Gaming on current consoles has become an expensive pleasure: the PS5 itself requires a significant budget, and price tags on new games force players to look for workarounds. However, old PlayStations have turned into ideal anti-crisis platforms today. We figure out how much it costs to assemble a collection of Sony masterpieces, why the graphics in hits of past years still look decent, and which console is best to look for on flea markets.
PlayStation
General Characteristics
PlayStation was released in Japan in December 1994, and in the USA and Europe in 1995. It officially reached Russia in 1996 — exactly in the year of the abolition of Steepler, which gave us Dendy. Thus, yesterday's owners of 8-bit consoles received a direct ticket to the 3D era.
Players loved the console at first sight. Sony made several strategically correct moves: the transition to CDs instead of expensive cartridges, a bet on polygonal 3D graphics, and an open policy of attracting third-party developers. The market reciprocated, and PlayStation quickly became the new standard.
Sony officially ended support for the PlayStation in 2006. The console was produced in parallel with the PS2 and only slightly failed to live until the release of the PS3 — it lasted on the assembly line for 12 years.
Today, the original PlayStation is no longer just an old console, but an artifact from which the modern era of interactive entertainment began. But is it worth returning to it in 2026?
Whether to Buy Now and How Much It Costs
Before answering this question, it is worth understanding the hardware diversity of the PlayStation.
Over 11 years of production, more than three dozen revisions were released, which are divided into two main regional groups: PAL (Europe, Australia, part of Asia) and NTSC (Japan and North America). Consoles differ in cases, port layouts, and, most importantly, refresh rates and game speeds.
Separately, there is the PlayStation Classic — a miniature 2018 replica with pre-installed games. This is a convenient souvenir, but it has nothing to do with the original hardware.
For an authentic experience, you will need a CRT TV. New "pot-bellied" TVs haven't been produced for a long time, but there are still plenty of them on the secondary market. The device must have RCA inputs ("tulips") or SCART (an adapter will be required). In Russia, the PAL/SECAM standard historically dominated, so when searching for a CRT TV, make sure it supports PAL. NTSC TVs are a great rarity here. Accordingly, it is more logical to look for the PAL version of the console.
Connecting to a modern LCD monitor via an RCA/SCART to HDMI converter is possible, but you will inevitably lose in perception quality. It's not so much about the class of the converter as about fundamentally different ways of forming the image. CRT screens smooth pixels due to phosphor glow and analog scanning, creating a soft picture. On flat panels, pixelation becomes sharp, color reproduction changes, and the native 240p resolution is stretched with noticeable artifacts.
Pay attention to the refresh rate: PAL works at 50 Hz, NTSC at 60 Hz. Because of this, PAL versions of some games without special patches run about 16–17% slower, and the music sounds slightly lower in tone. In calm RPGs or quests, this is almost unnoticeable, but in dynamic actions, fighting games, and arcades, the slowdown and more sluggish control response are felt. If original speed is critical for you (and developers primarily focused on the US and Japanese markets), you will have to look for an NTSC console and games for it (PAL games won't work!) and solve power supply issues (voltage in the US and Japan differs from our usual 220V).
On various platforms, you can find the PlayStation in the original Fat case. Most often, the SCPH-9002 PAL model is found — the latest revision in the old case. There are slightly more offers for the SCPH-102 PAL model in the updated, more compact case. Early versions like SCPH-5502 are rarer. If an authentic look is important, SCPH-9002 will be a good choice.
SCPH-102 will likely be fresher in terms of electronics. There is no special point in looking for older models like SCPH-7002 or SCPH-5552: the internals practically didn't change, and revisions of the 5xxx series and earlier did not come with a DualShock in the box (though owners usually bought it separately).
Prices vary. "Naked" consoles without accessories range from 2,000 to 2,500 RUB. This is an option if you already have discs, memory cards, and gamepads. Consoles with games cost 10,000–15,000 RUB for a set with a good selection of licenses. Most offers are 4,000–6,000 RUB for a device in good cosmetic condition with one or several discs included.
The situation with discs is peculiar. For a used game, they might ask from 100 to 200 RUB. In this range, there could be "new" non-licensed copies that won't run on an original console, as well as old licensed discs. Before buying, be sure to clarify the origin of the disc and check it for scratches: for a CD drive, even minor damage is a serious enemy. Some discs can be saved by polishing, but this is not a panacea.
On the same platforms, you can find modified PlayStations that run any discs, including images from memory cards or external storage. Such devices usually undergo maintenance, get new drives or drive emulators, and sometimes firmware with a convenient menu. Prices start from 15,000 RUB. For context: for this money, you can already find a PlayStation 4 in good condition on the secondary market.
A separate category is game consoles in the form of HDMI sticks or portable retro consoles for 2,000–3,000 RUB, which run thousands of games from PlayStation 1 and other platforms. They have nothing to do with Sony products, their legal status is questionable, and the quality of execution is a lottery. If you just want to play around with old games without the hassle of CRTs and discs, you can try. But don't expect a premium experience: input lag, inaccurate emulation, and questionable build quality are frequent companions of such gadgets.
So, to buy or not? If you want to catch the gaming vibes of the 90s — then yes, buy. Along with an old TV. And a carpet on the wall. Then there is an opportunity to immerse yourself for a while in the past with old games. Although if such a desire arose, it is worth turning your gaze to the PlayStation 2, which allows you to run games of the original "Ployka".
In other cases, buying the first PlayStation is a questionable venture. Most games have aged not only graphically but also in terms of gameplay. After all, modest hardware capabilities dictated their own limitations on gameplay. And developers were just beginning to understand how to properly design controls using new gamepads with two sticks. Plus, the hardware is already two decades old. Even custom restored consoles do not guarantee that your purchase will live a long life.
Games
In the material about Xbox, we compiled a top 15 games, but with PlayStation, we risk drowning in the library. There are more cult franchises here, and the bar for must-play titles is higher. Therefore, we will limit ourselves to a top 10 releases. The rating is subjective: if your favorite game was left out, share it in the comments.
The top focuses specifically on console projects. It is important to remember the specifics of the era: 3D graphics were taking their first steps, models are angular, textures swim, and draw distance is limited. But this hardly affects gameplay — developers calibrated games within these frames. A vivid example: the thick fog in Silent Hill originally masked the short draw distance but became a key element of the oppressive atmosphere.
And one more point not obvious to modern gamers. Most games do not have official Russian localization.
- Metal Gear Solid (stealth action). Kojima proved that games can tell cinematic stories and still have good gameplay. This stealth action game sold 6 million copies and has consistently high ratings from both players and critics. The original PS1 version of this spy thriller is canon. So it's a good reason to play the original version.
- Final Fantasy VII (Japanese RPG). A classic of the genre. The entire series is good on PS. Но cult — FF VII. In sales, it was second only to Gran Turismo. But while the racing simulator has aged over 20 years, the seventh "Final" ages only graphically. The original gives a leisurely atmosphere, turn-based tactics, and a story that gives goosebumps. For beauty, of course, it's better to go to the modern remake. But in the remake, you only get a "fragment" of the original.
- Resident Evil (horror). A game that largely defined the survival horror genre. Fixed camera, clunky controls, limited inventory. And yet, every room is a trap. Remakes are wonderful, no doubt, but they are different games. Original PC ports were poorly made. So if you want to truly feel the spirit of real RE, PlayStation is perfect for this.
- Silent Hill (horror). Konami turned a technical limitation into an artistic technique. To hide the tiny draw distance of 3D objects, developers plunged the surrounding space into thick fog. Moreover, they decided to scare the player not with cheap B-movie tricks, but to play subtly on human psychology and moral choice. Even if the first part of the franchise is not the most famous and popular, it is worth checking out.
- Tekken (fighting). Tekken is one of the pioneers in the 3D genre. The first part combined classic gameplay with 3D character models and environments. It doesn't look very good by modern standards, but it plays great.
- Crash Bandicoot (platformer). Sony's answer to Sonic and Mario. Naughty Dog squeezed the maximum out of PS1: smooth animation, levels full of secrets, signature spinning. And all this in 3D. The first three parts are the birth of the 3D platformer era: precise timings and arcade difficulty that motivates. Without Crash, the history of PlayStation would be incomplete.
- Rayman (platformer). While everyone rushed into polygons, Ubisoft released a masterpiece of hand-drawn animation. 2D platforming with responsive controls, great music, and design that has hardly aged. On CRT, it looks exactly as the artists intended. But even playing on modern LCD TVs, it doesn't look shameful. They say Ubisoft is preparing a gift for the 30th anniversary of the platformer series in the form of a re-release of the first part on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. But on the other hand, why wait?
- Crash Team Racing (racing). A spin-off built on the Mario Kart template and playing just as well. Kart racing with physics and tricks from the platformer. Drift mechanics, tracks with secrets, and excitement. The remake Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is good, of course, but the original is also quite decent.
- Twisted Metal (racing). Survival racing: a cocktail of car combat, black humor, and Sweet Tooth the clown. Genially simple: drive, shoot, explode. Perfectly revealed on an old TV with a couple of friends. After which, watch the series based on it. Our reviewer Viktor Zaitsev believes it deserves attention.
- Mortal Kombat Trilogy (fighting). Not in 3D, and the original trilogy didn't come out on PlayStation. Но it's impossible not to mention that this classic is on PS. Almost all fighters, secret characters, bloody fatalities. Pure, clear, and ruthless fighting from past console generations. But still relevant today. So you shouldn't skip it on the first "Ployka" either.
PlayStation 2
General Characteristics
The second PlayStation became a bigger hit than the first. By 2000, the Sony name was already booming, the gaming industry was entering the mass market, and the company realized: to win, you need to sell not just a console, but a lifestyle.
PlayStation 2 was conceived as a family multimedia center: games, music, movies — all in one case. One of the main trumps was the DVD drive: in an era when VCRs hadn't left yet and broadband internet was a luxury, the ability to watch movies in digital quality for 300 dollars seemed like magic. Sony, of course, had experience in both music and film production — so the integration looked logical.
Technically, PS2 is a step forward (especially compared to the first "Ployka"). 64-bit Emotion Engine, 32 MB of RAM, 480p support, Ethernet in later revisions. But the main breakthrough is not in numbers, but in media capacity: 4.7 GB for DVD versus 640 MB for CD. Developers could expand to the fullest.
Today, in 2026, PS2 is no longer just retro, but a cultural layer. For details on the history of PlayStation 2, we will send you to the article by Eduard Epshtein, and here we will discuss whether it's worth returning to the console? And if so — how not to throw money away?
Whether to Buy Now and How Much It Costs
First, the good news: PS2 is hardware and software compatible with the original PlayStation and allows you to run games of Sony's first console. The bad news — PS2 on the secondary market is expensive.
The first thing to decide: "fat" (Fat) or "thin" (Slim)? This is not just aesthetics — these are different philosophies of operation.
Fat models (SCPH-30000 — SCPH-50000)
- Pros: built-in HDD bay (for early revisions), more ports, better cooling, easier to modify.
- Cons: bulky, heat up more, finicky DVD drive.
Slim models (SCPH-70000 — SCPH-90008)
- Pros: compact, quieter, more reliable mechanics.
- Cons: no HDD bay, harder to modify, external power supply.
As with the PS1, the PS2 has regional protection: a European console (PAL) will not run an American disc (NTSC-U) without modification. At the same time, the difference in frequency (50 Hz vs 60 Hz) affects game speed and can create questions with power and video signal compatibility.
Connecting to a TV. The standard cable ("tulips") gives a 480i/576i picture — on modern TVs it looks mediocre. The ideal option is a component cable (YPbPr), if necessary — via an HDMI converter. But if possible — use a CRT TV with a component input. On a "pot-bellied" TV, games of the era look exactly as the developers saw them.
In terms of prices, the situation at first glance is paradoxical: early Fat models on the market cost more than late Slims, although it would seem it should be the other way around. But the secret is simple: Fat models are usually sold already modified and have the ability to connect a hard drive, while Slim versions are more often offered as original consoles, sometimes even with factory seals.
Prices differ significantly. A Slim version of PS2 can be found for 4–6 thousand rubles, sometimes even cheaper, while Fat versions bundled with games start from 10 thousand rubles.
Prices for games also vary. There are discs for 100 rubles, and some for 1000. Whether a disc will run on your console is not entirely a lottery, but much depends on the model, presence of mods, and the condition of the disc itself. If unsure how a specific disc will behave on your PlayStation 2, it's better to ask the seller (and even better — inquire in advance which discs your console will run).
In any case, it is advisable not to buy either the console or the discs with delivery, but to personally verify their functionality before giving money.
Is it worth giving money for a PlayStation 2? The game library for the console is one of the best in history. There are including exclusive projects that work only on PS2. There is multiplatform that has been perfectly preserved even now. And some games (like, for example, NFS: Underground 2) even today look quite decent graphically. So you can play with pleasure.
The price of the devices themselves is a bit jarring. After all, 10 thousand rubles for a console of solid age is a significant amount (for example, Xbox One S in excellent condition or PlayStation 3 cost the same on the market), and for 15 thousand rubles you can find a PlayStation 4 with current games. But if the wallet allows — why not? After all, the games for the console are really cool.
Games
The PS2 library has more than 3,800 titles. Choosing only 10 means pre-dooming yourself to angry comments. But please understand and forgive.
- Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City and San Andreas (open world action). The games need no introduction. Open world, total freedom, cult soundtrack. It's more convenient to play with a gamepad on a console. On PC there is the remaster The Definitive Edition, but after the quality scandal, it's better to avoid it. At the same time, the games themselves are magnificent.
- Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (stealth action). Kojima at the peak of his form, especially in Snake Eater. Stealth, jungle, Cold War. You can play, of course, the recent remake Δ (see review by Viktor Zaitsev), but even it doesn't cancel the magic of the original. If you want to understand why the series is loved — start here.
- God of War I and II (action). Kratos before he became a Scandinavian grandfather. Rage, epicness, scale. Combo system, spectacular finishers, bosses the size of a building. A game that squeezed everything out of the PS2 it was capable of and rightfully earned its cult status.
- Ratchet & Clank (action-platformer). A sibling of the Jak and Daxter franchise. Hundreds of types of crazy guns, bright worlds, chemistry between heroes. A game that perfectly balances between difficulty and accessibility. Modern versions are good, but the PlayStation 2 versions still play amazingly.
- Devil May Cry (slasher). The first parts on PlayStation 2 are games that largely defined the modern vision of the genre. Stylish combos, battle ratings, demonic transformations. Add charismatic heroes and anti-heroes, a memorable soundtrack. The game is good specifically in the PS2 version.
- The Simpsons: Hit & Run (action). Yes, multiplatform. The game is also good on PC. But on consoles, this "GTA in the world of The Simpsons" feels much better than on PC. And thanks to the cartoon style, it still looks great. References to the series and familiar characters, a finale in the spirit of Halloween episodes of "The Simpsons", humor, original voice acting — and a sea of joy and drive.
- Need for Speed: Underground 2 (racing). The NFS series at the height of its fame. This is also multiplatform, but not to mention Underground 2 on PlayStation 2 is a crime against gamers. The first two parts of street racing are the best that was in the NFS series, and still not repeated with such success. Games that in the 2000s made street racing a mass phenomenon. So when you see a "six" with a "bench" spoiler on the trunk in the street — know where the fashion came from.
- Final Fantasy X (Japanese RPG). The first "Final" with full voice acting and a departure from the ATB system to more dynamic battles. A story of pilgrimage, sacrifice, and love, told with signature epicness. Graphically, the game ages softer than many peers: facial animation, character design, music — still at their best. There is no remake, and given the fate of FFVII Remake, perhaps it's for the best.
- Resident Evil 4 (action horror). A game that changed the essence of Resident Evil, leaving only external signs. "Over the shoulder" camera, Tetris inventory, tense balance between combat and survival. The PS2 version also comes with that "tube" atmosphere on a CRT screen, costumes, and bonuses.
- Silent Hill 2 (psychological horror). The pinnacle of the genre and, perhaps, the entire franchise. A story of guilt, redemption, and the dark corners of the human psyche with such force that goosebumps run even after so many years. The 2024 remake is technically good and Polish developers were able to get as close as possible to the atmosphere of the original. But getting close doesn't mean repeating. Developers get right into your head, and the picture here is not so important. We have a separate material analyzing the SH2 plot.
PlayStation 3
General Characteristics
The third generation of PlayStation is the most controversial. PS3 lost several key markets to the Xbox 360 console and only due to its home region — Japan — balanced the number of consoles sold with Microsoft with a small plus for itself.
Characteristics on paper still don't look shameful even now:
- Processor: Cell Broadband Engine (3.2 GHz, 1 PPE + 8 SPU);
- Graphics card: NVIDIA RSX "Reality Synthesizer" (550 MHz, 256 MB video memory);
- RAM: 256 MB XDR + 256 MB GDDR3;
- Storage: 20/40/60/80/160 GB (depending on revision);
- Drive: Blu-ray, dual-layer;
- Network: Ethernet, Wi-Fi (in most models), Bluetooth.
Whether to Buy Now and How Much It Costs
Over the entire life cycle, several revisions were released: Fat models (2006–2009), Slim models (2009–2012), and Super Slim (2012–2017). They differ not only in size and age. Thus, only early Fat models have full hardware compatibility with PlayStation 2 games. Slim and Super Slim are not compatible with PlayStation 2 games. In addition, versions differ in storage capacity. The very first revisions had only 20 GB on board, in regular Slims the capacity was 120–320 GB, and in the last Super Slims — already 250/500 GB.
Despite the fact that all models have an HDMI output, early PS3 versions have PAL/NTSC regional restrictions.
However, you still have to look for a Fat version on the secondary market. But there is no shortage of offers for Slim and Super Slim consoles. Prices are not very high — usually a console with one or two gamepads is sold at a price of about 10 thousand rubles. Moreover, there are offers from both individuals and game stores. In the latter case, they might even provide a warranty. That is, PS3 prices are comparable to PS2 prices! By the way, an Xbox 360 will cost you about the same, maybe 1–2 thousand cheaper.
To take or not to take? Perhaps consoles of this generation (PS3 and Xbox 360) are the most interesting option for buying an extremely inexpensive gaming device. By no means as a primary one, but in the role of a second console or as a supplement to a PC — an excellent option. In addition, it is a good choice for country life without internet.
And one more important argument in favor of buying specifically a used PS3. Due to the unique architecture of the Cell processor, backward compatibility (both hardware and software) for PS3 with subsequent generations — PS4 and PS5 — is absent. As a result, many popular games became kind of "hostages" of the platform: they were not ported to new consoles and are not included in subscriptions. Yes, Sony gives the opportunity to run PS3 games, but only via cloud streaming — and this requires stable internet, a subscription, and does not guarantee that same "native" feeling from gameplay.
Important warning: we urge you to use licensed products. To avoid problems with PSN and banning of the account or console.
Game discs are sold at a price from 100 to 500 rubles.
Games
The PS3 library is largely relevant even now, although quite some time has passed since the release of the last PS3 game. At the same time, the graphics are not lost even in comparison with the PlayStation 5. Of course, you can forget about 4K, but do many players have 4K monitors and TVs?
And one more caveat. There are a great many wonderful multiplatform games for PS3. And many did not make it into this list, as here we tried to focus on Sony exclusives. However, we didn't forget about iconic multiplatform either.
- Uncharted (entire series) (adventure action). Nathan Drake's adventures are the calling card of the PlayStation 3. Cinematic shootouts, puzzles, charismatic characters, and landscapes that still look impressive. Sony wasn't creating a movie blockbuster for the first time, but it was doing it in game format for the first time. And it worked.
- The Last of Us (adventure action). A story of survival, loss, and hope, told with such force and SUCH a finale that it still causes controversy. We won't spoil it. Although the gameplay itself is simple, it wasn't what made the game, but Naughty Dog's meticulousness and attention to every detail. And also, of course, a pair of heroes that players fell in love with (and whose betrayal in Part II many did not forgive).
- God of War III (action). The finale of Kratos's "Greek" saga and its peak. Yes, modern parts are also loved by players, but here Kratos is still "the man". A furious god of war who tears apart his hated enemies who broke his life with his bare hands.
- Heavy Rain (interactive drama). An experimental game from David Cage. Four characters, a non-linear plot, consequences of every choice. Not everyone likes this interactive movie, in many ways it's a one-time game, but it certainly doesn't leave anyone indifferent. For which it is in the console's bestseller list. If you are ready for a slow, thoughtful, and dark narrative without the usual "gameplay crutches" — this is your choice.
- inFAMOUS 2 (open world action). inFAMOUS is a series that largely unfairly did not receive the attention it deserves. Cole MacGrath's superhero story with superpowers in the second part slightly reduced the tension in the area of moral choice, but in terms of gameplay, graphics, and story presentation, the project is outstanding. You can spend many fascinating hours in the sandbox city.
- LittleBigPlanet (platformer-constructor). A charming "doll" platformer for one evening. Unless you go online. But if you connect to PSN, the cooperative mode and the ability to create your own levels will completely transform this game. LittleBigPlanet inspired creativity and at the same time it was and remains kind, smart, and beloved.
- Gran Turismo 5 (racing simulator). A huge number of licensed cars and tracks from all over the world. Beautiful (even after so many years) graphics, physics, and dynamic weather. An incredibly ambitious game that tried to embrace the unembraceable. Yes, without a steering wheel, Gran Turismo 5 remains an arcade simulator. But, perhaps, it is the best arcade simulator of the PlayStation 3 generation.
- Grand Theft Auto IV and V (open world action). Yes, multiplatform. But it's hard to imagine any current console without GTA IV and V. And PlayStation 3, despite its solid age, remains relevant. Of course, you can no longer play GTA Online on PS3, but both parts will provide you with content for many dozens of hours.
- Batman: Arkham Asylum / City / Origins (stealth action). A trilogy of games that many players consider the best among all Batman games. Gadgets, detective mode, the dark atmosphere of Gotham, and, of course, Batman.
- Call of Duty (game series). Cult multiplayer arenas and online on PS3 will be unavailable now, but cinematic campaigns are still at your disposal. By the way, it is during the PS3 era that some of the best games in the series occurred. It is now that CoD shooters are going through tough times. But on PS3 — it's the heyday of the series.
PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
General Characteristics
PlayStation 4 was released in late 2013–early 2014 at a price of 399 US dollars, and in Russia — 18,990 rubles. Ironically, both the console and the price (in rubles) still remain relevant. Perhaps the point is that Sony decided not to reinvent the wheel but went the way of maximum accessibility of the console for both players and developers. The bitter experience with PS3 was not in vain. It's funny that exactly at this moment Microsoft decided to "shoot themselves in the foot" by presenting the Xbox One with a mandatory Kinect and a strange policy of linking disc versions of games to the console.
Players did not appreciate Microsoft's approach, but they appreciated Sony's approach. As a result — disastrous sales (especially at the start) for Xbox and a rapid rise in popularity for PlayStation 4.
Almost a third of the released PS4s are still in service and active. This is a huge player base. And developers and publishers do not want to lose access to them. Therefore, many multiplatform games are still released on PS4. That's why it remains relevant. And also, online is still available on PS4, PS Store works, and there is a subscription service providing access to hundreds of games. This is not Game Pass, of course, and you won't find new releases on the day of release in this service, but it's a great opportunity to get acquainted with all the classics.
Therefore, it is impossible to consider PlayStation 4 in isolation from PlayStation 5. PlayStation 5 is effectively an evolution of PlayStation 4, and, most importantly, both PS4 and PS5 are in the same Sony ecosystem. Therefore, there is no point in considering them separately.
Yes, PlayStation 5 is more powerful, especially in the Pro version. And in some games, you can finally play at 60 frames per second or in 4K. And also fast loads with SSD. The "Four" will not provide such opportunities. And you also need to keep in mind that Sony itself releases its new exclusive projects (released after 2023) only on PS5. But otherwise — the gaming experience is the same.
Whether to Buy Now and How Much It Costs
New PlayStation 4s are no longer produced. Although looking at the offers of stores and marketplaces, one might get the impression that this is not the case. Yes, in stores and on online platforms, you can still purchase a PS4 or PS4 Pro with a warranty. However, these are either restored or serviced devices, or those traded in by players in exchange for a new console.
Although their cosmetic condition can be very good, especially if these are devices of later series (Slim). However, Fat consoles are still on sale. Unlike previous PlayStation models, there is no fundamental difference between PlayStation 4 revisions. You just need to keep in mind that Slim is less noisy and more compact, Pro is more powerful (but it doesn't reach modern gaming PCs and consoles either).
Prices for PS4 come with nuances. For people unfamiliar with game consoles, some offers may seem attractive, but there is a catch. And vice versa: a fair price for a console from hands may seem overpriced, while the console should cost that much.
The market price of a PlayStation 4 with one/two gamepads without games is about 15 thousand rubles. There are offers slightly lower, some slightly higher. A Fat version (early) can be found cheaper, for a Slim they will ask a bit more. For a Pro version of PS4, they will ask about 20 thousand rubles.
The key point in these offers is that consoles for such money are sold without games. Current titles on PlayStation 4 are relatively expensive (compared to PC versions), and almost all PS4 games are compatible with PS5. At the same time, some games on PS5 get improvements: a more stable frame rate or increased resolution. And if so, why sell games with the console? So usually only the consoles themselves are sold. You will have to buy the games yourself.
But on online platforms, there are many offers of the console bundled with hundreds of games! In the photos, the consoles stand surrounded by dozens of discs with blue boxes. They are trying to mislead you. Some sellers honestly write that the games in the photo are not included. Some "forget" about it. What's the catch? 200 games "as a gift" with the console is a subscription to one of the PS Plus tariff plans. And it's not a fact that this subscription was activated at the time of sale. And even more so on your PSN account.
So when you look for a console on the market, be sure to clarify what games are included. Three or four disc versions? That's great. 200 games by subscription? But you can subscribe yourself. Even under blocking conditions, it is relatively easy to do for PlayStation. Just as it is to register your own account.
Is it worth buying a PlayStation 4 now? It's impossible to give a definite answer to this question now. Problems with the availability of PlayStation 5, as it was at the beginning of the generation, have long been gone. And the prices are quite affordable — from 45 to 60 thousand rubles for the version with a drive, depending on where you get the console: on marketplaces or in offline retail. And PlayStation 5 Pro is sold for 75–90 thousand rubles.
At the same time, the cost of owning a PlayStation 4 will likely be no less than the cost of owning a PlayStation 5 (provided it is sold when moving to a new generation). The cost of games and subscriptions on PS4 and PS5 does not differ. The cost of licensed disc versions starts from 2500 rubles, but prices for new releases can reach 8 thousand rubles.
Unlike the Xbox ecosystem, where Microsoft emphasizes digital services, among PlayStation owners, disc versions of games are still in use. A developed secondary market, trade-in, exchange opportunities, and just a large community allow you to save on purchasing games.
But if you want digital services, Sony has those too. Albeit not as advanced as Xbox's. You won't be able to subscribe to them directly in Russia. Но players have long mastered the virtual "move" to India (where prices are lower) or Europe, buying digital versions of games on various third-party platforms.
And returning to the question of whether it's worth buying a PlayStation 4 now?
Yes, if you want to save decent money on the device itself and at the same time do not want to give up playing online.
No, if you need total savings. In this case, look at the PS3. Even taking into account low prices for games on the secondary market, owning a PlayStation 4 — taking into account paid online for network games and prices for the projects themselves — is not cheap.
No, if you don't want to lose the opportunity to play all the new releases of the gaming industry. Better to pay extra for a PlayStation 5.
Games
The PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 library is largely popular multiplatform, but the cherry on the cake is Sony's own exclusives. Here are 10 games worth trying for PS4 and PS5.
- Marvel's Spider-Man (open world action). Spider-Man, one of the most beloved superheroes, appears exclusively on PlayStation on consoles. Web-swinging, parkour, Peter Parker's drama — all in an open New York that you want to explore.
- Horizon Zero Dawn (action/RPG with open world). Hunting robo-dinosaurs with a bow in a post-apocalyptic world is very beautiful. And exciting. Aloy, mechanical beasts, mysteries of an ancient civilization. The sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, came out only on PS5. But while the second part is good, the first one is better.
- Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (adventure action). The finale of Nathan Drake's story — and simultaneously the peak of the series. Cinematic staging, puzzles, shootouts. An exclusive that is best revealed on its native platform. By the way, the first parts are also available on PS4. And while the fifth part is rumored to be in development, you can adventure on the old console too.
- Ghost of Tsushima (open world action). A samurai epic from Sucker Punch. Katana battles, stealth, a "honor" system, and visuals that even on a base PS4 look like a painting. On PS5 there is a "Director's Cut" that adds content, but the core is the same, and it's magnificent on both PS4 and PS5.
- Days Gone (open world action). A motorcycle, hordes of zombies, and a story of loss and hope. A game that many underestimated at the start, but which found its audience over time. A game that wasn't understood at Sony itself. An exclusive that still hasn't received a sequel — so the chance to play the original is only here, and it's worth it.
- Nier: Automata (action/RPG). A philosophical action game from Yoko Taro and PlatinumGames. Androids, existential questions, crazy bosses, and a beautiful soundtrack.
- Persona 5 Royal (Japanese RPG). Stylish, long, deep. School life, dungeon-palaces, social link system. Better to play the Royal version right away — it's an improved edition with additional content. Multiplatform, but many fans played it specifically on PlayStation, and it's still one of the best ways to experience this story. The only downside is the lack of Russian language.
- Minecraft (sandbox/survival). This game seems to be on all platforms. But that doesn't mean you should skip it. On PlayStation, there are pros: local co-op on one screen, exclusive skins, and integration with PSN trophies. At the same time, cross-platform allows you to play with users of other systems.
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (action RPG with open world). The benchmark of the action RPG genre. Geralt's story, choices with consequences, two huge expansions. A must-have for both PC and consoles.
- Cyberpunk 2077 (action RPG with open world). A game that started with a scandal but after patches and the Phantom Liberty expansion became exactly what it was intended to be. Night City, cyber-implants, non-linear plot. On PS5 with the next-gen patch — one of the best ways to experience this story without dancing with a tambourine. But if desired, you can play on PS4 too.
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