The ultimate PlayStation games

It was a miracle that the PlayStation was ever made, but it happened, and the rest is now history. From the PS1 to the PS5, Sony has developed some of the best games of all time in-house, along with releasing some stellar titles for its systems. What would the world be like if Nintendo and Sega still dominated the console market?

It's hard to say, but what's certain is that PlayStation as a brand has helped shape the gaming community. Let's go through some of their best titles that were almost perfect upon release and still remain incredible today with minor caveats. If they're published or developed by Sony, they're fair game.

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

Crystal Bandicoots

First Crash Bandicoot the game had humble beginnings, but it was Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back that put things right. There was more of a story that was delivered comically, the variety of levels was better, the music got a boost in quality and it played better too.

While the fancy remastered version is included Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy collection looks better, there's something about the quality of the low-poly figures that just rule harder. It's the only game worth carrying around on an old-school PS1.

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

The first of many

Racing games are always improving visually, just like the current ones Gran Turismo game. he said that Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec When it launched on the PS2, it nailed every aspect of its package, making it a must-have game to show off the harder stuff, even for non-racing fans.

The visuals are quite dated, but for a PS2 game it's still stunning to look at and controls like a dream. The locations are top-notch and varied, the cars are pristine, and the sound design is immersive, bringing out the best of what the PS2 did early on.

Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal

Completing the trilogy

Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal was the end of the first trilogy that brought players more action than ever before. Like the previous title, this entry also gave players RPG elements to increase Ratchet's health and level up weapons. With repeated use, a normal pistol-like pistol could become as deadly as a rocket launcher, and each new level was a surprise.

One of the fun, inventive weapons, the Qwack-O-Ray, could turn enemies into ducks. The variety of planets was on point as usual, as was the comedy. It's a great PS2 platformer that unfortunately isn't easy to play these days even though Insomniac is part of Sony.

Way

Beyond Words

Way is a game that has to be played to be understood, and with a running time of only two hours, there's no excuse not to play it. Also, while it was a PS3 exclusive back in 2012, it isn't anymore.

The basic premise follows a red-clad alien across the desert, and players have a chance to meet another player on their journey from the desert to a snowy mountaintop. Players can't communicate with each other, but that's the beauty of this game. Just two strangers who meet like passing ships in the night and help each other.

The last of us

Uncharted territory

The last of us is horror done right and tells a compelling story that moves the medium forward. The opening act alone is a 10/10 experience from the slow motion to the outbreak to the final incident involving Joel and his daughter.

It's a real blow, and the game will certainly remind players that this zombie-like post-apocalyptic world isn't good to live in, but it sure looks good thanks to the buildings that Mother Earth has reclaimed. Great writing, perfect mood setting, solid stealth and shooting mechanics, and determination to always surprise make this an easy Hail Mary for PS3 and beyond.

Bloody

Castlevania Reborn

Bloody stands out among all the Soulslike games that FromSoftware has developed in several ways. Gothic fantasy reminded a lot of players Castlevaniaexcept for the darker and more brutal ones in the combat department.

Linked zones and the sheer horror of each encounter added to the horror elements. The best part was the weapons that transformed like Kirk Hammer turning a basic sword into a killer hammer. It's just a shame this PS4 game hasn't been ported elsewhere yet.

God Of War (2018)

Lone Wolf And Cub

Each God of War the game is a masterpiece of epic setting and storytelling from PS2 and beyond, but 2018 God of War the semi-reboot is when the series became more prestigious. Kratos finally stopped his endless screaming and wanted to be better for his son Atreus, but like all good redemption stories, the past won't let him go, even in the new realm of the gods.

The combat was just as visceral as the past games, except harder because Kratos was stronger than ever before. The Norse lands that players traversed were imaginative, the characters engaging, and the boomerang-like quality of the Leviathan Ax was fun to chop up enemies or throw them around.

Shadow Of The Colossus (2018)

There could be giants

Shadow of the Colossus it started life on the PS2 before being remastered on the PS3, and then, in 2018, this remake was created in a practically 1:1 fashion. Ambition aside, the update is good enough to make it a recommended PS4 release, thanks to a graphical overhaul and improved controls.

The base game is timeless and features a young warrior, Wander, who travels through an empty open world in search of towering bosses called Colossi. Each encounter was different as players had to approach these colossi carefully before climbing them, piercing their weak points and then absorbing their powers. While there are other boss games out there, Shadow of the Colossus is an OG example.

Astro Bot

Platforming Heaven

Astro Bot is the 3D platformer to end all 3D platformers, serving as a collection of PlayStation nostalgia while also being creative in its own right. As the titular robot, players will venture into imaginative worlds filled with platforming puzzles, all hiding robots to save them from normal to video game themed ones. Castlevania on Resident Evil.

One of the main strengths allows players to take control of older characters but as robots in fully themed levels that play differently such as action God of War levels or monkey antics Monkey Run. With surprises around every corner, Astro Bot is nostalgia done right on PS5.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Kojima and beyond

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a huge improvement over the original and a must play for every PS5 owner. The graphics are out of this world, the story is odd but more cohesive, and it's simply easier to cycle multiple vans.

The open world environments of Mexico and Australia aren't as densely populated with locations or objectives as most games, but discovering hidden locations makes the journey more enjoyable. Asynchronous multiplayer is also still intact, giving players a common goal to improve their worlds. Hitting a rebuilt road or shelter at just the right moment can be clutch. Thanks to the help of Hideo Kojima, this game is the top of PlayStation right now.