28 Best PS5 Games

The PlayStation 5 is deep into its life cycle in 2026, and the library is absolutely stacked. We’ve moved past the early days of cross-gen titles and are now getting games built from the ground up to use the console’s power. The fast SSD, the incredible DualSense controller, the ray tracing capabilities — developers are finally making them sing.

I spend my days (and nights) with a PS5 controller in my hands, testing everything from big-budget exclusives to indie darlings. This list isn’t just a roundup of Metacritic scores. It’s a curated collection of the games I keep coming back to, the ones I recommend to friends, and the titles that truly define what this console can do.

Whether you just unboxed a new PS5 Pro or you’re a day-one owner looking for your next obsession, you’ll find it here. These are the best new PS5 games you can buy right now.

 

 

Top PS5 Exclusives and Blockbusters

Astro Bot

At $59.99, this is the game I tell every new PS5 owner to buy first. It’s a masterclass in platforming that’s bursting with charm, and it’s the single best showcase for what the DualSense controller can do. Every jump, zip, and punch feels different thanks to the incredibly detailed haptic feedback.

You’ll explore over 80 levels across multiple galaxies, collecting bot versions of iconic PlayStation characters. The creativity on display is off the charts, with imaginative boss battles and secrets packed into every corner. It’s a celebration of PlayStation history that’s perfect for families and hardcore gamers alike.

The Downside: I blew through the main story in about 10 hours. While there’s plenty to collect, the core campaign is on the short side.

 

 

God of War Ragnarok

You can grab this epic for just $44.99, and it’s an absolute steal. Santa Monica Studio delivered a stunning conclusion to the Norse saga, with a story that’s even more emotional and impactful than its predecessor. The father-son dynamic between Kratos and Atreus is some of the best writing in gaming.

The combat is as brutal and satisfying as ever, but with more variety in enemy types and weapon skills. On PS5, the performance is flawless, letting you soak in the Nine Realms without a single stutter. The free Valhalla DLC adds a fantastic roguelike mode that I’m still playing.

The Downside: It refines the formula from the 2018 game rather than reinventing it. It feels very familiar, for better or worse.

 

 

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

For $69.99, Insomniac Games delivers the ultimate superhero fantasy. Seamlessly switching between Peter Parker and Miles Morales is a blast, and the new Web Wings make traversing the expanded New York City faster and more exhilarating than ever. This is a true next-gen experience with zero loading screens.

The story, centered on Kraven the Hunter and Venom, is dark, personal, and thrilling. The symbiote abilities add a savage new layer to combat that feels incredible with the DualSense controller’s feedback. It’s a visual spectacle from start to finish.

The Downside: A lot of the side content feels like busywork. The main story is fantastic, but the optional activities can get repetitive.

 

 

Ghost of Yotei

The sequel to *Ghost of Tsushima* costs $69.99 and is easily one of the most beautiful games I’ve ever seen. Playing as the ronin Atsu, you explore a jaw-dropping feudal Japanese landscape that makes full use of the PS5’s graphical power. I spent hours just riding my horse through the fields in photo mode.

Combat is faster and more demanding this time, forcing you to switch weapons and stances to deal with different enemy types. It’s stylish, bloody, and incredibly satisfying when you pull off a perfect parry. The world feels more alive, with dynamic events and secrets to uncover.

The Downside: The main narrative follows some very familiar samurai tropes. It’s well-executed but predictable.

 

 

Horizon Forbidden West

For $59.99, you get a massive open-world RPG with its expansion included. Aloy’s journey into the Forbidden West is gorgeous on PS5, with diverse biomes ranging from tropical beaches to desolate deserts. Hunting the massive robotic creatures is still the main draw, and it’s more tactical than ever.

Guerrilla Games improved nearly every mechanic from *Zero Dawn*, from combat to exploration. The story is compelling, and the sheer density of content will keep you busy for well over 100 hours if you’re a completionist. It’s a technical powerhouse.

The Downside: The climbing mechanics can still feel stiff and restrictive compared to other open-world games.

 

 

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

This PS5 exclusive is $59.99 and feels like playing a Pixar movie. It was one of the first games to truly show off the SSD’s speed by letting you jump between completely different worlds in an instant. The effect is still stunning years later.

The arsenal of wacky weapons is the best in the series, and each one feels unique thanks to the DualSense’s adaptive triggers. It’s a heartfelt, visually spectacular adventure that’s fun for all ages. It’s pure, polished fun from Insomniac.

The Downside: Despite the dimension-hopping, the level design is surprisingly linear and straightforward.

 

 

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Kojima’s latest is $49.99 and doubles down on everything that made the first game so unique. The core gameplay is still about traversing a beautiful, desolate world to connect isolated communities, but with new vehicles, equipment, and environmental hazards.

The story is as wild and cinematic as you’d expect, and the game looks incredible running on the PS5 Pro. Performance is buttery smooth, and the fast loading times mean you’re always in the action. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and there’s nothing else like it.

The Downside: If you didn’t like the “walking simulator” gameplay of the first one, this won’t change your mind.

 

 

Must-Play RPGs and Action Games

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

The expansion to one of the greatest games ever made costs $39.99. *Shadow of the Erdtree* isn’t just more *Elden Ring*; it’s a massive new adventure in a completely separate region filled with some of FromSoftware’s most creative and challenging bosses yet.

The sense of discovery is back in full force. Exploring the Land of Shadow is just as awe-inspiring as your first time in Limgrave. New weapons and spells add even more depth to the already robust combat system. It’s an essential purchase for any fan.

The Downside: The difficulty is cranked up significantly. Even veteran players will find a brutal challenge here.

 

 

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

This new JRPG is a surprise hit at $39. It blends real-time actions like parries and dodges into its turn-based combat, making every battle feel active and engaging. The system is fresh and kept me hooked for dozens of hours.

The game’s visuals are inspired by French art and architecture, creating a stunning and unique world. Combined with a powerful story and a phenomenal soundtrack, *Expedition 33* is one of the best-looking and most stylish RPGs on the PS5.

The Downside: Its unique combat and art style might not appeal to everyone, making it a bit of a niche title.

 

 

Baldur’s Gate 3

It’s $52, and yes, it’s still one of the best RPGs ever made. Larian Studios created a world that reacts to your every choice, offering unparalleled freedom and replayability. The story, characters, and tactical turn-based combat are all top-tier.

Years after its launch, I’m still discovering new things in its sprawling campaign. Whether you’re playing solo or with friends in co-op, it’s an unforgettable adventure that sets the standard for the entire genre. It runs great on PS5, too.

The Downside: The D&D-based systems are deep and can be overwhelming for newcomers. There’s a steep learning curve.

 

 

Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition

For an insane price of $22, you get the completely overhauled base game and the incredible *Phantom Liberty* expansion. After years of updates, *Cyberpunk 2077* is finally the game we were promised. Night City is a breathtaking, dense open world that’s a joy to explore.

The RPG systems are deep, allowing for wildly different character builds, from netrunner hackers to blade-wielding samurai. The PS5 version is the definitive way to play on console, with great visuals and performance. This is one of the best comeback stories in gaming.

The Downside: While vastly improved, you’ll still run into the occasional weird glitch or visual bug.

 

 

Disco Elysium: Final Cut

At $39.99, this is an RPG with no combat. Your weapons are your words. You play as a detective with amnesia trying to solve a murder, and the game revolves entirely around dialogue choices and skill checks. The writing is some of the sharpest, funniest, and most profound I’ve ever experienced.

The Final Cut adds full voice acting, which brings the bizarre and memorable cast of characters to life. This isn’t a game about saving the world; it’s a deeply personal story about a broken man in a broken city. There’s nothing else like it.

The Downside: The pace is very slow and methodical. If you’re looking for action, look elsewhere.

 

 

Lies of P

For $59.99, you get the best Soulslike not made by FromSoftware. This dark take on the story of Pinocchio is set in a gothic, steampunk city filled with murderous puppets. The atmosphere is thick, and the level design is brilliantly interconnected.

The combat is fast and aggressive, with a focus on perfect guards and a unique weapon assembly system that lets you mix and match blades and handles. It’s challenging, rewarding, and the closest thing you’ll get to a *Bloodborne* sequel in 2026.

The Downside: Some of the boss fights can be incredibly frustrating, leading to some serious controller-gripping moments.

 

 

Genre-Defining Multiplayer and Fighters

Street Fighter 6

Capcom’s latest is $59.99 and the new king of fighting games. The introduction of the “Modern” control scheme makes it incredibly accessible for beginners, while “Classic” controls offer all the depth veterans demand. The netcode is flawless for online play.

The game is packed with content, including a surprisingly fun single-player World Tour mode where you create your own character. With a diverse roster and a slick presentation, it’s the most complete fighting game package on the market.

The Downside: It hasn’t received a PS5 Pro enhancement patch, which feels like a missed opportunity.

 

 

Split Fiction

At $69.99, this is another co-op masterpiece from Hazelight, the studio behind *It Takes Two*. This is a couch co-op or online-only experience where you and a partner play as two writers sucked into the worlds they’ve created. You literally can’t play it alone.

The gameplay is constantly changing, introducing new mechanics in every level that force you to communicate and work together. It’s inventive, hilarious, and one of the most purely fun experiences I’ve had on the PS5. It’s also a visual treat on the PS5 Pro.

The Downside: The mandatory two-player requirement is a barrier for solo gamers. You need a friend to play.

 

 

How I Picked The Best PS5 Games

My picks are based on hundreds of hours of hands-on testing. I look for games that don’t just run on the PS5, but feel like they were made *for* it. That means excellent use of the DualSense controller’s haptics and adaptive triggers, something that still separates the PS5 experience from everything else.

Fast loading is another key factor. If a game uses the SSD to eliminate loading screens or create seamless transitions, it gets a serious nod. Of course, gameplay is king. I prioritized games with tight controls, engaging stories, and innovative mechanics that I’m still thinking about long after the credits roll.

Finally, I considered both critical acclaim and long-term value. This list includes sprawling RPGs that will last you a hundred hours, and shorter, polished experiences that are worth every penny. These are the games that define the PlayStation 5 library in 2026.