The best PS4 games are still well worth playing, even if your current gaming system is the PS5. Given that almost all of the PS4 game library can be played and enjoyed on the PS5 console, the selection of experiences the PS4 platform can offer is vast and also more accessible than ever. From gripping adventures and beautiful visuals, to unforgettable stories and high-octane action, there are a host of PS4 games worth committing time to in 2026.
And despite the PS5 being in its sixth year now, we are still seeing PlayStation 4 games being released. What that means is that we're continuing to experience a PS4 game library that's bigger than ever. If you play these on a PS5 too, you'll get a boost in performance as well, thanks to the magic of backward compatibility. If you're looking for the best PS5 games, however, we do have you covered there too.
We're currently staring down the barrel of an all-digital future when it comes to gaming on PlayStation. As you can read about just below, Sony has announced plans to shelve disc production entirely. As a result, there has been a significant uptick in physical media interest, from the perspective of actually owning the games you buy. You're still able to purchase many of the best PS4 games in disc format, so be sure to read our full list below if that's something you're keen on.
Sony has announced that it will cease production of physical game discs starting from 2028. This is expected to broadly affect the physical games market for products made for PlayStation 5 and future console generations from the company.
The decision has been met with tremendous backlash from the gaming community, with concerns around a potential digital monopoly that would force PlayStation gamers into purchasing solely from the console's storefront.
Read more: In a huge blow to game ownership, PlayStation confirms end of physical games
My top 3 best PS4 games in 2026
"Ghost of Tsushima’s individual components build to a satisfying whole, and its historical world is a wonder to explore and among the best we’ve ever seen visually." - Gerald Lynch, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
"Building upon the themes of its predecessor, God of War Ragnarok’s emotive narrative shines in its subtler moments, while clever evolutions to combat introduce welcome changes that advance gameplay without oversaturating it. It’s a sequel that is often as brutal as it is poignant – and a fitting next chapter in Kratos and Atreus’ journey." - Vic Hood, TechRadar Gaming reviewer
"In the trusted hands of Ratchet and Clank-developer Insomniac Games, Spider-Man has finally received a game that's as polished and cinematic as the beloved character deserves." - Stephen Lambrechts, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
The best PS4 games in 2026
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"Hollow Knight: Silksong is so much more than I expected from a sequel, deftly avoiding the pitfalls that come with following up from one of the best indie games. Team Cherry’s second masterpiece is not for everyone, but it’s absolutely proven to be worth the wait. It rewards patience in its combat, platforming, and exploration, before daring the player to take big risks during boss fights." - Jake Green, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
"Shinobi: Art of Vengeance triumphs at what it sets out to achieve. A side-scrolling action game, it brings intense, fast-flowing combat and some very light metroidvania elements for brief bouts of exploration. If you’ve played developer Lizardcube’s previous game, Streets of Rage 4, expect a similarly stunning hand-drawn art style here, as well as an excellent soundtrack that keeps the action feeling suitably engaging." - Rhys Wood, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
"Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is quite anomalous among modern-day downloadable content. Some jaw-droppingly gorgeous areas, a huge variety of fun new weapon types, and, of course, loads of teeth-gratingly difficult boss fights make for FromSoftware’s biggest and arguably best DLC expansion to date. It’s more Elden Ring, but that is what you’ve signed up for, right?" - Rhys Wood, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
"Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii provides a sincere and heartfelt adventure that successfully marries the series’ penchant for engaging power struggles with high-octane swashbuckling action. For existing fans, it’s a superb follow-up to Infinite Wealth. And for newcomers, it’s an excellent onboarding experience thanks to its myriad of fun and accessible gameplay systems." - Rhys Wood, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
"Resident Evil Village takes the series to new heights, balancing the action of Resident Evil 4 with the deeper narrative approach of Resident Evil 7. This, combined with a brilliant use of audio on PS5 and an array of memorable characters, makes it the best modern Resi entry." - Vic Hood, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
"Whether you’re familiar with Atlus’s flavor of turn-based RPGs or not, Metaphor: ReFantazio is an essential play. The developer has built on its legendary ‘press turn’ combat with the innovative Archetype system, allowing for an unprecedented amount of customization and party composition when compared to its other popular series." - Rhys Wood, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
"Sniper Elite: Resistance is another great entry into a relatively overlooked stealth franchise. While the game feels a little more like an expansion pack to Sniper Elite 5 rather than a full-fledged sequel, it still hits the highs of the previous entry with great level design and satisfying sniping. Meanwhile, the new Propaganda Challenge mode offers a nice arcade-style distraction." - Scott McCrae, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
"Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds isn’t just the best racing game of the year; it brings a confidence and energy that the genre has rarely seen over the past decade and a half. Especially as arcade-like experiences have largely given way to more straight-faced sim racing affairs. CrossWorlds offers a metric ton of things to do, with loads of tracks, characters, vehicles, and unlockables." - Rhys Wood, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
"Sonic x Shadow Generations bundles the original Sonic Generations and a new Shadow Generations campaign in one thrilling package. Whether you’re a fan of Sonic’s rival-turned-ally or not, his side of the game is filled with some of the best, most well-designed levels in the series’ 3D history. It’s a chunky piece of content, too, with plenty of optional challenges and unlockables to collect." - Rhys Wood, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
"Sonic Frontiers is a bold new direction for the struggling hedgehog, and thankfully, one that’s paid off. Zipping across lush, open maps at ludicrous speeds is exhilarating. It’s fueled by a gameplay loop that encourages tearing up and down each island, ticking off as many challenges as you want. It may be a touch rough around the edges, but Sonic Frontiers marks a triumphant return to form." - Rhys Wood, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
"Doom Eternal reinvents its own wheel without abandoning its classic foundations. It has all the blood-pumping, gore-packed fun we expect from a Doom game, while adding a bunch of new RPG-like elements we didn't even know we needed. This is one not to be missed." - Diego Arguello, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
Horizon Forbidden West is "a triumphant return for Aloy that finds a heart and soul among all the technology – both the robot dinosaurs and Guerrilla's technical prowess." - Patrick Dane, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
Best PS4 games - FAQs
What games are worth buying on PS4?
Tastes vary, but former Sony exclusives, which are often still better on PS4 than their PC ports, tend to be popular and are still worth buying for the console. We recommend bangers such as Marvel's Spider-Man, God of War Ragnarok, and The Last of Us 2.
What PS4 game has the best story?
There are hundreds of exceptional stories to play on PS4 nowadays as our best PS4 games list demonstrates. However some still stand above the others. If you're looking for the most gripping of stories then we'd recommend the likes of Red Dead Redemption 2, The Last of Us: Remastered, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and the Mass Effect Legendary Edition.
Is a PS4 still worth it in 2026?
This question has been repeatedly asked every year since the PS5 launched, and with growing intensity. Which is fair enough, given it represents the last generation and is no longer the most up-to-date machine made by Sony. However, the PS4 player base is still enormous, active, and vibrant.
Even in 2026, there are still games coming out for the console too, so if you own a PS4 or are keen on a second-hand one to see what all the fuss is about, then a PS4 can absolutely prove enjoyable and worthwhile in 2026.
Are PS4 games worth collecting?
Every generation of gaming has produced games and editions of games that end up being super collectible, and the PS4 generation is no different. There are super rare games from the generation, and ones that can prove quite valuable, too. Games such as Rez Infinite, Godzilla, and Blue Reflection are examples of PS4 games that are certainly worth snapping up if you see them going cheap. Heck, if you find a PS4 console with the short horror game P.T. installed on it, then that game makes the machine rocket up in value, too.
From a more general perspective, and one that I share, there's nothing better than making a physical game collection. A shelf filled with the best memory-givers and experiences makes for a conversation point, a great feature in a room, and there's just nothing quite like media that you can tangibly touch. Well, that's what I think anyway...
How we made our best PS4 games list
We at TechRadar Gaming are an experienced team of gaming and tech experts, who have committed 100s and 1000s of hours into the best PS4 games to make, and continually curate, this list for you. We've played hundreds of PS4 games across loads of genres to be able to be in a position to recommend something for almost everyone with this list. What's more, we're always reviewing more games, and by extension, our recommendations on these lists too so you can be sure we take it seriously and only want to give you the best and our top picks for PS4.
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