Best games 2021 for PS5, Xbox, PC and Nintendo Switch OLED – the ultimate list
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.
NEED something new to play over Christmas? We’ve tested loads of games and picked our favourites – so you don’t have to.
Here are the best games available in 2021 for PS5, Xbox, PC and the new Nintendo Switch OLED – with no faff or fuss.
Some of these games are brand new while others date back a few years.
But they all share one thing in common: greatness.
Best PS5 games 2021 – what to play now
Here are our top picks...
Astro's Playroom – Bundled with the PS5, this could easily be dismissed as a gimmick to show off the DualSense joypad. But it's a brilliant and wondrously sensory game in its own right – not to be missed.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales – This add-on to the Spider-Man video game reboot is truly gorgeous and shows off the graphical heft of the PS5. It's also good fun, and you'll likely lose hours just swinging around snowy Manhattan.
God of War – Revamped for the PS5, this iconic PS4 titan is more stunning than ever. It's one of the best games of the decade, undoubtedly. A must-play, even if you've never touched the franchise before.
Fall Guys – It's cheap, cheerful and endlessly addictive. Think Takeshi's Castle meets Fortnite.
Fifa 21 – Let's be honest: if you care at all about football, you probably already have this. But we had to include it for good measure!
Hitman 3 – Agent 47 is back and he's looking all swanky with ray-traced graphics and exotic new locations (including Dubai) to explore...and well, murder in.
It Takes Two – This action-adventure platformer is designed for two players (so you’ll need two DualSense joypads, or find a mate online). You play as a married couple planning to divorce, who have been turned into dolls by their daughter Rose – heartwarming and loads of fun.
Call of Duty Warzone – It's still totally free to play, and newly updated with the Pacific-region Caldera map to explore. Good fun solo or with pals.
The Sun's TV testing unit
The Sun uses a Panasonic 65HZ1000 to test PS5 and Xbox games, new streaming apps and devices, and new types of content:
- Panasonic 65HZ1000 TV
- OLED screen
- HDR
- Dolby Vision / HDR10+
- Dolby Vision IQ
- 4K / HD
Panasonic 65HZ1000 at Richer Sounds –
Best Xbox games 2021 – what to play now
Our Xbox favourites are as follows...
Forza Horizon 5 – If you thought Horizon 4 looked good, wait until you see the next-gen rendering of Mexico – as you blitz across it in the auto industry's finest. A racer like none other.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla – By no means an Xbox exclusive, but certainly a must-buy if you have the console – and especially if you're a fan of the franchise. It's the best-looking AC yet, and the gameplay is a treat too.
Gears 5 – The big-hitter of third-person shooters, Gears 5 has all the best bits of the franchise rolled into one. And it looks fantastic on a Series X, too.
Dirt 5 – Beautiful like Forza, but far messier. Dirt 5 is high-adrenaline, properly muddy and bundles of fun.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps – It's a simple platformer with a very unique animation style that tugs at the heartstrings – and manages to wow with its slick visuals too.
Fortnite – It's wildly popular, an absolute cultural phenomenon, and it's ruddy well free! Why not?
Best PC games 2021 – what to play now
Check out these cracking PC titles...
League of Legends – One of the most popular games in the world and with good reason, this free-to-play MOBA will hook you for hours, days, weeks, months...what year is it?
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands – This iconic MMORPG rages on with glorious vigour, and is revamped for new and returning players in the Shadowlands expansion.
Call of Duty Vanguard – Play Vanguard on a PC to experience the very best graphics. This return to WW2 is brilliant, with a thrilling cinematic campaign and very compelling multiplayer.
Cyberpunk 2077 – Although it had a troubled start on consoles, the PC version of Cyberpunk 2077 has been favoured by many fans. An expansive and gripping game, best played with a powerful graphics card.
Watch Dogs Legion – This game has ray-tracing aplenty, so it's a fab game to take advantage of your new GPU. It's also set in a brilliantly realised sci-fi dystopian London, which is a wonder to explore.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Undeniably one of the best games of all time, The Witcher 3 holds up today – especially on a powerful PC where you can push graphics to the max. Its two expansions are well worth the expense, too.
Overwatch – Blizzard's smash-hit class-based shooter is one of the world's most played games. And there's a sequel coming out soon too, so get your practice in early.
Grand Theft Auto 5 – It's been out for years, but it's still a brilliant ride and looks fantastic on max graphics too. Its free counterpart GTA Online is also worth playing in its own right.
Microsoft Flight Simulator – You fly real planes in the same way proper pilots do. The real world is mapped out and rendered largely accurately. You can crash and burn with no risk of physical harm. What more do you need?
Outriders – This Destiny-esque third-person RPG shooter is set in a future where life on Earth is no longer possible, and you’re tasked with colonising a new world. It’s brilliant fun, and is designed with co-op in mind – so grab a mate or two and get blasting.
The Sun's gaming test rig
The Sun's tech team uses a Dell Alienware Aurora R10 Ryzen Edition to test PC games and accessories:
- Dell Alienware AURORA R10 RYZEN EDITION
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
- Memory: 32GB Kingston 2933MHz RAM
- Monitor: Acer Predator XB3 27" 4K 144Hz
OS: Windows 10 Pro - Mouse: Logitech G903 Lightspeed
- Keyboard: Logitech G915TKL keyboard
Dell Alienware Aurora R10 Ryzen Edition –
Best Nintendo Switch games 2021 – what to play now
Nintendo fans, try these before the new Nintendo Switch OLED arrives...
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – This peaceful respite from the horrors of reality is what we all need right now.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Perhaps the most iconic Nintendo Switch game to date, and still as brilliant as ever in 2021. Play it before the sequel lands!
Super Mario 3D World – A stunning remake of a Wii U game with an extra Bowser's Fury campaign thrown in for good measure.
Pokémon Sword and Shield – One of the better handheld Pokémon games, with plenty of depth, colour and strategy to keep you busy.
Luigi's Mansion 3 – A lesser-talked-about but still fantastic Nintendo Switch title that Mario fans will love.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – It needs no introduction. If you've got a Switch, why haven't you bought it already?
Stardew Valley – Like Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley is a tranquil distraction from everyday life – and will soothe even the most troubled souls.
What games will you be playing in 2021? Let us know in the comments!
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Grab a VR headset and you'll be able to play the legendary Beat Saber – like Guitar Hero, but with lightsabers.
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And Dell's Alienware R10 Ryzen Edition is a gaming PC powerhouse that crushes both the new consoles.
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