Due to console exclusives, some systems have certain characters forever tied to them. PlayStation has several such figures. Though they have shared origins in Sony's library, many of them couldn't be more different. They range from platformers to role-playing heroes to hack-and-slash warriors.
These varying skill sets would make for an interesting contest if ever pitted against each other. Equipped with a plethora of powers and tools, these characters all have unique abilities making them exceedingly fun to control. However, this also makes it hard to determine who is truly the mightiest in the PlayStation pantheon.
10 Sly Cooper – The Sly Series
It's tough to compete when strength was never the point. Sly Cooper is a master thief; he mostly relies on stealth. His movements have a weightlessness perfectly suited to that style of gameplay. This also makes him exceedingly frail in his debut entry since he can only take a single hit before keeling over.
Sly gets a bit sturdier in subsequent entries, but he's still not one for the direct approach. He prefers to outmaneuver opponents and hit them where it hurts. Even then, there are certain foes Sly simply can't topple, especially since his only prominent tool is his family cane. Thankfully, his gang is often there to balance things out.
9 Crash Bandicoot – The Crash Series
Another hairy hero, Crash Bandicoot sadly shares Sly's low tolerance for pain. One bad step can kill him, whether it's on a flaming deathtrap or an innocent turtle. Worse still, he doesn't get more durable as the series goes on. The only way to survive multiple hits is with the help of Aku Aku, the tribal mask that powers him up and absorbs damage.
On the upside, Crash is better at dishing out such damage. His manic spin attack sends most enemies flying. In addition, the masks once again provide their aid in It's About Time. Aku Aku's brethren grant the marsupial all sorts of trippy abilities. These not only help with traversal, but they make him practically unstoppable, albeit for an extremely short time.
8 Nathan Drake – The Uncharted Series
Essentially the modern Indiana Jones, the charming star of Uncharted has a similar underdog appeal as his big-screen inspiration. Namely, he's a regular guy, albeit physically adept. Traversing the streets has given Nate athleticism and ingenuity beyond most mercs. He can beat most people in a fistfight. If he can't overpower them, he fights dirty. Fairness doesn't mean much if you're dead.
That mindset helps Nate navigate the world of thieves and killers. He's become handy with all kinds of firearms, and his run-and-gun approach has taken out entire armies through sheer adrenaline. Like any human, though, Drake has limited endurance. His escapades often leave him down for the count.
7 Aloy – The Horizon Series
Aloy gives Nate a run for his money in climbing. Surviving in the harsh wilderness and dodging robotic behemoths have made the Horizon heroine extremely agile and active. If she doesn't take the initiative in a situation, then it could be her undoing.
As such, Aloy is great at thinking on her feet. She's an expert shot with her specialized bow and arrow, hitting the smallest moving targets amidst the most chaotic scenarios. She can also use whatever's available to create deadly traps, toppling the most colossal beasts. Finally, a few whacks with her spear will polish off the remaining robots along with any human foes who come looking for trouble.
6 Ratchet – The Ratchet & Clank Series
The eponymous mechanic of Ratchet & Clank has blasted his way through numerous extraterrestrial adventures. He clearly knows how to use his tools of destruction. His wrench hits hard enough to knock anyone off their feet, but that's only the beginning.
Ratchet's true power lies in his ever-expanding arsenal of weapons. He sports a slew of guns and bombs capable of clearing a room in seconds. He's also partial to wacky weaponry which changes targets on the molecular level, such as the sheep ray. Each entry sees robots and alien populations everywhere obliterated by this trigger-happy lombax.
5 Spyro The Dragon – The Spyro Series
Needless to say, a dragon is a formidable fighter. Spyro is quick on his feet and in the air, flying circles around the bad guys. That's essential since he has the fragility of other platforming mascots. He also goes down in one hit, but his dragonfly friend, Sparx, can absorb a few more in his place. What also helps is that Spyro's weakness is vastly outweighed by the damage he can dish out.
The dragon comes with a wealth of offensive abilities to reduce his enemies to ash. His most common one is the fire that you'd expect, but he also comes with several other break attacks: ice, electricity, earth, and even cataclysmic convexity. If these don't get the job done, his horned charge can break through any armor or barrier. These gifts make Spyro a bundle of destruction well beyond his size.
4 Jak – The Jak & Daxter Series
This quiet-yet-confident village boy is gifted from the start of Jak & Daxter. His love of exploration fueled his physical prowess, giving him the agility of an acrobat and a punch to knock the lights out of any monster. More importantly, he can channel the planetary energy of Eco, using it for projectile blasts or to charge his body further.
Jak's imprisonment and experimentation only amplified these gifts. Jak 2 sees the hero get a feral monster form, unstoppable as he savagely shreds enemies apart. Later, Jak 3 grants him an angelic transformation that can slow down time, heal injuries, and even fly. Throw in a weapon collection rivaling Ratchet's in destruction, and you have perhaps the mightiest platforming mascot out there.
3 Cloud Strife – Final Fantasy 7
Half this list could be filled by Final Fantasy characters, but the most iconic is Cloud of FF7. The mercenary has an iron will and the skills to match. Forged by combat, he's an expert with his oversized sword, wielding it with enough finesse to slice the fiercest creatures to ribbons.
On top of the technique, Cloud (along with his equipment) is infused with mako energy. Reserved for elite SOLDIER operatives, this heightens his strength and reflexes well beyond normal humans. He can not only perform amazing anime feats like jumping buildings and deflecting bullets, but he can also use a plethora of magic spells. These wreak havoc on man, monster, and machine alike. Even by JRPG standards, Cloud is one tough customer.
2 Sora – The Kingdom Hearts Series
Here's someone who's grown with his games. Although he starts as an uncoordinated island kid, Sora's life changes when he receives the mystical Keyblade. He doesn't realize the power at his fingertips, but he eventually comes into that power through practice and instinct.
In combating the legions of monsters plaguing the worlds, Sora masters the Keyblade and the abilities within. He dances through danger with nimble grace, pulling off gravity-defying melee combos which are as flashy as they are damaging. His Drive Form changes further enhance these attacks, as they let him swing multiple weapons so rapidly that he becomes a battlefield blur.
Failing the physical approach, players can also wield several elemental spells. They can potentially envelop a whole area in fire, water, lightning, or other substance. For truly pivotal moments, though, the Keyblade's light energy can reshape the fabric of reality and repel dark forces of biblical proportions. Plenty of other key-masters have come in the series, but none are as amazing as Sora.
1 Kratos – The God Of War Series
It's hard to compete with a god, let alone the God of War. Kratos was already the toughest guy on the block as a star general in the Spartan army. Dealing with the Olympian deities only amplifies his talents. His journeys grant him a plethora of magical attacks and weapons, and his mastery of warfare lets him use all of them with unmatched efficiency. Rarely does Kratos ever go on the defensive; when he does, though, he never wavers.
Fortitude fuels Kratos beyond belief. Raw strength alone lets him punch a hole in solid rock, and his unending endurance and determination mean he can take all sorts of abuse. Death itself can't stop this Spartan; he fights his way back, angrier than ever. Even the gods tremble at his name, and it's easy to see why. Kratos is truly the most powerful PlayStation character to grace the gaming world.