The DIRT Franchise - RANKED

Uh-oh, strap in folks. This one may cause a debate. We’ve ranked every game in the DiRT franchise, from our least favourite to what we think is the best.

The DiRT, or sometimes DIRT, games are all predominately off-road-based, but include a surprising amount of diverse racing types from across the 14 years since the first – the Vaseline-smeared Colin McRae: DiRT from 2007. Traditional stage rallying, dirt circuit racing, hillclimb and rallycross all feature. Apart from one, which didn’t really have any of those.

A contentious subject, I’m sure. But that’s okay. You don’t have to agree with us. Far from it. This is just our opinion. Disagree? Great! Let us know in the comments or on social media which you think is the best instead. We’re all ears.

Before you click or tap play, we also just want to clarify that this excludes all of the Colin McRae titled games prior to the first DiRT. That will perhaps be a separate discussion for another time. But for now, watch our ranking and tell us how much you disagree. It’s all part of the fun.

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[philipgregory]

DIRT 2 was the THE single player experience I wish I could play it again having wiped my memories of it I miss the days of playing it with my brother when we were young so much.

Good video personally I prefer DIRT 2 the most but I get DIRT 3 being a better overall experience if my nostalgia wasn't too powerful when thinking of the Colin McRae rally and DIRT games

[alexhaszard]

I reckon dirt 4 should be higher on the list, at least in my opinion. It was the gateway drug to sim rally for me and heaps of my friends, and it was the game I originally bought my racing wheel for. Although it's not as good at being a sim as dr2, and not as arcadey as some of the others in the franchise, it was the perfect middle ground for me.

[blakksy]

Dirt 4 super duper underrated. It felt silly but still had a serious tone to it where you could enjoy a good single player campaign

[billboforty]

Dirt 2 was the most fun imo. Especially the multiplayer where you could drive trailblazers on rallycross tracks and other crazy combinations.

[andrelamotte]

I’ve definitely spent more time on Dirt 3 than any of the other games mentioned. I totally agree with this list.

[af]

If ranked as just the quality of the game itself and the content it provides, Dirt 2 is #1 imo.

[zdravkoskrivanek]

My opinion:
8. Dirt 5 (too much arcade😑)
7. Dirt Showdown (same😑)
6. Dirt 4 (ok😐)
5. Dirt 1 (original, but a way too much bloom😶)
4. Dirt rally (real rally sim🙂)
3. Dirt 3 (smooth😏)
2. Dirt rally 2.0 (better version of dirt rally😁)
1. Dirt 2 (the blast, baby😎)

[bdallan]

I find Dirt 4 to be quite a cute little simcade rally game. with just a few little issues and feels like it should in higher regard than the arcade spinoffs

[bankerlmth]

I'm keeping Dirt 4 installed just for that amazing Dirt Academy alone.

[davidgrove]

In my humble opinion I think peak codies was when they mastered the ego engine Dirt 2/3, Grid 1, 2, autosport, F1 2012, 2013.all amazing games still to be bettered.

[Tommyrus]

"None of the dirt games is bad game"
Dirt 5: *exists* 🗿

[TobinLeigh]

Nailed the list, couldn't agree more - great video!!

[jgamerk]

I'm in the camp that Dirt 4 made Dirt Rally into a drivable game on a gamepad and that it was a fun but serious game even if it was a little dry.

[ricardoferns]

I'm playing Dirt4 now after I finished Dirt3. Honestly, as a fan of the surreal, as I come across similar areas in the game, I start thinking about a dystopian world Codemasters created to house all these in-game die-hard rally fans who make up part of the crowd. They move from location to location, you are their anchor, they cheer for you and they are so happy to see you behind a wheel, they don't realise how the world around them only changes a bit at a time.

I totally thought Dirt Rally 2.0 would end up at the top but I'm glad that Dirt3 is up there. That game was a perfect evolution, had great graphics, controls and the flashback system made it accessible to newcomers who didn't want their entire stage ruined because they didn't brake in time.

[Nothinghere]

I have always felt like the Dirt Franchise was in its golden age until Dirt Showdown released

[Jonasofzo]

Dirt showdown is by miles the best game ive ever played in my life... The anouncement trailer of this game is so amazing and it will always hold a special place in my heart😊

[pesvboude]

As a casual gamer, who likes stage rally, I love Dirt 4!

[gavwrecker]

Dirt 2 has the best charm and character. It may not drive the best but the scenery and atmosphere is top tier.

[MegitsuneSwe]

Colin McRae DiRT 2 has, and always will have a special place in my heart. I bought it back in probably 2013 at GameStop for my Xbox 360 per my dad's request to play a racing game together. Had no idea what the game was about other than, well racing. We played that copy of DiRT 2 so many times, both together and me alone.

The game visually has aged incredibly well. Lighting can still look gorgeous, the particle system such as gravel and water still holds up really well, the audio is still really good, the UI and overall menus have so much life to them, etc.

There's only a few things I can nitpick about, such as a limited selection of cars, lack of customization, a fairly linear progression system, the inability to purchase is legitimately anymore on PC, but so long as you're comfortable finding... alternative methods of obtaining the game, it's well worth anyone's time even all these years later.

Lastly, that soundtrack. Injection by Rise Against, I'm A Rope by Tommy Sparks, Edith by The Hot Melts, Little Sister by Queens Of The Stone Age. Is it nostalgia? Yes. But I don't care, this soundtrack is fantastic.

[dereklatshaw]

I've actually gone back to play Dirt 4 and am still enjoying it. Dirt Rally 2.0 is my favorite, but Dirt 4 is entertaining and a immersive enough to keep me occupied when I don't want to be DR 2.0 level serious.