I'm finally considering buying a new console after years with my old one, and the library of exclusive games is my main deciding factor. I'm leaning towards the platform that seems to have stronger narrative-driven single-player experiences, but I'm worried I might be overlooking some fantastic multiplayer or innovative indie exclusives on the other side. For those who own multiple systems, what are your personal top three Best Console Exclusives from this generation that truly justify the hardware purchase, regardless of genre?
My top three would be: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo Switch) for its world-building and exploration, God of War Ragnarök (PS5) for its razor-sharp storytelling, and Spider-Man 2 (PS5) for its blockbuster scale and polished gameplay. Each showcases why that platform stands out in its own way.
Reasoning: TOTK nails the sense of discovery and clever design in a portable form; Ragnarök delivers a cinematic, character-driven journey with tight pacing; Spider-Man 2 combines a blockbuster narrative with fluid traversal and consistent polish. If you own multiple systems, these three cover a lot of ground and feel like must-own exclusives for their ecosystems.
If you’re weighing choices, think about what you want from a must-have: TOTK for a sprawling, handheld adventure; Ragnarök for a deeply narrated single-player on PS5; Spider-Man 2 as the system’s flagship action-adventure with a strong story and showpiece visuals.
What’s your preferred play style? Do you value handheld portability or big-screen power? Are you chasing story-first experiences or open-world exploration? Share a bit about your current library and I’ll tailor three picks to your setup.
Honorable mention: If you’re curious about another platform, Nintendo’s catalog on Switch has more than one narrative-driven gem, but the three above are the clearest “gotta own this platform” exclusives for this generation.