PS4

After stumbling out of the gates last generation, Sony placed the core of gaming over everything with the unveiling of the PS4. The company’s contrast to Microsoft’s directive helped the console pull ahead in a major way, and as of 2019, the PlayStation 4 has sold over 100 million consoles.

Check out the best immersive games on PS4

Where Microsoft has focused on the expansion of services, OS updates, and first party acquisitions, Sony has remained true to the fundamentals – games.

The PS4 remains the best console for exclusive experiences, some of which include:

God of War
The Last of Us Remastered
Spider-Man
Gran Turismo Sport
Dreams
The Last Guardian
Shadow of the Colossus
Ratchet and Clank
Bloodborne
Horizon Zero Dawn

Needless to say, it’s the console for a rich collection of single player experiences without the nonsense (or those looking to make lists for a petty arguments).

A trio of models

Unlike last generation, consumers now have options in terms of performance – go big with the PS4 Pro or stay economical with the PS4 Slim.

In total, there are 3 different models of the console:

Original PS4
PS4 Slim
PS4 Pro

For those just jumping in now, the choice is really between the Pro and Slim as launch units aren’t sold new anymore. Those looking to retain the angular design ethos of the original will need to seek out the second hand market.

How do the 3 compare and contrast?

Every PS4 model offers:

HDR
Blu-ray playback
The same streaming services
Game streaming via Twitch and YouTube
The same games

But it wouldn’t be consumer electronics without discrepancy, and each model shines in its own way.

Differences in specs and features

Right out of the gate, the PS4 offered:

1.6 GHz 8 core AMD Jaguar CPU
1.84 Teraflop AMD Radeon GPU
8GB GDDR5 RAM

In 2019, the PS4 Slim retains these same performance specs. Although identical in horsepower, the Slim does lack an optical out.

It’s a trivial lapsed feature for many, but for those that rely on the output for their sound system or external DAC, hunting down an original model or Pro may be the best option.

Speaking from experience, the handling of audio through a TVs HDMI out isn’t nearly as elegant as getting a feed direct from the console.

In what ways is the Slim revision better?

It offers:

5GHz Wi-Fi
Less power consumption (165 vs 250 watts)
Physical buttons
An improved DualShock 4

Console basics: can you transfer Xbox games to PS4?

December 17, 2021 by Max

Gaming today is a lot of the unthinkable of yesterday. From the ability for Xbox One players to play with PS5 players to transferring progress from one platform to another, things are a lot more open than they were just 10 years ago.

But if you’re someone looking to change platforms there are still some stubborn restrictions. And if you’ve got a catalog of games, whether physical or digital, you’re probably wondering – can I transfer games from one platform to another?

Unfortunately, whether you’re moving from Xbox One to PS4 or PS5 (or PlayStation to Xbox), you won’t be able to transfer your discs or digital licenses. Neither Sony or Microsoft allow consumers to play the competing version of a game on their platform.

PS4 essentials: can the PS4 run at 120 fps?

June 26, 2021 by Max

Each year it seems like there are a set of must have features across gaming. In 2021, that means high refresh rates, 8K support, and a slew of new ways to increase general fluidity.

If you’re someone looking to hop on the 120 fps bandwagon with your PS4, you’ll unfortunately have to wait until you lock down a PS5 or Xbox Series X.

No PS4 models support 120 fps both due to power and required spec of HDMI. It goes without saying that the PS4 also can’t handle 144 fps.

High refresh rates have only just now broken into the console space thanks to the bleeding edge tech found in the Xbox Series X and PS5.

PS4 essentials: can you download disc games on PS4?

June 19, 2021 by Max

I still remember the brilliance of downloading Halo 3 DLC with no need for brick and mortar stores. The immediacy and convenience made playing that much more palatable and exciting.

Since then, consoles like the PS4 have completely changed the availability of digital games. No longer a novelty, digital downloads have transformed the way we play.

But for those using a mix of discs and digital on the PS4 it can be confusing as to the two work together.

Can disc games on the PS4 be downloaded? Do you need to buy a game twice?

The short of it is that you can’t download disc games. You’ll need to have the disc inserted into the PS4 every time you want to play.

Alternatively, you could sell the disc version of the game and buy a digital license on the PlayStation store.

PS4 essentials: can you connect PS4 to a hotspot?

June 13, 2021 by Max

Between travel and spotty home internet, mobile hotspots are incredibly convenient for those that need to hop online in a pinch. They allow your phone to serve as a wireless router and function very similarly to one that an ISP would provide.

Learn all you need to know about using 5GHz on the PS4

Can you connect a mobile hotspot to consoles like the PS4?

Thankfully, yes. Using your hotspot with the PS4 will be like any other use case. The only difference is that its usefulness will depend on what exactly you’re doing on the PS4.

You can also use a mobile hotspot to play online on the PS5.

PS5 essentials: do PS4 gift cards work on PS5?

June 10, 2021June 10, 2021 by Max

There’s some who say that the PS5 isn’t worth it and, while it may be true in some ways, I’ve found the system to be plenty worth it in one big way.

Playing on the PS5 has brought a whole new meaning to games like Destiny 2 and Fallout 4.

Between Game Boost and next-gen upgrades there’s no shortage of new experiences to enjoy.

And if you’re like me, it probably makes you want to browse and spend on the system’s digital storefront.

Which brings us to the confusion of moving to next-gen – can PS4 gift cards be used on the PS5?

Yes, PS4 gift cards will absolutely work. They will work whether you’re looking to buy a PS5 exclusive or bolster your PS4 library for those backwards compatibility enhancements.

PS4 essentials: can you play Japanese games in English?

June 7, 2021 by Max

Whatever the reason may be, many English speaking players find themselves playing Japanese versions of games. Importing, travel, and second hand purchases online mean that it’s never been easier to do so.

Some titles on the PS4 also aren’t localized to the West.

Despite buying Japanese games, most can’t speak or understand the language. This can be a bit of an issue for those looking broaden their horizons.

Can Japanese PS4 games be played in English?

The short answer is that it depends. English voice and dialogue support is handled on a per game basis. But it’s also relatively easy to find out whether or not a Japanese game supports English (or any language for that matter).

PS4 essentials: does every game require installation?

June 6, 2021 by Max

The PS4 did things a little differently than prior generations. Where systems like the PS2 allowed for plug and play functionality, the PS4 ended up functioning more like a PC.

For those out of the loop, things like installing games can seem a little backwards. Up until the latest generations, the beauty of playing on console was how fast players were able to start playing.

Do all games require installation?

Unfortunately, yes. Before playing any game on the PS4 (disc or digital) you will need to install it to the systems hard drive. Although annoying, this helps with overall load times while playing games.

PS4 essentials: does it overheat?

June 5, 2021 by Max

The first time I heard my PS4 fans kick into overdrive it was more than a little troubling (not to mention annoying). Those familiar with laptops and other fan cooled electronics know that, most of the time, things are kept to a quiet whir.

Can the normal PS4 run at 60 fps?

But sometimes, especially for those with older PS4’s, it can seem like your console is taking off from a runway. The noise can be so loud that you may even question whether the PS4 can overheat to the point of damage.

The short of it?

PlayStation 4 consoles do have the potential to overheat, but you probably won’t have to worry about such a scenario in most cases (and with certain precautions taken). Thousands of hours of testing and most likely millions spent (research and development) by Sony’s have taken the console to its limits before ever shipping to consumers.

Does the PS4 have ray tracing?

May 29, 2021May 29, 2021 by Max

Although the PS5 has brought many exciting new graphical features, the majority of players are still gaming on Sony’s last gen system.

And while some of the features found on the PS5 are also found on the PS4, things like ray tracing are a reminder as to why clear lines separate console releases.

Many of the upgrades you’ll find on the PS5 have been carried over from the PS4 Pro

For many, the potential of lightning fast loading times, better fidelity, upgrade patches, and overall speed are the only things making the next gen experience worth it as we wait for more true exclusives to release. Ray tracing happens to be one of the better cases for those looking for a more next gen exclusive feature.

What does PS4 Pro enhanced mean?

January 4, 2021 by Max

The PS5 has officially arrived and with it the sensibility of many gamers has gone with the wind. But despite what consumerist trends might make us think, the move to next gen hasn’t made the PlayStation 4 obsolete.

And for those with a PS4 Pro, there are enhancements that bring next-gen features to last gen systems. Titles that offer additional features, aptly named PS4 Pro enhanced, bring Sony’s mid-generation refresh console quite close to next-gen systems.

Will you get to the potential for 8k and 120 FPS? No, but there’s plenty of visual eye candy to soak in while the PS5 stock situation resolves itself.

What exactly does “PS4 Pro enhanced” mean?

Simply put, Pro enhanced video games offer better graphics, resolution, performance, or a mixture of all 3. Many games with a Pro patch even allow you to choose between a game that looks better or plays better.