While gameplay and graphics often dominate discussions about the best games, the artistic side of video games deserves equal praise—and PlayStation has long been a platform that embraces games as art. Whether on home consoles or handhelds, many PlayStation and PSP games are visually and emotionally expressive, pushing the boundaries of interactive artistry.

Journey, released on the PlayStation 3 and later remastered for PS4 and PS5, is a perfect example. With its minimalist storytelling, breathtaking visuals, and haunting soundtrack, the game delivered a meditative, emotional experience that required no words. It stood as a symbol of video games being capable of evoking deep feelings, similar to painting, film, or music.

On the PSP, LocoRoco and Patapon combined visual style with audio design in unique and innovative ways. These games used abstract shapes, vivid color palettes, and rhythm-based gameplay to tell stories and deliver experiences that felt more like playable art installations than traditional games. Their charm remains undeniable and influential.

PlayStation has also hosted indie darlings like Gris, Flower, and Inside—each title offering players quiet, introspective experiences. These games don’t rely on explosions or high-stakes action. Instead, they explore themes of emotion, loss, nature, and identity through visual metaphors and symbolic gameplay design.

Even more mainstream titles have leaned into artistic expression. Ghost of Tsushima, while a large-scale action game, included a “Kurosawa Mode” that let players experience the game in black-and-white film grain, emulating classic samurai cinema. It’s a small feature, but it’s indicative of how artistic intent is respected and integrated into PlayStation game design.

The ability to experiment with artistic expression has been part of PlayStation’s DNA since its earliest days. Whether through bold Slot visuals, evocative soundtracks, or gameplay that challenges emotional intelligence, the platform has given space to titles that treat video games not just as entertainment, but as a form of art.