Before the award-winning RPGs or live-action show, there was The Witcher book series. Andrzej Sapkowski's original story of Geralt of Rivia was heavily inspired by Slavic mythology as well as classic fantasy series like Lord of the Rings. Whether you already enjoyed Netflix or CD Projekt's The Witcher adaptations or are just looking for a great book series, this wild world is worth diving into.

How Many Witcher Books Are There?

1. The Last Wish (Short Story Collection)

2. Sword of Destiny (Short Story Collection)

3. Blood of Elves (The Witcher Saga #1)

4. The Time of Contempt (The Witcher Saga #2)

5. Baptism of Fire (The Witcher Saga #3)

6. The Tower of Swallows (The Witcher Saga #4)

7. The Lady of the Lake (The Witcher Saga #5)

8. Season of Storms (Prequel)

9. Crossroads of Ravens (Prequel)

Sony's PlayStation 2 has long reigned as the best-selling video game console of all time. PS4, despite its massive sales success, is trailing its older sibling by roughly 40 million units. Nintendo Switch, meanwhile, has moved well ahead of PS4 and inched past Nintendo DS to earn a spot on the podium of best-selling consoles -- though its sales are likely to further slow down now that its successor, Nintendo Switch 2 has arrived.

With Switch and PS4 having secured their spots among the top 5 all-time best-selling consoles, we set out to discover how the rest of Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft's hardware stack up. Scroll down or click through the gallery below for our list of the 30 best-selling video game consoles of all time, with additional information on release dates, highest-rated games, and more.

Some sales figures come straight from the hardware manufacturers, while others are estimated based on the most recently reported numbers and market analysis. Unofficial sales totals are marked with an asterisk (*). We focused on standalone gaming console sales (no add-ons) and excluded edutainment systems and multi-purpose phones and tablets.

If you only care about the biggest sellers, here's the TL;DR Top 5 Best-Selling Consoles list, in order, with the caveat that PlayStation 4's sell-in number was last officially shared in 2022, so it is likely to have surpassed Game Boy/GBC by now. Scroll down for more details and breakdowns:

1. PlayStation 2 (Sony) – 160 million
2. Nintendo Switch (Nintendo) – 155.37 million
3. Nintendo DS (Nintendo) – 154.02 million
4. Game Boy/Game Boy Color (Nintendo) – 118.69 million
5. PlayStation 4 (Sony) – 117.2 million

30. TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine – 8.5 million*

*While the TurboGrafx-16 was a failure in the west, Japan's PC Engine saw early success before the market was dominated by Nintendo's Super Famicom. According to official data shared in Famitsu Magazine, the PC Engine sold 5.84 million units in Japan and ended its run with 2.5 million units in the US. Not counting the CD-ROM add-on, we estimate that its various incarnations topped out at 8.5 million units sold when it was discontinued in 1994.

With the release of Nintendo Switch 2, TurboGrafx-16 fell to the 31st spot in our list. We've decided to keep it around and expand the list instead of cutting it off at 30.

29. Sega Dreamcast – 9.13 million*

*According to Sega’s 2001 annual report, lifetime sales for the console had hit 8.2 million by March 31, 2001 — the day Sega ended Dreamcast production. In the first half of the following fiscal year, the company reported it had sold an additional 130,000 units in Japan and 530,000 in the U.S, bringing the sales total up to 8.86 million. Remaining inventory for those two territories at the time, according to that same report, totaled 270,000 units. We know, thanks to Sega’s 2002 annual report, it eventually sold through all of that remaining inventory, bringing our sales total up to 9.13 million.

Now, the only figures missing are sales and inventory in Europe and Asia (outside of Japan) after March 31, 2001. However, we can seemingly discount Europe, as remaining European inventory was sold to Bigben Interactive around the time production ended. It’s unknown how many units were left in Asia, though it’s likely a fairly insignificant number considering it was the lowest performing of those four markets. As such, we’re sticking with the known total of 9.13 million.

28. Sega Saturn – 9.26 million*

*As of March 31, 1998, Saturn had sold 8.8 million units when it was discontinued in the U.S. That was the last official update from Sega, though the console would continue to be sold in Japan for another two years. 9.26 million is the final estimate given by research firm CESA. While we don’t have any official numbers to bridge that gap between 8.8 and 9.26 million, CESA’s Dreamcast estimate proved accurate (according to our math), and so we’re going to accept its Saturn total as the best available guess.

27. Wii U – 13.56 million

With 13.56 million units sold, according to official sales data, Wii U is Nintendo’s worst-selling console of all time by a wide margin. However, as former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé told CNN, the lessons learned from Wii U were crucial in propelling the Switch to success.

26. Sega Game Gear – 13.9 million*

*There are several Game Gear sales totals floating around the web: 10.62 million (from a data compilation on NeoGAF), 12 million (from late Sega executive Joe Miller), and “about” 14 million (from former Sega president Hideki Sato). Considering those three sources, we’ve opted to go with the company’s former president, assuming “about” means slightly less than 14 million.

25. PlayStation Vita – 14 million*

*Despite a dedicated fanbase, Sony’s follow-up to the PSP failed to gain a similar foothold in the handheld market, falling well short of its predecessor's sales total. Sony stopped reporting sales figures for Vita fairly early on in its lifecycle, though estimates — from news outlets and industry analysts — put the total somewhere between 10 and 15 million. Gamesindustry.biz reported Vita “sold south of" 15 million units, yet ended its run “marginally ahead” of Wii U, leading us to our rough estimate of 14 million.

24. Sega Master System/Mark III – 20 million*

*According to a compilation on NeoGAF of available sales data, Master System sold 6.2 million units in Europe. In Brazil, its biggest market, sales reached over 8 million, bringing our total to 14.2 million. Estimates for sales in Japan and the U.S., meanwhile, generally sit around 2 million per territory. Accounting for another 2 million in remaining territories — such as Australia and South Korea, where the console reportedly sold fairly well —we arrive at our final estimate of 20 million.

23. Xbox – 21 million*

*While Microsoft hasn’t announced an official sales total for the original Xbox, an archived post from the official Xbox website states "more than 24 million Xbox consoles" had been sold as of May 2006. Total Xbox 360 sales at that time had just hit 3.3 million units, according to GamesIndustry.biz, leading us to our estimate of 21 million for the original system.

22. GameCube – 21.74 million

The GameCube ended its run with 21.74 million units sold, according to Nintendo’s official numbers, making it the company’s second-worst-selling console to date. However, with 208.57 million software units sold, the number of GameCube games sold per console is the highest for any Nintendo system at 9.59.

21. Quest 2 – 22.8 million*

*Formerly known as the Oculus Quest series of standalone VR Headsets, the second iteration of the Meta Quest remains the company's top-selling console thus far. Launched in 2020, the Meta Quest 2 passed the 20 million units mark in Q1 2023, according to an internal presentation. Based on quarterly revenue reports since then, we estimate an additional 2.8 million units were sold. The Quest 2 was discontinued in September 24, 2024 and replaced with the Quest 3S.

20. Atari 2600 – 30 million*

*The oldest console on this list, Atari 2600 sold an impressive 30 million units in its lifetime, according to an archived version of a press release from Atari partner AtGames. The 2600 is by far Atari’s most successful console, with none of its successors — 5200, 7800, and Jaguar — selling enough units to qualify for this list.

19. Nintendo 64 – 32.93 million

Nintendo’s third home console ended its run with just under 33 million units sold, according to official sales numbers from the company. N64 Software sales fell just shy of 225 million units, giving it the lowest number of games sold per system (6.83) for a Nintendo home console.

See our picks for the best N64 games ever made.

18. Xbox Series X|S – 33.5 million+*

Microsoft has not officially disclosed console sales numbers since 2015, but we have a good idea of Xbox Series X|S's sales total through 2024 thanks to Take-Two earnings reports. The publisher revealed 96 million Gen 9 (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S) consoles had been sold by the end of 2024. That put Xbox Series X/S sales at 29 million, a two million unit increase from T2's estimate at the end of 2023. Since then, the console has struggled to maintain momentum against the faster-selling PS5 and Switch (and now Switch 2) competition, but analyst estimes have placed the console at 33.5 million units sold by Q4 2025.

You can see the full history of Xbox hardware releases for a more detailed picture of how the latest generation has fared.

17. Sega Genesis/Mega Drive – 35 million*

*The sales total of Sega Genesis/Mega Drive is a topic of much debate among game historians. The actual figure is impossible to lock down given the lack of concrete data, but estimates generally range from 30 to 40 million units. Aforementioned Sega executive Joe Miller once said system sales were over 40 million, though that number is highly contested and seemingly contradicted by Sega’s available sales data. Compilations of that data — from internet researchers and professional research firms — show first-party console sales hit somewhere between 28 and 31 million units.

Add in estimated third-party console sales from companies such as TecToy in Brazil (where the console performed well into the 2010s) and Majesco in North America, and we arrive at our ballpark figure of 35 million — a number seemingly corroborated by a 2017 press release from Sega partner AtGames.

16. Nintendo Switch 2 – 37.93 million

Nintendo Switch 2 entered our list of top-selling consoles just six months after launch when Nintendo released unit sales for the period between June 5 (launch) and September 30 (end of the fiscal quarter). Based on its strong launch window performance, Nintendo raised its sales expectations to 19 million units by the end of March 2026, with actuals at the end of December coming in at 17.37 units. This makes Nintendo Switch 2 the fastest-selling console of all time, though it remains to be seen if it can reach the install base of its predecessor, which was bolstered by multiple unit variations and increased video game console purchases during the Covid-19 pandemic.

To date, Switch 2 sold 37.93 million units of software. Mario Kart World is the top-selling title so far (partailly thanks to the Switch 2 bundle), with 14.03 million units, followed by Donkey Kong Bananza with 4.25 million. That means Mario Kart World surpassed the life-time sales of the Wii U edition of Mario Kart 8, which bowed with 8.46 million units, after just six months.

15. SNES/Super Famicom – 49.10 million

This sales figure comes directly from Nintendo. While the SNES fell short of its predecessor in terms of sales, the console is remembered fondly for its expansive library of high-quality games, including those listed above. 379 million units of software were sold for the system. The Super Nintendo Entertainment System -- or Super Famicom as it's known in Japan -- often tops "best console" lists thanks to its massive third-party support and iconic single- and multiplayer games.

14. Xbox One – 58 million*

Microsoft stopped reporting Xbox One sales numbers in October 2015, though the company seemingly revealed the console's final sales total during a presentation at the 2023 Best International Games Festival in Brazil. According to an image posted to Twitter on June 29, Xbox One finished its run with 58 million units sold.

If this number is accurate, Microsoft's eighth-generation console ultimately sold half as many units as Sony's competing PS4.

*We're keeping the asterisk on this sales total as we work to verify the figure with Microsoft.

13. NES/Famicom – 61.91 million

Nintendo's official numbers put NES sales at over 61 million units. The most senior entry on this list, Nintendo's first console went on to generate over 500 million units of software sales. The NES is often credited with bringing video games back from the dead after the video game crash that ended once dominant brands such as Atari. It's one of the very first Nintendo consoles ever released.

12. Nintendo 3DS – 75.94 million

This sales figure comes directly from Nintendo and is current as of December 31, 2020, when Nintendo started tracking direct sales. It encompasses total sales for all systems within the 3DS family, which includes all variations of Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 2DS. To date, the handheld family has generated 392 million units of software sales. The 3DS didn't see a direct successor, effectively turning Nintendo from a console/handheld maker into a single-system-focused publisher.

See our picks for the best 3DS games of all time.

11. Game Boy Advance – 81.51 million

This official sales figure comes directly from Nintendo. The company also notes software sales for the handheld closed at 377 million units. The Game Boy Advance line of devices included many different design iterations and form factors, the last of which was the Game Boy Micro in 2005. The top-selling model was the Game Boy Advance SP, with 43.57 million units sold. The Game Boy Micro only sold 2.42 million during its short run.

See our picks for the best GBA games of all time.

10. PlayStation Portable – 82.5 million*

*Sony last reported an official sales total for PSP in 2012, when it announced the handheld had sold 76 million units. The system would continue to be produced for an additional two years, during which time it's unknown exactly how many units were sold. However, in a 2023 post on X, former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden said the handheld sold over 82.5 million units.

See our picks for the best PSP games of all time. And in case it needs to be said, the newer PlayStation Portal is not the same as the PSP.

9. PlayStation 5 – 84.2 million

The PlayStation 5 is now up to 84.2 million copies sold after shifting an additional 3.9 million units during the three-month period ending September 30, Sony announced on November 11, 2025. A semiconductor chip shortage restricted Sony's capacity to manufacture new PS5s during its first two years on the market, though the console is now readily available and tracking right around the sales pace of PS4, which went on to sell 117 million units. The 10th best-selling console of all time, the PS5 passed the GBA and PSP sometime in the third quarter of 2025. While it is ahead of Microsoft's last recorded official sales number for Xbox 360, it has yet to pass it based on our sales estimates.

8. Xbox 360 – 85 million*

*In June 2014, Microsoft reported it had shipped 84 million Xbox 360s to retailers. While Microsoft stopped reporting specific sales figures in 2015, the system remained in production for nearly two years. During that two-year period, we can safely assume Microsoft converted that 84 million figure from sell-in to sell-through, while, conservatively estimating, moving an additional one million units. If accurate, that would place Xbox 360 in the ninth spot on the list of best-selling consoles.

See our picks for the best Xbox 360 games of all time.

7. PlayStation 3 – 87.5 million*

*As of March 31, 2017, PS3 had sold 87.4 million units, according to Sony. The system would remain in production through May of that same year. With that in mind, it's likely PS3 ended its run with somewhere between 87 and 88 million units sold, leaving us with our conservative estimate of 87.5.

See our picks for the best PS3 games of all time.

6. Nintendo Wii – 101.63 million

According to official sales figures from Nintendo, Wii ended its run as the sixth-best-selling console of all time. With over 100 million systems sold, Wii generated 921.85 million units of software sales — the second most for any Nintendo console.

See our picks for the best Wii games of all time.

6. PlayStation – 102.4 million

According to Sony, the original PlayStation's final sales total sits at 102.4 million, with over 960 million software units sold. This makes it the third-best-selling Sony console ever behind PS4 and PS2.

See our picks for the best PS1 games of all time.

5. PlayStation 4 – 117.2 million

PlayStation 4 dominated the eighth generation of consoles. After shipping 1 million units during Sony's fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, PS4 sales now sit at 117.2 million. The console holds the title of "fastest home console to reach 100 million unit sell in," according to Niko Partners analyst Sony's, beating PS2 to the milestone by two months. To date, more than a billion software units have been sold for the console.

117.2 million is the last recorded "sold-in" number Sony has shared. Given that it's more than three years ago and PlayStation 4 is still in active production the PS4 has likely surpassed the Game Boy/GBC sales of 118.69 units at this time to be the fourth-selling console.

4. Game Boy/Game Boy Color – 118.69 million

This sales figure comes directly from Nintendo and includes sales of both the original Game Boy and subsequent Game Boy Color. 501 million units of software were sold for the console — good for third on Nintendo's all-time software list.

See our picks for the best Game Boy games of all time or take a look at the LEGO Game Boy recreation from 2025.

3. Nintendo DS – 154.02 million

This sales figure comes directly from Nintendo and encompasses total sales for all systems within the DS family, including the original model, DS Lite, and DSi. Nintendo DS is also the company's best-performing system in terms of software sales, with nearly 950 million games sold.

See our picks for the best DS games of all time.

2. Nintendo Switch – 155.37 million

By the end of 2022, Nintendo Switch became the third-best-selling video game console of all time, passing the lifetime sales totals of PS4 and Game Boy. Its sales total, as of February 3, 2026, now sits at 155.37 million, ahead of Nintendo's best-selling gaming handheld, the Nintendo DS.

According to Nintendo, over 1.5 billion software units have been sold for Switch – the most for any Nintendo console. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains the console's best-selling game with more than 70.59 million copies sold. Nintendo Switch combines the console and handheld business lines Nintendo formerly supported with separate hardware and software. The console was succeeded by Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.

Also see: The Best Nintendo Switch Deals.

1. PlayStation 2 – 160 million

PlayStation 2 remains the best-selling video game console of all time. Sony's beloved system tops Nintendo DS by roughly 5 million units sold, while handily outselling every other console in existence.

As of January 31, 2011, Sony had sold 150 million PS2s to retailers. While that was the last official total reported for a long time, the console would remain in production through early 2013. Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad noted sales climbed to 155.1 million through March 2012 -- we crunched the numbers and arrivated at a 159 million estimate of cumulative sales. In November 2024, Sony confirmed that it had sold more than 160 million units.

The console's software sales sit at a staggering 1.5 billion units, according to Sony, thanks to its massive install base and some of the best PS2 games of all time.

You can check out the full list of PlayStation consoles by release date for more about it's launch.

Jordan is a freelance writer for IGN and originally created this list. The article has since been updated and expanded by IGN Staff.

Over the past decade, video game remakes have become more and more prevalent. Most years see at least one major remake attempt to rekindle the nostalgia of old fans and show new players the achievements of days gone by. And while there’s an argument to be had about games being stuck in the past, we can’t deny what a thrill it is to see our favourites of yesteryear given a modern makeover. Remember when Final Fantasy 7’s Cloud was six purple polygons and a yellow spike? Well, he’s a supermodel these days. (The spikes are still there, thankfully.)

But what are the qualities of a good remake? That’s an increasingly difficult question. Once upon a time it was enough for a remake to simply update something with modern graphics. But as the games industry has evolved, so have tastes and gameplay systems, and thus remakes have changed, too. Now a remake can offer a truly new experience to both long-term and new fans, with fresh new takes on decades-old ideas. The very best remakes are carefully-observed balancing acts that find the sweet spot between faithful recreation and exciting new ideas. In some cases, that’s the game exactly as you thought you remembered it, now unshackled from old hardware limitations. In others, its radical recreations that provide an alternate vision of the original’s core idea.

With all that in mind, let’s explore the very best video game remakes. These are the 15 strongest examples of remakes, judged not by their overall quality as games, but by how each project achieved its new, upgraded ambitions and brought new perspectives to old classics.

15. Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Pokemon Gold and Silver, though only the second in the long-running Pokemon series, are the only entries that allowed you to travel across two different regions and collect 16 badges instead of the standard eight. That meant two "end-game" challenges to conquer, two sets of Legendary Pokemon to collect, 16 different gym leaders to defeat, and more. The enhanced Nintendo DS remakes bring that sprawling journey into full color and utilizes the superior hardware to seamlessly bring improved music, better UI, and WiFi capabilities. With the addition of new content like the National Dex, increasing the total Pokemon from 251 to 493, the grueling battle frontier, and everyone’s favorite, the Pokeathlon mini-games, there is so much more to explore.

More importantly, HeartGold and SoulSilver introduced to the Pokewalker, the original Pokemon Go, which allowed you to take your favorite Pokemon outdoors and gain levels by walking around… or cheat by shaking the Pokewalker. Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver added new life to the classic adventure, reimagining the original experience with fun and challenging additions to appeal to both new and returning fans.

14. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Following the mammoth success of Breath of the Wild, Nintendo did a complete 180 for its next The Legend of Zelda project. Rather than the grand and ambitious open world of Hyrule, it looked back to the compact and twisty overworld of 1993’s Link’s Awakening. The 2019 version of this Game Boy classic is near enough a beat-for-beat remake, just reimagined with a delightfully cute toy town aesthetic. This faithful approach means that the distant memory of one of Link’s earliest adventures is fully restored, now elegantly elevated thanks to its seamless map and more easily-navigated dungeons. A number of quality-of-life improvements are the cherry on top, including the ability to mark important discoveries on the map, and doors that remain open after being unlocked (seriously, you wouldn't believe how frustrating that one was back in the ‘90s.) This Switch remaster does unsuccessfully try something new with the lacklustre build-your-own Chamber Dungeons system, but everything it recreates it does so with an enchanting touch.

13. Live A Live

Plenty of wonderful games are deserving of remakes, but none perhaps needed one as much as Live A Live, the 1994 Square Enix RPG that preceded Chrono Trigger and laid the groundwork for not only that game, but numerous beloved classics that followed. Live A Live’s unique structure, following seven characters from different eras through distinct vignettes, was groundbreaking both back in the day and once again in the 2022 remake, to say nothing of the ways in which it ultimately threads its themes and overarching narrative through its separate parts.

The 2022 remake gave Live A Live a desperately-needed makeover in gorgeous HD2D and reorchestrated its fantastic soundtrack, all while keeping its wonderful story intact with its first-ever localization outside of Japan. In a final flourish, Live A Live’s remake adds a small but massively impactful piece of new content in its final hours that throws its ending into a hopeful new light, and makes its emotional conclusion all the more powerful.

12. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

The philosophy behind many remakes is unlocking ambitions that were once hindered by technological limitations. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater makes the interesting decision to embrace those limitations – its sprawling Soviet jungle remains divided by load screens, the scope of its playspaces defined by the limits of the original PlayStation 2 hardware. You’ll see the term “faithful remake” used a lot through this list, but none are as faithful as MGS Delta – this is a PS2 game in PS5 clothing.

But what a PS2 game it is. Arguably the pinnacle of Hideo Kojima’s career, what was once a groundbreaking stealth game is now an enduring classic, thanks to its playful approach to Cold War espionage and its dramatic, cinematic story. Snake Eater has been iterated upon many times across the years, and MGS Delta collects together years of improvements and enhances them all with incredibly glossy modern graphics and an updated control system that finally turns Snake into the nimble operator he was always meant to be. This may not be a revolutionary remake, but it does a solid job of preserving perfection for a brand new generation.

11. Black Mesa

There are a number of remakes on this list that were developed by studios that didn’t create the original game, but there is only one that was developed by fans of the original. Black Mesa is a complete remake of Valve’s Half-Life, created by enthusiasts and officially supported by the original developer. And you can easily see why it won that support: this is a truly phenomenal rebuild of one of the most important first-person shooters of all time. It captures the distinctly creepy atmosphere and excellent combat that made Half-Life such a pioneer, while also augmenting almost every level with something new, be that a reimagined combat encounter or a Half-Life 2-style physics puzzle.

But it's the final missions that really make Black Mesa a vital part of the Half-Life story. The original game’s final arc, set on the world of Xen, is infamously a bit of an under-developed slog. Black Mesa completely redesigns that final stretch, eliminating the tedium and injecting a sense of creative, alien wonder. And while it’s true that Black Mesa took so long to create that, by the time of its release, it already looked dated, that’s only true if you consider it from a purely technical standpoint. Take one look at Xen, or the eerie abandoned corridors of the titular facility itself, and there’s no denying that Black Mesa is an artistic triumph.

10. Final Fantasy 7 Remake

It may literally be in the title, but Final Fantasy 7 Remake is more than just a remake. It’s also a reimagining of the 1997 JRPG classic, a reinterpretation of its achievements, and – somehow – also a sequel to the game it recreates. Oh, and it also only covers around the first 30% of the original story, which has been transformed from a brief journey through the city of Midgar into a massive, 30+ hour adventure. This approach certainly isn’t for everyone, but you can't deny the ambition of this lavish project.

This first chapter of the three-part Final Fantasy 7 remake is a stunningly gorgeous RPG that gives new life to some of gaming’s most memorable characters and settings. With all that extra time, it successfully expands upon the story and weaves in new plot threads, such as robust backstories for members of the Avalanche team, more believable relationships between protagonist Cloud and his new buddies, and a better sense of life in the Sector 7 slums. On top of all that, it also completely revamps the combat system, creating a brand new, action-heavy, real-time system that feels both exhilaratingly new and highly evocative of the original game’s turn-based battles. FF7 Remake’s approach is exemplary, and makes many other games on this list feel more like remasters than remakes.

9. Shadow of the Colossus

Shadow of the Colossus was a landmark achievement when it hit the PS2 in 2005. Developer Team ICO built a lonely, desolate, deeply affecting world using hardware that could barely render its vision. While the game itself undeniably stands the test of time, it's clear to see that technical performance and visual clarity held back the studio’s incredible ambition.

Fast-forward 13 years and Bluepoint Games crafted an incredibly faithful remake, focused on overcoming those technical limitations so that the soul of the project could achieve its true ambitions. With a much steadier framerate, gorgeous graphics, and a commitment to keeping the events, systems, and mechanics of the original intact, Bluepoint absolutely hit it out of the park. It was such an achievement, in fact, that it won the studio the chance to remake Demon’s Souls, as well as laid the groundwork for its acquisition by PlayStation.

8. Demon's Souls

After reaching the heights of Dark Souls 3 and Bloodborne, it was hard not to see 2009’s Demon’s Souls as the ageing, hollowed precursor to FromSoftware’s mighty success story. But it was undeniable that a fantastic, paradigm-shifting game remained, and Bluepoint Games’ 2020 remake of Demon’s Souls was a project dedicated to making those qualities shine again. It completely stripped away the technical shortcomings that held the PS3 version back, while adding several subtle quality of life upgrades that succeeded in modernizing the game to the point where if you’d never played the original, you could very likely be fooled into thinking that this was the latest entry in the Souls series as opposed to the very first one.

While Bluepoint managed to stay completely respectful to the original vision in many ways (it is, for the most part, the exact same game just with modern, photo-realistic graphics and refreshed animations,) the alterations made to the art style and design of some locations wasn’t fully embraced by some fans of the original. Nevertheless, Demon’s Souls helped elevate what was already one of the best games of the PS3 era and bring it to a whole new, post-Dark Souls audience.

7. Metroid: Zero Mission

The original Metroid was a groundbreaking NES game back in 1986, but when looked at through a modern lens, it’s hard to argue that it holds up. Fortunately, Metroid: Zero Mission exists. Developed 18 years later, rather than opting for a 100% faithful remake with a couple of modernization tweaks, Metroid: Zero Mission is instead a game rebuilt from the ground up using the original Metroid as a blueprint for its story and level design. By allowing itself to explore beyond the boundaries of the source material, Nintendo was able to draw new inspirations from the more modern 2D Metroids, like Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion.

Zero Mission is now over 20 years old, and so the idea that it’s a “modern” version of Metroid is something of a bygone era. However, it remains an expertly crafted reinterpretation of one of Nintendo’s best ever games, and is both young and strong enough that it still holds up to this day – not only as one of the best Metroid games, but also one of the best remakes.

6. Resident Evil 4

Capcom has become somewhat synonymous with the idea of remakes, having now rebuilt no less than four of its Resident Evil games. Among them is the legendary Resident Evil 4 – Leon S. Kennedy’s action-packed descent into the Las Plagas-infected Spanish countryside. Of all the games Capcom has reinvented, Resi 4 was the one least in need of a refresh, but despite that, the RE4 remake is an astonishing feat that helps elevate an all-time classic.

Purist fans may have been annoyed by the erasure of the original’s more eccentric ideas, but they have been replaced by an altogether darker, more horrifying tone that syncs Resident Evil 4 with Capcom’s other recent remakes. It also benefits from snappier, more energetic combat, complete with an excellent knife parry that makes fighting both the Armadura enemies and the Krauser boss battle much more intense. Perhaps most importantly, it vastly improves Ashley, both in terms of her depiction and the mechanics around protecting her, eliminating any sense that Resident Evil 4 is an annoying, multi-hour escort quest. Combine all that with an incredibly handsome graphical makeover and you’ve made a masterpiece feel even more essential.

5. Persona 3 Reload

Fans of the Persona series are no strangers to new versions of the beloved Atlus RPGs arriving soon after their initial release – Persona 4 Golden and Persona 5 Royal both added significant social link, story, and dungeon additions, for example. But in terms of a full-on remake, Persona 3 Reload is the first to have undergone a complete overhaul. Reload took the game’s foundational bullets and rechambered them into a much more stylish weapon — one that borrowed the best-in-class UI and menu systems of Persona 5 and rebuilt its colorful high-school surroundings and spooky shadow realm from the ground up.

Perhaps its most exciting addition is the way Reload tweaks Persona 3’s battle system. Informed by the series entries that came after it, combat is a much more enticing prospect, thanks to the introduction of new skills, the ability to directly control each party member and shift between them baton pass-style, and the brand-new Theurgy system that allows for Personas to perform devastating Ultimate attacks. All of these changes, among others, breathed new, exciting life into an already treasured RPG, meaning Reload is now the definitive way to Persona 3.

4. Silent Hill 2

Team Silent’s original Silent Hill 2 is rightfully considered one of the most affecting survival horror games of all time, and Bloober Team’s 2024 remake does nothing to diminish that. While the PS2 original has an incomparable, unsettling atmosphere thanks to its technological limitations, the remake uses modern graphical and sound techniques to generate a complimentary oppressive tone. As you explore the strange, abandoned town of Silent Hill, you can't help but let the dread creep in.

Bloober’s creation is incredibly faithful to the original game, following the same plot beats and exploring the same environments, but its new over-the-shoulder camera both pulls you deeper into its terrifying world and makes combatting the town’s grotesque inhabitants more intuitive. Those combat enhancements can really be felt in the boss battles, which are now reinvented as terrifying engagements rather than repeating the attritional slogs they once were. But really it’s the modern presentation of this bleak story that really makes Silent Hill 2 a vital remake: actor Luke Roberts breathes fresh new life into protagonist James Sunderland, providing a deeply troubled, nuanced performance that anchors this tale in inescapable grief and guilt.

3. Resident Evil

When it comes to faithful remakes that largely stick to the core design established in the original and focus instead on bringing everything else up to modern standards, there aren’t many games better than the original Resident Evil remake. The “REmake” adheres to everything that was intrinsic to the original, from the pre-rendered backgrounds, to the tank controls, to the limited inventory that forces you to make tough decisions on what to keep and what to toss. All these may be incredibly familiar for those who were there back in 1996, but they’re polished up to beautiful new standards. It may have old ideas, but it plays fantastically… which is impressive, considering this remake is already much older than the original game was when it was made.

But Resident Evil isn’t just a shinier version of its source material. It also adds several entirely new features that change up the experience and give it its own identity. Whether it's the terrifying addition of dead enemies resurrecting as powerful Crimson Heads (unless you have the foresight and resources to burn the corpses) or the brand-new plot thread involving the horrifying Lisa Trevor, Resident Evil’s remake shines because not only is it a faithful remake that brings a PSOne classic into a modern light, but also because of the ways that it separates itself from that classic to become something even better.

2. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

After having successfully pulled off a radical re-imagining with the first game in the trilogy, Square Enix faced a more daunting challenge with the second chapter of its Final Fantasy 7 remake project. It needed to recreate the most expansive section of the original game, redesign a huge variety of locations (including a whole theme park), add a number of new characters, and re-stage one of the most important emotional beats in RPG history. As with its predecessor, not all of these ambitions are met equally, but Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is nonetheless an incredible, transformative achievement.

The most immediately impressive factor of Rebirth is its scope. While it doesn’t totally leave Remake’s linear structure behind, much of Rebirth takes place in sizable open hub worlds. While there is a touch of the Ubisoft box-ticking about them, they’re elevated by a smart approach to exploration that introduces a brand new gimmick with every zone, from buggies to planes to Chocobos that can climb walls and glide across chasms. It’s a smart reinvention of the original game’s freely-explored-but-ultimately-empty overworld. But it’s the continuation of Remake’s story and emotional core that makes Rebirth so strong – these modern interpretations of the core trio of Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith are among Square’s strongest-ever characters, and their journey here – which feels more authentic to the original than Remake’s more expansive efforts – is unforgettable. Oh, and that overhauled combat system? It’s even better here – perhaps the best Final Fantasy has ever had.

1. Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil 2's remake took what the original did so well - its labyrinthian level design, its disgusting enemies, its omnipresent sense of dread - and molded it into a horror game designed for modern audiences. The Raccoon City police station is cleverly reworked and expanded upon, enemies are faster, deadlier, and more unpredictable, and gorgeous lighting casts shadows over nasties waiting to grab you unawares. And, of course, the static camera angles and tank controls are traded in for third-person, over-the-shoulder shooting, which truly transports the PS1 classic into the modern era.

Perhaps Resident Evil 2’s biggest achievement, though, is the way Capcom has played with the original’s most iconic encounters. When you think you’ve got a terrifying moment figured out, Capcom twists it ever so slightly, removing any certainty as you slowly make your way through its carefully curated collection of memories. This is a remake designed to both terrify you in today’s horror landscape and scratch that nostalgic itch, and miraculously achieves both right until its breathless end. And even though multiple other Resident Evil remakes have arrived since, this remains the ultimate gold standard for video game remakes.

And that’s our pick of the 15 best video game remakes. Did your favourite make our list? Did we rank your best pick a little too low? Let us know in the comments.

We’re more than halfway through 2025, making it an excellent time to revisit our list of the best of what the PlayStation 5 has to offer. We've added several new games this time – which means a few old favorites got bumped. (We still love them, though!)

But what do we mean by “best?” To be very clear, this is not an attempt at an “objective” ranking that will indisputably line up with the tastes of gamers of all types. That, sadly, cannot exist; when one person’s epic RPG masterpiece is another’s boring and impenetrable slog, they’ll never see eye to eye on where that game should rank against others of different genres. Even the personal lists of two people who love the same types of games will rarely line up exactly.

Instead, this is a list of games that IGN’s crew of PlayStation gamers recommend as a group, ranked using our Face-Off tool so that everybody got to weigh in equally on which games they thought should be placed above others. It’s presented in the spirit of recognizing games we love, and encouraging others to try them if you haven’t.

With only 25 slots to fill, there are tons of amazing recent games that didn’t float to the top – but that doesn’t mean we don’t think they’re awesome, too! Everybody who participated in voting has tons of personal favorites that didn’t gain quite enough traction with the group to make the cut, which is inevitable when there are this many games and so many different perspectives.

Bear in mind that while the PS5 is a powerhouse that can play any PlayStation 4-compatible game, for the sake of clarity our criteria for this list narrowed the pool down to focus on games that have PlayStation 5-specific versions. So while we still love games like the 2016 Doom, God of War, Minecraft, Red Dead Redemption 2, and many, many more, until they get that update they're relegated to the PS4 list – and of course many will have a spot on our list of the Top 100 Games of All Time.

Most importantly, remember that this list is just our group’s perspective and is no more “right” or “wrong” than a list that you create yourself. Speaking of which: if you have your own ranking you’d like to put out into the world, we’d like to invite you to make your own top 25 (or top 100!) list of PlayStation games using our Playlist tool and share it in the comments.

Most recent game updates were made on July 15, 2025.

More on the best of PlayStation:

• Where to buy a PS5
• Best PS4 Games
• Best PS3 Games

25. Devil May Cry 5

​Even with all of its imitators, there’s still nothing quite like a Devil May Cry game, and Devil May Cry 5 stands tall not only as not only one of the best in its own series but one of the best character action games ever created – full stop. No other game offers the same level of creativity and expression through its combat, whether you’re playing as Nero and bouncing foes around in the air with your Gerbera Devil Breaker, slashing them while precisely timing revs of your sword to charge up your Exceed meter; or chilling out as V while your summoned familiars fight all around you; or hot-swapping between an entire arsenal of weapons and fighting styles as Dante. The depth of DMC5’s combat is near bottomless and endlessly fun to play around in, with finely tuned difficulty options to meet you wherever your skill level is at.

24. Returnal

​​Returnal is a trailblazer of sorts. Roguelikes have long been one of the most popular genres on the indie scene, with games like Spelunky 2, Dead Cells, Enter the Gungeon, and The Binding of Isaac leading the charge, but we’ve never really seen anything quite like Returnal. Returnal combines Housemarque’s expertise in intense, arcadey bullet hell shoot-em-ups, with deep roguelite mechanics and a dense, chilling atmosphere, resulting in an unforgettable sci-fi experience. Returnal’s one issue on release was the inability to suspend its lengthy runs and save your progress, but since that’s been patched, it’s hard to find flaws in this incredibly bold and ambitious take on the action roguelite.

23. Final Fantasy XVI

​Final Fantasy 16 may have been a dramatic departure for one of the most well-known and beloved RPG series of all time, moving it closer to the realm of a pure-blooded action game – but that action does not take away away from its excellently told, brilliantly acted, dark, and captivating tale or its memorable characters. Its combat. meanwhile, is best-in-class among other action-RPGs, and is paired with an unbelievable soundtrack that enhances every emotion that it successfully attempts to pull from you. Taken all as a whole, Final Fantasy 16 is a very special game that proves that action games can also be 50-plus-hour-long epics, and that Final Fantasy games can also be action games.

22. Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon Forbidden West builds on the already impressive foundations of Horizon Zero Dawn to tell a deeper, more thrilling story that amps up the series’ explosive fights against complex robotic foes and blockbuster action sequences, while also adding lively settlements and thoughtful, intriguing sidequests to the world. The Forbidden West itself is absolutely gorgeous on PS5 - ranging from the incredibly detailed faces of the people you meet and costumes they wear to sweeping and frequently stunning landscapes. There’s a genuine sense of exploration, and loads of completely involving worldbuilding to uncover as well for those wanting to learn more. A triumphant combination of enthralling combat, top-tier creature and character design, and a captivating open world, Horizon Forbidden West is an absolute blast and fantastic showcase for the power of the PS5.

21. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Much like the second Star Wars movie, Respawn's second Star Wars Jedi game vaulted over the original. Survivor trusts us with control of a version of Cal Kestis who's now a full-fledged Jedi Knight rather than reverting to a Padawan, so it gets off to a running start and never slows down. Over the course of this adventure he grows into a master of superhuman mobility who can thrive in fantastic and challenging combat using multiple lightsaber styles.

With a new set of larger, more diverse, and densely packed worlds to explore and a memorable cast of new and returning characters, Survivor tells a story that may be predictable but is still fun and at times emotional to watch play out. Launch performance issues aside, it’s a sequel that does virtually everything better than the original – which was already an exceptional Star Wars game.

20. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Describing Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth sounds a bit like a fever dream: it's a collection of minigames stuffed inside of larger activities inspired by classics like Crazy Taxi, Pokémon Snap, Pokémon, and Animal Crossing… and all of that is wrapped up inside of a life simulator, which is itself inside of a 50-hour turn-based RPG. Miraculously, this somehow all works together and balances honoring the roots of the Like a Dragon/Yakuza series while continuing to propel it forward. This can be seen in almost every aspect, most obviously that a huge portion of the story takes place outside Japan, and instead has you exploring Hawaii.

Meanwhile, turn-based combat makes a return from Yakuza 7, boasting even more jobs (tennis ace OP!) and a ton of small refinements that vastly increase the amount of control and customization in combat while remaining true to Yakuza's traditional beat em' up style. In a series known for heartfelt stories, Infinite Wealth’s is arguably the most emotional, paying homage to the franchise’s classic characters with a plot driven by the values and actions of the new cast. Mixing the old and new characters is something that often backfires in a long-running series, but RGG Studios expertly blends Kiryu's and Ichiban's stories, pulling off one of the best legacy stories anywhere.

19. Balatro

​Like Slay the Spire before it, Balatro is the kind of game you might not see coming, but when it gets its hooks in you and you start to wrap your head around how its many joker cards interact and synergize it might never let go. The fact that this deckbuilding roguelite uses what initially appears to be a standard deck of playing cards means that it’s a fairly easy game to get the basics of if you know anything about poker. However, from there it takes you down rabbit hole after rabbit hole as you figure out how to maximize your score multiplier and specialize your deck to aim for certain types of high-payout hands. Its pixelated 2D graphics set it apart from everything else on this list, but you could very well spend more hours playing it than even the biggest, most expansive RPGs.

18. Ghost of Tsushima Directors Cut

​​​When Ghost of Tsushima was released on the PlayStation 4, it already felt like a next-gen game thanks to its stunning graphics and impressive map; it was clear Sucker Punch had learned a lot about creating an engaging open world since its (admirable for the time) efforts on the Infamous franchise. But the Director's Cut is the definitive take on Ghost of Tsushima, and it's all the better on the PS5.

This robust package, even as a refined PS4 game, makes great use of the DualSense in both exploration and combat. Add in new lip sync for Japanese voice over, and, somehow, visual and performance improvements, and you’ve got what is the must-play version of a must-play PlayStation game.

Sucker Punch's next project is a sequel, Ghost of Yotei, and there's a Ghost of Tsushima movie in the works. Directed by Chad Stahleski (John Wick), it will be a retelling of the game's story.

17. Alan Wake 2

​​Alan Wake II is a standout single-player adventure that seamlessly shifts from slow-burn psychological terror to frantic survival-horror action, from gorgeously rendered game worlds to masterfully directed full-motion video sequences, and from morbid murder investigations to show-stopping musical surprises. It features uniformly immaculate art direction and audio design, and reinvigorates the series’ signature light-based shooting as though it’s been locked and loaded with a fresh pack of Energizers. It’s bloody, it's bonkers, and for the most part it's utterly brilliant.

Alan Wake II is a superb survival-horror sequel that makes the cult-classic original seem like little more than a rough first draft by comparison, and it’s genuinely unlike any other adventure currently available on the PlayStation 5.

16. Resident Evil 4

​Simultaneously one of the newer games on this list and also the oldest, the 2023 remake of 2005’s Resident Evil 4 took everything that made the original a standout action-horror classic and modernized it to thrill present-day gamers just as much as it had those who always saw it through rose-tinted glasses. Rebuilt from the ground up, it builds tension with high-intensity combat against a ferocious cast of creatures and brings the Resident Evil world to life with rich detail as the story rapidly guides you through a series of unwaveringly impressive action sequences. There’ve been many games that have attempted to evoke RE4’s style over the years, but none that nailed it quite as well as this.

Related: Capcom has announced Resident Evil Requiem, AKA Resident Evil 9, will be released on February 27, 2026.

15. Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 has earned a spot on our Best PS5 Games list, marking a spectacular recovery after its disastrous launch on PlayStation 4 in 2020. While it was arguably great on PS4 Pro, it wasn’t until CD Projekt Red launched the major 2.0 patch and the Phantom Liberty expansion in 2023 that you didn’t really have to argue anymore. Even more gorgeous than ever and with years of polish and refinement to its combat and skill systems, exploring the gleaming yet seedy open world of Night City stands apart from anything else out there.

Out of the box you’re in for more than 30 hours of the original story alongside Keanu Reeves as rockstar radical Johnny Silverhand, but when you include the spy-themed Phantom Liberty expansion you get another 20 starring Idris Elba as sleeper agent Solomon Reed. This chapter brings with it new and more interesting themes as it explores the intersection of capitalism, police states, and the mind-warping effects of near-future technology and human augmentation.

Check out our Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty review.

14. Marvel's Spider-Man 2

​

As a sequel in a spectacular series, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is a showcase for the PlayStation 5. Its story of two Spider-Men is a great time and a Spidey fan’s dream to play through as comic book tussles with Venom and Kraven the Hunter are brought to life, elegantly walking the tightrope between light humour and heavier themes. Meanwhile, Insomniac refines a successful formula of combat and web-swinging without revolutionising either in major ways, making them comfy and familiar with just enough new tweaks and abilities to elevate them to fun new heights.

It also makes use of the power of the PS5 like very few other games, providing blockbuster action moments that are a spectacle to behold, near-instant load times, and a best-in-class pinpoint fast travel system. It’s another thrilling Spider-Man adventure that delivers Insomniac's best tale yet, and a consistently fun superhero power trip.

13. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

​​Yes, The Last of Us Part 2 only launched on PlayStation 4 a few years ago, in 2020. Yes, that’s pretty quick; it certainly doesn’t feel like long enough to justify a standalone remaster. Heck, IGN’s users have tended to agree – particularly when the already incredible-looking existing PS4 version of The Last of Us Part 2 had already received a 60 frames-per-second performance update for the PS5.

However, if your next question is, “Is this the best way to experience The Last of Us Part 2?” then the answer is also undoubtedly yes. If you haven’t gotten around to it yet, this is absolutely the place to play it. An ambitious and sweeping sequel that significantly expands the world of the masterful original, The Last of Us Part II is an impeccably assembled stealth action game that hits like a haymaker and is hard to forget.

The heavy spotlight on revenge, hate, and self-destruction is emotionally sapping at times, but there remains room to breathe within a story that escalates, pivots, eases, and ultimately explodes again, playing out like two whole seasons of premium TV. (Which, incidentally, it is also doing on HBO.)

Recently, Naughty Dog released a new mode that allows you to play through The Last of Us Part II’s non-linear story in straight chronological order, in case you’re looking for a different way to experience it.

12. Grand Theft Auto V/GTA Online

​Grand Theft Auto V’s sprawling yet meticulously detailed map is still the high bar to which most open-world games aspire. Not only is it huge, it’s incredibly dense with excellent content – not just the driving and shooting and three-protagonist story that make up its campaign, and not limited to the numerous side activities, but all the sights, sounds, and bustling activity you'd expect to find in a city teeming with humans – seedy underbelly included. With so much to do, explore, and play with, both as a single-player PC game and Grand Theft Auto Online, plus great creative tools and mods, it’s truly amazing on multiple levels.

As for what’s next, Rockstar has confirmed GTA 6 will be released on May 26, 2026. It will feature a return to Vice City and star the series' first female playable character in a Bonnie & Clyde-inspired adventure.

11. Hades

Hades is the current gold standard of the roguelite genre, and it isn’t even close. From its exhilarating combat, to its incredible soundtrack, to its clever and well-written story with characters that seemingly never run out of meaningful things to say, all the way to its deep and innovative post game that keeps you wanting to come back for more even after beating the last boss.

It may be incredibly difficult, but it never feels punishing in defeat. Dying is part of the fun, and actually comes with its own rewards in the form of new conversations with its fascinating cast of characters, new opportunities to purchase game changing upgrades, and an opportunity for a brand new run with a completely new set of godly boons that dramatically alter how you approach combat. Hades is a masterclass of roguelite design, and just another example of how Supergiant Games just doesn’t miss.

Hades 2 Early Access is now available on Steam, and is expected to launch on consoles sometime in 2025.

10. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition

​Everyone has heard of The Witcher 3 by now. One of the best RPGs of the last generation and the game that firmly cemented CD Projekt Red as one of the world's premier game developers. While critics have heralded the game's visuals, storytelling, and gameplay, the same can hardly be said about The Witcher 3's technical performance. The new Complete Edition with a bevy of current-gen updates fixes most, if not all, the technical shortcomings that we had to caveat back when it first arrived on PlayStation 3 and Xbox One. With a smooth frame rate, 4K textures, and loads of other fixes, The Witcher 3 on PS5 is the definitive version of one of the best RPGs of all time.

9. The Last of Us Part 1

​

The Last of Us Part I is arguably the best way to experience the story Naughty Dog was initially told back in 2013. While there is a point of contention on whether this remake was necessary overall, the improvements and changes introduced are enough to warrant this as a great first way to experience this decade-old classic that launched a game series and a breakout hit HBO drama. The improved character models and facial animation are the biggest praises for this remake, making the phenomenal acting done by the cast more meaningful and realistic.

The Last of Us has an incredible and emotional story, and the updated technology allows even the most touching scenes to hit the closest to home. The use of the PS5's DualSense controller also greatly improves the gameplay and is one of the best showcases of what the controller is capable of to date. The haptic feedback you can feel in every weapon used, from melee to firearms, and the fact that environmental effects such as the sensation of falling rain help immerse you into this ravaged and desolated world.

The one caveat is that the remake does not include the multiplayer mode found in the 2013 original – though that was never the main appeal of this very story-focused experience.

8. Final Fantasy VII Remake/Intergrade

​

​​Final Fantasy VII Remake/Intergrade was the pipe dream that many fans hoped would happen but didn’t believe would see the light of day until the moment they played it for themselves. Seeing the first chapter of FFVII remake in crisp 4K and fully voice-acted not only made the day for those who tout it as the best in the franchise but also for those who may have missed out in the PS1 era. It's a shining example of how far gaming has come in the five generations of PlayStation.

This remake updated more than graphics, opting for a completely different combat system that swaps the turn-based battles of the original for faster real-time action that rewards skill and preparation (while still allowing anyone who wants the traditional turn-based combat a way to choose that option as well). Because you never leave Midgar in this portion of the story, Square Enix improved and added to the side stories with the other members of Avalanche, your time in Wall Market, and added a few more areas to expand upon the original.

The Intermission expansion puts Yuffie front and center and gives her a chance to shine before you jump into the next part of the story. It includes arguably the best and most engaging combat via her elemental ninjutsu, synergy attacks, and other ninja skills. Both the core game and the Intermission DLC add to the context of the world and lead into the events of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. It’s well worth a try for first-time and longtime fans of Final Fantasy games.

Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth are available now.

7. Persona 5 Royal

​

Until the past few years brought on a series of impressive challengers, Persona 5 Royal had very little true competition in the contest for the best JRPG of all time. Its endlessly stylish art and unforgettable, jazzy soundtrack create a vibe it's hard not to fall in love with. And that's before we even get to the cast of iconic, endearing characters and an unexpectedly deep, thought-provoking story that only grows more relevant with every year since it was originally released in 2016. Nobody does this style of turn-based, small-party combat better than Atlus, and P5R is the ultimate refinement of everything great about the franchise's earlier adventures.

All of that could be said of the original 2016 version, too, but with Royal, just about everything – from the dialogue to the story to dungeon exploration – has been made bigger and better. It's far from just a remaster with some neat extras; it's almost like getting another entire game on top of an already fantastic one.

6. Astro Bot

For decades, Mario reigned unchallenged as the king of the 3D platformer. Few if any games came close to Nintendo’s level of creativity and polish in this extremely popular genre. Astro Bot, however, changes things: this adorable robotic mascot can easily go toe-to-toe with games like Super Mario Odyssey as it takes us through a multitude of hyper-colorful and lively worlds, all overflowing with both imaginative level design ideas and countless loving references to PlayStation history. Each new world gives you a fantastic and surprising new ability to play with that sets its puzzles and challenges apart from everything that came before it, and few other games make such excellent use of the unique capabilities of the PS5’s DualSense controllers.

5. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

​As a middle chapter of a trilogy that retells one of gaming’s most beloved stories, threading the needle of standing on its own while being a continuation of an ongoing story was a delicate task for Square Enix. Rising to the occasion, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth does this extremely well as an evolution of the principles established in 2020’s FFVII Remake; there's still a grand sense of adventure within a beautiful recreation of the original FFVII's world. Each character is given the chance to grow meaningfully over the course of a 70- to 80-hour journey and become greater versions of their beloved originals. It hits hard, even if you never touched the 1997 classic.

The way Rebirth adds tactical layers on top of the action-RPG formula that Remake began is nothing short of amazing. It retains traces of the feeling of the original’s turn-based RPG even in its real-time combat, but having characters like Yuffie, Cait Sith, and Red XIII added to mix open up new possibilities. Especially when you take advantage of the new Synergy abilities and unique partner attacks, pairing up your favorite party members offers satisfying ways to stagger enemies before hitting them with a nasty Limit Break. When you establish a flow, there’s just nothing like overcoming the toughest bosses with your favorite characters while the nostalgic boss themes inspire victory.

4. God of War Ragnarok

​God of War Ragnarok is hands down one of the easiest games to recommend to anyone asking what game they should play first on their PS5. The gameplay is an immensely satisfying combination of combat, puzzle solving, and exploration that is bound together with a heartwarming story of family, adolescence, and letting go. The combat rewards players for experimentation and precision but also is versatile enough that even using a fraction of the moves at your disposal feels effective and rewarding. Each moment is bolstered by its fantastic soundtrack that elevates everything from the smallest interaction to the most impactful moments in the story. The world's jaw-dropping landscapes feel organic and filled with life (except for Helheim, of course), but it's hard not to stop and admire it every step.

Its story, gameplay, soundtrack, and nearly every other part of the game culminate masterfully to live up to expectations for a flagship PlayStation game. Some may take issue with the pacing in certain parts of the game, but the next chapter in Kratos and Atreus's saga is filled with heart, charm, and humor. With the combination of the improvements from God of War (2018) and the path it's carved out for itself among other action-adventure games, God of War: Ragnarok is one of the benchmarks for what PlayStation exclusives can do on the PS5.

3. Metaphor: ReFantazio

To call Metaphor: ReFantazio "fantasy Persona" is to sell it short. It's a culmination of developer Atlus' RPGs, refining a tried-and-true framework that blends social sim elements and dungeon-crawling RPG combat. But here, Atlus wields that foundation for a brand-new fantasy world to tell a mature story with deep parallels to the political realities we face. It's whimsical and harrowing in equal measure, and just as it shows the ugliness of humanity, it also inspires us to work towards a brighter future. That story and context is what makes the gameplay experience all the more meaningful, and it's a joy to play as you connect with its cast of characters across its imaginative painterly world, building up a strong party with the new Job-like Archetype system that offers a level of depth we haven't seen in a previous Atlus RPG. There are some tough battles in this turn-based combat system, and the tactical considerations required showed that this genre can keep growing.

On top of all of that, Metaphor has the Atlus team's distinct sense of style and emphasis on amazing music to drive its story, but in stepping out of its comfort zone and still doing what it does best, Atlus created an all-timer RPG. Sometimes we play games for escapism, but Metaphor reminds us that while it’s important to get away sometimes, you still have to live in your real world. And if you're going to spend 80-something hours in this fantasy universe, why not take a few lessons along the way to hopefully make your world a better place?

2. Baldur's Gate 3

This 2023 Game of the Year nominee may have narrowly lost that award to Tears of the Kingdom, but it triumphantly takes the one of the top spots in 2025’s Best PS5 Games list. Baldur’s Gate 3’s massive roleplaying adventure is both enormously ambitious in its scope and yet endearingly old-school in its style. Its storytelling is epic, stocked with memorable characters rendered in impressive detail, and a multitude of meaningful choices to make along with them. Its tactical combat is a throwback to the turn-based BioWare RPGs of old and loyal to its Dungeons & Dragons roots to the point where it can be quite intimidating to get into, but when you do you’re in for over 100 hours of all-thriller, no-filler questing.

1. Elden Ring

​​​Whether you're a longtime fan of FromSoftware's notoriously challenging games or intrigued by the constant buzz, Elden Ring is a fantastic starting point for seeing what the soulsborne genre is all about. Its streamlined introduction, versatility in accommodating your choice of playstyle, and open-world design all work to alleviate the “brick wall” dilemma of getting stuck on a difficult boss in Dark Souls games. It's that elasticity that makes this FromSoftware adventure a (slightly) friendlier one, while still being full of godlike bosses looking to snuff out your life, threateningly large maps, and intriguing NPCs rife with charm, mystery, and tragedy.

It’s since been kicked up a notch thanks to the outstanding Shadow of the Erdtree DLC expansion, which serves as a condensed version of the main game that’s absolutely jam-packed with secrets, valuable treasures, ultra-challenging boss battles, and horrific monstrosities to face of against at every turn. When you stack that on top of the main game, it’s an incredible quantity of high-quality tests of your soulslike mettle.

Elden Ring is one of the best-reviewed games in modern history. It was crowned Game of the Year by IGN and The Game Awards in 2022. The co-op roguelite spinoff, Elden Ring: Nightreign, is now available.

Best PS5 Games FAQ

What PS5 Games Are Coming Out Soon?

Mafia: The Old Country comes out August 8, 2025, followed by Madden NFL 26 on August 11, Dying Light: The Beast on August 22, Gears of War Reloaded on August 26, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater on August 28, Borderlands 4 on September 12, Silent Hill f on September 25, Ghost of Yotei on October 2, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 and Jurassic World Evolution 3 on October 31. There will be more this year, too – we’re still waiting on dates for this year’s Call of Duty, Battlefield 6, Hades 2, and probably a bunch of other surprises.

What Is the Best Game on PS5?

It can really depend on what types of games you like to play, but if you are looking for recommendations on the for what to play on the PS5, we recommend picking up a copy of Elden Ring. If you're looking specifically for a PlayStation Exclusive game, God of War: Ragnarock is also a very good option you can't play anywhere else.

What are the Best Games on PS Plus?

If you happen to have PlayStation Plus Extra or PlayStation Premium than you have access to some of the best games on the console. A few of the best PS Plus games include Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Bloodborne, Ghost of Tsushima, God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, Marvel's Spider-Man, and Red Dead Redemption 2.

Updates: On July 15, 2025 our best PS5 games list was updated. Rankings were also updated to reflect the opinions of IGN staff.

With contributions from Cristina Alexander

Gaming on the go has plenty of perks, but there are still a few drawbacks and risks involved, so your Nintendo Switch Lite may benefit from some quality accessories. Whether you’re looking for the extra protection a case can bring, the better ergonomics of a great controller, or a backup battery to ensure you’re never without juice, we’ve got you covered with great gear for your Switch Lite. Check out a detailed look at the best Nintendo Switch Lite accessories, or check the shopping list below:

TL;DR – These are the best Nintendo Switch Lite Accessories:

The Switch Lite is more compact with a smaller screen compared to the original Switch or OLED model, which means some of the best Nintendo Switch accessories aren’t compatible with this ultra-portable model. That’s why we’ve created a guide just for the Lite, so you can kit it out to be a real road warrior, and you might be able to score some awesome Nintendo Switch deals in the process.

1. Nintendo Switch Lite Carry Case + Screen Protector

Best Nintendo Switch Lite Case

2. ButterFox Switch Lite Carrying Case

Best Nintendo Switch Lite Rugged Case

3. Hori DuraFlexi Protector

Best Nintendo Switch Lite Cover

4. Orzly Grip Case

Best Nintendo Switch Lite Rugged Cover

5. amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Best Nintendo Switch Lite Screen Protector

6. Satisfye Switch Lite Grip

Best Nintendo Switch Lite Grip

7. PNY XLR8 128GB Gaming

Best Nintendo Switch Lite Memory Card

8. Anker PowerCore Essential 20000

Best Nintendo Switch Lite Portable Battery Power Bank

9. SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless

Best Nintendo Switch Lite Gaming Headset

10. Razer Barracuda X

Best Nintendo Switch Lite Bluetooth Headset

11. Nintendo Joy-Cons

Best Nintendo Switch Lite Controllers

12. Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

Going Pro

13. Adonit Mark

Best Nintendo Switch Lite Stylus

What to look for in a Nintendo Switch Lite Accessory

The most important thing you should keep in mind while shopping for Switch Lite accessories is that all accessories designed for the original Switch won’t necessarily work with Nintendo’s smaller handheld system. The Switch Lite is simply a different system that has smaller dimensions, integrated controllers, a lack of motion, and IR sensors.

Some cases and battery cases for instance are just going to be too large. While the Switch Lite will fit, it’ll probably jumble around with all the extra space inside. The same thing goes for screen protectors unless you’re ready to cut them down with a box cutter or some kind of knife, they’re going to be too big for the Switch Lite’s smaller display.

Unfortunately, most if not all of the Labo Nintendo has released isn’t going to work with the Nintendo Switch Lite. This is especially true of any pieces of Labo designed to hold the screen by itself like the Labo VR Kit or Labo Piano, due to the system’s slightly different proportions and its inability to detach the controllers. While you may be able to use other Labo kits like the Vehicle Kit, it wouldn’t quite be the same because you can’t connect the Switch Lite to a TV.

Nintendo Switch Lite Accessories FAQ

Does the Switch support Bluetooth?

The Switch consoles have always supported Bluetooth pairing with controllers, but until recently, there was no support for Bluetooth audio. Luckily, if your Switch’s system version is updated to 13.0.0 or higher, Bluetooth audio should work without the need for an adapter. That means you can use the best wireless earbuds, headphones, and speakers with your Switch. However, Bluetooth microphones still aren’t supported. Take a look here for more information about how to connect via Bluetooth to your Switch.

What comes with the Switch Lite?

The Switch Lite is also on the lighter side when it comes to included accessories. This Switch model doesn't connect to gaming TVs, so a dock and HDMI cord aren’t in the box. The Joy-Cons don’t detach either, meaning you won't find straps or a grip for them. Instead, you’ll only find a USB-C charger. That’s why you’ll want to grab some of the accessories we’ve listed to make the most of your console.

When do Nintendo Switch Lite accessories go on sale?

Generally, the overall best times to buy a Nintendo Switch Lite console are also the very best times to buy Switch Lite accessories. Some of the more popular events where you're guaranteed to find discounts on controllers, headphones, cases, and more, are Amazon Prime Day in July and Black Friday in November.

Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.

The Nintendo Switch was a game-changer in handheld gaming space, acting as both a portable device and a console, when it came out seven years ago. Even though the Switch 2 is officially out, there's still plenty of life left in the Switch, Switch OLED, and Switch Lites. One of their biggest virtues is also a drawback: Its versatility means it’s susceptible to damage, especially to the screen and Joy-Con when you're on the go. To prevent any major or minor scratches and blemishes, a case is the absolute best Nintendo Switch accessory you can grab. If you're upgrading, we have a separate guide for our recommended Switch 2 accessories.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Nintendo Switch Cases:

There are a range of Nintendo Switch cases to choose from. Some offer a hard shell and space to hold extras like game cartridges or chargers, while others go all out, offering plenty of room to house extra Switch controllers, power banks, and more. For those with butter fingers, some options wrap the console in 360° protection and have grips to prevent and keep the Switch safe during drops. No matter what type of case you’re after, our team of experts has selected the top options to suit your needs.

If you’re looking to grab a future-proof case that will fit the Nintendo Switch 2, you’ll want to grab one of the larger cases in this guide, like one from GeekShare or Controller Gear. Nintendo’s newest console has larger dimensions than its predecessor, so not all of our picks will fit the Switch 2.

Additional contributions by Georgie Peru

1. Orzly Carry Case

Best Switch Case

2. Game Traveler Zelda Nintendo Switch Lite Case

Best Nintendo Switch Lite Case

3. Game Traveler Nintendo Switch Deluxe Case

Best Budget Case

4. Tomtoc Carrying Case

Best Compact Case

5. Zadii Hard Carrying Case

Best Rugged Case

6. GeekShare Large Capacity Multifunctional Switch Messenger Bag

Best Nintendo Switch Sling Bag

7. Tomtoc Sling Shoulder Travel Bag

Best Shoulder Bag

8. Mumba Dockable Case

Best Always-On Protective Case

9. Newdery External Battery Station

Best Charger Case

10. Bionik Power Commuter Travel Bag

Best Commuter Case

11. Controller Gear Animal Crossing Backpack

Best Nintendo Switch Backpack

12. Waterfield Designs Slip Case

Best Nintendo Switch Sleeve Case

How to Choose a Nintendo Switch Case

If you need something to carry your console around, look for a carrying or travel case; basically, something with straps and is big enough to hold a charger. If you're throwing it in bag, something with a hard shell is a smarter bet. It should have a way to protect the screen from scratches (usually with a flip-down tongue or sleeve). Consider what you need to carry. Perhaps all you need is the console itself, maybe a few game cartridges. But if you're traveling away from home for a while, you might need a case large enough to hold the dock and an HDMI cable.

Some cases come with an integrated battery. It’s probably not worth considering a charging case with less than about 10,000mAh of power, as that’ll power your Switch through just short of two complete charges. Bonus points if the battery charges quickly, and can also charge other devices in your inventory.

Remember that these are cases you’ll need to cart around in the real world. What, exactly, do you want to be seen wearing or carrying? Some cases look a little goofy or childish, which is fine if you’re a child, and less so if you’re a grownup who takes a Switch to work to game on a lunch break.

Nintendo Switch Case FAQ

Will my Switch case fit the Switch 2?

Unfortunately, the vast majority of Switch and Switch OLED cases will not fit the Switch 2, especially if they were made to be slim and discreet. Measuring 10.5 inches, the Switch 2 is a full inch wider than the Switch OLED, which is just a hair bigger than the original. Unless your case or bag is already fairly roomy, you'll have to size up with a new one. We'll be testing Switch 2 accessories to find the best of them as they're available.

Does a Nintendo Switch need a case?

Unless you’re playing your Switch exclusively at home, you will absolutely want a case to ensure the longevity of the device. Although the portable console is relatively durable, if you toss it in a bag or accidentally drop it without protection, you always run the risk of cracking the screen, damaging the Joy-Con, or breaking other key components, essentially bricking the device or needing to fix it for far more than the cost of a case.

Cases also add convenience, as many come with extra storage for game cartridges and accessories and straps for easy carrying. You’ll even find options that serve as grips to make gameplay more enjoyable or cases offering integrated batteries, ensuring you’re never without juice during crucial moments in the action.

Do new Nintendo Switches come with a case?

None of the Nintendo Switch models come with a case. In some instances, there may be a bundle deal that includes a case, but for the most part, you’ll have to seek out a case on your own.

What size does a Switch case need to be?

A Nintendo Switch is 4 x 9.4 x 0.55 inches with the Joy-Con attached; a Switch OLED is 4 x 9.5 x 0.55 inches; and the Switch Lite is . You’ll need to account for the material required in the case’s design, about 0.1-0.2 inches or so, but by no means does the case need to be massive. Sleeve-type cases, like Waterfield Designs Magnetic Case, are especially good for keeping a low handling footprint.

If you’re looking for a hard-shelle case to boost protection or want additional storage for accessories, the case size will increase more drastically. You can expect to add an inch or more to the Switch’s size to accommodate these additions. When putting accessories into a case, it’s also important they don’t press up against your device, causing accidental misspresses or damage to the screen. Pockets and separate storage areas can help prevent this.

Danielle is a Tech freelance writer based in Los Angeles who spends her free time creating videos and geeking out over music history.