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The PlayStation 4 is no longer Sony’s current console, but its game library remains one of the strongest reasons to keep the system around in 2026. Many of its best games still hold up, and the overwhelming majority of PS4 titles can also run on PS5 through backward compatibility.
Sony says more than 4,000 PS4 games are playable on PS5, with some benefiting from Game Boost for smoother or higher frame rates.
Best PS4 games to play in 2026
| Game | Why it still holds up |
|---|---|
| God of War (2018) | Excellent story, combat and presentation |
| Bloodborne | Unique atmosphere and demanding action RPG design |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | Massive open world and detailed storytelling |
| The Last of Us Part II | Strong cinematic presentation and stealth combat |
| Ghost of Tsushima | Beautiful open world and satisfying sword combat |
| Marvel’s Spider-Man | Fast traversal and accessible superhero action |
| Uncharted 4 | Polished cinematic adventure |
| Persona 5 Royal | Deep turn-based RPG with a huge amount of content |
| Horizon Zero Dawn | Strong combat, exploration and world building |
| Gran Turismo Sport | Still a notable PS4-era racing showcase |
1. God of War (2018)
God of War remains one of the defining PS4 games. It shifted the series toward a closer camera, heavier combat, and a more character-driven story centered on Kratos and Atreus.
It is still easy to recommend because the art direction, pacing, combat, and storytelling have aged well. Read our God of War 2018 review for more detail.
2. Bloodborne
Bloodborne is still one of the most distinctive action RPGs on PlayStation. Its aggressive combat, interconnected environments, and Gothic horror style make it feel different even compared with newer Souls-like games.
Its technical presentation reflects its age more than some other titles on this list, but the design remains exceptional.
3. Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar’s western remains a benchmark for environmental detail, world simulation, writing, animation, and slow-burn storytelling. It is not a fast game, but players who enjoy exploration and character-driven open worlds can still spend dozens of hours in it.
4. The Last of Us Part II
The Last of Us Part II combines stealth, combat, exploration, and cinematic storytelling with some of the strongest animation and environmental design of the PS4 generation.
5. Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima is still one of the easiest PS4 recommendations for players who like open worlds. Sword combat is readable and satisfying, the visual direction remains strong, and the game’s navigation system keeps the interface relatively clean.
6. Marvel’s Spider-Man
Few PS4 games make movement feel as enjoyable as Spider-Man. Web swinging is fast, traversal is intuitive, and the combat system is accessible without being completely shallow.
7. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Uncharted 4 remains a polished single-player adventure with strong performances, impressive set pieces, environmental puzzles, and cinematic pacing.
8. Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal is one of the best choices for players who want a long RPG. It mixes turn-based combat, dungeon exploration, social systems, and a highly stylized presentation.
9. Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn combines open-world exploration with combat built around targeting machine components, traps, bows, and elemental weaknesses. Its story and world remain strong enough to justify playing even after newer entries in the series.
10. Gran Turismo Sport
Gran Turismo Sport represents the PS4 era of Sony’s long-running racing series. Players focused primarily on the newest simulation features may prefer newer Gran Turismo releases, but it still has historical value and solid driving fundamentals.
Is a PS4 still worth using in 2026?
If you already own one, yes. The PS4 library is enormous, used physical games can be inexpensive, and many major titles still look and play well.
Buying a PS4 in 2026 makes less sense when the price is close to a PS5, because the PS5 can play the overwhelming majority of PS4 games while also supporting the current generation.
Can PS4 games run on PS5?
Yes. Sony states that the overwhelming majority of the 4,000+ PS4 games are playable on PS5. Some features may behave differently and a small number of titles are excluded, but backward compatibility greatly extends the useful life of the PS4 library.
See Sony’s official PS5 backward compatibility guidance for current details.
Disc vs digital PS4 games
If you have a PS5 with a disc drive, supported PS4 discs can be used directly. A PS5 Digital Edition cannot use PS4 game discs, so physical collectors should consider that before choosing hardware.
Bottom line
The best PS4 games did not suddenly become bad because the console generation moved on. God of War, Bloodborne, Red Dead Redemption 2, The Last of Us Part II, Ghost of Tsushima, Spider-Man, Uncharted 4, Persona 5 Royal, and Horizon Zero Dawn remain strong choices in 2026.
If you already own a PS4, its library can still provide years of gaming. If you are buying hardware now, a PS5 is usually the smarter long-term choice because it preserves access to most PS4 games while adding newer releases.
