The best VR racing games for PSVR, PC, Oculus and more

If youu2019re into racing sims and you own either a PS4 or PS5, thereu2019s a pretty strong chance you already own Gran Turismo Sport. One of the most enduring racing titles of the generation, GT Sport boasts a great VR Drive mode. Itu2019s a thrilling mode that lets you go head-to-head with an AI racer, but admittedly, itu2019s a more limited experience than youu2019ll find in newer releases. Weu2019re pretty sure that GT Sport will be overtaken by GT7 once the PSVR2 launches and the new release is patched, but for now, itu2019s still a brilliant experience.

Although a third instalment in the series - Project CARS 3 - was released in 2020, Project CARS 2 remains the most venerated, both by critics and fans alike. The general consensus was some of the raw driving thrills of the first two Project CARS editions were lost by the third instalment, replaced by a softer arcade feel. The good news is Project CARS 2 remains as sharp and potent today as it was five years ago, only now it can be picked up for a bargain. We particularly like the vehicle physics and dynamic track conditions for peak realism.

After eight years in the business, Assetto Corsa remains the go-to for many discerning sim fans, particularly with VR operation in mind. In fact, AC has been offering Oculus Rift support on the game since as early as 2013. The Project CARS vs Assetto Corsa debate remains fierce and probably will for some time, with partisan fans fighting their corner every day over driving physics, image quality and game depth on both. However, most of the community can agree that AC pips PC on drifting realism and physics any day, attracting more drift-minded racers to the platform. If thatu2019s your thing, this could be the one for you.

For those of an off-road inclination, DiRT has you covered. The second DiRT Rally game was released in February 2019, allowing fans to try their hand at off-road time trial racing in VR for the first time. Available on Valve Index HTC Vive and Oculus, youu2019re covered on where to play but be advised of the motion sickness that can occur when driving on the particularly bumpy or twisting stages. First time VR users on this game might find it a bit overwhelming (with rather unpleasant consequences), so we would recommend trying a softer stage, to begin with, just to get your bearings, then working your way up.

Perhaps not the most technologically advanced title in regard to graphics complexity and design, the racing is undoubtedly some of the most exciting. We like the large range of vehicles on offer, and especially the historic racing cars complete with matching period circuits. With a VR set on, you may not feel quite as though youu2019ve been transported back to 1966 Spa Francorchamps, but itu2019s about as close as you can get, and the experience is still undeniably exhilarating. Worth picking up if youu2019re just after some enjoyable light-hearted racing fun.

iRacing is a subscription-based online racing simulation game, pitting players against each other in as close to real-world environments as possible. The racing quality is like no other, attracting professional racing drivers, and even world champions, to get in on the fun. For honing your skills as a racer it might be the best choice on this list, but be prepared to dig deep in your pockets; unlike the other titles on this list, the subscription model of IRacing requires monthly payments to stay onboard. Over the course of a year, you could end up paying five times as much as you did on Assetto Corsa on this game. Just something to keep in mind.

One of the modern wonders of video games is the ability of developers to patch titles. Sometimes these patches fix an annoying bug, but sometimes they fundamentally change the gaming experience - such is the case with WipEout: Omega Collection when the VR patch was added. Now, over three remastered WipEout games (HD, HD Fury and 2048), you can don your PSVR headset and take part in some truly brilliant high-octane spaceship racing to the beat of futuristic electro and tripped out lighting effects. Thereu2019s not a Mercedes in sight, but it's still one of the best VR racing experiences you can have today.

The PSVR is Sonyu2019s PlayStation VR headset. Though it's one of the more modestly powered headsets around, it makes up for it in ease of use and accessibility - no overclocked PC required, just an off-the-shelf console. The PSVR comes in packs loaded with over games, so not only will you be able to experience some racing games in VR, but a small selection of excellent VR-specific titles. Compatible with PS4 and PS5.

One of the most popular VR headsets on the market, the Oculus Quest 2 is the continuation of the Quest headset line u2013 just under 70 grams lighter than its predecessor. Included in the package are two third-gen Oculus Touch controllers, with battery life four times greater than those of the first Oculus Quest.

At the top end of the VR headset market is the HTC VIVE Pro. One of these kits will set you back well over a thousand quid, which may seem a lot, but the bells are abundant and whistles plentiful. This HTC VIVE Pro features dual OLED displays, spatial audio with noise cancellation and precision 360-degree tracking.

This VR from Valve Index is another top of the range model, featuring the headset, controllers and two base stations, supporting Valveu2019s lighthouse 2.0 tracking system. This VR set comes in a sleek black finish, and a head strap padded with memory foam for improved comfort.