In case you haven't heard, Sony and Microsoft are launching new video game consoles this November. With new hardware brings new games. Historically, the software lineups that coincide with console releases aren't particularly compelling. However, launch lineups have definitely changed, as each generation brings with it its own unique batch of games. Let's take a look back and see just how much the PlayStation and Xbox launch lineups have evolved over the years.
PlayStation Exclusive Games
PlayStation 4:
- DriveClub
- Killzone Shadow Fall
- Knack
- The PlayRoom
- Res0gun
- Tiny Brains
- War Thunder
PlayStation 3:
- Genji: Days of the Blade
- Mobile Suite Gundam: Crossfire
- Resistance: Fall of Man
- Ridge Racer 7
- Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom
PlayStation 2:
- Armored Core 2
- Dynasty Warriors 2
- ESPN Winter X Games Snowboarding
- Eternal Ring
- Evergrace
- FantaVision
- Gungriffon Blaze
- Midnight Club: Street Racing
- Orphen: Scion of Sorcery
- Ridge Racer V
- Smuggler's Run
- Street Fighter EX3
- Summoner
- Tekken Tag Tournament
- TimeSplitters
- Wild Wild Racing
- X-Squad
PlayStation:
- Aquanaut's Holiday
- Battle Arena Toshinden
- ESPN Extreme Games
- Jumping Flash!
- The Raiden Project
- Zero Divide
If it wasn't obvious to you before, it should be readily apparent now: Sony's game systems have never had particularly strong launches as far as exclusive software goes. Virtually all of the games listed above have been long forgotten. That said, both Killzone: Shadow Fall and Knack look somewhat promising, so perhaps this time around it won't be quite as rough for the PlayStation faithful.
PlayStation Multiplatform Games
PlayStation 4:
- Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
- Battlefield 4
- Call of Duty: Ghosts
- Contrast
- DC Universe Online
- FIFA 14
- Just Dance 2014
- LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
- Madden NFL 25
- Minecraft
- NBA 2K14
- NBA Live 14
- Need for Speed: Rivals
- Skylanders Swap Force
- Warframe
PlayStation 3:
- Call of Duty 3
- Madden NFL 07
- Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
- NBA 07
- NBA 2K7
- Need for Speed: Carbon
- NHL 2K 7
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07
- Tony Hawk's Project 8
PlayStation 2:
- DOA2: Hardcore (Improved Port)
- ESPN International Track & Field
- Madden NFL 2001
- NHL 2001
- Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2
- Silent Scope
- Unreal Tournament
PlayStation:
- Air Combat
- Total Eclipse Turbo
- Street Fighter: The Movie
- Ridge Racer
- Rayman
- NBA Jam Tournament Edition
As far as multiplatform games go, I think it's hard to argue against the fact that the PS4 launch lineup is the best Sony gaming device has ever seen. Sure, games like Watch Dogs, Assassin's Creed IV, Call of Duty: Ghosts, and a few others will be available on current-gen hardware as well, but the sheer number of high profile triple-A games is staggering when compared to generations prior.
Xbox Exclusive Games
Xbox One:
- Crimson Dragon
- Dead Rising 3
- Fighter Within
- Forza Motorsport 5
- Killer Instinct
- LocoCycle
- Peggle 2
- Powerstar Golf
- Ryse: Son of Rome
- Zoo Tycoon
Xbox 360:
- Amped 3
- Call of Duty 2
- Condemned: Criminal Origins
- FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup
- Kameo: Elements of Power
- Perfect Dark Zero
- Project Gotham Racing 3
- Ridge Racer 6
Xbox:
- Halo: Combat Evolved
- Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee
- Dead or Alive 3
- Project Gotham Racing
- NFL Fever 2002
- AirForce Delta Storm
- Mad Dash Racing
- Fuzion Frenzy
- TransWorld Surf
- Shrek
You'll notice that a standout racing game proven to be an essential component of every first-party Xbox launch lineup. Now that Project Gotham Racing has taken a backseat to the Forza Motorsport series, it makes perfect sense to see Turn 10 have the fifth installment ready to go alongside the release of Xbox One. Interestingly enough, however, Microsoft doesn't have a first-party FPS ready to go on day one. Considering both Battlefield 4 and COD: Ghosts will be available at launch, one can understand why this is the case.
Xbox Multiplatform Games
Xbox One:
- Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
- Battlefield 4
- Call of Duty: Ghosts
- FIFA 14
- Just Dance 2014
- Lego Marvel Super Heroes
- Madden NFL 25
- NBA 2K14
- NBA Live 14
- Need for Speed: Rivals
- Skylanders: Swap Force
- Watch Dogs
- Zumba Fitness: World Party
Xbox 360:
- GUN
- Madden NFL 06
- NBA 2K6
- NBA Live 06
- Need for Speed: Most Wanted
- NHL 2K6
- Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie
- Quake 4
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06
- Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
Xbox:
- 4×4 EVO 2
- Arctic Thunder
- Cel Damage
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2X (Improved Port)
As was the case with PlayStation 4, the Xbox One multiplatform list of games is far more impressive than generations past thanks to EA, Activision, and Ubisoft straddling the console generation to provide as many versions of its popular franchises as possible. There will be no shortage of games to play this year on either next-gen platform thanks to this very fact.
