The best video games on PS5 today span cinematic exclusives, brutal remakes, and family-friendly platformers built specifically for Sony’s console. Since launch, the PlayStation 5 has grown into a library of well over a thousand games, and a handful of titles still stand out as the ones worth your time first.
Sony released the PlayStation 5 back in November 2020. The console still holds up well. It has a fast processor, so games load in seconds instead of minutes. It also supports 3D audio and haptic feedback through the DualSense controller. Together, these features make games feel more real.
But a console is only as good as its games. Below are five PS5 titles that are still worth playing today, why each one earns a spot, and what to know before you buy.
Quick Take
If you only have time to try two games, start with Astro Bot for the single best showcase of what the PS5’s DualSense controller can do, and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales for a shorter, cinematic action game that plays well for newcomers. Everything below fits different tastes, from horror fans to families with young kids.
Demon’s Souls

If you like scary, punishing games, Demon’s Souls is worth playing. It is a full remake of a 2009 PlayStation 3 game. Bluepoint Games rebuilt it from the ground up as a PS5 launch title in November 2020. It is one of the best-looking games on the console. The PS5’s fast loading times mean you barely wait between deaths, and you will die a lot. The game does not hold your hand. Expect to lose progress often before you learn each area.
One thing worth knowing before you buy: in early 2026, Sony shut down Bluepoint Games, the studio behind this remake. The game itself still works exactly as it always has. But it also means no sequel or follow-up remake from this team is coming. If you want to see their work, Demon’s Souls is likely the last chance.
This won’t work for you if you dislike difficult games or want a story-heavy experience — the plot here is thin, and the challenge is the whole point.
Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar’s western adventure follows Arthur Morgan and his gang as they run from the law, rival gangs, and their own past. It is one of the most detailed open worlds ever built, and it still holds up.
Here is what you should know before buying it on PS5 in 2026: Red Dead Redemption 2 still has no native PS5 version. It runs through backward compatibility at 30 frames per second, the same way it ran on PS4. There is no DualSense haptic feedback and no faster loading. Rockstar has not confirmed a native upgrade, despite years of rumors. If you already have PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium, you can play it right now as part of that subscription instead of buying it outright.
This still works if you care more about the story and world than frame rate. It won’t work for you if smooth, fast performance matters more to you than anything else — the 30fps cap is a real limitation with no fix in sight.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure

If you play games with your kids or partner, this is the one to pick. Developer Sumo Digital built it as a launch title alongside the PS5 in November 2020, and it supports up to four players at once. You jump, dash, and dodge through short, colorful levels that move from snowy mountains to underwater caves to space.
The difficulty stays gentle enough for younger or less experienced players to keep up, while still giving skilled players harder optional challenges to chase. This works well as a starting point for family game nights where players have very different skill levels.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Developed by Insomniac Games, this is a standalone story set after the events of the first Spider-Man game. It launched alongside the PS5 in November 2020, and the series has continued since, with the full sequel Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 arriving in 2023. Miles has his own set of powers, including a bio-electric “venom” attack and a camouflage ability, so the game does not just reuse Peter Parker’s moveset.
The main story runs shorter than most open-world games, usually somewhere around eight to ten hours depending on how much you explore. If you want a long game, look elsewhere first. If you want a tight, well-paced story with a great sense of speed swinging through New York, this delivers.
Astro Bot
This PS5-exclusive platformer is worth calling out on its own. Astro Bot won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024, along with wins at the BAFTA Games Awards and the D.I.C.E. Awards the same year. You guide a small robot across more than 50 planets, rescuing lost crewmates and repairing your ship.
Sony’s official listing confirms it uses the DualSense controller more thoroughly than almost any other PS5 game — you feel individual raindrops, footsteps on different surfaces, and the tension of a stretched slingshot, all through the controller itself. If you own a PS5 and haven’t tried it, this is the single clearest answer to “what makes this console different?”
This won’t work for you if you don’t have or don’t want a DualSense controller — a lot of what makes the game special depends on that hardware specifically.
How to Choose
With five very different games, pick based on what you want out of a play session rather than by genre alone:
- Want a short session with friends or family? Start with Sackboy: A Big Adventure.
- Want to feel what the PS5 hardware can actually do? Start with Astro Bot.
- Want a long story you can lose yourself in for weeks? Start with Red Dead Redemption 2, and set your performance expectations at 30fps first.
- Want a tough, atmospheric challenge? Start with Demon’s Souls.
- Want a shorter, cinematic story you can finish in a weekend? Start with Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
Whichever you pick, check whether it’s included in your PlayStation Plus subscription tier before buying it outright — several PS5 exclusives rotate through the higher subscription tiers over time.
Key Takeaways
- The PS5’s fast loading and DualSense controller still make a real difference — Astro Bot and Demon’s Souls show this off best.
- Red Dead Redemption 2 has no native PS5 version as of 2026 and runs at 30fps through backward compatibility, with no confirmed upgrade coming.
- Demon’s Souls remains excellent, but its developer, Bluepoint Games, was shut down by Sony in March 2026, so no further work from that team is coming.
- Sackboy: A Big Adventure is the strongest pick here for mixed-skill groups or family play.
- Check your PlayStation Plus tier before buying — some of these titles may already be included.
FAQ
Is the PS5 still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, for most people. The console launched in 2020, but its library has grown enormously since, and the base PS5 still runs the vast majority of the library well. You do not need a PS5 Pro to enjoy any of the games listed here.
Do you need a PS5 Pro to enjoy these games?
No. All five games here run on the standard PS5. A PS5 Pro adds higher frame rates or resolution in some supported titles, but it is an upgrade, not a requirement.
Do PlayStation exclusives ever come to PC?
Sometimes, but usually years later. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, for example, launched on PS4 and PS5 in 2020 and did not reach Windows PC until November 2022. Don’t wait for a PC release if you already own a PS5 and want to play something soon.