Is Buying a PS4 Slim Worth It For You in 2026?

Hey there, as an avid gamer myself, I know deciding which console to buy can be a tricky choice. You‘re probably wondering – should I purchase a PS4 Slim in 2022 or would it be better to just wait and get a PS5 down the road?

Well after looking closely at the numbers and specs as an business data expert, I can say confidently that the PS4 Slim is still totally worth buying this year for most people.

Let me walk you through the key reasons why the PS4 Slim remains a smart purchase in 2022, as well as a couple caveats to keep in mind. I‘ll also give you some pro tips for scoring the best deal on a used PS4 Slim, so you can start playing your favorite games and join the PlayStation community while sticking to your budget.

Here‘s Why The PS4 Slim is Still Worth Buying in 2022:

1. It‘s Way More Affordable Than the PS5

The PS5 is extremely difficult to find in stock and routinely sells for $200+ over MSRP. Launch consoles always demand a premium. Used PS4 Slim consoles, on the other hand, go for very reasonable prices:

Given the global chip shortage causing production constraints, don‘t expect PS5 prices to drop significantly in 2022. The PS4 Slim provides strong 1080p gaming performance at a fraction of the price.

2. It Has a Massive Library of Exclusive Games

The PS4 has amassed an absolutely incredible catalog of games – over 1,800 titles released on the platform since 2013.

Some of PlayStation‘s best exclusive franchises can only be played on PS4, including:

• God of War (and Ragnarok coming in 2022)
• Spider-Man (and Spider-Man 2 in 2024)
• The Last of Us
• Uncharted 4
• Bloodborne
• Ghost of Tsushima
• Horizon Zero Dawn
• Gran Turismo Sport
• MLB The Show
• Ratchet & Clank
• Shadow of the Colossus
• Persona 5
• Nioh
• Days Gone
• Infamous Second Son

The list goes on and on. These are high quality, must-play PlayStation exclusives that you can only experience on a PS4.

3. PS4 Games Are Dirt Cheap These Days

Not only are used PS4s very affordably priced, so are games for the platform. PS4 titles can be found used for 50-75% or more off retail price:

Between buying used games and renting titles from GameFly, you can build up an amazing PS4 game collection without breaking the bank.

4. It‘s the Only Way to Play PSVR

The PlayStation VR headset remains one of the best and most accessible VR systems out there. It really allows you to dive into games like Skyrim, Resident Evil 7, and Beat Saber.

The PS4 Slim is currently the only PlayStation console compatible with PSVR. So if you want to experience PlayStation VR, the PS4 Slim is your ticket. Who knows when they will release a PS5 compatible PSVR 2!

5. Four Years of Support Left (at Least)

Sony has stated they plan to continue releasing PS4 games until at least 2025. Most major third party publishers will support it until then too.

So you‘ll get nearly 4 more years of support and new game releases. That‘s plenty of time to really enjoy the system and get your money‘s worth.

In total, the PS4 generation will have lasted an incredible 12+ years – similar to the legendary PS2 era.

6. Game Discs + Media Playback

The PS4 Slim has a disc drive, so you can buy used game discs, rent games from GameFly, and share discs with friends. This saves a ton of money compared to being all-digital.

The PS4 Slim also works great as a 4K Blu-ray/media player. You can watch Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, stream sports, and play your movie collection in 4K HDR. It‘s an all-around entertainment system.

So in summary – the PS4 Slim may be old, but it‘s still got a lot going for it!

When NOT to Buy a PS4 Slim:

I‘ve made a strong case for jumping on the PS4 Slim train. But there are a couple of reasons you may want to hold off:

• You only care about cutting edge graphics/performance – The PS5 blows the PS4 Slim out of the water in areas like 4K resolution, SSD load times, ray tracing graphics, and 120fps frame rates. If you have a 4K TV and demand the best visuals, the PS4 Slim falls short.
• You don‘t care about PS4 exclusive games – If you only play multiplatform games like FIFA, Call of Duty and aren‘t interested in PlayStation exclusives, you don‘t need a PS4. Those same third party games will play/look better on PS5.
• You want future proofing – The PS5 ensures you‘ll be able to play the latest games for many years to come. PS4 is nearing the end of its cycle, so its future is limited.

For most people the PS4 Slim is still very appealing, but if any of the above apply to you, waiting and saving up for a PS5 is recommended. You‘d be better off in the long run.

Used PS4 Slim Buying Tips:

If I‘ve convinced you the PlayStation 4 Slim is a smart purchase, here are my pro tips for finding one at a great used price:

• Check eBay and Facebook Marketplace listings daily. Jump on newly posted deals fast.
• Bundle with games and accessories when possible for maximum value.
• Inspect thoroughly for defects before buying. Test performance thoroughly.
• Look for a 1TB model – the extra storage is worth it.
• Clean out any dust build-up and replace thermal paste on used systems to prevent overheating issues. DIY kits make it easy.
• Be patient for deals. Set up alerts so you‘re notified immediately when a good listing pops up.
• Avoid scams of course! Meet locally for cash if possible. Pay with PayPal Goods and Services on eBay.

The Verdict? Still an Excellent Value in 2022!

Given its affordability, huge game library, PSVR support, upcoming releases, and disc based media features, the PS4 Slim remains a very smart purchase even in 2022 for most gamers.

There will always be something newer and fancier on the horizon. But if you manage expectations and embrace it for what it is – an affordable entry point to a terrific game catalog – the PS4 Slim will provide endless entertainment and value.

I hope this detailed guide covered all your key questions and gives you confidence about joining the PlayStation Nation with a brand new used PS4 Slim! Let me know if you have any other topics you need analysis on. Enjoy your gaming journey!