As part of PlayStation’s 30th-anniversary celebrations, fans have voted for the 30 best PlayStation games of all time, with the original Final Fantasy 7 securing the top spot. The poll, conducted by Japanese publication Famitsu, drew around 4,000 votes and highlighted the enduring legacy of the iconic JRPG. Notably, over half of the titles on the list were JRPGs from developers like Square Enix, Capcom, and Sony.
The PlayStation brand first entered the gaming market on December 3, 1994, launching in Japan before debuting in North America and Europe in 1995. Over the past three decades, PlayStation has grown to become a cornerstone of gaming, competing alongside Nintendo and Microsoft as part of the “big three” console manufacturers. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Sony offered PS5 users limited-edition themes featuring sound effects and wallpapers from previous PlayStation generations, allowing fans to relive their favorite eras.
While Final Fantasy 7 took the crown, the list included an impressive array of classics from various PlayStation generations. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G came in second, followed by Xenogears, Final Fantasy 10, and Resident Evil rounding out the top five. Square Enix dominated the rankings with eight entries, including Kingdom Hearts 2 and Dragon Quest 8: Journey of the Cursed King. Capcom and Konami also made strong showings, with Capcom’s Monster Hunter series claiming three spots.
Sony’s own titles accounted for seven entries, highlighting first-party successes like Gran Turismo and Shadow Hearts. Notably, the PS1 had the most representation in the list with 16 games, underscoring the impact of the original console. The PS2 followed with nine entries, while the PSP and PS4 contributed two each. Surprisingly, the PS3 had only one representative: the original The Last of Us, while the PS5 and PS Vita were absent from the rankings entirely.
The full Top 30 list offers a nostalgic trip through PlayStation’s storied history, featuring beloved franchises like Metal Gear Solid, Crash Bandicoot, and Persona 4. Titles such as Ghost of Tsushima, which claimed the 30th spot, show the brand’s continued ability to deliver unforgettable experiences, even in more recent years. The announcement of Ghost of Yotei further renewed interest in the critically acclaimed open-world samurai epic.
While Famitsu’s poll leaned heavily on story-driven PS1 classics, it serves as a testament to PlayStation’s ability to evolve while staying rooted in its rich history. From Arc the Lad 2 to The Last of Us, the poll captures the diverse catalog that has made PlayStation a gaming powerhouse for three decades.
As the PlayStation brand looks to the future, fans eagerly await what 2025 will bring, with many hopeful that the next generation of games will one day join this celebrated list. Whether you’re reliving the adventures of Cloud Strife or racing through Gran Turismo, the PlayStation legacy continues to resonate with gamers worldwide.
