PS3 Driving / Racing Game for 5 Year Old

September 17, 2011 5:55 AM

Best PS3 Driving / Racing game for 5 and 6 year old? What steering wheel control to get?

I have a PS3, and I wanted to get a steering wheel and racing game for son's birthday and christmas. Any recommendations for very easy racing games (not sims). Split screen would be great so we can play together!

He has not been allowed to play anything yet on PS3, so this will be his first game.

Thanks MeFi!

posted by mtstover to Computers & Internet (8 answers total)

I would take a look at Cars 2. Well received (probably better received than the movie was!)
posted by smitt at 6:48 AM on September 17, 2011

Little Darling (10) says maybe Gran Turismo ("although it might be too complicated") and maybe Need For Speed (Mr. Darling points out that the whole point of the game is running from the law, so YEthicalMMV there). Both said they don't like a steering wheel.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 6:49 AM on September 17, 2011

Test Drive Unlimited 2, with the Driving Force GT from Logitech. If you're feeling very generous, the G27 from Logitech, which includes a shifter.
posted by ellF at 8:25 AM on September 17, 2011

The original Motorstorm is fun, simple and has a variety of vehicles. It's also dirt cheap these days.
posted by tremspeed at 9:45 AM on September 17, 2011

I love Gran Turismo, but it's pretty hard, and I can't imagine a 5 year old playing it without being frustrated. I have the G27 wheel, and I also don't think that's really appropriate for a 5 year old. The pedals are fairly hard to push, and the force feedback on the wheel is strong (though I suppose that might depend on the game).
posted by sharding at 11:41 AM on September 17, 2011

I am biased as I work at the developer, but Mod Nation Racers is a fun racing game suitable for kids, and they might well love the creation side too.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 1:05 PM on September 17, 2011

Definitely check out Burnout Paradise; I think there's a demo on PlayStation Network. It's very arcade-y, and smashing into things is encouraged, so there's a low frustration factor. He might have a hard time winning the races/missions, but there's also a big city he can just drive around in and jump off ramps and smash into things.

I don't think it supports splitscreen, though. I'm not sure about wheel controllers.
posted by Sibrax at 2:53 PM on September 17, 2011

Mod Nation Racers. It's family friendly, and has attractive imagery for them. Pretty much any other racing game is realistic and gritty. Also, there are many kids in that age group playing MNR("many" is relative to other racing games).

My 9 year old son does enjoy driving around the city in Burnout Paradise, but can't really do much else besides free drive. And I think the only reason why he likes to play it at all is because I like to play it.
posted by BurnChao at 8:10 PM on September 17, 2011