Is PS4 Worth Buying in 2026? New Games, PS4 Pro & Everything You Need to Know
Original illustration by GameVexo — PS4 Pro console & DualShock 4 controller, created for this 2026 buyer’s guide.
The PS4 launched back in 2013 — over a decade ago — and yet buyers are still asking in 2026 whether it makes sense to pick one up. If you want to game on a budget and do not want to spend $599 on a PS5, the answer might just surprise you.
The PlayStation 4’s library has grown to over 3,000 games, new titles are still arriving in 2026, and the secondhand market makes it cheaper than ever. But there are some important things to know before you buy. Here is everything — from current pricing and new game releases to a full PS4 vs PS5 comparison — in plain, simple language.
- Used PS4 units sell for $180–$250 in 2026; the PS4 Pro can be found for $199–$250 used — far cheaper than the PS5’s new $599 starting price.
- New games are still releasing for PS4 in 2026, including Call of Duty 2026, Deltarune: Chapter 5, Ratatan, and Tales of Eternia Remastered.
- The PS4 Pro is the version to buy — it delivers better graphics, Boost Mode performance improvements, and 4K upscaled output over the standard or Slim model.
- PlayStation Plus Essential stopped adding new free monthly PS4 games starting January 2026.
- GTA 6 launches on PS5 and Xbox only in November 2026 — the biggest single reason some players are finally making the upgrade.
Background — The PS4 in 2026
The PlayStation 4 first went on sale in November 2013 in North America. It quickly became one of the best-selling consoles in gaming history, finishing its production run with over 117 million units sold worldwide, according to Sony. That is an extraordinary number — it places the PS4 comfortably among the top five best-selling consoles of all time, sitting alongside the PS2, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy.
Sony launched the PS5 in November 2020 as the PS4’s successor. But the older console never truly disappeared from conversations — and for good reason. The PS5 launched into a global chip shortage, making it nearly impossible to find for most of 2021 and 2022. That pushed a huge number of gamers to stick with their PS4s for far longer than expected. And because developers could not ignore such a massive installed user base, cross-gen game releases continued well into 2024 and beyond.
Today, the PS4 library is genuinely massive. You can play sprawling open-world adventures like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Horizon Zero Dawn, dive deep into beloved RPGs like Persona 5 Royal and the Final Fantasy VII Remake series, or enjoy cinematic story games like The Last of Us Remastered and God of War. If you love story-driven games and want to explore the best upcoming RPG games in 2026, you will find plenty of classics on PS4 that provide the perfect foundation before diving into newer platforms.
Sony no longer produces new PS4 hardware, but the secondhand market is thriving. That combination of a massive game library and a very affordable entry price is exactly what keeps this 2013 console relevant in the middle of 2026.
What We Know — Current PS4 Status in 2026
Here is a full breakdown of where the PS4 stands right now — covering prices, game support, PS Plus changes, and the PS4 Pro question.
“The PlayStation 4 is still worth buying in 2026 for anyone who wants to save money and play a massive library of great games without making a big financial commitment.”
— Gaming community consensus, widely reported — April–May 2026The PSN Store remains fully operational for PS4, and thousands of games can still be purchased digitally. Sony has made no announcement about shutting down the PS4 store. That said, the platform is clearly entering a gradual wind-down phase, and there are some real changes you should know about.
New Games Still Coming to PS4 in 2026
This surprises a lot of people — but yes, developers are still shipping new games for the PS4 this year. The install base of 117 million consoles is simply too large for every publisher to walk away from. Here is a list of notable 2026 releases confirmed or reportedly coming to PS4:
- Call of Duty 2026 (Modern Warfare 4) — reportedly being tested for a PS4 release, based on insider reports from the gaming community
- Deltarune: Chapter 5 — the next chapter in Toby Fox’s beloved Undertale follow-up series
- Ratatan — a rhythm-action game from the creator of Patapon, confirmed for PS4 alongside PS5
- Mina the Hollower — the indie Castlevania-style action game from the Shovel Knight team at Yacht Club Games
- Tales of Eternia Remastered — the classic Bandai Namco RPG, confirmed for PS4, launching October 2026
- Toy Story 3: Complete Edition — confirmed for PS4 and PS5 in October 2026
Alongside these, many 2026 titles continue launching as cross-gen releases — arriving on both PS4 and PS5 simultaneously. If you love relaxed, feel-good games, even some of the best upcoming cozy games in 2026 still have PS4 versions planned alongside their PS5 counterparts.
Of course, there are major exceptions. GTA 6 (releasing November 2026) is PS5 and Xbox only. Marvel’s Wolverine, PlayStation’s biggest first-party game for 2026, is also PS5-exclusive. And upcoming Capcom and Square Enix titles have increasingly moved to PS5-only releases for their biggest budgeted games. If those specific games matter to you, factor that in.
PS4 Pricing in 2026 — What to Expect
Sony stopped manufacturing new PS4 consoles, so you are looking at the secondhand or refurbished market. Here is the current pricing landscape:
Original SVG illustration by GameVexo — PS4 Pro vs PS5 specs comparison for June 2026.
PS4 Pro vs Standard PS4 — Which One Should You Buy?
If you have made up your mind to get a PS4, do not settle for the base model or Slim if you can avoid it. The PS4 Pro is almost always worth the extra money in 2026. Here is why it matters:
Sony released the PS4 Pro in 2016 with a significantly upgraded GPU over the standard PS4. It supports 4K output (upscaled via checkerboard rendering), runs many games in Boost Mode for improved frame rates and resolution, and adds full HDR support. In real terms, this means games like God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Marvel’s Spider-Man look and run noticeably better on a PS4 Pro than on the standard model.
In June 2026, used PS4 Pro units typically sell for $199–$250, with the best prices around $236 on dedicated secondhand platforms. That is usually only $50–$70 more than a standard PS4 Slim — a small gap for a meaningfully better experience.
Quick Comparison — PS4 Pro, PS5 & PS5 Pro in 2026
| Console | Price (2026) | GPU Power | Storage | GTA 6 | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS4 Pro | $199–$250 (used) | 4.2 TFLOPS | HDD (1 TB) | ✕ No | Budget Gaming |
| PS4 Slim | $150–$200 (used) | 1.84 TFLOPS | HDD (500 GB / 1 TB) | ✕ No | Entry-Level Budget |
| PS5 Digital | $499 (new) | 10.3 TFLOPS | NVMe SSD (825 GB) | ✓ Yes | Best Value |
| PS5 Disc Edition | $599 (new) | 10.3 TFLOPS | NVMe SSD (825 GB) | ✓ Yes | Physical Game Buyers |
| PS5 Pro | $899 (new) | 16.7 TFLOPS | NVMe SSD (2 TB) | ✓ Yes | 4K Enthusiasts |
Community Reaction
The PS4 vs PS5 debate has been one of the most talked-about topics in gaming communities throughout 2026. Go onto Reddit, YouTube, or social media and you will find three camps of people: PS4 owners who are genuinely happy with what they have and see no reason to upgrade, PS5 owners who cannot understand why anyone is still on last-gen hardware, and budget-conscious newcomers who just want to get into gaming without spending a lot.
The April 2026 PS5 price increase was a big flashpoint. When Sony bumped the PS5 base model to $599 in the US, community reaction was intense. Many players pointed out that the console is now approaching six years old and questioned whether it makes sense to pay that much for it — especially with PS6 rumors circulating for a possible 2027 reveal. Data from sales tracking sites shows that the PS4 actually outsold the PS5 on a monthly basis in recent tracking periods, and the cumulative gap between the two platforms’ lifetime sales remains substantial.
A significant number of longtime PlayStation fans are also noting that many popular games still run well on PS4 — titles like God of War: Ragnarök, Gran Turismo 7, and Hogwarts Legacy have all received good reviews in their PS4 versions. The argument “if it still works well, why upgrade?” resonates with a large part of the global gaming audience, particularly in markets where $599 represents a much larger share of monthly income.
What’s Next — Should You Buy a PS4 in 2026?
The answer depends entirely on your gaming goals and budget. Here is a simple breakdown to help you decide:
A PS4 (or PS4 Pro) makes sense in 2026 if:
- You are new to gaming and want an affordable entry point under $250
- You want to explore a library of hundreds of acclaimed games — many now very cheap to buy used
- GTA 6 and other PS5-exclusives are not priorities for you
- You are buying for a younger child or as a secondary household console
- You are in a region where the PS5’s $599 price represents a major financial barrier
You should buy a PS5 instead if:
- GTA 6 (November 2026), Marvel’s Wolverine, or other PS5-only titles are must-plays for you
- You want dramatically faster load times and the latest gaming technology
- You plan to use PlayStation Plus and want access to the newest monthly free games (PS4 free games stopped in January 2026)
- You are thinking long-term and want a platform that will stay relevant well into the next few years
One thing worth noting: the PS5 is fully backward compatible with over 4,000 PS4 titles. If you eventually upgrade from a PS4, your digital library and physical discs (on the disc edition) will carry over. Nothing you buy on PS4 is truly lost.
Keep an eye on the gaming calendar too — there are still exciting releases ahead across all platforms. Our guide to the best upcoming games in 2026 for Xbox Game Pass, PS5, and Switch covers the major upcoming titles, while our list of the best upcoming collector’s edition games is worth checking if you prefer physical releases. The PS4 Pro is still a great console in 2026 — just go in with clear eyes about what it can and cannot do.