Over the years, there have been numerous PlayStation exclusives that graced the series of Sony's gaming consoles. Some of them have been questionable, but most of them are considered among the greatest (if not the greatest) of their respective generations. But which ones are the absolute best PlayStation exclusives of all time?
In this list, we have compiled what numerous outlets believe are the best games to ever exclusively release on PlayStation consoles. And yes, that includes former exclusives that have already been released to other platforms years after the game's original launch. Take note, however, that this list was made with no particular order in mind.
Metal Gear Solid (1998)
The original Metal Gear Solid absolutely pushed the limits of what can be done with the original PlayStation console, and then some. This game introduced players to so many things that people now take for granted in modern games, writes ScreenRant.
These include cinematic style storytelling and artistic camera angles, an iconic main character in Solid Snake, and a gameplay loop that makes you feel like an unstoppable badass and deer in the headlights at the same time. It's these things that turned the OG Metal Gear Solid an absolute classic, earning it a sky-high score of 94 at Metacritic.
God Of War (2018)
Sure, Santa Monica Studios' romp through Norse mythology as an older Kratos might have released on PC early in 2022. But that doesn't take away from the fact that this game basically further solidified Sony and the PS4's win in the 8th generation console battle, with Microsoft's Xbox One basically being left in the dust.
god of war
The 2018 version of God Of War shows just how much Kratos has grown as a character through his trials and tribulations starting in ancient Greece. Now with a son in Atreus, the Ghost of Sparta must once again traverse the land of unfamiliar gods and intriguing tales, all with his fragile but evolving relationship with his son being the centerpiece of the amazing story, writes IGN.
Read also: 'All New PlayStation Plus' Finally Revealed As Xbox Game Pass Competitor: What Does It Bring?
The Last Of Us (2013)
When Naughty Dog (famous for the Crash Bandicoot series) revealed The Last Of Us back in 2011, the PS3 generation was nearing its end. But when that game came out and offered a far grittier, realistic, and emotionally hard-hitting experience than a typical zombie game, it was like a breath of fresh air on one of the most overdone genres in gaming.
the last of us
What followed was a landslide of multiple Game of the Year awards, most of them praising the game's amazing story combined with its visual fidelity and unique take on the zombie genre. It was one of the most important games of its generation - so important that it was remastered on the PS4 with another potential remake for the current-gen PlayStation 5.
Tekken 3 (1996)
There was a reason why the 90s and the early 2000s was considered as somewhat of a golden age for fighting games. But in the 90s, one fighting game stood out above all the rest: Tekken 3 for the original PlayStation and arcade machines.
BlackNerdGames considers Tekken 3 the absolute greatest fighting game ever made,. For the simple reason that it's showy without being over the top. You don't have the same ridiculous superpowers that litter games like Mortal Kombat or Dragon Ball FighterZ, meaning that Tekken 3 is as close to real fighting as you can get. The game's controls were also extremely advanced and responsive for its time - considering how the PSOne didn't even have analog sticks.
Horizon Zero Dawn (2017)
Before Horizon Zero Dawn, developer Guerilla Games has always been known for one thing: the Killzone first-person shooter franchise. So when they revealed their take on a post-apocalyptic open-world RPG, it was a move so far out of left field. But it was perhaps the best move the studio will ever make in its history.
horizon zero dawn
2017 saw Horizon Zero Dawn top so many game review charts for what it brough to the table. A refreshing take on the post-apocalyptic storytelling trope, a main character whose personality rivals so many of those who came before her, and visuals that showcased the raw graphical horsepower of the then-new PlayStation 4.
It was hailed as one of the best PlayStation exclusives to ever launch, and was one of Sony's aces up its sleeves when it tried to enter the PC gaming market for the first time. The resulting sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, further improved on what Zero Dawn brought to the table - and then some. Be sure to check out our review of Forbidden West here.
Related: PlayStation Is Among The Biggest Winners Of BAFTA 2022 Game Awards
Story posted on GameNGuide
Written by RJ Pierce
