Sony PlayStation’s Best Game Franchises

Compared to Nintendo’s franchises, it may seem like the Sony PlayStation hasn’t been around that long. But the PS1 came out 30 years ago, and with each console generation there have been more and more exclusive games as Sony created and acquired new studios on a regular basis. There aren’t many franchises that have been around as long as, say, Mario or Zelda, but they have had a huge impact on the industry and players. Most of the best games for PS5 — are franchises-PlayStation, and the most exciting upcoming games for PS5 — are new installments of these beloved series. Looking back at all the exclusive franchises, both current franchises and those whose games haven’t been released in a while, which ones are the best? We’ve rounded up all the major franchises to rank the best Sony PlayStation games.

10. Killzone

Sony PlayStation has released some great shooters, but only one of them was built to go head-to-head with a giant like Halo. In the end, the Killzone games failed to dethrone Master Chief from the throne of the king of console FPSs, but they did earn themselves a loyal fan base. The series stood out for its grim plot about a war between the Interplanetary Strategic Alliance and the Helghan Empire, which rises from exile on an almost inhospitable planet. There is a clear Nazi influence in the ideology and appearance of the Helgans, but the glowing red eyes were a particular symbol. The shooting was good, but there was nothing unusual about it, and the story, despite four main games and two spin-offs, never caught on among players.

9. Resistance

It could be argued that Killzone was more popular than Resistance, but it’s a matter of taste and color here. The shooters from Insomniac Games, known for its creativity in games like Ratchet & Clank, weren’t limited to traditional firearms. And that makes the games more appealing in the eyes of players. Sure, there are machine guns, pistols and snipers, but each weapon has its own twist that makes it more unique. Set in an alternate history in which an alien species known as the Chimera appears in the 1950s, it’s a fantastic blend of historical and sci-fi shooter elements. Unlike Killzone, Resistance does a better job of creating characters in an exciting new world. Each game mechanically builds on the previous one, and the finale leaves us with a host of questions that we may never get answers to again.

8. Sly Cooper

There have been a lot of cool and amazing 3D platformers released on the PS2. Even if you only consider Sony PlayStation exclusives, the competition was high, so a series like Sly Cooper had to offer something special to stand out as more than just another platformer with a memorable character. And it did stand out. By using cellular colors and scenes from comic books to create a deceptively dark story about a master thief, Sly caught the attention of a huge audience. And it only got better after the first game, expanding the roster of thieves, special abilities and heist difficulty.

And after the first game, it only got better, expanding the roster of thieves, special abilities and heist difficulty.

7. Jak & Daxter

The Jak series started out friendly enough as a good collectible game set in a unique world with witty characters, but quickly evolved into something completely different. The series was still a 3D platformer, but the second installment took on a darker tone, an open world, and a greater emphasis on combat. Jak 3 made another transition to something almost insane, while still being a pretty fun game. The series exemplifies the evolution of developer Naughty Dog into the studio it has become and what we know it to be now.

An example of the evolution of developers Naughty Dog into the studio it has become and what we know it to be now.

6. Ratchet and Clank

Of all the major franchises for the PS2, Ratchet not only had the most games, but also the strongest lineup. While Jak and Sly have faded into the background, Ratchet has become Sony PlayStation’s flagship game for kids and young adults, remaining an engaging diversion for all ages. The games are more iterative than most, mostly experimenting with new weapons and abilities, but the core principle — third-person shooting and platforming through enclosed worlds — is fine-tuned to perfection. Every game is charming, from the environments and characters to the quirky weapons. This game is about real fun, which isn’t as common on the PlayStation as we’d like to think.

The game is about real fun, which isn’t as common on the PlayStation as we’d like it to be.

5. Horizon

Horizon could rank much higher on this list, but for now it’s in the middle because it only has two complete installments. Nevertheless, the first two games are impressive. After making only Killzone for decades, Guerrilla Games took a big step towards open-world RPGs with Horizon: Zero Dawn. The game would have been good enough on premise alone — fighting robotic dinosaurs with primitive weapons, but the historical rationale for why the world became the way it did — is a very interesting mystery to solve. The sequel has improved graphics, added more enemies and more plot twists to look forward to in the final chapter.

The sequel has improved graphics, more enemies and more plot twists to look forward to in the final chapter.

4. God of War

If the series had ended after the original trilogy (plus a few spin-offs), God of War would probably still be in the top 10 just for being a cathartic power fantasy. However, it was with 2018’s God of War and its sequel that the franchise became something special. It managed to humanize a character who was previously only defined by his rage, tying it to his insecurities. It’s an interesting character study and a complete revitalization for what could have been a monotonous franchise. The fact that the story is so moving and personal, while featuring some of the most visually stunning set pieces and cinematic effects, showcases one of the best games to be seen on the Sony PlayStation

3. Marvel’s Spider-Man

There have been dozens of Spider-Man games before it, but only Marvel’s Spider-Man feels like it will be something special. The smartest decision the first game made — to abandon the easy option of being another origin story and dive into a new take on the Spider-Man mythology. It pays homage to the character’s vast history that stretches back decades, but it’s also not afraid to subvert expectations and utilize the characters in new ways. In the end, it was the gameplay that made this game a real hit. Flying on the web across the city is euphoric when you master it, and the battles take full advantage of what makes Spider-Man… Spider-Man.

2. The Last of Us

The cultural impact of The Last of Us — is something that is rarely seen. Even before the game was adapted into an HBO hit, it became quite popular. And with the TV series bringing even more attention to the source material, the two games may become the most famous Sony PlayStation franchise of all time. But simply being famous isn’t enough to make this list — it has to be exceptional. Certainly, having made it here, it is. There are virtually no flaws here. Everything — acting, script, pacing and gameplay — serves to reinforce the basic thesis. Nevertheless, the darkness explored in these games may prove too much for some.

1. Uncharted

Why was Uncharted ranked above The Last of Us? In our opinion, it has all the same virtues as Naughty Dog’s other major franchise, but without the excessive bleakness that the other franchise has plenty of. Uncharted may be grim, but it’s also light, explosive, exciting and funny. It’s a world and characters that we enjoy spending time with in the present tense. It also allows us to live out our fantasies of being a treasure hunter, solving ancient puzzles, and surviving incredible disasters while holding on to life with our teeth. All while maintaining a heartwarming and down-to-earth feel. Plus the release of the movie starring Tom Holland in 2022 has also sparked a new wave of interest in the game series.