The Top 5 PS3 Racers

This week in The Top 5 we take a look at the 5 best racing games to grace the PlayStation 3. These games are not only a blast to play, but a great way to show off just what the PS3 can do.

5. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

The pre-eminent racing sim out there, Gran Turismo leads the way when it comes to driving physics, visuals, and customization options. The fifth entry in the series ups the ante in all those aspects, and is one of the best looking games of the current generation. Unfortunately, the only edition available right now is the Prologue, which is essentially a glorified demo with less cars and tracks. But for GT fans, it’s a good, albeit expensive, way to kill time until the real GT5 comes out.

4. MotorStorm: Pacific Rift

Sometimes it’s fun to just hop in a monster truck, and run over things. Thank you Motor Storm: Pacific Rift. The sequel to the PS3 launch title introduces these massive vehicles, which join a cast full of bikes, ATVs, buggies, rally cars, big rigs, racing trucks, and mud pluggers. The new version also switches up the setting, throwing gamers onto a tropical island making the game much less brown then its predecessor. The new boost mechanic also adds a new level of strategy, as your vehicle can be cooled off by running through water.

3. Pure

But if you’re looking for a simpler, more accessible off-road racer make sure to check out Pure. Sure, it doesn’t have the vehicle selection of MotorStorm–you can only race ATVs in this one–but its simple control scheme and intense sense of scale make it one of the most entertaining racers in recent memory. Check out our review for more details.

2. WipEout HD

This PlayStation Network racer is probably the fastest thing available on the PS3. WipEout HD is the latest entry in the futuristic racing series, though in reality it’s just a much prettier version of the PSP games. Not that that’s a bad thing. In fact, WipEout HD is one the best PS3 games period. Not bad for a game that’s only $19.99.

1. Burnout Paradise

But if you can only buy one racer, it really should be Burnout. The game features an incredibly large city explore, full of tons of events and secrets to find. It also is good fun with a buddy or two, featuring hop-in/hop-out online multiplayer. But the best part of Paradise is the constant updates being made by developer Criterion. There has been a steady stream of compelling DLC released for the game, including the introduction of motorcycles, new cars, and several new gameplay modes. And there’s more to come, meaning that Burnout Paradise is a racer that could last you well into next year.

Don’t forget to check out last week’s Top 5, which looks at the best PlayStation Network palette cleaners.