Ubisoft announced today that TrackMania Turbo update 1.02 is now live on PlayStation 4 and PC, adding virtual reality support for PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive. Here’s what they say to expect:
Through 40 exclusive VR tracks made in four different environments (International Stadium, Valley Down & Dirty, Rollercoaster Lagoon and Canyon Grand Drift), players will be able to experience the intense speed and the spectacular jumps, loops and wall-rides of Trackmania Turbo like never before, thanks to the VR technology.
If you don’t own TrackMania Turbo yet and want to try it in VR, a free demo featuring four tracks on the Rollercoaster Lagoon and Canyon Grand Drift environments will be available later today through the PlayStation Store (North America, Europe).
Additionally, TrackMania Turbo players on PS4 have revealed that today’s update also improves loading times and includes PS4 Pro support. If you play TrackMania Turbo on a PS4 Pro, you can expect 4K resolution and enhanced graphic quality, as well as a higher frame-rate in VR (120fps).
Will you be playing TrackMania in VR today?
[Source: Reddit]
PS4 Racing Games
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PS4 Racing Games
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Absolute Drift: Zen Edition
Out Now?
Yup, Absolute Drift released August 16 in Europe and North America.
What's the Hook?
While most racing games are about combining all of the elements of driving, Absolute Drift is all about: drafting. Just kidding, it's about drifting. This unique indie game released on PC last year, and garnered enough buzz that it's worth your attention. It's very difficult, but is satisfying enough to be worth the learning curve.
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Aqua Moto Racing Utopia
Out Now?
Aqua Moto Racing Utopia is set to release later in 2016.
What's the Hook?
Currently in Early Access on Steam, Aqua Moto Racing Utopia looks to revive jet ski racing games. As a big fan of Wave Race 64, I'm hopeful that developer Zordix can recapture that magic.
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Assetto Corsa
Out Now?
Assetto Corsa came out August 26, 2016.
What's the Hook?
This racing sim was developed by Italian studio Kunos Simulazioni. It has been supported on PC for almost three years, and now it's finally out on PS4. Sadly, the game is rough around the edges due to poor presentation and technical issues.
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Bears Can't Drift!?
Out Now?
Yes, Bears Can't Drift!? released August 9, 2016.
What's the Hook?
Think Mario Kart but with wild bears driving the go-karts. Yeah, that's great. Considering Modnation Racers has been absent, developer Strangely Named has a chance to release the first great kart racer on Sony's console.
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Coffin Dodgers
Out Now?
Yes, Coffin Dodgers came out earlier in 2016.
What's the Hook?
Much like the previous title on the list, Coffin Dodgers is a kart racer similar to Mario Kart. Despite its phenomenal gimmick of having the elderly as racers, it isn't a very good game. Better off staying away from this one.
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Dirt Rally
Out Now?
Yes, Codemaster's latest Dirt game released earlier this year.
What's the Hook?
Dirt Rally is a hardcore racing simulator. Forget the rewind feature that the series is famous for, be prepared for any wreck to completely cost you the race, and to listen closely to turn instructions from your co-driver. It's an intense, rewarding game, but not one that is beginner friendly.
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Distance
Out Now?
Refract Studios' futuristic racing title releases later this year.
What's the Hook?
Dubbed a survival racing game, Distance puts players behind the wheel of a car that can fly through the air. It's been receiving high praise while in Early Access, so keep your eye out for its PS4 release.
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Driveclub
Out Now?
While it loftily missed being a launch title as originally planned, Driveclub released in October 2014.
What's the Hook?
Evolution Studios' racer is a game stuck between being a simulation and an arcade game. It's an awkward place to be, but it's the perfect fit for some gamers. While the four-wheel car driving is a hate it or love it affair, its two-wheel spin-off Driveclub Bikes is a fantastic time for all.
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F1
Out Now?
F1 2015 is out, and F1 2016 released August 19, 2016.
What's the Hook?
Obviously the big appeal is that it's the official F1 game. While F1 2015 was perhaps the best playing game in the entire series, it sadly was missing a lot of the modes that past titles had. Thankfully, the 2016 edition improved upon that.
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Gran Turismo Sport
Out Now?
GT Sport releases in 2017.
What's the Hook?
It's Gran — freaking — Turismo. Enough said. If you're a racing fan, you'll want to keep an eye on what Polyphony Digital has been developing.
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GRIP
Out Now?
A console release of GRIP is planned and more details will be revealed in Q4 2016.
What's the Hook?
GRIP is a combat racer that is in the vein of Psygnosis' Rollcage. It has had a nice rollout on Early Access, and developer Caged Element has been steadily updating the game.
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Mantis Burn Racing
Out Now?
Its out now on Steam, but coming to PS4 later this year.
What's the Hook?
VooFoo Studios' Mantis Burn Racing is a top-down racing game similar to MotorStorm RC. It'll feature four-player local multiplayer and eight-player online play.
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Moto Racer 4
Out Now?
Moto Racer 4 is out October 13, 2016.
What's the Hook?
Delphine Software's beloved Moto Racer series has been revived by French developer Anuman. It's the first console version of the game since 2001 and will look to provide arcade motorcycle racing fun.
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MotoGP
Out Now?
MotoGP 14 and MotoGP 15 are both available now.
What's the Hook?
As the official game of the MotoGP racing league, Milestone S.r.l.'s motorcycle sim features official riders and the tracks from the series. Fans of motorcycle racing will want to check it out if they want to recreate their favorite racing moments.
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MX vs. ATV Supercross Encore
Out Now?
Yes, it came out in late 2015.
What's the Hook?
It's a remastered version of Rainbow Studios' 2014 PS3 game MX vs. ATV Supercross. Sadly, it doesn't do a great job of recapturing the series' former greatness and there are better dirt racing games available like the next game.
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MXGP
Out Now?
Yes, MXGP released in 2014 and MXGP 2 came out earlier this year.
What's the Hook?
Based off the motocross league of the same name, MXGP 2 offers up some solid fun for dirtbike fans. It features real life racers like Ryan Villopoto and tracks like Glen Helen.
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NASCAR Heat Evolution
Out Now?
PS4's first NASCAR game came out September 13, 2016.
What's the Hook?
Monster Games, the developer of NASCAR Heat and Excite Truck, is finally back to developing NASCAR games. This was exciting for fans as there hasn't been a good racing game focusing on the driving league since EA dropped the license. Sadly, it didn't turn out very good.
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Need for Speed
Out Now?
Need for Speed: Rivals was a launch title and the FMV-filled Need for Speed came out November 2015.
What's the Hook?
Electronic Arts signature (but not most beloved) racing series had a disappointing debut outing with Rivals. It wasn't bad, but didn't lived up to previous games in the series (namely those by Criterion). Ghost Games went back to the drawing board for Need for Speed and injected a bunch of FMV cutscenes into the game. I'd be lying if I said that didn't help somewhat, but it still was just good — not great.
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Project CARS
Out Now?
Yes, Project CARS released in May of 2015.
What's the Hook?
While most simulations try to tackle one type of racing, Slightly Mad Studios tried to emulate just about every single one. Everything from go-karts to the Audi R18 are represented here. All in all, it's a pretty solid racing game.
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Rally Copters
Out Now?
Yes, available now on the PlayStation Store for $6.99.
What's the Hook?
Rally Copters has players piloting helicopters in a TRON-like world. This downloadable PS4 game features time trial challanges and is one of the racing games that stick out from the crowd.
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Redout
Out Now?
No release date is currently announced, so it's looking like a 2017 release.
What's the Hook?
Fans of WipEout and F-Zero should keep an eye out for Redout. It looks to bring the same kind of fast-paced arcade action back to consoles and developer 34 Big Things have taken their time to make sure they release a polished title.
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Ride
Out Now?
Yes, it released in 2015.
What's the Hook?
Another racing game developed by Milestone S.r.l., Ride is a simulation that focuses on Sportbike racing. Like the other Milestone titles on this list, it's a flawed title, but one fans of the racing type can still have some fun with.
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Riptide GP: Renegade
Out Now?
Riptide GP: Renegade released July 26, 2016.
What's the Hook?
Vector Unit's hydrojet racing game is based off the developer's mobile game series of the same name, and translates to consoles quite well. There are plenty of modes to check out and the core racing is fun, even if it isn't groundbreaking.
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RISE: Race the Future
Out Now?
RISE is currently set for Winter 2016.
What's the Hook?
Developed by VD-Dev, the studio behind IronFall Invasion, RISE: Race the Future takes racing to multiple surfaces including water. The game's signature vehicle was designed by supercar designer Anthony Jannarelly, and it looks like a promising arcade racer.
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Sébastien Loeb Rally Evo
Out Now?
Sébastien Loeb Rally Evo is available now on PS4.
What's the Hook?
Sébastien Loeb Rally Evo isn't quite as realistic as Dirt Rally, but that might be a good thing depending on what you're looking for out of a rally racing game. If you want something less punishing give this a spin.
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Super Toy Cars
Out Now?
Yes, it released in January of 2016.
What's the Hook?
Eclipse Games' Super Toy Cars has a great art style and features tracks made out of real-world objects that would be found in any house. The premise of this combat racing game is rad, but sadly the gameplay doesn't hold up its end of the bargain. It's not bad, though, just merely mediocre.
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Table Top Racing: World Tour
Out Now?
Yes, it released earlier this year.
What's the Hook?
It actually has a lot in common with Super Toy Cars, as it has players racing through tracks made from everyday items. The game was a PlayStation Plus title, so it's probably already in your gaming library even if you haven't played it!
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The Crew
Out Now?
Yes, The Crew came out in December of 2014.
What's the Hook?
It's developed by Ubisoft so you can expect towers to reach, and every other open-world trope the French mega-publisher fits into their big releases. It also features a miniature version of the US to roam around.
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TrackMania Turbo
Out Now?
TrackMania Turbo came out March 24, 2016.
What's the Hook?
Nadeo's signature brand of time trial racing came to consoles via TrackMania Turbo and its great. Players can race others around the globe on tracks they made or the 100s of tracks Nadeo has included on the disc.
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Valentino Rossi The Game
Out Now?
It's out in Europe, but releases in North America later this year.
What's the Hook?
The successor to the MotoGP series will include all of the 2016 season, while also celebrating the career of driver Valentino Rossi.
