PS5 Launch Games - How The PS5 Launch Line-Up Compares To The PS4, PS3 Launch Games

PS5 Vs PS4 Vs PS3 – How The PS5 Launch Line-Up Compares To The PS4, PS3 Launch Games – With the PS5 set to drop across the world in November 2020, all eyes are turning to the PS5 games that will be accompanying the release of Sony’s next-generation PlayStation console. With that in mind, we’ve taken a trip down memory lane to see how the PS5 launch line-up compares to the PS4 and PS3 launch line-ups of years past.

PS5 Launch Games – How Do They Compare To The PS3 & PS4 Launch Line Ups?

The PlayStation 3 Launch Line-Up – How Good Was It?

PS3 Launch Title – Blast Factor (Bluepoint Games, Sony)

Some neat trivia here – Blast Factor was the first title that masters of the remaster Bluepoint Games would create. A top-down arcade shooter, Blast Factor had players zipping around a series of enclosed arenas destroying numerous infections before proceeding onto the next level.

Where things get a spicy is in how players can use the Sixaxis controller (a name that has not aged well in the intervening years, it must be said), to effectively slosh fluids around the arena causing the germs to bunch up on one side for an easy kill. Hardly Bluepoint’s best game then, but as first efforts go, worth a look at the very least.

PS3 Launch Title – Call of Duty 3 (Activision)

Although Call of Duty 3 will hardly be remembered as the best entry in Activision’s long-running FPS series, it still nonetheless paved the way for much of the series design DNA on PlayStation as we see it today.

For a start, in addition to a wide range of competitive multiplayer modes, Call of Duty 3 also brought a multi-faceted story campaign to the table in which players would take control of Polish, American, Canadian or British soldiers during the Western Front theatre of conflict in World War II. Additionally, Call of Duty 3 kicked off the series obsession for occasionally overbearing QTE sequences too. So thanks… I guess?

PS3 Launch Title – Genji: Days of the Blade (Game Republic, Sony)

The sequel to the PS2’s Genji: Dawn of the Samurai was something of a travesty. A third-person action adventure that takes place in ancient Japan, Genji: Days of the Blade was a horribly stunted affair that suffered from poor camera angles, lackluster combat and a general lack of anything remotely resembling something innovative.

Still, at least it looked quite pretty for the time and of course, who could forget those ‘historically accurate’ massive crabs eh?

PS3 Launch Title – Madden NFL 07 (EA)

A fairly formidable showcase of the PS3’s visual prowess, it’s certainly fair to say that Madden NFL 07 was hardly a bad purchase for those with shiny new PS3 consoles looking to get their Madden NFL fix.

Though that shouldn’t suggest that Madden NFL 07 didn’t bring anything new to the table, as Madden’s 2007 outing brought new lead block control, juke and spinning requirements to the long tenured football series.

PS3 Launch Title – Marvel Ultimate Alliance (Activision)

What happens when you combine a dungeon crawler like Diablo with Marvel’s massive cast of characters? Why, you get Marvel Ultimate Alliance!

Allowing up to four players to tackle the evil forces of Doctor Doom, players can choose from a range of iconic Marvel heroes such as Iron Man, Wolverine, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four and many, many more besides. Oh and the game was one of three launch titles that supported 1080p resolution – which was nice.

PS3 Launch Title – Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire (Namco Bandai)

What PlayStation launch would be complete without a new Mobile Suit Gundam title? Well, sadly not this one – as Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire is teeth-clenchingly terrible.

Where do we start? Oh, I know – how about the crappy story, worse voice acting, chore-stuffed gameplay, constant slowdown, poor AI and just garishly outdated graphics. There’s more, but we have a schedule to keep y’know.

PS3 Launch Title – MotorStorm (Evolution Studios, Sony) – UK

Though MotorStorm had essentially no chance of meeting the excessive ambition of its smoke and mirrors laden reveal trailer, the final product still managed to be worth the price of admission.

A wonderfully muddy and wild off-road racer, MotorStorm nonetheless impressed with its accomplished visuals and hefty handling model that made every jump and every trade of paint something to be savoured.

PS3 Launch Title – NBA 2K7 (Visual Concepts, 2K Sports)

Something of a rarity in annual sports games, the first instalment of a long running sports franchise on a new console tends to be pared back. Sure, the visuals are almost always a highlight, but more often than not the feature-set tends to be reduced – even compared to previous years games (yes, i’m looking at you WWE 2K).

Not so with NBA 2K7. Boasting the expected audiovisual upgrades in addition to a range of on the court improvements, such as an NBA Street mode and the ability to use the Sixaxis controller to mimic throw-ins and other actions, NBA 2K7 was arguably one of the best sports titles in the PlayStation 3’s first year.

PS3 Launch Title – NBA 07 (SCE San Diego, Sony)

If you thought that having two NBA titles at the launch of PS3 was one too many you would be right. It’s just a shame nobody thought to tell Sony.

Launching alongside the far superior NBA 2K7, NBA 07 from Sony Computer Entertainment San Diego simply wasn’t up to snuff, with arguably worse presentation and less satisfying gameplay. However, NBA 07 does have the shared honor of being one of the few launch titles to display in full 1080p resolution.

PS3 Launch Title – Need for Speed Carbon (EA Canada)

Though a new Need for Speed title is not necessarily quite the best way to show off a new console, Need for Speed Carbon nonetheless proved to be somewhat better than many folks thought.

With its exhilarating canyon set race routes and impressive level of customisation, Need for Speed Carbon proved to be the sort of the deep and (mostly) entertaining racer that newly minted PS3 gamers were keen to embrace at launch.

PS3 Launch Title – Resistance: Fall of Man (Insomniac, Sony)

One of the defining titles of the PlayStation 3’s launch, Resistance: Fall of Man was a largely formulaic shooter that gained a fair amount fans on account of its 1950s alt-history setting and visceral combat.

Tasked with combating the Chimera, a vicious race of aliens whose invasion of the Earth began in Russia and worked its way westward, Resistance: Fall of Man was an intriguing if not revolutionary shooter that new PS3 owners lapped up hungrily. With the series seemingly stopping at three core entries on PS3, we would be lying if we said we weren’t feeling partial to a fourth.

PS3 Launch Title – Ridge Racer 7 (Namco Bandai)

Riiiiidge Raaa… oh stop. Anyway, while it was good to see Ridge Racer at the launch of every PlayStation console (a tradition that the PS4 would sadly break years later), it soon became apparent that the game had lost much of the series mojo.

Sure, while having native 1080p visuals thundering along at 60 frames per second was good and all, Ridge Racer 7‘s handling simply didn’t feel as good as it used to – and the soundtrack was pretty much garbage too. A shame.

PS3 Launch Title – Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (EA)

Remember that thing I said about sports games earlier, where the first entries on new consoles tend to be a little worse than normal? Well, EA wasn’t having any of that with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 at the launch of PlayStation 3.

Boasting a feature-stuffed title with improved Game Face tech for creating your own golfer in addition to Team Tour Stroke Play and Match Play modes, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 did a commendable job of serving golfing fans at the launch of PlayStation 3.

PS3 Launch Title – Tony Hawk’s Project 8 (Activision)

A bold re-imaging of the legendary Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater franchise, Tony Hawk’s Project 8 was actually a fair decent skating game – on every system except PS3 (and PS2 and PSP, but we’re not here for that).

Simply, the PS3 version of Tony Hawk’s Project 8 was horribly compromised. With an unstable framerate and a complete lack of multiplayer modes, Tony Hawk’s Project 8 needed a lot more time in development.

PS3 Launch Title – Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom (Sony Online Entertainment)

A wholly forgettable on the dungeon crawler formula that games like Diablo and the Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance games had done so much better years earlier, Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom is a super mediocre title that did nothing to enhanced the launch of PlayStation 3.

From uninspiring visuals to derivative, innovation bereft gameplay, Untold Legends; Dark Kingdom really was just best left alone. Uninspiring stuff in the extreme.

All PS4 Launch Titles – How Did They Fare?

PS4 Launch Title – Angry Birds: Star Wars (Rovio)

Back in 2013 Angry Birds was arguably a much bigger deal than it is now – what with the likes of Fortnite and others stealing its popularity crown in the intervening years since.

As such, it was hardly surprising to see that Rovio’s physics based, bird-flinging puzzler was present at the PS4’s launch – albeit with a Star Wars slant that introduced some new puzzle types and mechanics. That said, Angry Birds: Star Wars was hardly the stuff that launch line up dreams are made of.

PS4 Launch Title – Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (Ubisoft)

Though Ubisoft’s superb Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag was also released on PS3, it was really on the PS4 that the adventures of Edward Kenway were truly able to come to life.

With a raft of visual improvements, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag was one of a number of cross-gen titles that arrived at launch for PS4. Though it arguably didn’t show off the system as much as the first party exclusive titles, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag was still a great game to own on Sony’s shiny new console all the same.

PS4 Launch Title – Battlefield 4 (EA)

Another example of a cross-gen title being present at the launch of PlayStation 4, EA’s Battlefield 4 was perhaps the most evocative example of just how much more powerful the PS4 was when compared to its last-gen sibling. Indeed it’s a credit to the game that some seven years on, people are still playing Battlefield 4 fairly frequently online too.

Though the PS4 version of EA’s epic shooter boasted a native 1080p resolution and double the frame rate at 60 frames per second with improved loading times to boot, it was really in the online multiplayer side of things that the gulf between the two systems became apparent, as Battlefield 4 on PS4 supported a full 64 players whereas Battlefield 4 on PS3 only supported a maximum of just 24. Ouch.

PS4 Launch Title – Blacklight Retribution (Hardsuit Labs, Zombie Studios)

One of the first free-to-play titles on the PlayStation 4, Blacklight Retribution is a cyberpunk themed online shopoter that allowed players to extensively customize their soldier’s appearance and weapons loadout.

Boasting 16 maps and a range of game modes, though not quite a stellar shooter, Blacklight Retribution has maintained something of a enduring presence on PS4, since while the developers ceased PC support back in March 2019, the game’s online services remain active on Sony’s current gen console.

PS4 Launch Title – Call of Duty: Ghosts (Activision)

Sadly the weakest Call of Duty title to come along in quite some time, Call of Duty: Ghosts failed to impress on account of its poor single-player campaign and general absence of anything remotely resembling innovation.

Though Call of Duty: Ghosts did bring some new multiplayer modes to the table, such as the underrated ‘Extinction’ mode, the game just didn’t do enough to make it stand out among the likes of genre stablemates Battlefield 4 and Killzone: Shadow Fall at the launch of PlayStation 4. At least Call of Duty: Ghosts had Riley the attack hound though – who to this day, arguably remains very much a Good Boy.

PS4 Launch Title – Contrast (Compulsion Games)

One of the first PS4 PS Plus titles alongside Resogun, Contrast is an indie title that tasked players with completing a variety of puzzles by leveraging their shadow within an art nouveau fantasy world.

While the concept sounded great, in practice Contrast came somewhat unstuck thanks to glitch-ridden physics, poor platforming and a desperately short game length that boasted few challenging puzzles. A pity.

PS4 Launch Title – DC Universe Online (Daybreak Game Company, WB Games)

Exceptional by the very virtue of the fact that it was the first free-to-play MMORPG on PS4, DC Universe Online nonetheless turned out to be a fairly unremarkable launch title for PS4 that improved as time went on.

With a seemingly endless stream of new quests, enemies, heroes and stories all plucked from the near infinite pages of the DC Comics library, DC Universe Online is one PS4 launch title that is still going strong today.

PS4 Launch Title – FIFA 14 (EA, EA Sports)

Of course any PlayStation console wouldn’t be complete without an EA Sports FIFA title in the mix and so FIFA 14 unsurprisingly decided to accompany the PS4 to retail when it launched in late 2013.

Powered by the brand new Ignite Engine, FIFA 14 looked more lifelike than ever before – with all-new animations and levels of texture detail that the previous generation platforms could only dream of. Throw in all-new signature goal celebrations, all the modes from the previous year’s game and it soon became apparent that FIFA 14 was not just a decent PS4 launch title but a commendable entry in the long running EA Sports FIFA franchise too.

PS4 Launch Title – Flower (Thatgamecompany, SCE, Bluepoint Games)

Without a single bit of text or dialogue, Flower instead conveys its delicate tale through ear-stroking sounds and vividly colorful visuals. The premise is wonderfully simple to get into too – as a petal caught on a rushing wind, players must direct the petal through valleys and grasslands as they cause flowers to instantly bloom upon contact, the goal being to bloom as many flowers as possible before going onto the next stage.

Even today, Flower is simply lovely – a peaceful odyssey of a game that you can just whisk yourself to in order to escape the manic pressures of the real world. A true PlayStation gem that if you haven’t played yet you absolutely should without hesitation.

PS4 Launch Title – Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition (NetherRealm Studios, WB Games)

Scoring a modicum of points simply on account of the fact that it was the only one-on-one fighter at the launch of PS4, Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition was a wholly unsurprising cross-gen offering.

Sure enough, this was the definitive version of the game but still, it hardly stood as a shining beacon of the PS4’s superiority over the previous generation of PlayStation.

PS4 Launch Title – Just Dance 2014 (Ubisoft)

Though largely much the same as previous Just Dance titles in the series, Just Dance 2014 nonetheless didn’t arrive on PS4 without any extra features.

Boasting a new ‘On Stage’ modes which allow one player to be the main dancer during a routine while others take the roles of backup performers, Just Dance 2014 on PS4 allowed up to six players to take part in these game types. Hardly revolutionary then, but one could argue that there was nothing else quite like Just Dance 2014 at the launch of Sony’s current-generation console.

PS4 Launch Title – Killzone Shadow Fall (Guerrilla Games, SCE)

Arguably the greatest demonstration of the PS4’s newfound technical grunt, it should come as little surprise that Guerrilla Games would produce an effort that would best define the generational leap that Sony’s new console represented.

A stunning FPS that looked every bit the poster boy for the next console generation, Killzone: Shadow Fall was far from perfect, but nonetheless remained a powerful example of what developers could do with the PlayStation 4.

PS4 Launch Title – Knack (SCE Japan Studio)

The target of abuse since its release alongside Sony’s current-gen console, Knack was supposed to be a child friendly, adventure platformer that would make the most of the PlayStation 4 hardware.

What we got, sadly, was a uninspired, dull, glitchy and derivative effort that did little to convince folk of the PS4’s superiority. Definitely something of a missed opportunity then.

PS4 Launch Title – LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (Travellers Tales, Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment)

The cross-gen mania that was present at the launch of PlayStation 4 would continue with LEGO Marvel Super Heroes and again, it was certainly a familiar story.

With shinier visuals and not much else, that still didn’t stop folks from buying LEGO Marvel Super Heroes at the launch of PS4 in droves – and quite rightly too, as the title was (and is) a great entry in the long-running Lego series of adaptations that was a whole bucket of fun when played with friends and family.

PS4 Launch Title – Madden NFL 25 (EA, EA Sports)

Marking the 25th anniversary of the Madden NFL video game franchise, Madden NFL 25 gave what many people craved when they set their eyes on the PS4 for the first time, namely a solidly playable game of football that absolutely looked the part to boot.

Using the same next-gen Ignite Engine that powered other PS4 EA titles such as FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25 was an eye-opening, spectacle stuffed take on America’s greatest sport. One neat touch that was especially visible on the PS4 version of Madden NFL 25 was that the pitch would visibly wear down in areas of heavy footfall, adding yet more realism to the title in the process.

PS4 Launch Title – NBA 2K14 (2K Sports, Visual Concepts)

If EA’s Madden NFL 25 filled a hole in people’s hearts for a decent take on football at the launch of PS4, then NBA 2K14 from 2K Sports arguably did the same thing for basketball.

Though hardly awash in fresh new features, NBA 2K14 nonetheless leveraged a large enough visual upgrade over the current-gen versions of the game to make it befitting of rubbing shoulders with other titles in the PlayStation 4’s launch line-up. Oh, and it didn’t hurt either that the game brought reworked dribble and shoot mechanics too in a bid to ensnare newcomers to the franchise.

PS4 Launch Title – Need for Speed Rivals (EA, Ghost Games, Criterion Games)

Jointly developed by Ghost Games and Criterion Games, it’s quite obvious that the influence of the former is certainly more keenly felt over that of the latter. However, despite that (or rather in spite of it), Need for Speed Rivals actually turned out to be pretty decent.

Lacking a high-end racer at the launch of PS4, EA was able to fill that gap quite nicely with Need for Speed Rivals, the latest entry in the long running Need for Speed franchise that boasted next-gen visuals, fast and furious racing and a massively open game world to do it all in.

PS4 Launch Title – Resogun (Housemarque, SCE)

The second of the PS4’s PlayStation Plus launch line-up freebies, Resogun was as essential in 2013 as it is now in 2020.

A side-scrolling retro shooter that owes a knowing debt to arcade classic Defender, Resogun is a blistering celebration of old-school arcade blasting and very much new-school particle effects that can ensnare you for hours.

PS4 Launch Title – Skylanders: Swap Force (Vicarious Visions, Activision)

In retrospect, it should come as little surprise that there was a Skylanders title at the launch of PlayStation 4, given the popularity that the series had enjoyed up until that point.

That said, having a title such as Skylanders: Swap Force that provided hours of kid-friendly entertainment must surely have gone some way to helping older folks convince their other halves that they were buying the PS4 as a ‘family console’, and not just for playing the likes of Killzone: Shadow Fall and Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (which is inevitably what happened).

PS4 Launch Title – Sound Shapes (Queasy Games, SCE)

Another neat little indie effort, Sound Shapes was a music infused puzzler that had previously resonated extremely well with PS3 and PS Vita owners.

Though showcasing a simple but vividly colorful art style, Sound Shapes was an addictive puzzling effort that you could pick up and put down at a moment’s notice. Still worth a play even today, we would certainly recommend seeking out Sound Shapes.

PS4 Launch Title – Super Motherload (XGen Studios)

Accompanying the other more high-profile PS4 launch titles with far less fanfare was Super Motherload, a spritzed up take on the classic balderdash template of old.

Though perfectly playable and enjoyable in its own right, it’s fair to say that Super Motherload didn’t just struggle to standout against the bigger budget fare at the PlayStation 4’s launch, but also many of its indie brethren too such as Resogun and Flower, for example.

PS4 Launch Title – Trine 2: Complete Story (Frozenbyte)

A gorgeous 2D platform puzzler with a wonderfully evocative fairytale setting, despite being a cross-gen title, Trine 2‘s art style and overall design still made it look like a proper PS4 launch title all the same.

With pin-sharp 1080p resolution visuals shooting along at a butter smooth 60 frames per second and with all of the previously released expansions thrown in for kicks, Trine 2: Complete Story was/is the definitive version of one of the best platform puzzlers available.

PS4 Launch Title – Warframe (Digital Extremes)

With its generous free-to-play model, space ninja gameplay, seemingly endless (and free) content updates and the stunning use of Unreal Engine 4, Warframe was always destined to be a roaring success.

A roundly entertaining loot shooter in its own right, it’s also a testament to the long-term support that Digital Extremes has given Warframe that in 2020 it remains one of the most popular games on PlayStation 4 – a trend that looks set to continue into the next generation of PlayStation at the end of this year.

All PS5 Launch Line-Up – How Is It Shaping Up?

PS5 Launch Title – Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla (Ubisoft)

Confirmed to release on PlayStation 5 alongside the console in holiday 2020 and developed by the same team behind Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Origins, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla whisks players away to 9th century Saxon Britain where payers take control of Eivor, a deadly Viking raider who will do anything he can to triumph.

With the ability to build their own Viking settlement and wage war across a lush depiction of England in the Dark Ages, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is looking like a must-have PS5 launch title to say the least.

PS5 Launch Title – Astro’s Playroom (SIE Japan Studio – ASOBI Team)

A bundled in title embedded into the OS of every PlayStation 5 (think how Playroom exists on the current PlayStation 4), Astro’s Playroom is a charming platform adventure featuring everyone’s cheerful little PlayStation robot. Built as a showcase of the PS5’s 3D audio and DualSense controller, Astro’s Playroom looks like it’ll be quite the treat indeed.

PS5 Launch Title – Bugsnax (Young Horses)

The cheerful food and bugs adventure Bugsnax from the same developer that brought us Octodad, will arrive alongside the PlayStation 5, hopefully attracting a much younger audience to Sony’s cutting edge new console in the process.

PS5 Launch Title – Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (Activision – Treyarch)

A direct sequel to Call of Duty: Black Ops, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War fulfils the prophecy of a Call of Duty title being at the launch of a new console. Boasting the biggest campaign to date with a range of non-linear levels and brand new Zombies modes, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War makes an emphatic statement on PS5 – supporting 4K visuals at 60 frames per second, in addition to a 120 FPS mode as well. Oh, and it also supports ray tracing too.

PS5 Launch Title – Call of Duty Warzone (Activision – Infinity Ward)

According to comments from Infinity Ward, Call of Duty Warzone will be available day and date at the launch of PlayStation 5. Of course if you’re Activision, when you’ve soared past 50 million users with over the half the year to spare, it makes sense that you’d want to put the game on as many platforms as possible, right?

PS5 Launch Title – Demon’s Souls (SIE – Bluepoint Games)

Bluepoint Games stunningly jaw-dropping remake of Demon’s Souls has been confirmed as a PS5 launch title – and we couldn’t be happier. Boasting 4K resolution, 60 FPS and ray tracing visual improvements alongside the same award-winning action RPG gameplay that made the original such a hit back in 2009, Demon’s Souls is shaping up to be the first achingly essential game for PS5. Built from the ground up for PS5, no game defines the next generation as Demon’s Souls does right now.

PS5 Launch Title – Destruction AllStars (SIE – Lucid Games)

A delirious smash em’ up racer which combines the likes of Destruction Derby and Overwatch, the vibrantly exciting Destruction AllStars will make a fine addition to the PS5 launch line-up to say the least as it seeks to gain an early foothold in the PS5’s fledgling online multiplayer community.

PS5 Launch Title – DIRT 5 (Codemasters)

Codemasters rally racing series gets a next generation facelift with DIRT 5, a world spanning rally effort that looks to take full advantage of instant loading times and improved visual fidelity to deliver a superlative experience. DIRT 5 is also designated to be one of the very first PS5 games to run at an effortlessly smooth 120 FPS too.

PS5 Launch Title – Fortnite (Epic Games)

Though hardly a surprise, the news that one of the largest and most popular games on the planet would be PlayStation 5 bound is still hugely welcome all the same. In addition to launching alongside Sony’s new console, developer Epic Games has also said that sometime during 2021 Fortnite will make the leap to its new and highly advanced Unreal Engine 5 technology too.

PS5 Launch Title – Godfall (Gearbox Software – Counterpoint Games)

Something of a surprise reveal at the 2019 Game Awards, Godfall is a Gearbox published effort that has been described by the company as a ‘loot slasher’ and will use the very latest iteration of Unreal Engine 4. With multiple deities which in turn encompass an array of classes, loot types, skill trees and much more, Godfall’s next-generation 60 FPS, ray traced visuals all combine together to make one of the most attractive action RPGs in a good while.

PS5 Launch Title – Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (SIE – Insomniac Games)

Sony and Insomniac Games have confirmed that Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales will be a PlayStation 5 launch title this holiday season. Rather than a full-blown sequel, Spider-Man: Miles Morales is instead a standalone adventure in the template and scope of Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. Look, we’ll take any more Spider-Man we can get, and if the trailer was any indication at all, we’re in for a treat.

PS5 Launch Title – Marvel’s Spider-Man: Ultimate Edition (SIE – Insomniac Games)

Absolutely stuffed to the brim with all of the DLC and post release content that Marvel’s Spider-Man enjoyed on PS4 back in 2018, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Ultimate Edition on PS5 is truly the definitive way to experience one of the best superhero games ever made. With a variety of visual upgrades such as 4K visuals, 60 frames per second animation and ray-tracing, what’s old truly is new again.

PS5 Launch Title – NBA 2K21 (2K)

NBA 2K21 was confirmed to be a launch title during the PS5 games showcase and looks set to do the beloved basketball franchise grand justice with a cutting edge visual feature set and massively reduced loading times. Enjoy basketball? PS5 has your back at launch.

PS5 Launch Title – Observer: System Redux (Bloober Team)

Due to arrive on PlayStation 5 at launch, Observer: System Redux is a full-throated remaster of first-person cyberpunk horror Observer which was developed by Layers of Fear studio Bloober Team and released on PlayStation 4 back in August 2017.

On PlayStation 5, Observer: System Redux not only boasts a native 4K resolution experience running at 60 frames per second, but it also includes a wealth of story content that wasn’t present in the original game.

PS5 Launch Title – Planet Coaster (Frontier Developments)

Letting player’s imaginations run wild, Planet Coaster will allow you to build your very own theme park at an insane level of detail. Look, this is basically a brand new Theme Park for an all-new generation of gamers and we can’t wait to play it on day one of the PlayStation 5’s launch.

PS5 Launch Title – Rainbow Six Siege (Ubisoft)

One of the most popular adversarial multiplayer shooters available, Ubisoft has confirmed that Rainbow Six Siege will make the leap to the PS5, arriving on ‘day one’ of the new console’s launch later this year.

With full cross-play supported between PS4 and PS5 versions of the game, Ubisoft is doing everything they can to ensure that early adopters of the PS5 will be able to carry on their Rainbow Six Siege careers without any interruption. As to new features for the PS5 version of the game, nothing has been announced as yet, but the usual technical improvements such as massively improved visuals and practically non-existent loading times both seem like a safe bet.

PS5 Launch Title – Sackboy: A Big Adventure (SIE – Sumo Digital)

The adorable first-party exclusive platforming adventure, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, has been confirmed as a launch title for PS5. I mean honestly – just look at it. Adorable! More than that though, Sackboy: A Big Adventure whisks the enduring PlayStation mascot off into his own twee platforming adventure which lovingly evokes the earlier LittleBigPlanet games.

PS5 Launch Title – The Pathless (Annapurna Interactive – Giant Squid)

The next title from the super talented folks behind entrancing underwater odyssey Abzû, The Pathless is an opulent indie adventure that casts players as a elite archer attempting to prevent a corrupting force from taking over an ancient forest. Stunning to look at and with super solid action adventure fundamentals, The Pathless from Annapurna Interactive makes a final addition to the PS5’s slate of launch games.

PS5 Launch Title – Watch Dogs: Legion (Ubisoft)

The third entry in Ubisoft’s open world tech-hacker adventure series, Watch Dogs: Legion goes full cyberpunk and embraces a glittering near-future London setting where players must recruit agents from every corner of society – from former SAS officers to angry old ladies, in order to overthrow a corrupt regime. Watch Dogs: Legion on PS5 will boast a massive visual leap over the PS4 version of the game with higher resolution and much more richly detailed visuals. Additionally, owners of the PS4 version of the game will get a free upgrade to the PS5 version, too.

PS5 Launch Title – WRC 9 (Nacon – KT Racing)

A full blown PS5 rallying title to join Codemasters DIRT 5, WRC 9 brings a next-gen level overhaul to the much loved rallying franchise, decking out the latest highly acclaimed entry with 4K/60 FPS visuals and races that load almost instantaneously. Simply put, if you’re a massive fan of rally games, PS5 will have you covered at launch.

PS5 Vs PS4 Vs PS3 Results – Which Has The Best Launch Games?

For us at least, the winner here is clear.

Much as Killzone: Shadow Fall would provide a tantalising, next-generation glimpse of what the PS4 would be capable of, so too does Bluepoint Games sublime Demon’s Souls remake appear to do the same for PS5.

Beyond that stellar offering though, PS5 would seem to maintain a much better throughline of quality in its launch line-up than was present at either PS3 or PS4 launch line-ups.

Whether we’re looking at the stunning Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the demographic-bridging Bugsnax or even just the much higher quality of third-party offerings such as Watch Dogs Legion, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, it’s clear that the PS5 line-up is strongest one Sony has ever put out.

Beyond that, there is something else to consider here too.

By including the likes of Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone and Rainbow Six Siege in the PS5 launch line-up, Sony is also catering for the current generation of PS4 owners too – allowing them to continue their ongoing online careers on some of the biggest titles ever without any interruption.

So yeah, as we’ve already alluded to – the winner here is clear; the PS5 has the best launch line-up out of any Sony PlayStation console released to date.