Fan anticipation is running high for Sony’s next-generation console, the PlayStation 5.
On September 16, 2020, the launch dates for the PS5 standard and digital editions were finally confirmed – November 12, 2020, for the United States, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea, while November 19, 2020, will be the day both PS5 consoles launch in Europe, the Middle East, South America, Asia, and South Africa. And on those major launch days, a slew of must-have titles will be playable as soon as you power your PS5 on. Thankfully, Sony has prepped a fine collection of first-party exclusives for its ardent fanbase alongside some quality third-party games worth checking in for.
Check out the list below for a better look at all the games coming to PS5 on day one.
Note – PS5 backward compatibility will work with 99-percent of the PS4 library.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
The next chapter in the lengthy Assasins’s Creed saga will transport players to the age of the Vikings. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla puts players in the role of a male/female warrior named Eivor, who must embark upon a bloody campaign against the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. This newfound assassin’s journey will feature the same action RPG elements featured in the past two Assassin’s Creed games and also bring back some fan-favorite features. Conquest Battles, the presence of settlements, and naval navigation will thankfully make their return. Plus fans can look forward to engaging in all sorts of Viking themed activities, such as drinking contests and their own version of roast battles! Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will be an eye-opening experience, no doubt.
Buy Assassin’s Creed Valhalla here.
Astro’s Playroom
Developer: SIE Japan Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Fans and critics alike were shocked by the amazing quality of the PS VR exclusive, Astro Bot Rescue Mission. The extremely immersive platforming and unique DualShock 4 controller gameplay implementation players were introduced to in that predecessor wowed everyone who experienced it. The upcoming sequel Astro’s Playroom will incorporate the same likable mechanics featured in the previous game. But for this go-round, Astro Playroom’s will step away from the realm of VR and take full control of the DualSense Wireless Controller’s signature capabilities. And as an added bonus, Astro’s Playroom will come as a pre-downloaded title on everyone’s PS5 for free.
Bugsnax
Developer: Young Horses
Publisher: Young Horses
Development studio Young Horses’ super quirky adventure game Bugsnax caught everyone by surprise with its initial reveal. The game’s premise of exploring a mysterious island in a bid to discover and capture half-bug, half snack animals grabbed the interest of the gaming public. And once the PS5 arrives on launch day, those curious onlookers can finally experience Bugsnax for themselves. Over 100 Bugsnak creatures are available to find and munch on. The hilarious part of that whole ordeal is that fact that the local Grumpuses take on the physical properties of whatever Bugsnak they consume, so be prepared to witness some crazy looking characters as you engage in island feasting.
Note – Bugsnax will be available as a PlayStation Plus gree game for two months starting from November 12 and ending on January 4, 2021.
Dauntless
Developer: Phoenix Labs
Publisher: Epic Games
Phoenix Labs’ monster hunting escapade is going big with its move to next-gen consoles. The big battles that erupt as you and your fellow Slayers go to war with massive Behemoths will look even better this time around. The base game and its many updates will arrive on day one, of course. But the future of Dauntless looks even brighter now that we know a major update is coming in December. Dauntless is an already awesome alternative for Monster Hunter fans and will get even better a month later. The next-gen hunt has begun.
Buy a PSN Gift Card here so you can digitally purchase Dauntless.
Dead by Daylight
Developer: Behaviour Interactive
Publisher: Behavior Interactive
The asymmetric survival horror video game that’s morphed into a smash hit is now on its way to PS5. And if you already own it on PS4, then you’ll get to upgrade to the PS5 version for free with all your progress intact. Dead by Daylight splits players into one of two camps – either as a member of a survival group or the maniacal killer that’s hunting them all down. Since launch, the game has gone on to feature additional horror icons from all forms of entertainment. New survivors have been thrown into the fray to deal with maniacal killers such as Michael Myers, Freddy Kruger, Ghostface, Pyramid Head, etc. Get ready to confront your fears or live out your horror movie fantasies in the next-gen version of Dead by Daylight.
Buy a PSN Gift Card here so you can digitally purchase Dead by Daylight.
Demon’s Souls
Developers: Bluepoint Games, SIE Japan Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Before Dark Souls morphed into the surprise hit gaming masochists everywhere flocked to, Demon’s Souls truly kicked things off for the “Soulbourne” sub-genre. And in 2020, PS5 owners will get the chance to revisit the harsh realm of Bolateria in a beautiful remake. The game’s punishing difficulty, dreary world, and somber mood all make their return and look all the more stunning on PS5. This Demon’s Souls remake retains everything that was featured in the original release and breathes new life into it with a new visual sheen and fine-tuned combat mechanics. See if you have it in you to defeat the demon Vanguard in HD on day one of your PS5 ownership.
Destiny 2: Beyond Light
Developer: Bungie
Publisher: Bungie
Destiny 2’s upcoming expansion is going big by bringing a wealth of new content with it. Entitled Beyond Light, this major DLC update will take players to the frozen locale of Jupiter’s icy moon Europa. The Darkness will step into the role of the main opposition you’ll be dealing with, plus you’ll be able to beat them at their own game as you get to wield their power. That newfound power is called Stasis, which will go a long way towards helping you freeze the foes that come your way.
Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Once fans got done playing through the demon-filled adventures of Nero, Dante, and V in Devil May Cry 5, they made a lofty request for the game’s talented developers – GIVE US VERGIL AS A PLAYABLE CHARACTER! On day one for PS5 owners, those same fans will get their wish granted with the digital launch of Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition. A playable Vergil isn’t the only thing coming with this updated rendition of the classic action game – new gameplay modes are arriving in the form of the Legendary Dark Knight difficulty and the even faster-paced Turbo Mode. The Deluxe Edition bonuses and EX Color Pack costumes will also be coming with this definitive, next-gen version of Devil May Cry 5.
Buy Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition here.
DiRT 5
Developer: Codemasters Cheshire
Publisher: Codemasters
Offroad racing fans can hop right into a next-gen DiRT experience with the release of the fifth entry in the series. DiRT 5 fills players’ digital garages with all manner of Rallycross, GT, unlimited trucks, buggies, muscle cars, and rock bouncers for some nail-bitingly fast challenges. The game’s global racing will take players to a variety of locales that test your racing prowess via varying weather conditions. DiRT 5’s mode suite contains a story-driven career mode that features the voice acting talents of Troy Baker and Nolan North, plus a Playgrounds mode that lets you create/share your own insane race track designs. This next-gen racer is feature-rich and definitely worth a spin on launch day for the PS5.
Fortnite
Developer: Epic Games
Publisher: Epic Games
Epic Games’ uber-popular battle royale shooter is coming to PS5. And there’s no need to freak out about all your progress being left behind once you upgrade to Sony’s new console – all your unlocks and in-game purchases are coming along for the next-gen ride. And once the Unreal Engine 4 becomes a part of Fortnite, a slew of graphical enhancements and even more mechanical improvements will truly make it feel like a next-gen experience.
Godfall
Developer: Counterplay Games
Publisher: Gearbox Publishing
You’ve most likely dabbled in the world of looter shooters such as Borderlands and Destiny. But Counterplay Games’ original IP Godfall is ditching firearms in favor of bladed weaponry. This self-described looter slasher transports players to a mystical realm powered by the elements of Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Spirit. In order to prevent an apocalyptic event that threatens those very same elements and the people that rely on them, you’ll build up your own warrior and join other warriors from the exalted Knight’s Order. Your war against a great evil will see your custom knight arm themselves with all manner of longswords, dual blades, polearms, war hammers, and greatswords. Godfall is obviously being set up as PS5’s version of Warframe.
Goonya Fighter: Jiggly Haptic Edition
Developer: Mutan
Publisher: Mutan
It’s slim pickings as far as PS5 launch day fighting games go. So while you wait for the release of Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate, you can busy yourself with some squishy fisticuffs in this quirky fighter. Goonya Fighter: Jiggly Haptic Edition updates the entire experience by adding support for the DualSense’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. This means you’ll feel different vibrations according to the arena types you’ll do battle in. You’ll also feel every punch and kick as you hop into the game’s Adventure Mode, local Versus Mode, and upcoming Online Mode. Goonya Fighter: Jiggly Haptic Edition is weird yet full of undeniable charm.
Buy a PSN Gift Card here so you can digitally purchase Goonya Fighter: Jiggly Haptic Edition.
Maneater
Developer: Blindside Interactive
Publishers: Tripwire Interactive, Deep Silver
Blindside Interactive’s “SharkPG” Maneater is getting the next-gen upgrade treatment. And if you happen to already own it on your last-gen PS4 console, then you’ll be able to move on to the next-gen version free of charge. This new and improved version of the quirky underwater action RPG will arrive with the benefit of supporting ray tracing, native 4K HDR resolution at 60 frames per second, and new lighting effects. That means surfing the seas as a rabid shark and leaving all sorts of bloody carnage in your wake will look even better on your PS5.
Buy a PSN Gift Card here so you can digitally purchase Maneater.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Insomniac Games is expanding upon its Spider-Man universe by putting Miles Morales in the main role of New York City’s wall-crawling savior. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales will transport players to Harlem, where a tech war has broken out between The Tinkerer’s Underground faction and the Rexxon energy corporation. Miles will have to deal with both groups’ hunger for supremacy and deal with a host of other Spidey villains along the way. This standalone Spider-Man adventure comes with a special bonus for anyone who decides to purchase the Ultimate Launch Edition. That bonus goodie is Marvel’s Spider-Man: Remastered, which is getting all the expected bells and whistles now that it’s coming to PS5.
Buy Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales here.
NBA 2K21
Developer: Visual Concepts
Publisher: 2K Sports
Just like EA with its Madden NFL franchise, 2K Sports is going all-in on next-gen consoles with its trademark sports simulation series. NBA 2K21 is going above and beyond past iterations’ graphical realism and is looking to make a big impression on launch day PS5 owners. All the bells and whistles featured in the current-gen version, such as a new MyCareer story, big MyTeam changes, and an entirely new next-gen city to play around in online, will make the move to next-gen. Keep this in mind, though – your MyCareer progress won’t carry over from the current-gen version. However, your MyTeam progress will.
No Man’s Sky
Developer: Hello Games
Publisher: Hello Games
Hello Games’ No Man’s Sky has evolved from an experience unable to fulfill its lofty goals to an amazing galaxy explorer that’s content-rich and rewarding. Now that it’s being ported to PS5, the game’s 3.10 update will incorporate next-gen improvements for all incoming and veteran players. The visuals will receive a noticeable improvement, which means No Man’s Sky will now feature a 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. Plus the game’s warp and start-up speeds will get a huge boost, which will allow players to get into all its engrossing space action at a much quicker pace. No Man’s Sky already offers an amazing suite of gameplay options for single-player and multiplayer fans. And now all of it will look even more amazing on PS5.
Buy a PSN Gift Card here so you can digitally purchase No Man’s Sky.
Observer: System Redux
Developer: Bloober Team
Publisher: Bloober Team USA
The initial version of Observer garnered plenty of adoration from those who experienced its dark cyberpunk stylings. Thankfully, this first-person indie adventure game is coming to PS5 with a number of welcome improvements and even more story content to boot. Observer: System Redux places you back into the role of a future police detective who’s looking to get to the bottom of a murder mystery by hacking into the minds of others. And through these hacks is where you’ll gather all the clues you require by actively reliving people’s final moments. Observer: System Redux improves upon the base game by offering three new sidequests, gameplay enhancements, and a slew of quality of life improvements.
Buy a PSN Gift Card here so you can digitally purchase Observer: System Redux.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat
Developer: Ghost Town Games
Publisher: Team17
The culinary party game that’s become a smash hit is coming to PS5 in the most content-rich version yet. Overcooked! All You Can Eat features all the rambunctious action from the first two games, which means you and your fellow next-gen cooks will go crazy trying to finish dishes across 200+ levels. This definitive edition of the game also features a new adventure to hop into called The Peckish Rises. This horror-themed add-on campaign features three new playable chefs, kitchens, and even crazier methods towards making an assortment of tasty dishes.
Buy Overcooked! All You Can Eat here.
Planet Coaster: Console Edition
Developer: Frontier Developments
Publisher: Frontier Developments
Running a theme park can be an overwhelming undertaking. Not everyone’s built to manage the day to day operations of a massive setting jam-packed with park patron pleasing attractions. But if you think you have the creative and business-minded know-how needed to succeed at such a job, Planet Coaster: Console Edition will let you live out your real-world aspirations. This PC to next-gen console port eases gamers into its complex experience with redesigned interfaces and controls. Players can choose to enjoy a less stressful casual mode, engage in a fast-paced challenge mode, or get fully immersed in all their theme park construction duties via the game’s extensive career mode. Planet Coaster: Console Edition is the ultimate thrill ride for old school fans of Theme Park World.
Buy Planet Coaster: Console Edition here.
PlayStation Plus Collection
On day one, PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to play the folowing PS4 games on their PS5 – God of War (2018), Bloodborne, Monster Hunter: World, Final Fantasy XV, Fallout 4, Mortal Kombat X, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Ratchet & Clank (2016), Days Gone, Until Dawn, Detroit: Become Human, Battlefield 1, inFamous: Second Son, Batman: Arkham Knight, The Last Guardian, The Last of Us Remastered, Persona 5, and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Developer: Sumo Digital
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
LittleBigPlanet’s lovable mascot is moving on from the realm of 2.5D platforming to a 3D one. And what makes his new foray into this evolved rendition of hop and bop adventuring so welcoming is the presence of four-player co-op action. Sackboy and his equally wholesome buddies will explore a myriad of colorful worlds as they pick up all sorts of collectibles, smash baddies, and avoid stage hazards at a fast pace. Sackboy’s going to need all the help in the world within this expanded LittleBigPlanet adventure.
Buy Sackboy: A Big Adventure here.
The Pathless
Developer: Giant Squid
Publisher: Annpurna Interactive
If you found plenty of enjoyment in developer Giant Squid’s ABZÛ, then the studio’s follow-up release should keep you equally satisfied. The Pathless takes place on a magical island that’s been disrupted by encroaching darkness. Your role as a masterful archer comes into play as you and your trusty eagle make an effort to wipe away that harmful element. Beating back a myriad of evil spirits small and large makes up the majority of your extensive time spent with this striking action/adventure epic. The Pathless has all the makings of a strong second effort from Giant Squid that should grab the attention of The Legend of Zelda fans everywhere.
Warhammer: Chaosbane – Slayer Edition
Developer: Exo Software
Publisher: Bigben Interactive
Warhammer: Chaosbane should certainly scratch that Diablo itch some PS5 owners will want to cater to at launch. It lets you choose from a myriad of character classes and attempt to save an empire stricken by the demons of Chaos. This Warhammer Fantasy-inspired action RPG gives you a huge assortment of baddies to smash and bash solo or alongside a co-op buddy. The Slayer Edition throws in even more worthwhile content to wade through since it features all of the game’s previously released DLC. Then there’s the addition of a new Witch Hunter character, who slays demons with gun and blade in hand. Warhammer: Chaosbane – Slayer Edition has everything it needs to become your first next-gen dungeon-crawling addiction.
Buy Warhammer: Chaosbane – Slayer Edition here.
Watch Dogs: Legion
Developer: Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
The latest Watch Dogs sequel is going even bigger than before. DedSec is back to fight the power and this time, their clash with the powers that be will take place within a fictionalized rendition of London. What makes Watch Dogs: Legion such a huge step up above its predecessors is the ability to recruit a huge array of NPC’s and utilize their skillset in a multitude of ways. Hacking, shooting, and driving will be a part of your mission objective as you liberate London’s freedom-seeking populace. Watch Dogs: Legion is giving players more of a reason to care about NPC’s and take on every side quest imaginable in order to bring them to DedSec’s cause.
WRC 9
Developer: KT Racing
Publisher: Nacon
The next entry in the FIA World Rally Championship simulation series is going big in 2020. Not only is it slated to launch on current-gen consoles, but it’s also making its way over to next-gen machines. WR9 is making sure its cross-gen release comes with all the bells and whistles fans have become accustomed to but in an even more refined fashion. This sequel’s career mode is getting even better, three new events are being added to the game’s racing calendar, classic tracks are making their welcome return, and retro automobiles will be added to the rotation. WR9’s simulation feel will expectedly hit on all cylinders once again as you compete on your favorite tracks and hop into the game’s three new rallies along the way (Kenya, New Zealand, and Japan).
Heavy, Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. Our product recommendations are guided solely by our editors. We have no relationship with manufacturers.
See Also
- PS5 Console: Release Date, Price, and Everything You Need to Know
- PS5: The Future of Gaming – The Gameplay Trailers You Need to See
- PS5 Showcase (September 16): The Gameplay Trailers You Need to See