The 18 Best PlayStation Plus Games

Going back a little further into the Sucker Punch archive, The Sly Collection is nostalgic fun. It includes the first three installments of the Sly Cooper franchise, a childhood favorite of mine. I still remember the thrill of playing as a heisting raccoon with a nerdy turtle and pink hippo as your trusty accomplices. The last installment in the franchise, developed by Sanzaru Games, is also available with the catalog of classic games.

Part of PlayStation Plus Premium.

Teardown is a satisfying sandbox game that has you smashing and sledgehammering your way through a world where everything essentially reacts as if it were built with Legos. The objectives are enjoyable to complete, and the variety of random vehicles, from construction equipment (duh!) to yachts, are fun to use as well as break. It was first available on PC in 2022, but the game is now also on console.

Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.

While it’s impossible to perfectly re-create the childhood feeling of sitting too close to the TV on a Saturday morning, chomping down a sugary breakfast, and watching cartoons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge comes pretty darn close. Developed by Tribute Games, the button-mashing fun of Shredder’s Revenge references a bygone era of TMNT animation and video games. Brawl through levels by yourself or with up to five other people in multiplayer mode. It’s radical.

Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.

Original music meets Doom-style gameplay in Metal: Hellsinger. Successfully slay your enemies by attacking in sync with the pounding rhythms of hell. Yes, it’s a bit gimmicky, but the short game from The Outsiders refuses to overstay its welcome. Now if only we could play the game backward to expose the hidden, demonic messages …

Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.

While it’s been five years since its initial release, Celeste is a retro-inspired platformer that’s worth revisiting. The ethereal music sets the perfect tone as you dash your way through level after level. Even though the art is cute, be ready to focus up as you attempt to beat the more challenging aspects. Fans of visual novels will enjoy the narrative elements as well.

Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.

Do you enjoy single-player adventures in outer space? Try Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy with PlayStation Plus for a good time. Similar to the film franchise, it’s got a solid soundtrack. Another game on the PlayStation with a fantastic story, Guardians of the Galaxy won Best Narrative at the 2021 Game Awards.

Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.

What if a roguelike video game fell in love with a cool deck builder? Their offspring would look something like Slay the Spire. A critical success when officially released in 2019, its unique gameplay still feels fresh. Choose your path (and favorite cards) as you navigate through dungeons strewn with enemies.

Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.

In Humanity, you lead masses of followers to safety as they twist and turn through a variety of delightful levels. One wrong turn and everyone is systematically yeeted off the side of the platform. Whoops! After you finish with the main story, stick around and try your hand at level design with the DIY stage creator.

Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.

This racing game from Ubisoft where you compete against online players through a mishmash of America's national parks is gnarly fun. Whether you’re shredding dirt trails on your bike, snow slopes on your skis, or the open air in your wingsuit, Riders Republic is action-packed and easy to control. Need a moment of solitude to leisurely explore this open-world game? Try activating the Zen mode.

Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.

Do you enjoy causing chaos but in, like, a cute way? From publisher Panic, Untitled Goose Game is an absolute banger from 2019 that lets you role-play as a prankish feathered animal. Whether you’re swiping a pint glass from the pub or trapping a boy in the phone booth, Untitled Goose Game is the kind of silly fun that’s worth another go.

Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.

Quick, grab that plate of food and throw it over here! Oh no, the kitchen is on fire and we need to put it out fast! In Overcooked 2, you craft scrumptious meals in imaginative levels. Sure you can cook, but what if the kitchen is located in a dingy, underground mine or high in the clouds on a hot-air balloon? It’s a fabulous couch co-op game where the frenetic pace of the kitchen often devolves into a hilarious mess.

Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.

Who cares if PlayStation doesn’t have as many day-one releases on its subscription service as Xbox? PlayStation Plus is full of hidden gems, like Tearaway Unfolded. Released almost a decade ago, the game features a colorful, construction-paper world that’s brimming with whimsy. In this platformer, you’re attempting to transport a message all the way through an origami-filled environment. It’s hella cute. Enough said!

Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.

Who’s hungry for some human flesh? Titles that feature adorable animal main characters are all the rage; Maneater is not one of those games. Oh no. It was first released in 2020, and you play as a shark who’s got a bone to pick with mankind and isn’t afraid to flop around on the shore during a mini rampage. It’s the kind of game that’s fun for a few hours, then you’ll likely walk away forever. Great inclusion for a streaming service.

Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.

It’s time to put that PS5 to work! Show off the graphic strength of your console with Insomniac’s gorgeous vision of a superhero traversing New York City. Don’t worry if you aren’t a Marvel superfan; this superhero title is a thrilling adventure that remains engaging even for casual fans of the webbed crusader.

Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.

Kratos, Kratos, Kratos. What mess have you gotten yourself into this time? It’s true that the 2018 release from Sony’s Santa Monica studio is a meditation on fatherhood and an exploration of toxic masculinity. It also feels good as hell to fling your Leviathan axe around with glee. Are you curious about Ragnarök, the latest franchise entry? Why not give this game a go first?

Part of PlayStation Plus Extra.

Ratchet & Clank is another classic Sony series worth revisiting, especially if you don’t have much experience with PlayStation games. It’s a character-driven sci-fi adventure with a light-hearted touch and weapons that are wonderfully wacky. The most recent game, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, is not part of the subscription service, but a big chunk of the franchise is included in the premium tier, like Ratchet & Clank 2: Going Commando and Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal.

Part of PlayStation Plus Premium.

• Bloodborne
• Control: Ultimate Edition
• Death Stranding: Director’s Cut
• Doom
• Horizon Forbidden West
• Horizon Zero Dawn
• Inscryption
• Returnal
• XCOM 2