These last 48 hours have been nothing short of dramatic. On Monday, we marked the five-year anniversary of the PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles with a competition to decide the top exclusive title of this console generation. We presented eight PlayStation 5 titles and eight Xbox Series X games to face off against each other, all heading towards a final showdown where the top game from each platform would go head-to-head. We've witnessed some incredibly close calls in the initial matchups, particularly yesterday’s razor-thin votes. At this point, it's time to crown the best PS5 and Xbox Series X games before the championship on Thursday.
The PS5 Side
On the PS5 side, we have the Kratos-killer, Astro Bot. Maybe it should be no surprise given that it took home the top prize at the previous year's gaming accolades, but its victory over God of War Ragnarök feels like a true upset. But to get to the finals, it'll need to defeat the most valuable player of the PS5 generation: the acclaimed developer. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 had a smooth path to the final four, defeating Ghost of Yōtei and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (another title from the same studio!) to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Will Spider-Man defeat a beloved PlayStation icon, or is he destined to become a miniature appearance in the upcoming Astro Bot title?
Xbox Series X Contenders
For Xbox Series X has been more exciting. Coming out on top from a diverse lineup of competitors is Forza Horizon 5. It's a big victory for the racing adventure title so far, proving that a more specialized genre game deserves to be on the equal footing as classic platformers and story-driven epics. Its last roadblock en route to the finals is a major challenge, though. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has shown itself as a fan favorite, beating critical darlings like Pentiment and Hi-Fi Rush. Can it beat a larger-scale title from an established IP that's synonymous with Xbox itself? If anyone can pull that off, it's probably Indy.
Place your ballots to decide the best PS5 and Xbox Series X games of this era, and return on the next day to see which games will face off for the ultimate trophy in the finals!
Voting Schedule
First Round: November 10, 11:00 AM Eastern - November 11, 9:00 AM EasternQuarter-finals: Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. EST - Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 9 a.m. EST- Semi-final round: Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. ET - Thursday, Nov. 13 at 9 a.m. EST
- Championship: Thursday, Nov. 13 at 11 a.m. EST - Friday, Nov. 14 at 9 a.m. EST
- Winner announced: November 14, 11:00 AM Eastern
Head-to-Head Battles
PS5 Division
Astro Bot versus Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Xbox Series X Division
Forza Horizon 5 vs. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
