There are well over 10,000 games on Sony’s consoles, so it’s easy to be overwhelmed by choice. It’s no exaggeration to say that when Sony entered the console market in 1994, the world of videogames was changed forever. In this series, join us as we highlight the best games from all of the home and handheld PlayStations. So start making your checklist as we present 100 of the best games on Sony’s consoles.
1. Tekken 3
Year: 1998
Platform: PlayStation
Namco’s 3D fighting series has been a premier attraction on every PlayStation platform, but the third game was perhaps its finest hour. Building on the accomplished fighting model of its predecessor, Tekken 3 added a number of popular characters including Hwoarang, Ling Xiaoyu and Jin Kazama, as well as the button-basher’s favorite Eddy Gordo. Character models were given additional detail and showed less obvious joints between limbs, and animation was improved too.
The gameplay in Tekken 3 builds upon the foundations set by its predecessors. Players can choose from a roster of over 20 different characters, each with their own unique moveset. The game features a variety of modes, including Arcade, Versus, and Story. Tekken 3 also introduces a number of new gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to sidestep, and the inclusion of environmental hazards.
However, what made Tekken 3 such a joy was the sheer amount of extras. A wealth of unlockable characters covered everyone from old favorites like Heihachi to the fearsome newcomer Bryan Fury, as well as the bizzare Dr Bosconovich. Tekken Force mode re-imagined the game as a scrolling beat-’em-up, and Tekken Ball mixed up the fighting by adding beach volleyball rules. Few fighters have ever offered so much, and done it so well.
2. Kingdom Hearts
Year: 2002
Platform: PlayStation 2
Squaresoft was on top of the world thanks to the popularity of its Final Fantasy series during the early days of the PS2’s life – so naturally, the best thing to do was take its cast and do a crossover with Disney’s beloved characters. Yes, it’s an odd mixture, but Kingdom Hearts remains a fan favorite many years after its first release. Part of that is doubtless due to its enjoyable action-RPG game design, but much of the appeal has to be the ability to buddy up with Donald Duck and visit the worlds of classic Disney films inlcuding ALice In Wonderland, Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules and Tarzan.
If you’re looking for an amazing gaming experience that combines the best of Disney and Final Fantasy, you can’t go wrong with Kingdom Hearts.
3. Ridge Racer
Year: 1994
Platform: PlayStation
Namco’s launch game showed that while Sony was an upstart newcomer in the console market, its hardware was the real deal. The year before, Ridge Racer had revolutionized graphics in arcade games, but the power of the PlayStation allowed for a shockingly close version to be enjoyed in your living room. It’s historically significant, and it’s still great fun.
The Ridge Racer series is one of the longest-running racing game franchises, with over 20 years of history. The franchise has seen many changes over the years, but the core gameplay remains relatively unchanged. Players race through various tracks, using nitro boosts and drift mechanics to gain an advantage. The games are known for their high-speed action and tight controls.
4. SSX Tricky
Year: 2001
Platform: PlayStation 2
The original SSX was a highlight of the PS2 launch, but the sequel blew it away.; Everything was more over the top – the characters’ brash personalities were highlighted, and tehy gained insane new “Uber Tricks” to reward good play. EA also made smart use of the original game, remixing its tracks for a new experience and adding a couple more.
5. Bayonetta
Year: 2009
Platform: PlayStation 3
When you need to kill angels, there’s only one person to call – the sassy, sexy witch who gives this game its title. Bayonetta takes many of its hack-and-slash design cues from Devil May Cry, which was also directed by this game’s director Hideki Kamiya, but adds brutal “Torture attacks” and delivers even more epic encounters – particularly in its boss battles.
6. Persona 5
Year: 2016
Platform: PlayStation 4
When a high school student discovers an app that allows him to explore people’s subconscious desires as places, he and his friends resolve to use this power to change the hearts of villains. The latest entry in the series by Atlus offers many hours of top-class gameplay, and is one of the most stylish games in the genre.
7. Titanfall 2
Year: 2016
Platform: PlayStation 4
What Respawn’s first-person shooter lacks in terms of a compelling story, it more than makes up for with exciting gameplay. Its titular Titans are a range of gigantic mech suits that drastically change the nature of battle, no matter whether you’re piloting or fighting them, and their inclusion provides a unique experience in the genre.
8. God Of War: Chains Of Olympus
Year: 2008
Platform: PlayStation Portable
Kratos’ handheld debut is a prequel to the original God Of War, and it’s just as good as the home console games. Ready At Dawn intelligently adapted the series’ established controls to the PSP, ensuring that the game’s bloody brawls are still satisfying. If you’ve ever wondered how far the hardware could be pushed, this graphically incredible game is essential.
The franchise’s PS3 debut sees an epic but emotional ending to the Greek era. After being betrayed by the Titans, Kratos embarks on a soul-searching journey through hell and Mount Olympus, fighting the gods and the Titans, ultimately killing Zeus.
9. LocoRoco
Year: 2006
Platform: PSP
In this platform game, your job is to help the LocoRoco to rescue each other and beat the evil Moja – but instead of taking control of the cute blob creatures yourself, you control the world around them by using the L and R buttons to tilt the stage. Along the way they’ll join together and split at your command, and they can be transformed into all sorts of funny shapes, which might help or hinder them in moving around and solving puzzles. It’s an inventive and infectiously happy game, and thanks to its flat colored cartoon graphics and diverse soundtrack it’s one of Sony’s most recognizable handheld games too.
10. Red Dead Redemption
Year: 2010
Platform: PlayStation 3
It’s astonishing that there are so few brilliant videogame Westerns, but thankfully Rockstar’s effort here is so good that you’re unlikely to need many others. In gameplay terms, the design template of the Grand Theft Auto games is applied to the old west, with a vast open world to explore and plenty of things to do, and a protagonist whose reputation hinges on hos actions. However, the real draw is the tale of John Marston’s quest to round up his former outlaw compatriots in a bid to protect his family -v and once you’ve finished that, the substantial Undead Nightmare DLC campaign sees John battle against a zombie apocalypse.
