Highlights

• PS Vita may not have “too many games,” but Gravity Rush was an incredible title.
• Kingdom Hearts on the PS2 brought Disney and Square Enix together in a groundbreaking masterpiece.
• The Last Of Us on the PS3 remains a classic with a perfect mix of narrative and gameplay elements.

Sony’s mainstay in gaming for decades – the PlayStation – has had a massive impact on the industry. With five major releases and a few forays into the handheld market, there’s a good chance every gamer has played at least a few titles on a PlayStation system.

However, with so many Playstation consoles, it’s hard to guess which is the very best game on each system as the competition is so fierce. There are numerous classics vying for the title on each console, but which titles are the very best?

7 Spyro the Dragon

PlayStation1

When the original PlayStation came out, it was one of the first consoles to fully embrace 3D movement, and evidence of this can be found as early as the first Spyro game. The platform game has aged surprisingly well and is still easy to learn and play today.

The game has stood the test of time so well that despite the way the game looks, little has changed with the modern remake, which shows just how strong the fundamentals of this hodgepodge are. If you’re a fan of 3D platformers but have somehow managed to avoid the Spyro series, the first game is still the perfect way to get started.

6 Kingdom Hearts

PlayStation2

The PlayStation 2 was a cultural phenomenon, and it’s no wonder the console sold so incredibly well. Because of this, there may be the widest selection of best titles for the system, but the most surprising success story of this era is the launch of Kingdom Hearts.

While the PS2 includes both the original title and its fantastic sequel, the mix of Disney and Square Enix magic that made the first title such a groundbreaking game makes Kingdom Hearts an iconic masterpiece of the era. It also helps that the series’ history is at its most manageable here.

5 Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7

PSP

Sony’s first portable console was a surprise success for the company, and while it spawned many great standalone titles, it also became home to many spin-off titles for the PlayStation heavyweights. One spin-off that has stood the test of time well is Crisis Core, a prequel to the phenomenal Final Fantasy 7.

The action RPG gameplay inspired the style of play used by today’s main Final Fantasy game, making it incredibly ahead of its time. Zack Fair is also a lot of fun to follow, whose optimistic personality stands out from the more diverse crowd of other Final Fantasy protagonists.

4 The Last of Us

PlayStation3

Given the huge impact The Last Of Us has had since its release as the PS3’s swan song title, it’s understandable that some people might roll their eyes when they see it listed as the console’s best. However, when you go back to the original version of the first title in this short series, you can see how well it has aged.

The Last Of Us masters the combination of narrative and gameplay elements and never lets up or lets up throughout the game. Blending story and gameplay this well is something that games still struggle with, so it’s impressive that such a feat still holds up.

3 Gravity Rush

PS Vita

Unfortunately, compared to all of Sony’s other consoles, the underrated successor to the PSP received far less support and didn’t have nearly as many original titles as the others. However, that doesn’t change the fact that there are some hidden gems on the handheld, with Gravity Rush being one of the best.

The seemingly simple trick of manipulating gravity to reach every corner of the stylized world in Gravity Rush may seem limited, but this fast-paced adventure ensures that this mechanic is always used creatively, taking full advantage of this game’s outstanding world.

2 Final Fantasy VII Remake

PlayStation4

Given the huge library, calling one title the best on PS4 is probably the biggest challenge, but the remake of the classic Final Fantasy 7 proved just how well a decades-old game can be brought back to life.

Every element of this reimagining has been built from the ground up with the perfect blend of old and new, making this a great title for fans of the original and newcomers alike. The depth of the combat mechanics is perfect for this first third of the remake trilogy and has been impressively expanded upon so far by the sequel on PS5.

1 Horizon Forbidden West

PlayStation5

While the first Horizon game on PS4 was a fantastic title to start a new series with, the direct sequel on PS5 takes full advantage of the system’s capabilities, creating a stunningly beautiful sequel that expands on the gameplay of the original to create an unforgettable experience.

Compared to the original, everything is just bigger and better, with more varied scenes, interesting exploration, and twists in combat that keep the game feeling fresh throughout its runtime. Considering the amount of effort that goes into a title as big as Forbidden West, it’s amazing to see how well it turned out.