Sim racing can sometimes feel like a PC-exclusive experience, but actually, there are a multitude of sim racing titles available on console. The question is though, what are the best sim racing games on console?
In recent years several realistic racing titles have either made the jump from PC to console or been developed with console players directly in mind. Let's take a look at the best sim racing games on console.
Best sim racing games on console
We're looking for games that provide a realistic driving and racing experience, either on controller or preferably on a racing wheel.
From the best car physics to elite handling. From good AI battles to seamless multiplayer, the more we can get from these games the better.
Assetto Corsa
First released on PC in 2014, Assetto Corsa arrived on both Xbox and PlayStation in 2016. Even today, Assetto Corsa is still one of the most realistic driving simulators available on console.
The Ultimate Edition of AC arrived in 2018 and included every piece of previous DLC. This gives the game a huge amount of cars and tracks to go racing with.
You can drift a Fiat 500 around Silverstone or blast a Ferrari Formula One car around the Nordschleife, there really is something for everyone.
Featuring driving physics that is still among the best on any platform, you can get the base game for a snip on PlayStation and Xbox. You can also purchase the Ultimate Edition for a tiny bit extra but it is worth every penny.
Assetto Corsa Competizione
While Assetto Corsa offers a wide array of cars to go racing in, Assetto Corsa Competizione focuses on GT3 cars and delivers the best GT3 experience on any platform today.
With outstanding car models, handling, and physics you can literally feel every bump of the track through your fingertips.
While the console version does lag a little behind the PC version in terms of performance and updates, the console version of ACC is a standout for us, especially on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The game still receives regular updates, including the addition of new content and bug fixes.
There's a solid single-player career mode and a thriving league racing scene to really test your skills. Assetto Corsa Competizione is still a living, breathing game and one that Kunos will be supporting for a while longer, even after the arrival of Assetto Corsa 2 next year.
RIDE 5
If you're leaning more towards two wheels rather than four, then RIDE 5 is by far the best on console.
Bike games have a notoriously steep learning curve for new players, but RIDE 5 offers one of the best arrays of bikes and locations to go racing. The Gran Turismo of bike racers has been developed by Milestone, the king of bike racing games, and it's the perfect match.
One of the most impressive features however is the AI. RIDE 4's AI was innovative, but RIDE 5 dials it up to 11. Each AI rider has a unique ride style, with some acting more aggressive than others.
Borrowing MotoGP 23's fully dynamic weather system, combined with a complete day/night cycle in the game and one of the most comprehensive bike and track lists in any bike game, you can get a true simulation feel in every race in RIDE 5.