Is the PS4 Still Worth It in 2026? An In-Depth Guide for Gamers

Hi friend! With the PlayStation 5 now available, you may be wondering if it still makes sense to get a PS4 in 2022. As someone who’s followed the gaming industry closely for over a decade, I can definitely say the trusty PS4 still has a ton to offer budget-focused and casual gamers. Let me walk you through everything you need to know about PlayStation 4 as we approach its 10th year on the market.

At a Glance: PS4 in 2022

Before we dive in, here are the key points showing the PS4‘s strengths for cost-conscious gamers even in 2022:

• Massive game library with over 4,000 titles across 3 generations of PlayStation
• PlayStation exclusives like God of War and Spider-Man with 85+ metacritic ratings
• New games and online support guaranteed through 2025 by Sony
• Used PS4 consoles and games available from just $180 and $10
• Multiplayer community still over 100 million monthly users strong
• Budget-friendly compared to PS5 averaging $700+ in 2022

Breaking Down the PS4 Models and Specs

Let‘s quickly recap the PS4 models and what each has under the hood:

• Original PS4 from 2013 sporting a 1.6 GHz 8-core AMD Jaguar CPU, 1.84 TFLOP AMD GPU, 8GB GDDR5 RAM, and 500GB hard drive.
• PS4 Slim from 2016 shrank the case by 30% but kept the same internal specs. Replaced some ports.
• PS4 Pro also released in 2016 with an upgraded 2.1 GHz 8-core AMD Jaguar CPU, 4.2 TFLOP AMD GPU, and 1TB hard drive. Supports 4K and HDR.

For buyers today, I‘d recommend the PS4 Pro for future-proofing with 4K and more processing power. But even the base PS4 has enough muscle for smooth 1080p gaming.

PS4‘s Massive Game Library – Over 4,000 Titles

The PS4‘s game catalogue is simply unmatched, with over 4,000 titles across PS4, PS3, PS2, and PS1 games playable on the console. Let‘s look at some numbers:

• 1,800+ native PS4 games, including major exclusives, indie darlings, VR titles.
• 400+ PS2 classics from the 2000s era available digitally.
• 800+ PS3 games playable via PlayStation Now game streaming service.
• 60+ PS1 classics like Final Fantasy 7 as digital releases.

And the PS4 game library keeps expanding every month, thanks to new cross-gen releases you can count on through at least 2025.

The Best PlayStation Exclusives

For many fans, PlayStation‘s iconic exclusives tip the scales in the PS4‘s favor. Games like God of War, Spider-Man, and The Last of Us are only playable in Sony‘s ecosystem. Just some of the highest-rated PS4 exclusives so far include:

• God of War (2018) – 94 metacritic
• Red Dead Redemption 2 – 97 metacritic
• The Last of Us Remastered – 95 metacritic
• Persona 5 Royal – 95 metacritic
• Marvel‘s Spider-Man – 87 metacritic

And hotly anticipated exclusives like God of War Ragnarok and Spider-Man 2 are still on the horizon for PS4.

Multiplayer Communities Are Still Thriving

Even after nearly 10 years on the market, multiplayer activity on PS4 is still going strong. As of 2022, there are over 100 million monthly active PSN users on PS4 and PS5 consoles. Let‘s look at some top online games and their current players:

• Fortnite – 8 million+ daily players across all platforms
• Call of Duty Vanguard – 5+ million copies sold on PS4
• Elden Ring – 780,000+ concurrent players at launch

The online communities around these and Sony‘s own games have plenty of life left in 2022 and beyond.

Ongoing Support for PS4 Through 2025

When does the PS4 become obsolete? With Sony‘s public roadmap, not any time soon! Here are some signs of their continued support:

• New PS4 units still being manufactured and sold through at least 2023
• Most major third-party games come to both PS4 and PS5, including Madden 23, Assassin‘s Creed Mirage, Hogwarts Legacy.
• Sony mandating cross-gen support until at least 2025 based on comments to developers.

This means the PS4 should still see strong game releases for 3-4 more years. No signs yet of PlayStation exclusives or services dropping PS4 support.

Cheaper Price Point for Casual Gamers

Next let‘s talk price and value. Used PS4 consoles and games are very affordable now:

• PS4 Slim – Approximately $180 to $250 depending on condition
• Recent cross-gen games like FIFA 23 for $10 to $20

Compare that to buying a PS5 in 2022:

• New PS5s selling for $700 to $750 via third party resellers
• New PS5 games costing $60 to $70 each

For parents buying for kids or casual adult gamers, the PS4 is much easier to acquire and build a library for.

Downsides Compared to PS5

I want to provide a balanced view, so here are a few drawbacks if choosing a PS4 over PS5 in 2022:

• 1080p resolution only versus PS5‘s 4K capabilities
• Games limited to 30 FPS versus 60 FPS on PS5
• Slower hard drive with loading times around 30 seconds versus PS5‘s SSD under 5 seconds
• An increasing number of new games will be PS5-exclusive each year

So for hardcore gamers who prioritize cutting-edge graphics and performance, the investment in PS5 is justified. But millions find the PS4‘s 1080p/30 FPS output totally sufficient.

How Does PS4 Compare to Xbox Series X|S?

Considering Xbox? The Xbox Series S at $300 makes for an interesting value comparison to PS4. A quick rundown:

• Xbox Series S capable of 1440p gaming versus PS4‘s max 1080p
• Xbox Game Pass provides a huge game library for a low monthly fee
• But PlayStation still dominates with iconic exclusives

Overall the value comes down to ecosystem preference and which exclusive games appeal more to you. PS4 takes the edge for narrative focused single-player exclusives.

Who Should Consider Buying a PS4 in 2022?

The PS4 delivers meaningful entertainment for all types of gamers:

• Parents seeking an affordable kids console
• Teens and college students on a budget
• Adult gamers who missed out on exclusives this past decade
• Casual gamers wanting cheap access to popular multiplayer games
• PlayStation fans unable to find or afford a PS5

Unless you‘re a hardcore gamer who demands 4K and max settings, the PS4 won‘t let you down for gaming in 2022 and beyond.

Keeping Your PS4 Alive and Healthy

To keep your PS4 running smoothly for years to come:

• Regularly dust and clean the vents to prevent overheating
• Use external hard drives to expand storage cheaply
• Consider replacing the thermal paste on CPU/GPU
• Connect controllers via wired connection to reduce latency
• Close unused apps and disable connecting controllers to save power

With some basic maintenance, your PS4 should keep on ticking for 5-7 years or more!

The Verdict – Still a Worthwhile Console in 2022

Given Sony‘s continued support through 2025, excellent exclusives, and affordable used market, the PS4 absolutely remains a smart gaming option in 2022. For casual audiences like families and budget shoppers, the PS4 provides endless entertainment at a fraction of the PS5‘s cost. Its 10-year game library will keep you busy across countless genres. While PS5 delivers the 4K future, millions of gamers will enjoy putting their PS4 through its paces for years to come. Thanks for reading – let me know if you have any other questions!