Let's Name the Best Game of the Gaming Era: Final Four

These last 48 hours have been incredibly eventful. This past Monday, we marked the half-decade milestone of the PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles with a tournament to decide the best first-party game of this console generation. You were given eight PS5 games and eight Xbox Series X exclusives to face off against each other, all heading towards a championship round where the leading contender from each console would battle it out. There have been some nail-biting finishes in the initial matchups, especially yesterday’s razor-thin votes. At this point, it's moment to decide the leading PlayStation and Xbox titles ahead of Thursday’s final battle.

The PS5 Side

For PlayStation 5, we have the giant-slayer, 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 win against God of War Ragnarök seems like a major shock. However, to reach the championship, it'll need to defeat the most valuable player of the PlayStation 5 era: the acclaimed developer. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 had a smooth path to the final four, leaping past Ghost of Yōtei and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (another title from the same studio!) to land in the final four. Can Spidey topple a beloved PlayStation icon, or is he fated to become a miniature appearance in the next Astro Bot game?

The Xbox Series X Side

For Xbox Series X has been more exciting. Coming out on top from a diverse lineup of contenders is Forza Horizon 5. It's a significant win for the open-world driving game so far, proving that a more specialized genre game deserves to be on the equal footing as classic platformers and cinematic action-adventure games. Its final obstacle en route to the championship is a big one, though. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has shown itself as a fan favorite, defeating critical darlings like Pentiment and Hi-Fi Rush. Can it beat a larger-scale title from an established IP that's synonymous with the Xbox brand? If anyone can pull that off, it's likely Indiana Jones.

Place your ballots to decide the best PS5 and Xbox Series X games of this era, and return on the next day to see who will be competing for the grand prize in the championship round!

Voting Schedule

• Round of 16: November 10, 11:00 AM Eastern - Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. EST
• Round of 8: Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. EST - November 12, 9:00 AM Eastern
• Semi-final round: November 12, 11:00 AM Eastern - November 13, 9:00 AM Eastern
• Final round: Thursday, Nov. 13 at 11 a.m. EST - Friday, Nov. 14 at 9 a.m. EST
• Champion crowned: November 14, 11:00 AM Eastern

Matchups

PlayStation 5 Bracket

Astro Bot vs. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Xbox Series X Bracket

Forza Horizon 5 vs. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Cast Your Votes