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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsAstro Bot is the best all-round pick among this generation’s major PlayStation headliners playable on PS5. God of War Ragnarök, Returnal and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 follow, but the right choice depends on whether you want inventive platforming, a big action adventure, demanding runs or superhero traversal. “PS5 exclusive” is often used loosely: this ranking includes games playable on PS5 that also have PS4 or PC versions, rather than claiming every entry is available only on PS5.
What counts as a major PS5 exclusive here?
There is no official category called “major PS5 exclusive,” and PlayStation’s U.S. catalog is a guide to featured PS5 games, not a historical ranking or a complete list of every prominent release. It describes its selection as spanning “exclusive blockbusters” and indies, while listing games such as Astro Bot, Returnal, Demon’s Souls and Horizon Forbidden West. The ranking below uses “major” as an editorial term for prominent PlayStation-published or closely associated headliners from this generation that can be played on PS5; it is a considered selection, not an official or exhaustive classification. PlayStation’s PS5 games catalog
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
007 First Light - Specialist Edition - PlayStation 5 | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 – PS5 Standard Edition | $44.75 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
MLB® The Show™ 26 – PS5™ | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Marvel's Wolverine PS5 | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
A PS5 game is not necessarily a PS5-only game. Some entries began on PS4, have a PS4 version alongside the PS5 edition, or later arrived on PC. God of War Ragnarök is an explicit example: its PlayStation product page lists PS5, PS4 and PC and gives a November 9, 2022 release date. God of War Ragnarök’s PlayStation product page The other titles below should likewise be checked individually if you need to know whether a particular edition is strictly PS5-only.
How the ranking compares
This is an editorial order, not a verified review-score leaderboard. The placement weighs overall play quality, craft, originality, how distinct each game feels, and its lasting significance as a PlayStation headliner. The table gives a quick sense of each game’s central appeal; the notes below explain why it sits where it does.
#1 Best Overall
- ONLY AT AMAZON - SPECIALIST EDITION
- EARN THE NUMBER - Discover a new James Bond origin story, and the events that led a young maverick to become the best MI6 agent.
- A THRILLING ESPIONAGE ADVENTURE - Embark on missions in breathtaking locations, drive iconic vehicles, and dive into a cinematic adventure in pursuit of a rogue agent who’s always one step ahead.
- SPYING, YOUR WAY - Go silent or go loud. Whether fighting with fists or firepower, using gadgets to infiltrate, or bluffing your way past guards, the approach is entirely up to you.
| Rank | Game | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Astro Bot | Playful, inventive 3D platforming |
| 2 | God of War Ragnarök | A substantial character-led action adventure |
| 3 | Returnal | Demanding, repeatable third-person shooting |
| 4 | Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 | Fast superhero action and city traversal |
| 5 | Demon’s Souls | Atmospheric, challenging action role-playing |
| 6 | Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | Colorful platforming and weapon-driven combat |
| 7 | Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut | Open-world samurai action |
| 8 | Horizon Forbidden West | Exploration and tactical machine-hunting |
| 9 | The Last of Us Part II Remastered | A tense, story-focused survival drama |
| 10 | Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales | A more focused superhero adventure |
| 11 | Sackboy: A Big Adventure | Accessible platforming, especially for shared play |
Why these games rank in this order
1. Astro Bot
Astro Bot takes the top spot because it makes its central idea—an exuberant 3D platforming adventure—feel consistently fresh. Its broad appeal makes it the easiest recommendation here for someone who wants a polished PlayStation headliner without committing to a long, serious action drama or a high-pressure challenge. It is the best starting point if you want one game that shows off playful, imaginative design.
2. God of War Ragnarök
Ragnarök is the strongest pick for a sweeping, character-led action adventure. It earns second place for the scale of its journey and the way story and combat share the spotlight. It sits just below Astro Bot because its weightier tone and larger commitment make it a less universal first recommendation. The PlayStation product page dates its release to November 9, 2022 and lists PS5, PS4 and PC, so it is a headliner playable on PS5, not a strict PS5-only release.
3. Returnal
Returnal is the list’s most distinctive choice for players who want to improve through repeated, demanding runs. Its third-person shooting and roguelike structure make it a sharper, less forgiving recommendation than the games above it, but that identity is precisely why it stands out. Choose it for tension and mastery rather than a conventional, steadily paced campaign.
Rank #2
- Spider-Men, Peter Parker and Miles Morales, return for an exciting new adventure in the critically acclaimed Marvel’s Spider-Man franchise. Swing, jump, and utilize the new Web Wings to travel across Marvel’s New York, quickly switching between Peter Parker and Miles Morales to experience different stories and epic new powers, as the iconic villain Venom threatens to destroy their lives, their city, and the ones they love.
- An evolution of the Spider-Man story: The incredible power of the symbiote forces Peter and Miles to face the ultimate test of strength, both inside and outside the mask, as they balance their lives, friendships, and their duty to protect those in need.
- Experience two playable Spider-Men: Quickly swap between both Spider-Men as you explore an expanded Marvel’s New York. Experience Peter’s new symbiote abilities and Miles’ explosive bio-electric venom powers, and discover upgradeable, high-tech equipment that enhances the combat experience for extensive gameplay depth and variety.
- Battle iconic Marvel Super Villains: Fight against a variety of new and iconic villains, including an original take on the monstrous Venom, the ruthless Kraven the Hunter, the volatile Lizard, and many more!
4. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2 is the most immediate recommendation for high-speed superhero action: its appeal is the momentum of crossing a city and moving from traversal into fights. It ranks below Returnal because its familiar open-world framework is less unusual, but it is an excellent fit for someone who values fluid movement and blockbuster presentation over steep difficulty.
5. Demon’s Souls
Demon’s Souls belongs in the top half for the strength of its atmosphere and the satisfaction of learning its demanding action-RPG systems. It is a better match for patient players who enjoy challenge than for anyone seeking a breezy first PS5 game. Its position reflects a distinctive, uncompromising experience, balanced against a narrower audience.
6. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Rift Apart is a lively, approachable action-platformer built around inventive weapons and frequent changes of pace. It is easier to recommend broadly than Demon’s Souls, but it does not have the same intensity or staying power as the games ranked above it. Pick it when you want colorful action and a more relaxed adventure.
Rank #3
- MLB The Show 26 Full Game on PlayStation 5
- Includes 5 The Show Packs
- NEW Road to Cooperstown & Expanded Amateur Years Career
- Build your ultimate fantasy team with a new Red Diamond rarity tier and World Baseball Classic player cards featuring elite game-changing players
- NEW Revamped Front Office Experience Play the nail-biting key matches and moments of your Franchise GM career with streamlined seasons and Custom Game Entry
7. Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
Director’s Cut is the choice for players drawn to samurai combat and open-world exploration. Its appeal is the opportunity to settle into a broad adventure rather than the compact, rapid-fire invention of Astro Bot or the repeat-run structure of Returnal. It ranks here because its strengths are substantial but more familiar in shape than the higher entries.
8. Horizon Forbidden West
Forbidden West offers a large adventure centered on exploration, ranged combat and encounters with mechanical creatures. It is a natural pick for players who like building toward tougher fights while discovering a detailed world. Its scale is a strength, though it can make the experience feel less focused than the shorter or more tightly structured games above it.
9. The Last of Us Part II Remastered
This is the most story-led and emotionally severe recommendation in the ranking. Its careful, tense survival action will suit players who want a dramatic experience more than light entertainment. It sits lower not because it lacks craft, but because its tone is deliberately demanding and makes it less suitable as a general first recommendation.
Rank #4
- Marvel’s Wolverine is a new action-packed adventure from Insomniac Games
- Play as Wolverine and Ravage enemies with explosive brutality and unleash razor-sharp adamantium claws to deploy fast, fluid attacks and overcome impossible odds
- An Original, Emotionally Charged Story. Beneath Wolverine’s gruff exterior and violent temperament is a man fighting for a cause greater than himself
- A Global, Adrenaline-Fueled Journey where you slice into enemies across detailed locales such as the frosted Canadian Wilderness, the narrow streets of Tokyo, and the high and low districts of the island nation of Madripoor
10. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Miles Morales offers a more concentrated superhero adventure than Spider-Man 2. That makes it a good option if you want the appeal of swinging through a city without choosing the broader-feeling entry in the series. It ranks lower because Spider-Man 2 is the stronger all-round showcase, while this game’s shorter, more focused scope is its main distinction.
11. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Sackboy is the gentlest recommendation on the list: approachable platforming makes it a sensible choice for players who want a lighter game or a shared-play option. It ranks last only in this particular company, where the other entries have more distinctive ideas or broader impact as headliners. It remains the right pick when accessibility and a cheerful tone matter more than intensity or scale.
Quick Recap
Which PS5 headliner should you play?
- For the safest all-round recommendation: start with Astro Bot.
- For a large story-driven action adventure: choose God of War Ragnarök.
- For difficulty and replayable runs: try Returnal; choose Demon’s Souls if you want a more deliberate action-RPG challenge.
- For superhero movement and combat: pick Spider-Man 2 for the broader adventure, or Miles Morales for a more focused one.
- For exploration: choose Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut for samurai action or Horizon Forbidden West for machine-hunting and ranged combat.
- For a serious survival drama: choose The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
- For a lighter platformer or shared play: try Sackboy: A Big Adventure; choose Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart for more weapon-focused action.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
