Many racing enthusiasts stick to the holy trinity of PS1 racers: Gran Turismo, Crash Team Racing, and Wipeout. While those are masterpieces, the console’s library runs much deeper.
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Here are 5 recommendations for original PlayStation racing games that are often overlooked or forgotten, covering a mix of kart, futuristic, and simulation styles.
1. Speed Punks aka Speed Freaks in Europe
The “Better Than You Remember” Kart Racer
While Crash Team Racing gets all the glory, Speed Punks is often cited by hardcore fans as its equal, or even superior, in terms of pure racing mechanics. It was released late in the console’s lifecycle (1999/2000), which is why it missed the widespread nostalgia wave.
- Why it’s worth playing: It is visually stunning for a PS1 game, with a vibrant, chunky art style that holds up remarkably well. The sense of speed is intense (living up to its name), and the drifting mechanics are tight and satisfying.
- Standout Feature: The Tournament mode features challenging boss races that require actual skill to beat, rather than just lucky weapon drops.
2. Rollcage Stage II
The “Wipeout on Wheels”
If you liked the high-speed, anti-gravity feel of Wipeout but wished it had cars, this is your game. Rollcage features vehicles with massive wheels that allow you to drive on walls and ceilings.
- Why it’s worth playing: The physics are dizzying and unique. Because your car is reversible, flipping over doesn’t stop you, you just keep on driving. The combat is frantic, the techno soundtrack is era-appropriate, and the screen-melting speed creates a flow state experience few other games match.
- Standout Feature: The tracks are designed as tubes or tunnels, allowing you to overtake opponents by driving strictly on the roof to avoid the chaos below.
3. Motor Toon Grand Prix
The “Gran Turismo” Predecessor
This is a fascinating piece of history. Before creating the ultra-realistic Gran Turismo, Kazunori Yamauchi and his team at Polyphony Digital made this cartoon racer. Just to add that the version released in the US as “Motor Toon Grand Prix” is actually the superior Japanese sequel, Motor Toon Grand Prix 2.
- Why it’s worth playing: Do not let the childish graphics fool you; the physics engine underneath is surprisingly sophisticated. The game features a unique visual effect where the world bends and warps around you as you corner, simulating the G-force of high-speed cartoon movement.
- Standout Feature: It includes a Goodies mode that unlocks the Polyphony Digital Formula, a realistic F1 car on a realistic track making it essentially a prototype demo of what would become Gran Turismo.
4. Sled Storm
The Snow-Physics Pioneer
Racing games on the PS1 usually focused on asphalt or dirt. Sled Storm focused entirely on snowmobiles or sleds, introducing terrain physics that felt completely different from traditional cars.
- Why it’s worth playing: It captures the feeling of weight and resistance perfectly. You aren’t just turning a wheel; you are leaning into slush, ice, and powder. The tracks are dynamic, featuring shortcuts that require enough speed to jump over chasms or smash through ice walls.
- Standout Feature: The storm mechanic. As you race, weather conditions can change, and the track surfaces evolve from lap to lap, forcing you to change your racing lines.
5. Vanishing Point
The Stunt-Driving Cult Classic
While other games chased racing leagues, Vanishing Point chased physics. It is a street racer that is arguably more about mastery of the car than purely beating opponents.
- Why it’s worth playing: It is famously difficult but rewarding. The game doesn’t use magnetic traction like arcade racers; if you turn too hard, you will spin out. It requires a level of precision that feels like a predecessor to modern sims like Forza Motorsport, but with an arcade presentation.
- Standout Feature: The Stunt Mode. This is where the game shines, challenging you to complete specific objectives like barrel rolls, long jumps, or slalom courses, rather than just finishing first.
So what do you think? What have I missed? Let me know in the comments.
Until next time, enjoy reading!
