Later today, at the upcoming PlayStation 5 Showcase event, Sony will finally be giving fans another look at its next-generation console. Besides PlayStation 5 games being on display, fans are also expecting to learn the PS5 price, release date, and more.
Something that fans may learn much more about is the PS5 launch lineup. With the PS5 itself without a release date at the time of this writing, it's hard to say exactly which games will be available for the next-generation console at launch, but more information should come later today.
With fans excited to learn more about the PS5 launch lineup, we take a look back at the best PlayStation launch titles across the PS1, PS2, PS3, and PS4.
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag (PS4)
Unfortunately, the PS4 launch lineup wasn't all that impressive. When the PS4 launched in 2013, it's two big games were Killzone: Shadow Fall and Knack, both of which released to mixed reviews. One of the few PS4 launch games that was actually well-received was Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, a multi-platform, cross-generational release that really shined best on PS4 and Xbox One.
Call of Duty 3 (PS3)
The Xbox 360 released a year ahead of the PS2, hitting store shelves in 2005, and so it had console-exclusive access to Activision's Call of Duty 2. Treyarch was given the reigns for Call of Duty 3 as the franchise made its debut on the PlayStation 3, delivering a game that, while not quite as well-received as CoD 2, still had high scores from critics. Treyarch would go one to really make a name for itself with Call of Duty fans, following up Call of Duty 3 with the fan favorite World at War, not to mention the blockbuster Black Ops sub-series that's set to continue with 2020's Black Ops Cold War.
Madden NFL 2001 (PS2)
Similarly to the PS4, the PS2's launch lineup was fairly lackluster, but it did have some notable titles. Early sports games on the PlayStation 2 were particularly well-received, with the PS2 version of Madden NFL 2001 earning an impressive 91 rating on Metacritic. Critics especially praised Madden NFL 2001's graphics, which may not be anything special now, but were pretty groundbreaking at the time of its release.
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (PS3)
The PS3 launching a year later than its competition definitely had some benefits, like launching with more high quality third-party games. One such game was Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, a Diablo-like spin on the Marvel Comics universe. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance was praised for its local co-op gameplay and for giving players a vast roster of playable heroes to choose from. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance was followed up by two sequels, but neither of them were able to match the original game's legacy.
NHL 2001 (PS2)
Madden NFL 2001 wasn't the only sports game released as part of the PS2's launch lineup. NHL 2001 was also available for Sony's new console on day one, and it similarly earned high marks from critics. While it looks aged by today's standards, NHL 2001 was another game that was commended for having far superior graphics to the NHL games of the previous generation, and went a long way in showing off just how powerful the PS2 was at the time.
Rayman (PS1)
The PS1 generation was mainly focused on 3D games, with 2D side-scrollers largely cast aside. However, one exception to that was Rayman, a PS1 launch title that earned acclaim for its art style, challenging gameplay, and soundtrack. Rayman would go one to spawn a platforming franchise for Ubisoft that would later include award-winning games like Rayman Legends. Unfortunately, the Rayman franchise has been largely dormant in recent years, but the success of the earlier games in the series speaks for itself.
Resistance: Fall of Man (PS3)
Insomniac Games is perhaps best known for its colorful 3D platformers like Spyro the Dragon and Ratchet & Clank. Considering this, Resistance: Fall of Man for PlayStation 3 was quite the change of pace for the company. A gritty sci-fi shooter, Resistance: Fall of Man was praised for its challenging co-op campaign and exciting online multiplayer battles. It spawned a new PlayStation franchise, and there have been teases lately that the Resistance games may be making a comeback at some point soon.
Resogun (PS4)
Known primarily for the Stardust games and PS3's Dead Nation, Housemarque delivered the PS4's highest-rated exclusive launch title with Resogun. An arcade shooter game, Resogun was most notable for how it utilized the PlayStation 4's advanced hardware for its graphics. It earned acclaim from critics and fans alike, and so it's no surprise that there are many who are excited to see what the studio can accomplish with the upcoming Returnal PS5 game.
Ridge Racer (PS1)
Console launch lineups usually have a great deal of variety, letting fans play something from all different genres. The premiere racing game of the PS1's launch lineup was the first Ridge Racer, with the franchise going on to become closely tied to the PlayStation brand in subsequent years.
Tekken Tag Tournament (PS2)
Many console launch lineups usually have at least one fighting game, and the PS2 was no exception. Tekken Tag Tournament on PS2 was a huge success, with many praising its cutting-edge graphics and deep fighting gameplay.
TimeSplitters (PS2)
Members of the GoldenEye and Perfect Dark development team at Rare would go on to form Free Radical Design, and the studio's first project was the PS2 launch title TimeSplitters. Essentially bringing the Perfect Dark and GoldenEye-style gameplay to the PS2, TimeSplitters' sense of humor and time-traveling gimmick helped it stand out among the FPS crowd at the time.
