for Teens: There are so many reasons why this game resonates with teens. First, it has incredibly realistic mechanics that feel like actual driving, which most teens will like, especially those who can’t wait to get behind the wheel themselves. The reason I like this game for teens is its management system, which helps them learn real-world skills and forces them to make decisions with in-game consequences. This helps to teach them the consequences of making real-life decisions in a low-stakes environment that doesn’t affect them outside of the game. I also love games like this one that have a lot of replay value, because it saves me money as a parent when my kids get locked into a game instead of asking for the next newest title.
Also Available On: Xbox
Assetto Corsa Competizione Is As Realistic As It Gets
Recommended Ages: 12+
What Sets Assetto Corsa Competizione Apart: This game is only rivaled by Gran Turismo for its realism, but Assetto Corsa may actually win. This game strives to create the most realistic feeling racing game on the market, from the graphics all the way down to the sounds of the car engines. There is so much detail in this game that it really feels like you are behind the wheel of a GT car. The tracks are even laser-scanned to be 100% authentic and have changing road topography, like bumps in the actual roads. The amount of detail put into this game makes it worthwhile on its own, and it is also the most authentic racing game. There is much more emphasis on strategy and mechanics instead of trying to make your opponents spin out as you clip them.
Why Assetto Corsa Competizione is Great for Teens: This game is basically a flight simulator for cars. If you have an aspiring car person in your family, this is going to be their game. Parents should know that this game is primarily designed for online competition, so for kids to get the full experience, they will need to interact with others online. Public interaction and game mechanics that are much more challenging than a kart game make this game suitable for tweens and teens.
Also Available On: Xbox
Forza Horizon Is The Most Rounded Series
Recommended Ages: 12+
What Sets Forza Apart: The Forza Horizon series doesn’t do one thing extremely well; it does everything pretty great. One of the many features that sets Forza Horizon apart from other racing games is that it chooses one specific country for each generation of the game. For instance, the highly anticipated Forza Horizon 6 is set to release later this year and takes place entirely in Japan. Unlike other racing games that focus more on structured competition on a linear racetrack, Forza Horizon gives players more freedom to explore with open-world maps. For those looking for more traditional races, they have those too. Instead of just a single race type like many other racing games, this one offers a variety of races, including street, road, off-road, and stunt races. Stunt races are especially notable since they aren’t a common feature in racing games. Not only can you do tricks with your car, but there are interactive obstacles to dodge or smash through during your races. Smashing through billboards and launching your car off a cliff is not an accident in this game; it’s a feature that you’ll quite enjoy.
Why Forza is Great for Teens: The Forza series is awesome for teens who want a little bit of everything. If your child has shown interest in car culture, this is the game to put above all others. It’s a jack-of-all-trades kind of game for kids who want more than just driving around a track. In many ways, it is like a more mature version of Hot Wheels Unleashed. The best part is that it offers so much more experience without lacking in graphics or game mechanics. Younger tweens and teens won’t have a problem learning this game, but they may need some practice or age to truly master every aspect of it.
Also Available On: Xbox
EA Sports WRC Carves Out Its Own Niche
Recommended Ages: 12+
What Sets EA Sports WRC Apart: This game aims to do one thing extremely well: be a realistic rally racer. If you have a kid who is into rally cars, this game would be a dream for them. There is a career mode like you would find in other sports games, like Madden, where you are also expected to manage your team. Aside from the actual racing, the most exciting part about this game is that you can build your own rally car to participate in these races. For a game that prides itself on realism, the graphics could be a little better; it’s more than made up for in game mechanics. This game tries so hard to be realistic that surfaces degrade over time, and there is a clear difference in traction depending on the surface you’re driving on.
Why EA Sports WRC is Great for Teens: This game is meant for an older crowd, not because of the content, but the mechanics. Many parts of this game will be challenging for kids younger than 12, especially the dynamic traction, which can make controlling your car a nightmare in some situations. The thing I like about this game more than anything is how genuinely unique it is in a flooded genre.
Also Available On: Xbox
The Crew Motorfest Brings More Variety To The Table
Recommended Ages: 12+
What Sets The Crew Motorfest Apart: This game is for the racer who likes a little of everything. It takes place on an open-world map of O’ahu Island, HI, so players can explore the unique topography, from mountain roads to dense rainforests. The coolest part of The Crew’s setup is its playlist system, which separates races into different types, making race selection hassle-free. Unlike most other racing games that stick to cars, this game lets you get in the driver’s seat of cars, motorcycles, boats, and planes. One thing that I find extremely fun about this game is that the environment is destructible, so you can crash through brick walls and run over umbrellas on the beach without causing any mechanical damage to the car. The graphics aren’t as realistic as other racing games, but it’s the tradeoff you get for having so many more options and amazing organization.
Why The Crew Motorfest is Great for Teens: I know the teens in my house need variety to keep their attention, so if you have a neurodivergent in your home that loves racing games, this may be the one. I love how there are so many options, but they are organized so you can get to the game faster. The variety in this game may be a little overwhelming for younger kids, and there is an online component that allows interactions with other players, so this game is best for teens.
Also Available On: Xbox
Redout 2 Takes Racing Into The Future
Recommended Ages: 13+
What Sets Redout 2 Apart: Redout 2 is more of a reflex trainer than it is a racing game. This is the most intense racing game on the market, speed-wise. Instead of racing a traditional car, you race futuristic anti-gravity racers that keep you suspended above the ground. Since the cars aren’t rooted in reality, you get really cool-looking futuristic cars with interesting drift mechanics since you are suspended in the air. This game doesn’t have big obstacles or crazy power-ups, but it does have on-track speed boosts as well as speed boosts you can collect and use. The problem with the speed boosts is that they make you go ridiculously fast, like three times faster than other racing games. They will also eventually blow up your car if you aren’t careful. The faster you go, the hotter your car gets, and if you aren’t careful, it will explode on the track.
Why The Redout 2 is Great for Teens: There is too much going on in this game for me, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t the perfect game for someone else. This game is teen and up because it takes a lot of focus and sharp reflexes to even make it around the track, much less win. I do like that it teaches kids balance because in this game, if you push too hard for too long, you literally blow up, so it teaches them to take their foot off the gas sometimes and figure out other ways to win, like strafing through turns so your speed does the work for you.
Also Available On: Xbox and Switch
MotoGP Puts The Excitement On Two Wheels
Recommended Ages: 13+
What SetsMotoGP Apart: MotoGP is another franchise that updates each year with new features. While this isn’t the most sought-after racing game, it deserves a spot on the list because it is the best pure motorcycle racer. MotoGP is similar to major car racing games like Gran Turismo and Forza because it uses real tracks from around the world. The biggest knock on this game is that its graphics are nowhere near as refined as those of Gran Turismo and Forza. On the flip side, the realistic motorcycle mechanics are one of the reasons older teens and adults enjoy this game. In the same vein as F1 and WRC, there is a team management component that adds depth beyond just driving around in circles.
Why MotoGP is Great for Teens: If you have a teen who shows interest in motorcycles, this is the game for them. The mechanics are as close as you will get to the real thing, which makes it a challenging game for younger kids. Like every game that gets updated yearly, this one seems to get better with each iteration, so hopefully the upcoming MotoGP ‘26 will upgrade the graphics to compete with the car racers.
Also Available On: Xbox and Switch
Ride 5 Brings Arcade-Style Bike Racing To The Console
Recommended Ages: 13+
What Sets Ride 5 Apart: Ride 5 is like the Gran Turismo of motorcycle racing. Unlike MotoGP, which needs to pump out a new version every year, this series has a little more time to make a more complete game. Much like Gran Turismo, it prides itself on realism with fantastic graphics, dynamic weather, and a mixture of real and imagined cars and tracks. Three more features that make this game worth every penny are the career mode that makes you feel like you’re in a movie, in-race saving options for endurance races, so you never lose progress, and a split-screen option for couch co-op racing that is increasingly rare in the internet age.
Why Ride 5 is Great for Teens: This game is great for older kids not because of its content, but because of the skill involved. Ride 5 is meant to be a realistic racing game, which is why it is so great, particularly the first-person aspect that makes it feel more like an arcade racer than one you’d play in your own living room. However, that means the skill needed to master the game is more than most kids and tweens can handle. I love the couch-coop features because they remind me of video games from my youth, but also give kids the opportunity to enjoy competition against other players without being exposed to the dangers of the internet.
Also Available On: Xbox
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Focuses More On The Cars Than The Race
Recommended Ages: 13+
What Sets Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Apart: Test Drive is a weird mash-up of a sim game, racing game, and GTA-style hijinks. It’s way more about car culture than it is about racing, which is evident when you realize a large portion of the game is making sure your character is stylish and showing off your car in social settings. In many ways, this game is just a different way of doing the same thing. For instance, players get to drive around a perfect replica of Hong Kong. Realism is a common theme in these games that players love. As a purely online game, there are some drawbacks, like needing a strong internet connection to play and communicating with a broad online community.
Why Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is Great for Teens: This game doesn’t specifically promote bad behavior, but it doesn’t shy away from it either. A significant portion of this game has to do with your status in your “faction,” which feels a little like a gang. All of the human competition in this game comes from online races with chat, which is another reason this game is better left for a mature crowd. I have a sim-loving kid in my house, so this game made sense for us, since she can enjoy the exhilaration of racing while having fun with community building.
Also Available On: Xbox
Need For Speed: Unbound Continues A Tradition
Recommended Ages: 14+
What Sets Need for Speed: Unbound Apart: Need for Speed is another franchise, like Gran Turismo, that has been around for a long time and has garnered generational success. Need for Speed is basically a street racing answer to Gran Turismo. The graphics and mechanics aren’t quite as detailed, but they are suitable. One reason the graphics aren’t as realistic as those in a similar tier is that it is meant to have a graffiti art style to match the game’s underground feel. Need for Speed is much closer to the racing games that you would find in an arcade, since you are racing on city streets instead of racing tracks; your car can run into items like street lights and parked cars when you’re drifting. If the car becomes too damaged, it is wrecked, but players can pull into gas stations for repairs if their repair bar gets too low. Need for Speed is basically like a fleshed-out version of an Arcade-style racing game with some comedic elements and repercussions for players who don’t drive cautiously enough.
Why Need for Speed: Unbound is Great for Teens: There are a few reasons why Need for Speed: Unbound is great for teens. It is rated T for teen (technically 13+), and it contains many questionable themes; parents should know about them before letting their kids play. The game portrays lawlessness as you are illegally racing on city streets. With that comes running from the police, light swear words, and some slightly suggestive imagery like bikini decals. Kids who are old enough to understand that these are elements of a game and not how real life works will likely have a blast with this racing game.
Also Available On: Xbox
Rennsport Is About The Car Community
Recommended Ages: 14+
What Sets Rennsport Apart: As one of the newest games on this list, it makes sense that Rennsport would borrow from many of its predecessors. What stands out about this game is that it is a pure racing sim that’s much closer to Microsoft Flight Simulator than to Need for Speed. Rennsport is designed to make you feel like you are behind the wheel of a race car, but that’s only a fraction of what makes this game special. The thing that truly sets this game apart is the ability to build and mod your own cars and trucks without restriction. One more aspect that makes this game stand out against other racing games is its attention to community. This is a racing game, but it is meant to bring the racing community together to have fun and share ideas. There are some complaints about the frame rate lagging sometimes, which can hopefully be patched to make this game even better.
Why Rennsport is Great for Teens: Despite its E rating, this game is definitely for teens and adults. As for the controls, a 13-year-old can easily master this game, but 13 seems a little young given the online community aspect. At its best, this is an awesome game where kids can build and race their dream cars while chatting with a community they love, but there are always dangers with online communication. There is also a marketplace where people can buy and sell mods, so parents should be vigilant. My son isn’t quite ready for this racer, but it’s definitely on my radar for the future if he ends up being into cars.
Also Available On: Xbox
After you’ve finished this list of the best PS5 racing games for kids and teens, check out our rankings for the best PS5 games for kids based on real feedback from children aged four to 14.
