Of all subgenres in the racing game scene, it’s perhapsdrag racingthat doesn’t get a lot of love due to its extremely straightforward mechanics. While it seems as though these types of races just need two racers to duke it out while racing in a straight line, there’s a lot more nuance involved in choosing not just the car and the track but also the properties of said vehicles, with things such as shifting becoming a much bigger deal here than in other races.
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Thankfully, players who want to experience drag racing in games can look at somePlayStationtitles to meet their fancy. It seems there are some drag racing titles for various PlayStation consoles through the years that can fit a player’s interests.
Updated on Jun 15, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam:With the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and other official drag racing bodies going strong with their 2023 events across the United States, fans and newcomers to the field of drag racing might want to start getting into the sport through video games that focus on drag and not just plain racing. Aside from a Need For Speed entry with a drag racing mechanic, fans may also want to consider getting a game based on a hit racing series, as well as older entries from both the NHRA and the IHRA. While not necessarily extremely recent, some of these other titles provide interesting perspectives on the evolution of drag racing mechanics in the context of video games.
12Need For Speed: Pro Street (2015 - PS2, PSP, PS3)
As with otherNeed For Speedtitles,Need For Speed: Pro Streettakes players to a classicNFSexperience where vehicle customization takes a more visual front seat, and an assortment of racing variants gives players a lot to explore to maximize their playthroughs. However, compared to the open world, cop-chasing thrills of previousNFS,Pro Streettakes players on a more professional route by encapsulating their races in tracks. Gone is the open-world element, and players instead interact with much of the game in a menu, giving the title a more compartmentalized experience.
While overall car physics and lack of an open world is a point of contention intheNeed For Speedgame, the addition of a drag racing mode is a welcome touch in the franchise. Although drag here is more of a short game mode than a more concrete experience as with other titles, the racing variant adds a change to pace to traditional Sprint and Circuit modes inNFS. Not to mention, the game’s version of drag has mini-games such as tire-heating that definitely give newcomers a good look at the surface level of drag racing, makingPro Streeta decent introduction to the sport.
11IHRA Professional Drag Racing 2005 (2004 - PS2)
Released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2,IHRA Professional Drag Racing 2005is perhaps one of the definitive drag racing titles to hit the PlayStation in the early 00s. While evidently lacking in some of the more visually-attractive features that often made racers likeNeed For Speedappealing to racing fans, the game is as straightforward as it gets for fans of the drag racing sport.
At its core,IHRA Professional Drag Racing 2005has players buy drag racing cars, modify them carefully, and ensure everything is just right to ensure they perform their best in drag races. Those completely new to drag racing and would want to experience something bare-bones in the context of drag race gaming would want to give this game a shot. However, players would have to anticipate rather middling performanceconsidering this is a budget racing game title.
10NHRA Championship Drag Racing (2005 - PS2)
While released just a year afterIHRA Professional Drag Racing 2005, theNHRA Championship Drag Racingin 2005 for the PS2 is one of the most mechanically-complex drag racing titles at the time. Compared to the more bare-bonesIHRAvariant,Championship Drag Racingdefinitely tackles drag racing in the way fans of the sport probably loved the racing variant: each race is a puzzle. With players only having to press the pedal for five-second bursts, each moment quite literally counts.
And inNHRA Championship Drag Racing, players have a ton of opportunities to tinker with almost anything the race offers. Players are able to alter rather intricate aspects of their vehicles that other racers don’t offer. These include wing angles, lane choice, tire pressure, overdrive sliders, different clutches, and even weight settings. All these settings might have minute differences to the car’s base stats, but they factor in a lot with regard to racing performance. Fans and newcomers to drag racing interested in the more specific aspects of the sport should give this a shot, even if it’s notthe best racing game ever.
9NHRA: Countdown To The Championship (2007 - PS2)
Given the sheer complexity of drag racing as a variant of racing, it’s likely that newcomers would immediately get turned off byNHRA: Countdown to the Championship. However, those interested in giving this rather complex sport a shot will definitely enjoy the sheer problem-solving involved in each race.
As with otherNHRAgames,Countdown to the Championshipboasts the same complexity in tinkering with cars as with previous titles. However, the improved graphics and accessibility in gameplay definitely made the game more bearable to fans of the franchise. The addition of motorcycles and rocket cars also added a unique visual flair and change of pace that is much-needed in the rather mechanical franchise. Regardless, fans of older games who want a unique take on problem-solving and puzzles could definitely spend hours in thiscult racing classicgetting the smallest settings of their cars “just right” to pull off the best performance in races.
8Street Outlaws: The List (2019 - PS4)
It’s not all the time that a game is based on a hit reality television show, and this is exactly whatStreet Outlaws: The Listdoes. Based on the Discovery Channel show where individuals compete to be the “best” in the Oklahoma street racing scene,The Listgives players the opportunity to be their very own version of this victor. Now that the competition extends across the United States, players are motivated more than ever to secure victory.
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Similar to other drag racing titles,The Liststill needs players to compete against others in intense neck-and-neck drag racing competitions to prove their vehicle’s superiority. However, the added appeal to this racing game comes from the significantrealistic racingvisual upgrade compared to other titles, the Easter Eggs in the form of NPCs from the show itself, as well as nifty mini-games that add a bit of thrill to the rather monotonous drag racing experience. Fans who want a more modern drag racing title could definitely giveThe Lista try to understand the appeal of the racing subgenre.
7IHRA Drag Racing (2001 - PS1)
Players looking for an authentic “classic” experience with drag racing may want to look into IHRA Drag Racing for the PlayStation 1. Although considered the second of theIHRA Drag Racingseries of games,Drag Racingfor the PS1 is the first of the series on the PlayStation. As with other racing games, IHRA Drag Racing does allow players to choose their vehicles alongside tracks to race on in its career mode, akin to an International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) experience.
However, whereIHRA Drag Racingshines is in itsdepth of car management. Aside from being able to purchase parts, other statistics that may affect a car’s performance throughout the race are provided for players to look into. Moreover, the game’s “classic” look gives a strong arcade racing vibe to players, makingIHRA Drag Racinga delight to partake in despite its technical issues.
6Gran Turismo 7 (2022 - PS4, PS5)
Following and besting 12 predecessors is a hefty feat to pull for theGran Turismofranchise, and yet,Gran Turismo 7manages to meet expectations. Not only does the game feature 19 location with up to 27 different configurations, but it alsofeatures a whopping 177 carsof various types. On top of these is an extensive Campaign Mode and in-depth Sports Mode, and Arcade Mode offerings.
While not necessarily a “hard” drag racing title, the “free-for-all” focus ofGran Turismo 7definitely becomes a welcome sight to those new to drag racing or who want to experience a drag racing title with visually-stunning graphics. Those who want a more straightforward drag race can appreciate a more simplistic take ofGran Turismo 7before taking on more in-depth drag racing titles.
5Dirt Rally 2.0 (2019 - PS4)
Fans of racing games would look atDirt Rally 2.0for an extremely realistic take on the genre, particularly due to its nature. After all, given the franchise’s focus on rallycross and rallying, it makes sense for the title to become extremely physics-driven. In turn, on top of being able to choose among up to 50 cars, matches feature an active weather system that affects the car’s performance, as well as road surfaces that alter based on pressure, demanding extreme focus from players.
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In turn, it makes sense forDirt Rally 2.0to have active drag racing components, despite not being its total focus. The game’s various stages and matchmaking options allow players to engage others in one-on-one matchups mimicking that of drag races. Not to mention, theextreme realism ofDirt Rally 2.0’s physics systemis perfect for those who want to experience an extremely realistic drag race match.
4Need For Speed (2015 - PS4)
The underground racing culture has become a prevalent theme in theNeed For Speedfranchise, with drag racing becoming a prominent component and game mode for many of its titles. Such is still the casewithNeed For Speed,released in 2015, and its drag racing component may have been the most flexible throughout the franchise yet. Thanks in part to EA’s focus on the “Speedhunters” aesthetic, the game’s urban car culture take gives drag racing a much-needed “stylish” makeover.
With regards to the drag mechanic itself, the 2015 title takes a similar approach to other drag racing games. Aside from the primary racing component, Drag Races inNeed For Speeddo require racers to perform great burnouts, keeping things at the right RPM range and securing a “perfect” launch to get an early advantage.
3The Crew 2 (2018 - PS4, PS5)
At first glance,The Crew 2seems like a typical racing game. However, similar to the first game,The Crew 2lets players become “the best of the base” in all manner of racing styles. Using its persistent open world, players can control vehicles outside cars, such as powerboats, motorcycles, and airplanes. However,whereThe Crew 2shinesis in its racing disciplines: Freestyle, Off-Road, Pro Racing, and Street Racing, opening players to dedicated drag racing matches.
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Similar to other drag racing titles,The Crew 2’s take on drag racing needs players to focus on timing their shifts. Unlike other racing games with extreme attention to realism,The Crew 2’s drag races add a flavorful “casual” vibe to the mix, giving it a lighter yet straightforward approach, perfect for those who just want to experience drag racing without the complex mechanics.
