Summary
With one of the most beloved video game libraries, the PlayStation 2 was filled with all-time hits and lesser-known gems that made it one of the best-selling consoles in history. So many titles across developers large and small made memorable experiences that people look back fondly on.
One genre that was super popular during the PS2 era was racing games. From arcade experiences to simulations, there were tons of popular racing titles that left an impact, some of which led to many racing games down the line. But while there are a ton that players can choose from, only a handful stand out above the rest.
Updated June 07, 2025 by Ritwik Mitra:The PlayStation 2 was a natural step forward for Sony that they took in stride. The appealing price point coupled with the incredible hardware upgrade helped this console stand out as one of the best gaming platforms that players could get their hands on.
Tightening up on third-party games ensured that the PlayStation 2 was littered with quality titles, with some of thebest PS2 racing gamesensuring that players could enjoy some fun competitive gameplay as they made high-speed passes and attained victory across a wealth of game modes.
Any racing game with combat as one of its priorities makes for a great time, andJak X: Combat Racingis no exception. This brilliant game wasted no time in roping players in with a wealth of familiar characters and racing gameplay that’s incredibly satisfying.
There were times when the difficulty spikes could get rather overbearing, but players who put their heads down and used the tools at their disposal in an efficient manner were able to take out most opponents with relative ease. The story mode was a huge bonus that compelled players to perfect their skills with this game.
14Midnight Club: Street Racing
Competitive Street Racing That’s As Atmospheric As They Come
It’s a shame that Rockstar Studios has effectively binned theMidnight Clubseries. These racing games let players engage in atmospheric races against tough opposition as they tried to attain victory in night races that were soaked in a well-crafted atmosphere.
For a first outing,Midnight Club: Street Racingwas one of thebest PS2 racing gamesand showed a ton of potential for this franchise. The graphics were impressive and helped the quality of this racing game stand out even more, immersing players in an arcade racer that was a ton of fun to play.
Water racing is not as widely popular in video games as it once was in the late 1990s and early 2000s. That era saw a lot of major franchises come to fruition, but one that snuck under the radar isSplashdown. However, the Atari-published racing experience is one of the best racing games on PS2.
Players take control of professionaljet ski racersas they take part in races across many tracks. Much like adjacent jet ski-focused racers,Splashdownhas players navigating tracks by staying on the correct side of buoys that are laid out. A penalty is assigned if players do not stick with the correct path.
There was a time when Rockstar used to make racing games with a lot of style. TheMidnight Clubseries may be nothing more than a figment of history at this point, but there was a time when players couldn’t get enough of this amazing series and the racing goodness it brought to the table.
Midnight Club 3was another excellent entry in the series, full to the brim with three amazing open-world environments to explore. The collection of cars is impressive and lets players slowly progress from halfway-decent vehicles to speed demons that leave most enemies in the dirt.
Rockstar is known for implementing some great racing mechanics in theGrand Theft Autofranchise, but they also used to publish their racing games. During the PS2 era, they published some of the best racing games the console has seen with one of the greatest beingMidnight Club 2.
One of the better open-worldstreet racing experienceson PS2,Midnight Club 2builds on its predecessor by unlocking three new locations for racers to explore: Los Angeles, Paris, and Tokyo. In addition, this edition of the game is the first to feature motorcycles, expanding an otherwise solid roster to 31 vehicles.
While games around the popular racing product continue to come out, it has been years since NASCAR has had aconsistent series of gamescoming out from a major publisher. The biggest name to put outNASCARgames is EA, withNASCAR Thunder 2002being one of the best PS2 racing games EA has put out.
The firstNASCARgame to have the moniker “Thunder,“NASCAR Thunder 2002features many modes for those who either want to have a quick race or those who want to play an entire season’s worth of races. There is also an extended career mode where players can compete in multiple seasons as well as a create-a-car mode that allows players to customize their vehicle.
TheBurnoutseries stands out in the eyes of many as one of the greatest racing game franchises of all time. Players loved the high-speed action and arcade racing goodness prevalent in these titles, with players figuring out the most creative ways to take down their opponents without getting wrecked themselves.Burnout Dominatoris no exception here and is a funPS2 racing gameplayers can check out for themselves.
The classicBurnoutgameplay is intact in this fun arcade racing title, and it’s a shame that this game flew under most people’s radar. However, the series wouldn’t remain dormant for too long, eventually wowing players with the release ofBurnout Paradise. It’s a sequel whose legacy speaks for itself and can still be enjoyed to this day on modern systems courtesy of a remastered edition.
Another popular EA racing series isNeed for Speed, a franchise that made a name for itself on the original PlayStation before releasing on more platforms and becoming such a massive success that it got its film adaption. When looking back on the series, many fans point toNeed for Speed: Undergroundas one of the best.
While not coming out long after its previous entry,Need for Speed: Undergroundis considered a reboot by many as it shifts the focus of the franchise from high-end sports cars to vehicles in the import scene. The game is thefirst in the franchisethat has a career mode with a substantial story to it.
Codemasters has long been a game developer known for its racing titles. They have been the creators of many known racing franchises that continue to get entries today. One of thebest PS2 racing gamesthey had an active hand in developing isColin McRae Rally 3.
Taking placeafter the 2002 World Rally Championship, players can utilize most of the vehicles used in the massive tournament. In addition, there are numerous customization options to make the vehicle as sturdy or speedy as you would like. In terms of modes, there are both quick races and three-season tours that players can choose between.
TheBurnoutseries combines high-octane racing with spectacular crashes to make for a compelling gameplay loop that never ceases to be engaging.Burnout Revengeaimed to improve the established gameplay of the series, letting players perform a wealth of mind-blowing moves to take out opponents and rack up points.
The improvements to the series' formula were well-received, with players being able to perform more flashier takedowns than ever before.Burnout Revenge’s tantalizing gameplay made it a hit on the PS2 that most fans couldn’t get enough of.
