PlayStation fans haven’t exactly flocked to arcade racing games.
In fact, new data from Ampere Analysis reveals that only 5.2% of PlayStation racing fans prefer arcade racers, while nearly 44% of Xbox players prefer this style.
This gap mostly comes from Sony’s long-time focus on simulation racing, with Gran Turismo leading their first-party racing games.
Meanwhile, Xbox has really come into its own with arcade racing, all thanks to Forza Horizon, which has been the go-to for open-world racers for the past decade.
PlayStation has long prioritized realism in its racing lineup, leaving arcade racers to third-party developers. While series like Need for Speed and The Crew have been available, they haven’t been able to deliver the same level of consistency and player retention as Forza Horizon.
Sony did once invest in arcade racers with titles like Driveclub and MotorStorm, but with those franchises on pause, there’s definitely a gap in PlayStation’s catalog.
However, with Forza Horizon 5 launching on PlayStation, the platform will finally have access to a critically acclaimed arcade racer that has been a defining title for Xbox.
Early signs are positive for Forza Horizon 5 on PS5, with preorder sales performing strongly in multiple regions.
If the game finds success on Sony’s platform, it could prove that PlayStation players are more open to arcade racers than past statistics suggest.
It may even encourage Sony to reconsider its own approach to the genre, maybe even reviving dormant franchises or investing in new first-party arcade racing projects.