PS4 or PS4 Slim – substantial game play that won’t break the bank

PS4 or PS4 Slim – substantial game play that won’t break the bank

For serious gamers the PlayStation 4, the PS4 Pro and the PS4 Slim still pack a mighty punch and offers modern high spec game play for little more than £100 on some used models.

Here at The Techout we stock refurbished versions of both great consoles – and all for less than £200.

Read on for a short rundown on both consoles and why you will be getting a lot of bang for relatively few bucks.

The temptation is always to rush out and buy the latest console, but the latest Sony PS5 will set you back the best part of £400 and that’s before buying any accessories, let alone games.

The PS4 has been on the market for several years but still stacks up very well, with an amazing catalogue of games to choose from for an immersive gaming experience.

The console makes no apologies for focusing on gamers, with great graphics, connected online gaming, multi-player options and a range of apps and second screen features to enhance the gaming experience.

If you are looking for an entertainment hub connected up to absolutely everything, it’s best to look elsewhere, but if you want top-notch gameplay, read on…

It’s all about the games

Sony made little bones about the fact that the PS4 is gamer focused. Yes the console has the option for streaming services such as Netflix, a Blu-ray drive and will play DVDs to a reasonable standard, but you’re not buying it for that.

From The Last of Us Part II to God of War, Spider-Man and Horizon Zero Dawn, Sony's first-party releases have consistently led the gaming charge.

Not to mention Red Dead Redemption 2 to Persona 5 and The Witcher III: Wild Hunt, there has been no shortage of great games from other developers – the PS4 library is literally stacked.

This is a modern dedicated game system with social networking and streaming media features with fantastic graphics and game play enabling you to play some of the best titles around either solo or with plenty of connection to your friends and the wider gaming community.

Interaction and connecting with other gamers

The PS4 uses the PlayStation Dynamic Menu and the entire screen will change based on what you have highlighted.

The main screen has a row of large icons that expand when you highlight them, starting with What's New on the left, your most recent games to the right and PlayStation 4 features such as the Web browser, Live from PlayStation and Downloads.

Each selection shows additional information such as your friends' activities in games and if any of them are currently broadcasting gameplay. It's an information-rich interface that works at integrating social network features into the mix on every level.

Did we say broadcasting? Yes, PS4 allows you to record, send and live stream clips of game play to your friends and contacts, as well as take screenshots, all at the touch of a controller.

There is a new Share button on your controller too, that will allow you to instantly share your gameplay successes with your community.

The PS4 can handle multiple players too, allowing up to four to sit on the same sofa and do battle!

DualShock 4

The PS4 comes with a DualShock 4 controller that was clearly designed for comfort. It keeps the same basic design and layout of previous Sony DualShock controllers, but makes many welcome changes.

The little fin grips used in the DualShock 3 have been replaced by larger, rounder grips that have an Xbox 360 controller feel. The analog sticks have been redesigned, each with a convex centre surrounded by a ring-shaped ridge that keeps the stick in place under your thumb.

The triggers are larger and not nearly as wiggly as on earlier models!

Another control option is the PlayStation App, which lets you connect your smartphone and enjoy some second-screen action on certain games, while also allowing you to enter text on the PS4 using your mobile.

The Techout verdict

The PS4 is still very much a console that is worth having, with cracking game play and interaction that still stands up to scrutiny, even though there are now newer consoles out there.

All for very little money too.

Or is it time to Slim down?

Everything above applies to the PS4 Slim, except it is smaller. Okay, we are stating the obvious, but the Slim model essentially offers you a sleeker, slightly less power hungry and somewhat quieter version of the PS4.

That may not sound like much but size and storage space can be a real issue in some homes, so if you want a console that is more unobtrusive, this could be an option for you.

More Slim models also come with the 1TG of hard drive storage space, compared with 500GB for the original PS4, which can cramp your style in gaming terms if you wish to store multiple games or otherwise resort to an external storage option.

Possibly time to go Pro instead?

The PS4 Pro model offers greater resolution and if that is your thing, it might be the option for you.

Essentially it again offers the same games and functions as the PS4 but can run as high as 2160p – or 4K – compared with the 1080p HD resolution on the standard 4.

That means any streaming you do from services such as Netflix will be of a better quality too, as well as the game play.

To make all this work, you will also need to have a 4K TV, so it’s not always an option for everyone.

The Techout final word

As above, the PS4 is still very capable but you may wish to consider the Slim option for space reasons, or the PS4 Pro if super image quality is  a particular concern (and you have a 4k TV!)

We have a variety of models at our Barnstaple and Braunton stores, with prices running from £109 up to around £180, so why not pop in and chat to one of our helpful staff and see which might be best for you?

Or of course you can browse the PS4 models and other consoles right here on our website.