PlayStationusers have a huge selection of games to pick from, be it native PS5 titles or PS4 releases that have been out for a while. As tempting as the latest AAA game can be, spending $69.99 is not required to have a good time with a PlayStation console.
From kid-friendly classics to indie darlings, there are plenty of options for every type of gamer looking to save a few bucks. The PlayStation Store is always running some sort of sale, especially during a year’s final stretch, but there are also some games that are always priced below $9.99.
What are some of thebest PlayStation games under $10?
If a game is playable on PS5, it will be considered. That said, native PS5 games will be prioritized.
Among Ushas been borderline inescapable for a number of years, and its low price is at least partially responsible for the title’s popularity and accessibility. The social deduction game casts players asastronauts trying to complete certain responsibilities within a spaceship; however, some of the Crewmates are secretly Impostors whose goals are to murder and sabotage their way to victory. Everyone else has to complete their tasks or signal out the betrayers.
Easy to grasp but consistently unpredictable,Among Usdelivers hilarity and suspense in equal measure. Naturally, as this game is intended for multiplayer, the quality of matches varies depending on the people involved. Still,Among Uscan be relied upon for a good time.
At the behest of his uncle, Rusty heads to Tumbleton to excavate a mine. Unfortunately, his relative passes away before he can reveal anything, forcing Rusty to dig into the mine to collect materials, fight off some creepy crawlies, and figure out why Tumbleton has fallen on such hard times.
SteamWorld Digis a confident indie game that accomplishes a lot in its relatively short length. As Rusty trades materials for coins, he can upgrade himself and his equipment, providing the game with a constant sense of progression.
For the most part, thebest cheap PlayStation gamestend to be short indie titles that can be completed within a few hours. However, there are exceptions.The Legend of Dragoonis a lengthy PS1 JRPG that debuted toward the end of the console’s lifespan, which somewhat limited its commercial potential. Despite its release window, Japan Studio’s game was more than good enough to attract attention and garner a cult following.
Echochromeis one of the PSP’s better games, and the title is available on the PS5 thanks to PS Plus Premium; however, while the main title is great, an argument could be made that its spin-off,Echoshift, has aged more gracefully. This largely comes down to the game’s decision to change perspective to 2D, a graphical alteration that improved the title’s timelessness. The core gameplay loop is not all that different fromEchochrome, in that players find themselves leading a stick figure through a series of puzzles, each one filled with a variety of obstacles.
Echoshift’s main concept is the idea that players create clones of themselves whenever they complete a cycle, and the solution to the puzzles involves interacting with these remnants from the past in order to find the right solution. Although it is not perfect,Echoshiftdelivers a puzzle experience unlike anything else on the PS5 or PS4, except for obviouslyEchochrome.
A lovable classic,Ape Escape 2made its way to the 2013 console as part ofSony’s underutilized PS2 to PS4 project. Only a small percentage of the PS2’s library made the cut, andApe Escape 2is one of the best games to be featured.
The whole point ofApe Escape 2is to catch monkeys, with Hikaru having access to an arsenal of gadgets designed to make the process as straightforward as possible. On the surface, this might sound like it should get repetitive quickly, butApe Escape 2has such an overabundance of personality that the gameplay doesn’t become dull.
Released alongsideBloodstained: Ritual of the Night,Curse of the Moonhas a convincing case for being the superior game of the two. Inspired byCastlevania’s 8-bit era,Curse of the Moonis a short but sweet Metroidvania that pays homage to the classics while modernizing enough elements to qualify as more than just a nostalgia kick.
With four playable characters, a robust selection of difficulty options, and detailed retro visuals,Bloodstained: Curse of the Moonwill impress even those people who never playedSimon’s QuestorDracula’s Curse.
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2is even better but costs $14.99.
Aprequel to the originalShovel Knight,Specter of Tormentchronicles Specter Knight’s quest to form the Order of No Quarter, the Enchantress' powerful knights. Primarily split into stages,Specter of Tormentis not a rethread ofShovel Knight, and that goes for both the game and the protagonist.
Specter Knight is a joy to control since his whole stick is executing accurate movement, giving battles a frantic but controlled pace. Fans ofShovel Knightshould have a blast withSpecter of Torment, while the uninitiated can dip their toes into the franchise with acheap PS4 game.
An action blockbuster starring stick figures,One Finger Death Punch 2is unapologetically simple and also gloriously outrageous. Revolving around two directional inputs, the gameplay revolves entirely around quick reflexes as players must eliminate enemies as quickly as feasible. This premise lends itself to an intense adventure that is surprisingly long and varied, and Silver Dollar went out of its way to make sure that players get their money’s worth with this project.
One Finger Death Punch 2is an absolute blast that, while rather silly at times, takes its action very seriously. The combat loop works well, and the visuals are quite good for a small indie game that does not believe in graphical access.
Floweris still as mesmerizing nowadays as it was in 2009. The game casts players as the wind, asking them to guide petal/s throughout a series of levels. Along the way, the world blossoms around them, creating a gorgeous tapestry that highlights the beauty of life and humanity’s potential to create. A unique experience that holds up well,Floweris simple but rewarding, and its effortless gameplay has a therapeutic quality to it.
Similar to other art games likeJourney,Flowercan be completed in less than two hours, and it feels designed for one-sit playthroughs. That said, the game is fairly replayable since there is essentially no story.
The Forest Quartettackles weighty themes in its two-hour runtime, delivering a touching experience that is maybe slightly let down by average gameplay. Following the death of their singer, the band is planning a memorial; however, the remaining members are struggling to come to terms with what happened. As the frontwoman’s ghost, players visit each living member to try and help them find peace.
Telling a moving story about grief and music,The Forest Quartetshines in its characterization, writing, and soundtrack. The gameplay largely consists of puzzles, and while not bad, they are not particularly memorable either. Still, the overall package is good.
