PS4 Pro launches on Nov. 10, but Sony’s high-spec console is only as good as the games that support it. Based on early hands-on impressions and reviews, here are five must-have titles that will be a treat on 4K and 1080p displays.
1) Rise Of The Tomb Raider : As far as the major press is concerned Rise Of The Tomb Raider from Crystal Dynamics seems to be the gold-standard example of how a PS4 Pro game should work. With the proper patch installed, there are options to fit everyone’s needs. A 4K mode upscales the visuals but limits framerates to just 30 fps.
For those with 1080p displays there are two options. One keeps the standard resolution but pushes everything closer to 60 fps. The other selection enhances environmental effects, but it cuts that previously mentioned framerate in half. Obviously this is a great game too. It was a game of the year contender on Xbox One last year, and the PS4 version comes with oodles of extra content. Third-person exploration fans will love how this looks and plays on Pro.
2)Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor : Middle-Earth: Shadow Of Mordor doesn't have as many bells and whistles as Tomb Raider but it does feature upscaled 4K and a super-sampled 1080p mode with enhanced visuals. This is one of the Pro’s best games because it uses the console’s specs in ways that benefit all consumers. Also, because it’s about three years old, a copy should be pretty cheap to buy too. Just like the game above, this was also showered with praise and awards after its release.
As its name implies, this is a third-person fantasy action game with Batman: Arkham-like combat. Its story isn’t for everyone, but the way the Pro gives this old title a new coat of paint is really impressive to see. It’s the kind of pretty that will have friends and neighbors gawking as they walk by.
3) InFAMOUS: Second Son : Also available around the PS4 launch, Second Son certainly wasn’t the most appreciated game in the InFAMOUS series, but it does feature a totally fresh narrative that’s accessible to new players. We know many of our readers like comics, and InFAMOUS is one of the best ways to bring awesome superpowers to life on the big screen for good or evil.
For PS4 Pro, its feature support list is a little sparse but bearable. It’s got upscaled 4K visuals at a stable framerate while also paying careful attention to HDR. Yes, all PS4s now have HDR support, but the added effect is a lot cooler on top of 4K. We picked this game because of how colorful it is. If you want to see what awesome HDR looks like, this is a nice place to start.
4) The Last Of Us: Remastered : Even though The Last Of Us has been heralded as one of the best PlayStation exclusives of all time, plenty of folks that still haven’t played it. From the creative geniuses at Naughty Dog, the title features a viral apocalypse world layered inside a complex tale of a father-daughter relationship. The gameplay is key, but its cinematic elements are also bar-none.
As for why this is one of the best PS4 Pro games, it’s pretty cheap and it supports a truly native 4K resolution from the jump. The vast majority of titles use upscaling, but this one is different. Resolution quality will be as strong as humanly possible with the high-spec sku in tow.
5) NBA 2K17 : Sports games often sell well at console launches because they tend to be a great way to show off the lifelike fidelity of new hardware. For the PS4 Pro, NBA 2K17 is no different. Its visuals are some of the best we’ve seen on any model PS4, and now they can be cranked all the way to native 4K with 60 fps performance and HDR support.
For a game that’s only a few months old, this is one of the best ways to showcase Pro’s power to friends and family. Even if you don’t love basketball, 2K Sports’ pedigree of excellence will make you a player in no time.
PS4 Pro releases on Nov. 10 for $399. If you’re still on the fence, check out or lists of reasons why you should and shouldn't buy one !
Are these five of the best games to show off a PS4 Pro? What did you buy at launch? Tell us in the comments section!
