The best games from Naughty Dog in 2026

14 days ago, by Enzo

Since its creation in 1984, Naughty Dog has established itself as one of the most influential and respected developers in the video game industry. With memorable titles combining immersive storytelling, memorable characters, and polished gameplay, it has won over millions of players around the world. Here is a selection of the studio's best productions, essential for any video game fan.

In its early days in the 1980s and 1990s, Naughty Dog developed various games for a number of platforms. The studio made a name for itself with Rings of Power on Megadrive, Dream Zone on Apple II, and even Keef the Thief on Amiga and PC.

Created in the PlayStation era in 1996, the Crash Bandicoot franchise is one of the most important in the history of the console, particularly through the game Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped. In an era dominated by Mario and Sonic, Crash established himself as Sony's unofficial mascot thanks to his quirky tone, challenging gameplay, and colorful universe. Combining 3D platforming and linear progression, the series left its mark on an entire generation of gamers and remains an essential reference in the genre today. The first titles defined the DNA of the franchise before it moved on to other studios.

The arrival of the PlayStation 2 will be accompanied by a brand new franchise for Naughty Dog, called Jak and Daxter, which includes four games. Released in 2001, it is the first of these that will leave a lasting impression: Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy. It is a colorful and imaginative adventure in a 3D platform style. The game features fun battles and small puzzles in fairly linear levels.

It was during the PlayStation 3 era that Naughty Dog began to shine with its Uncharted license. Inspired by adventure films such as Indiana Jones, it features Nathan Drake, a charismatic treasure hunter who embarks on spectacular expeditions around the world. It stands out for its cinematic approach: careful staging, endearing characters, natural dialogue, and impressive action sequences. The gameplay skillfully combines exploration, platforming, puzzles, and shootouts, all in varied and exotic environments. Major episodes such as Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End remain among the studio's best to date.

We end with one extremely popular franchise from recent years: The Last Of Us. It spans from PS3 to PS5, with its first installment simply titled The Last Of Us, which gave the franchise its name, to the latest release: The Last of Us Part II Remastered. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a fungal infection, where survival depends as much on combat as it does on human relationships. It stands out for its mature storytelling, deeply written characters, and strong emotional charge. The gameplay combines exploration, stealth, and tense confrontations, reinforcing the immersion.

In conclusion, it's clear that Naughty Dog is not just a studio: it's a laboratory of emotions, powerful stories, and impeccable gameplay. From epic adventures like Uncharted to the moving stories of The Last of Us, each game offers a unique experience that has left its mark on the industry. Whether you're a fan of fast-paced action, deep storytelling, or imaginative worlds, Naughty Dog's game library offers must-play titles to discover (or go back to).