PS5 is on a roll and, if the last three months are any indication, 2023 will be a successful year for the console generation. The console was responsible for 29 percent of gaming hardware sales in February, prompting Circana to name it the best-selling console of the month. Most of this success is thanks to the monumental releases, including the iconic Hogwarts Legacy, which sold 12 million copes two weeks after its launch. But overall PS5 remains impressive due to its catalogue of widely popular and beloved titles. Here is a look at five in particular that have brought the console the most accolades and revenue.
Call of Duty
The Call of Duty franchise is arguably the most popular FPS game in video gaming history. Since its launch in 2003, it has sold over 250 million copies, making it one of the most important franchises to Sony. An independent survey revealed that more gamers buy a PS5 console for Call of Duty than for any other exclusive title on the console. And by Sony’s own admission, the series has produced the top selling game on PS4 and PS5 for the last ten years, except in 2021 when Call of Duty: Vanguard missed out on the top spot. The statement by Sony also reveals that Call of Duty has consistently done better than other popular exclusives like God of War, Horizon West, and The Last of Us.
God of War Ragnarok
God of War is a close second behind Call of Duty. Featuring a combination of edge-of-the-seat action and emotional character arcs, the game has been dubbed the hallmark of video game storytelling and the benchmark for action-adventure titles. God of War: Ragnarok is the fastest-selling first-party game in history, having sold 5.1 million units in its first week and over 11 million by the beginning of February. Together, the franchise is very valuable and immensely popular.
GTA V
Grand Theft Auto V was the best-selling PS5 game of January 2023. The game has been a significant seller for Sony across three console generations and its lasting power is highly impressive. Featuring a combination of shooter elements, RPG, and online gambling action, the GTA franchise is the ultimate gaming experience. One of the titles in the series, GTA San Andreas, even features multiple casinos set in the city of Los Venturas where players can enjoy poker, roulette, and slots akin to the best online pokies for real money in Australia and other parts of the globe. The entire series has sold 39.71 million on the console and over 160 million across other platforms.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring was arguably the most anticipated launch in recent gaming history – so much so that it won the Most Anticipated Game title at The Game Awards in 2020 and 2021. And this makes sense considering that the project combined the contributions of FromSoftware, the critically acclaimed triple-A studio and the super-talented George R. R. Martin. The good news is that Elden Ring lived up to the hype, selling over 16 million copies since it was launched in February last year. It is also one of the best-reviewed titles in modern history and a major PS5 earner.
Wrapping Up
PS5 is buoyed on the success of its many popular titles, specifically GTA V and Call of Duty, which continue to outperform themselves. Recent releases like God of War, Elden Ring, Marvel’s Spider Man, and Dying Light 2 have also established the console generation as one of the most lucrative. And as Sony continues to grow its fanbase, these and more games will only continue to bring in more revenue for the company and gaming fun for gamers.