It is weird. We are well into the lifecycle of the PlayStation 5 Pro, yet people are still scouring the internet for black friday ps4 games like it’s 2014 all over again. You might think the old jet-engine console is dead. It isn't. Honestly, the used market is thriving because the hardware was built like a tank and the library is arguably the best Sony has ever put out. If you’re hunting for deals this November, you aren't just looking for leftovers; you’re looking for the absolute peak of last-gen value.
I’ve seen it every year. Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy try to clear out physical backlogs. They practically give away the "PlayStation Hits" red-box editions. You can find masterpieces for less than the price of a decent burrito.
The Reality of Buying Black Friday PS4 Games Right Now
Let’s be real for a second. The PS4 isn’t the shiny new toy, but it’s the budget king. Most people getting into the ecosystem now are doing it because they want the hits without the $500 barrier to entry. During the holiday season, prices for titles like God of War (2018) or Horizon Zero Dawn usually tank to around $9.99. Sometimes even $7.00 if you're looking at pre-owned stock from places like GameStop.
Value is the name of the game here.
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You’ve got a massive library. Thousands of games. And the best part? Almost all of them play on the PS5 if you decide to upgrade later. Buying a physical PS4 disc during a sale is basically a cheap ticket to a future-proof digital license. It's a smart play. Digital sales on the PlayStation Store often mirror these physical drops, but there is something about owning the disc that feels more "secure" in an era where digital storefronts occasionally eat your content.
Why the physical market is different this year
In 2026, the scarcity of physical media has actually made some black friday ps4 games more desirable. Collectors are starting to realize that once these discs are gone from retail shelves, they are gone for good. Publishers aren't printing more Bloodborne discs. They aren't restocking Ghost of Tsushima on PS4.
When you see these at a discount, it’s often the "final call."
I’ve talked to store managers who say their PS4 sections have shrunk to a single end-cap. That’s where the gold is hidden. You’re looking for the "Cross-Gen" titles specifically. Games like Elden Ring or Resident Evil Village often have a free upgrade path. You buy the cheaper PS4 version on Black Friday, pop it into a PS5, and boom—you have the next-gen version for half the price. It's a loophole that still works, though publishers are trying to close it by charging $10 upgrade fees. Even with the fee, it's usually cheaper than buying the PS5 box.
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The Heavy Hitters You Need to Track
If you are looking for specific targets, don't just grab everything with a discount sticker. Some games are filler. Others are essential.
The First-Party Essentials
Sony’s own games always see the biggest cuts. The Last of Us Part II is a frequent flier in the $15-20 range. It's a technical marvel that still looks better than most games released this year. Then there is Spider-Man: Miles Morales. It’s short, punchy, and perfect for a weekend binge. If you haven't played Ghost of Tsushima, that should be your number one priority. The load times on a base PS4 are surprisingly fast, but the art direction is what really carries it.
Third-Party Gems
Don't sleep on Ubisoft titles. They are notorious for aggressive Black Friday pricing. You can usually snag Assassin’s Creed Valhalla or Far Cry 6 for peanuts. Are they the "best" games ever? Maybe not. But for $15, you’re getting 80+ hours of content. That’s a lot of bang for your buck.
Then there’s Rockstar. Red Dead Redemption 2 rarely goes below $19.99, even years later. If you see it lower, buy it immediately. It’s arguably the most detailed open world ever crafted. It runs at 30fps, which might feel a bit sluggish if you’re used to 60fps on PC, but the cinematic quality is unmatched.
The "Hidden" Discounts: VR and Indies
Everyone forgets about PSVR. If you have the original headset, black friday ps4 games in the VR category are basically being liquidated. Astro Bot Rescue Mission is a platforming masterpiece that often gets overlooked. It's often bundled or discounted heavily because retailers want that shelf space back for the PSVR2.
Indie collections are also a great grab. Look for physical "Best of" discs. Sometimes you'll find Hollow Knight or Dead Cells on sale. These games don't need high-end specs to look amazing. They are evergreen.
Navigating the Chaos: How to Actually Get the Deals
Don't wait for Friday. That's the biggest mistake people make. The "Black Friday" period now starts at the beginning of November.
- Monitor the Price History: Use sites like PSPrices or DekuDeals. They track the historical lows. If a game is $19.99 but it was $14.99 last June, you aren't getting a real deal. Wait for the true bottom.
- Check the "Free Upgrade" Sticker: Look at the box art. If it says "PS5 Upgrade Available," that disc is worth its weight in gold.
- The Digital vs. Physical Divide: Digital is convenient, but physical can be resold. If you buy a game for $10 on Black Friday, play it, and sell it to a local shop for $5, you just played a triple-A title for the price of a coffee.
The strategy is simple: go for the exclusives first. Third-party games will always be around, but the Sony-published titles tend to hold their value better and provide a more polished experience on the older hardware.
Avoid These Common Pitfalls
Don't buy sports games. Just don't. Madden and FIFA (now FC) from two years ago are worth basically zero. Unless you absolutely need the 2026 rosters, these are a waste of money because the servers eventually get turned off and the gameplay barely changes.
Also, watch out for "Code in Box" scams. Some retailers sell a physical case that just contains a voucher. If you’re buying black friday ps4 games to build a physical library or to ensure you can play offline, a paper code is useless. Always check the back of the box to ensure a disc is actually included.
Why 2026 is the Sweet Spot for PS4 Collecting
We are in that weird "twilight zone" of a console's life. The PS4 is old enough to be cheap, but not old enough to be "retro" and expensive. Give it another five years, and the prices for these physical discs will likely start to climb as nostalgia kicks in and discs rot or get lost.
Right now? It’s a buyer's market.
You can build a library of 50 world-class games for the price of maybe five new releases. That is insane value. Whether you’re buying for a kid’s first console, a bedroom setup, or just filling gaps in your own collection, the opportunities this November are massive.
Actionable Steps for Your Shopping List
To get the most out of your hunt, you need a plan. Don't just wander into a store and hope for the best.
- Check your storage: PS4 games require full installation even from a disc. If you're going on a shopping spree, you’ll probably need an external hard drive. 2TB drives are usually on sale during Black Friday too—grab one.
- Prioritize the "Direct Cuts": Look for Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut or Death Stranding: Director's Cut. These versions include the DLC on the disc or as a voucher, saving you from buying expansions later.
- Verify the Region: If you're buying from third-party sellers on Amazon or eBay, make sure the game region matches your PSN account. While the PS4 is region-free for playing games, DLC is region-locked. A UK disc won't work with US map packs.
- Sign up for alerts: Use a price tracker to set "Buy" alerts for $15 or $10. Let the software do the work while you go about your day.
The PS4 might be the "old" PlayStation, but its library is a monumental achievement in gaming history. Taking advantage of the holiday clearance is the most efficient way to experience that history without breaking the bank. Focus on the exclusives, verify the upgrade paths, and don't be afraid to dig through the bargain bins. The best deals are rarely on the front page.