Six years into its life, the PlayStation 5 has a huge library. That is great news, but it also makes choosing difficult. This guide is split into two parts: first the best PS5 games released in 2026, then the all-time essentials every PS5 owner should consider. For each game you will find what it is, who it suits and why it stands out.
Best new PS5 games of 2026
1 Resident Evil Requiem
The latest Resident Evil mixes tense, classic survival horror with bursts of all-out action. Two protagonists offer different styles of play, and there are multiple endings. Push Square readers voted it their game of the year so far, and it is nominated for the Golden Joystick Awards' Ultimate Game of the Year.
Play it if: you like being scared, managing limited ammo and solving puzzles.
2 007 First Light
From the makers of Hitman, this is an origin story for a young James Bond. It combines stealth, gadgets and big set pieces with confident storytelling, and it feels clearly different from Hitman despite the shared studio.
Play it if: you enjoy spy films and choosing between sneaking and action.
3 Pragmata
A brand-new Capcom series set on the Moon. Its twist is that you hack enemies in a quick puzzle while you shoot them, which makes every fight feel different from a standard shooter. The story is focused and has no padding.
Play it if: you want something original rather than another sequel.
4 Crimson Desert
A huge, highly interactive fantasy open world with a lot of content for the price. Post-launch updates have improved it further.
Play it if: you want a big world to lose yourself in for weeks.
5 Saros
From the team behind Returnal, Saros is fast, demanding sci-fi action that makes strong use of the PS5 hardware. The October 2026 "Zenith" update added a boss rush, New Game+ and optional modifiers such as slower game speed and auto-fire, which make it more approachable.
Play it if: you love a challenge and "one more run" games.
6 Marvel's Wolverine
Insomniac's take on Wolverine was the best-selling new game in the US in September 2026, according to Circana, and Sony's biggest launch since Helldivers 2.
Play it if: you enjoyed Insomniac's Spider-Man games and want something more brutal.
7 Nioh 3
Hard-hitting samurai action with two combat styles to switch between. It is tough but more accessible for newcomers than earlier Nioh games.
8 Mina the Hollower
From the creators of Shovel Knight, this Game Boy Color-style adventure borrows from classic Zelda and Souls games. It scored 90 on Metacritic.
9 Hades II
A bigger, more polished sequel to one of the best roguelikes ever made, with gorgeous art, excellent music and satisfying combat.
10 Big Walk
One of the highest-rated games of the year on Metacritic, and a Golden Joystick Ultimate Game of the Year nominee. A great pick to play with friends.
How we chose these games
Lists like this are always partly a matter of taste, so here is how we picked. We started with the games that critics and players have rated most highly in 2026, using published reviews and review aggregators, and then looked at what kind of player each game suits. We favoured games that are complete and polished at the time of writing, and we skipped games that are only worth playing after future updates. Where a game is especially good on PS5, for example because it makes clever use of the DualSense controller or loads almost instantly from the console's SSD, we gave it extra credit.
If your favourite game is missing, it may simply suit a narrower audience, or it may appear in our best PC games list instead. Many of the games here are on both platforms.
Upcoming PS5 games to watch
The rest of 2026 brings several big PS5 releases. GTA 6 arrives on 19 November, Attack on Titan 3 and Professor Layton and the New World of Steam follow on 10 December, and Path of Exile 2 leaves early access on 11 December. See our November and December release calendar for the full list.
All-time PS5 essentials
If you are new to PS5, or just catching up, these are the games most often named as the console's best:
| Game | Genre | Why play it |
|---|---|---|
| Astro Bot | Platformer | Pure joy, and the best showcase of the DualSense controller |
| Elden Ring | Open-world action RPG | Tough, rewarding exploration with endless secrets |
| God of War Ragnarök | Action adventure | Cinematic combat and an emotional father-son story |
| Marvel's Spider-Man 2 | Superhero action | Fast, fluid web-swinging across New York |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | RPG | Deep choices and storytelling, playable in co-op |
| Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | Platformer shooter | Instant world-switching made possible by the PS5's SSD |
| Final Fantasy VII Rebirth | RPG | A huge, lovingly remade adventure |
| Ghost of Yōtei | Open-world action | Beautiful samurai revenge story |
| Gran Turismo 7 | Racing sim | The best-looking racing game on the console |
| Helldivers 2 | Co-op shooter | Chaotic, hilarious team play |
| Split Fiction | Co-op adventure | A new idea every few minutes, built for two players |
| Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | RPG | Stylish turn-based battles with real-time timing |
Hidden gems worth your time
Big releases get most of the attention, but some of the most memorable PS5 experiences are smaller games. If you have finished the blockbusters, look for well-reviewed indie games in the PlayStation Store's highest-rated lists, and check the PlayStation Plus Extra catalogue, which often includes excellent smaller titles. Mina the Hollower and Hades II on this list are good examples: neither needs huge budgets to deliver hours of brilliant play.
Best PS5 games by type
- For beginners and kids: Astro Bot, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.
- To play with a friend on the sofa or online: Split Fiction, Helldivers 2, Big Walk.
- For a big story: God of War Ragnarök, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, 007 First Light.
- For a real challenge: Elden Ring, Nioh 3, Saros.
- For racing fans: Gran Turismo 7. Forza Horizon 6 is also planned for PS5 later, after its PC and Xbox launch.
- Coming soon: GTA 6 on 19 November 2026. See our GTA 6 guide.
Getting the best picture from your TV
A great game can look disappointing on a badly set-up TV. Switch the TV to its Game mode to reduce input lag, the delay between pressing a button and seeing the result. If your TV has several HDMI ports, use one labelled for 4K at 120Hz or HDMI 2.1 if available. And use the HDMI cable that came with the PS5, because older cables may not support the highest settings.
Which PS5 model do you have?
There are now several versions of the PlayStation 5, and they all play the same games. The differences are mainly size, storage and power.
| Model | Released | What is different |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 (original) | 2020 | The launch console, with Standard (disc) and Digital editions |
| PS5 "Slim" | 2023 | Smaller and lighter, more storage, and a disc drive that can be attached to the Digital edition later |
| PS5 Pro | 2024 | A more powerful graphics chip and AI upscaling for sharper, smoother "PS5 Pro Enhanced" games; no built-in disc drive |
If you have a PS5 Pro, look for the PS5 Pro Enhanced label on the store page, which means the developer has added improvements for it. GTA 6 is one of the games listed as Enhanced.
PlayStation Plus tiers explained
Sony's subscription has three main tiers, and choosing the right one can save you a lot of money.
- Essential: online multiplayer, cloud saves and a few games to claim every month.
- Extra: everything in Essential plus a catalogue of hundreds of PS5 and PS4 games to download and play, including many big titles from earlier years.
- Premium (called Deluxe in some countries, including India): everything in Extra plus a library of classic PlayStation games, game trials and cloud streaming in supported regions.
If you mainly play single-player games, Extra is usually the best value, because a single month can give you access to several games on this list.
Make the most of the DualSense controller
The PS5's controller is one of the console's best features. Its haptic feedback uses precise vibrations to let you feel rain, footsteps or different road surfaces, and its adaptive triggers can stiffen to simulate drawing a bow or pressing a car's brake. Astro Bot, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Gran Turismo 7 are great showcases. If you find the effects tiring, you can reduce their strength in Settings > Accessories > Controllers.
Can you play PS4 games on PS5?
Yes. The PS5 can play the vast majority of PS4 games, and many run better than on a PS4, with faster loading and steadier frame rates. Many popular PS4 games also have a free or low-cost PS5 upgrade. Your PS4 saves can usually be transferred through cloud storage or a direct transfer when you set up the console.
Storage: how to make room for big games
Modern games are large, and a few big releases can fill a PS5 quickly. You have three main options:
- Add an internal M.2 SSD. The PS5 has an expansion slot for a compatible M.2 drive. It is the best option, because games can be played directly from it at full speed. Choose a drive that meets Sony's published speed requirements and has a heatsink.
- Use a USB external drive to store PS5 games you are not currently playing, and to play PS4 games directly. Moving a PS5 game back to internal storage is much faster than downloading it again.
- Delete and re-download. Your purchases stay in your library, so you can always download them later. Saves are kept on the console and, with PlayStation Plus, in the cloud.
Five settings to check on a new PS5
- Performance or quality mode: in Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets, choose whether games should prefer smoother frame rates or sharper resolution by default.
- 120Hz and VRR: if your TV supports them, turn them on in the Screen and Video settings for smoother play in supported games.
- HDR: run the HDR adjustment once so bright and dark scenes look right on your TV.
- Rest mode downloads: allow the console to stay connected to the internet in rest mode so updates and pre-loads happen overnight.
- Parental controls and spending limits: if children use the console, set them up in Family and Parental Controls.
Whichever games you choose, the PS5's library is now so large that there is something for every taste and budget. Start with one game that matches what you enjoy most, and use the lists above to plan what comes next.
Tips to get more from your PS5
- PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium include a large catalogue of games, often including older entries on this list, so check there before buying.
- Use the PlayStation Store sales: older games on this list are often heavily discounted.
- Expand storage: modern games are big. The PS5 supports an extra M.2 SSD.
Also on PC? See our list of the best PC games of 2026.
Still choosing a console? Read our PS5 Disc vs Digital Edition buying guide before you buy.