You just got a PS5, or maybe you’ve had one for years and you’re staring at your library wondering what’s actually worth your time. There are thousands of games on the store and half of them aren’t worth the download. That’s a real problem when you only have a few hours a week to actually play.
So here’s a straight list. No filler picks, no games added just to pad the number out. These are the games PS5 owners keep coming back to in 2026, whether they came out this year or three years ago. Some are massive open-world adventures you’ll sink 80 hours into. Others you’ll finish in a weekend and think about for months.
And if you’re building a library from scratch, you don’t need all 20 on day one. Grab two or three from different genres below, see what clicks, and go from there.
Start with whichever one matches your mood tonight, and you’ll have your next favorite game by the weekend.
What Are the Best PS5 Games in 2026?
The best PS5 games in 2026 are Astro Bot, Elden Ring, God of War Ragnarok, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. These titles combine strong reviews, lasting player engagement, and gameplay built specifically to take advantage of what the PS5 can do.
Beyond that top tier, the list below spans action-adventure, RPG, horror, and roguelike genres so there’s something here regardless of what kind of games you actually enjoy.
Key takeaways
- Astro Bot is the best PS5 exclusive and the easiest recommendation for new PS5 owners.
- Elden Ring and Baldur’s Gate 3 are the two highest-rated RPGs available on the platform.
- Ghost of Yotei and Nioh 3 are the strongest new releases from the past year.
- Most of these games run at 60fps or higher on PS5, with several supporting PS5 Pro enhancements.
Best PS5 Games Compared
| Game | Genre | Release Year | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astro Bot | Platformer | 2024 | New PS5 owners |
| Elden Ring | Action RPG | 2022 | Fans of difficult, open-world games |
| God of War Ragnarok | Action-adventure | 2022 | Story-driven single player |
| Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart | Action platformer | 2021 | Fast-paced, colorful action |
| Baldur’s Gate 3 | RPG | 2023 | Deep, choice-driven storytelling |
| Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 | Action-adventure | 2023 | Superhero and open-world fans |
| The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered | Action-adventure | 2024 | Narrative-heavy drama |
| Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition | Action RPG | 2023 | Open-world sci-fi |
| Alan Wake 2 | Survival horror | 2023 | Atmospheric psychological horror |
| Ghost of Yotei | Action-adventure | 2025 | Samurai-style open-world combat |
| Nioh 3 | Soulslike | 2026 | Hardcore action RPG fans |
| Horizon Forbidden West | Action RPG | 2022 | Open-world exploration |
| Resident Evil 4 Remake | Survival horror | 2023 | Classic horror reimagined |
| Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth | JRPG | 2024 | Long-form JRPG fans |
| Resident Evil Requiem | Survival horror | 2025 | Fans of tense, modern horror |
| Returnal | Roguelike shooter | 2021 | Fast, punishing replayability |
| Metaphor: ReFantazio | JRPG | 2024 | Turn-based strategy and story |
| Monster Hunter Wilds | Action RPG | 2025 | Co-op monster hunting |
| Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 | Historical RPG | 2025 | Realistic medieval simulation |
| Hades 2 | Roguelike | 2025 | Short, replayable sessions |
20 Best PS5 Games In 2026
1. Astro Bot
Astro Bot is a 3D platformer built specifically to show off what the PS5’s DualSense controller can do, and it’s widely considered the best PS5 exclusive available. Every level introduces a new mechanic, so it never gets stale across the whole runtime.
- Genre: Platformer
- Why it’s great: creative level design, perfect controller integration, accessible for all ages
- Best for: new PS5 owners who want to see the console at its best
2. Elden Ring
Elden Ring takes FromSoftware’s punishing combat formula and drops it into a massive open world. It’s the highest-rated game available on PS5 and rewards patience over reflexes alone.
- Genre: Action RPG
- Why it’s great: huge open world, deep build variety, some of the best boss fights in gaming
- Best for: players who like a real challenge and don’t mind dying a lot
3. God of War Ragnarok
Ragnarok closes out Kratos and Atreus’s Norse saga with bigger worlds, better combat, and a story that actually sticks the landing. It builds on everything the 2018 reboot got right.
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Why it’s great: strong father-son story, satisfying combat, gorgeous world design
- Best for: anyone who wants a cinematic, story-first action game
4. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
Rift Apart uses the PS5’s SSD to jump between dimensions with almost no loading, and it’s still one of the best-looking games on the console. The combat is fast, colorful, and never takes itself too seriously.
- Genre: Action platformer
- Why it’s great: near-instant world transitions, creative weapons, short and tight campaign
- Best for: players who want something fun without a 60-hour commitment
5. Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a deep, choice-driven RPG built on Dungeons & Dragons rules, and it’s one of the best-reviewed RPGs of the generation. Almost every decision changes something later in the story.
- Genre: RPG
- Why it’s great: enormous player choice, strong writing, works great solo or with friends
- Best for: players who want a game that actually reacts to what they do
6. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2 lets you swing as both Peter Parker and Miles Morales across a bigger, more detailed New York, fighting Venom and Kraven along the way. It builds directly on what made the first game so good.
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Why it’s great: fluid traversal, strong story, satisfying combat variety
- Best for: superhero fans and anyone who loved the first game
7. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered
This remaster brings The Last of Us Part 2 to PS5 with better performance and extra content, including a roguelike survival mode. It’s still one of the most emotionally heavy games on the platform.
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Why it’s great: intense storytelling, excellent combat AI, added replay content
- Best for: players who want a mature, narrative-driven experience
8. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
The Ultimate Edition bundles the base game with the Phantom Liberty expansion, and years of updates have turned Cyberpunk 2077 into one of the best open-world RPGs on PS5. Night City is dense, alive, and worth exploring slowly.
- Genre: Action RPG
- Why it’s great: massive open world, strong build variety, excellent expansion content
- Best for: sci-fi fans who want a long, detailed world to get lost in
9. Alan Wake 2
Alan Wake 2 is a slow-burn psychological horror game told across two intersecting storylines. It leans more on atmosphere and dread than jump scares, and it looks incredible on PS5.
- Genre: Survival horror
- Why it’s great: unique dual-narrative structure, striking visual style, genuinely unsettling atmosphere
- Best for: horror fans who want something smarter than the genre average
10. Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Yotei follows a new warrior, Atsu, through the snowy tundras and grasslands surrounding Mount Yotei in a story of revenge. It keeps the sharp combat from Ghost of Tsushima while pushing the world design even further.
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Why it’s great: excellent sword combat, striking scenery, strong open-world design
- Best for: fans of Ghost of Tsushima and samurai-era settings
11. Nioh 3
Nioh 3 pushes the series into more open-field exploration while keeping the demanding combat Team Ninja is known for. The new ability to swap between a heavier samurai style and a faster ninja style mid-fight adds real depth.
- Genre: Soulslike
- Why it’s great: flexible combat styles, more open exploration than past entries, tough but fair difficulty
- Best for: Soulslike fans who want more combat options than usual
12. Horizon Forbidden West
Aloy’s second adventure expands the machine-hunting formula with a bigger map, more machine variety, and improved combat. It’s a strong pick if you want an open world that doesn’t drag.
- Genre: Action RPG
- Why it’s great: varied combat against unique machine enemies, strong world-building, gorgeous environments
- Best for: players who liked the first Horizon and want more of it done better
13. Resident Evil 4 Remake
This remake rebuilds the 2005 classic with modern controls and pacing while keeping what made the original so tense. It’s widely considered one of the best remakes in gaming.
- Genre: Survival horror
- Why it’s great: tighter pacing than the original, excellent enemy design, strong replay value
- Best for: horror fans who want tension over jump scares
14. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Rebirth is the second part of the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy, expanding the original’s midsection into a full open-world RPG with real-time combat and turn-based elements.
- Genre: JRPG
- Why it’s great: deep combat system, strong character writing, huge amount of content
- Best for: JRPG fans who don’t mind a long time investment
15. Resident Evil Requiem
Requiem is a newer entry in the Resident Evil series, leaning into tense, modern survival horror with a fresh setting. It keeps the series’ reputation for smart pacing and dread intact.
- Genre: Survival horror
- Why it’s great: strong atmosphere, tight pacing, fits well alongside the rest of the series
- Best for: existing Resident Evil fans looking for the next entry
16. Returnal
Returnal is a roguelike third-person shooter where you die, restart, and get slightly stronger each run through an alien planet. It’s punishing, but the moment-to-moment shooting is some of the best on PS5.
- Genre: Roguelike shooter
- Why it’s great: tight, fast combat, strong replayability, excellent haptic feedback use
- Best for: players who like high-difficulty, run-based games
17. Metaphor: ReFantazio
From the team behind Persona, Metaphor: ReFantazio combines turn-based combat with a fantasy setting and a story about class and prejudice. It’s one of the best-reviewed JRPGs in years.
- Genre: JRPG
- Why it’s great: strong turn-based combat, memorable art direction, thoughtful story themes
- Best for: fans of Persona-style JRPGs looking for something new
18. Monster Hunter Wilds
Wilds brings the long-running Monster Hunter series to a more open, dynamic environment, with better co-op tools than past entries. Hunting large monsters with friends is still the main draw.
- Genre: Action RPG
- Why it’s great: deep weapon variety, strong co-op design, satisfying monster fights
- Best for: players who want a long-term grind with friends
19. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
This historical RPG drops you into 15th-century Bohemia with a focus on realism over fantasy. Combat, survival, and dialogue all lean toward simulation rather than typical RPG shortcuts.
- Genre: Historical RPG
- Why it’s great: grounded, realistic combat and world design, strong sense of place
- Best for: players who want an RPG that feels different from the usual fantasy formula
20. Hades 2
Hades 2 follows up one of the best roguelikes ever made with a new protagonist, more weapons, and the same addictive run-to-run progression. Sessions are short, so it’s easy to pick up for twenty minutes or two hours.
- Genre: Roguelike
- Why it’s great: excellent moment-to-moment combat, strong writing for a roguelike, easy to pick up and put down
- Best for: players who want a game that respects their time
How We Selected the Best PS5 Games
We picked these games based on critical reception, how well they use PS5-specific features like the DualSense controller and fast SSD loading, lasting player engagement after launch, and how well each one holds up against others in its genre.
We looked at:
- Critical and player reception at launch and over time
- How well each game takes advantage of PS5 hardware
- Replay value and how much content each game actually offers
- Genre variety, so this list isn’t just one type of game repeated twenty times
- Whether a game still feels worth playing today, not just at launch
Best PS5 Games by Genre
Action-adventure: God of War Ragnarok, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Ghost of Yotei, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered
RPG: Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Horizon Forbidden West, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
JRPG: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Metaphor: ReFantazio
Survival horror: Resident Evil 4 Remake, Resident Evil Requiem, Alan Wake 2
Soulslike: Elden Ring, Nioh 3
Platformer: Astro Bot, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
Roguelike: Hades 2, Returnal
Co-op focused: Monster Hunter Wilds, Baldur’s Gate 3
Buying Guide: Things to Consider Before Buying a PS5 Game
Not every game on this list fits every player, so here’s what actually matters before you buy.
- Time commitment. Games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth can take 60 to 100+ hours. Games like Ratchet and Clank or Hades 2 respect shorter play sessions.
- Difficulty. Elden Ring and Nioh 3 are genuinely hard and don’t hold your hand. If you want something more forgiving, Astro Bot or Spider-Man 2 are much friendlier.
- Genre fit. Don’t buy a survival horror game if you don’t actually like being scared. Match the genre list above to what you know you enjoy.
- Solo versus co-op. Some of these, like Monster Hunter Wilds and Baldur’s Gate 3, are much better with friends. Others are built entirely around a solo experience.
- PS5 Pro enhancements. If you have a PS5 Pro, check whether a game supports enhanced resolution or frame rate modes before assuming it looks the same as base PS5.
- Digital versus physical. Physical copies can often be resold or traded, while digital copies save you disc-swapping and storage space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best PS5 game overall in 2026?
Astro Bot is widely considered the best overall PS5 game, thanks to its creative level design and use of the DualSense controller. Elden Ring and God of War Ragnarok are close behind for players who want something bigger and more story-driven.
What’s the best PS5 game for a new player who’s never owned a PlayStation?
Astro Bot or God of War Ragnarok are the most commonly recommended starting points, since both show off what the console does well without requiring prior series knowledge.
Are these games available on PS5 Pro?
Yes, all the games on this list run on PS5 Pro. Several, including Ghost of Yotei and Horizon Forbidden West, include specific enhanced modes for PS5 Pro hardware.
What’s the newest game on this list?
Nioh 3 and Resident Evil Requiem are the newest entries, both released within the past year.
Is Baldur’s Gate 3 or Elden Ring better for a first RPG?
Baldur’s Gate 3 is more approachable for players new to RPGs because of its turn-based combat and forgiving difficulty settings. Elden Ring is better suited to players who want a real challenge.
Do I need PlayStation Plus to play these games?
No, PlayStation Plus isn’t required for single-player games on this list. It is required for online multiplayer and co-op features in games like Monster Hunter Wilds.
Final Verdict
If you can only buy one game from this list, make it Astro Bot. It’s the clearest showcase of what the PS5 can actually do, and it works for players at any skill level.
If you want something with more depth to sink into over weeks or months, Elden Ring and Baldur’s Gate 3 are the two strongest picks, just in very different directions. Elden Ring rewards patience and skill in a punishing open world, while Baldur’s Gate 3 rewards curiosity and creative problem-solving in a world built around your choices.
And if you’re just looking for the newest thing worth playing right now, Ghost of Yotei and Nioh 3 are the strongest recent releases on this list, both proving PS5’s lineup is still getting stronger years into the console’s life.