The 20+ Most Popular PS4 Games Of 2023, Ranked By Players

If you thought the PS4 was “last gen” and therefore dead, 2023 politely disagreed and dropped a controller on your foot. The PlayStation 4 quietly stayed one of the busiest consoles on the planet, with millions of players still grinding ranks, chasing trophies, and yelling at strangers over voice chat (in the most sportsmanlike way, of course).

This ranking of the most popular PS4 games of 2023 is based on a mix of real-world data: PlayStation Store download charts, “most-played” lists, long-term best-seller data, and community buzz. In other words, these are the games people actually played, not just the ones that critics wrote love letters to.

How We Ranked the Most Popular PS4 Games of 2023

To keep this list grounded in reality and not just vibes, we combined several signals:

• PlayStation Store top downloads for 2023 – which games people were still buying and downloading in huge numbers.
• Most-played PS4/PS5 charts – cross-gen games that still had massive activity on PS4.
• Long-term best-seller data – evergreen giants that refuse to leave the top charts even years after launch.
• Community polls and player discussion – what players actually talked about, argued over, and recommended.

Popularity here is a mix of player count, engagement, and cultural presence. So yes, some of these are older titles that simply refuse to die (looking at you, GTA V), while others are 2023 releases that exploded on PS4 the moment they dropped.

The 20+ Most Popular PS4 Games of 2023, Ranked By Players

1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II / III

It wouldn’t be a modern PlayStation list without Call of Duty sitting near the top. Between Modern Warfare II (late 2022) and Modern Warfare III (late 2023), the series dominated PS4 lobbies all year. Ranked, casual, Warzone tie-ins, weapon grinding, and seasonal Battle Passes kept players logging in night after night.

Why players love it: tight gunplay, fast time-to-kill, and endless progression. Whether you were sweating in ranked or just trying not to go 0–15 in Team Deathmatch, CoD was the default “after work” game for millions of PS4 owners.

2. Fortnite

Fortnite remains the undisputed king of “just one more match.” On PS4 in 2023, it kept thriving thanks to constant updates, new seasons, wild crossovers, and the still-controversial but widely loved Zero Build mode.

It’s free, runs well on PS4, and is where a huge chunk of the younger console audience hangs out. For many players, it’s less “a game” and more “a social platform with shotguns and anime skins.”

3. Grand Theft Auto V

GTA V is like that roommate who never moved out but somehow keeps paying the rent on time. The single-player story remains iconic, but it’s GTA Online that made it one of the most consistently played PS4 games of 2023.

From heists and role-play servers to car meets and chaotic free-roam sessions, GTA V’s online world still feels alive. With constant in-game events and discounts, many PS4 players simply never left Los Santos.

4. Minecraft

On PS4, Minecraft is the eternal sandbox. In 2023, players continued building mega-cities, hardcore survival worlds, and cursed redstone contraptions that almost melt the console.

Its cross-platform nature means PS4 owners can play with friends on other systems, and its low barrier to entry makes it perfect for families, creative players, and anyone who likes turning cubes into art (or chaos).

5. EA Sports FC 24 & FIFA 23

The soccer crowd never logs off. Early 2023 was still dominated by FIFA 23, while the fall brought EA Sports FC 24, the new era of the franchise. On PS4, both games had massive online modes, from Ultimate Team to Pro Clubs.

Weekend League stress, last-minute equalizers, and heated friend matches made these football sims some of the most played PS4 games all year, especially in regions where soccer is basically a second religion.

6. Hogwarts Legacy

Hogwarts Legacy turned millions of players into fifth-year students with suspiciously powerful combat skills. The PS4 version arrived a bit later than PS5, but demand was enormousespecially for players who hadn’t upgraded consoles yet.

Players loved roaming the castle, exploring Hogsmeade, and flying over the Scottish Highlands on a broom. The combination of nostalgia, open-world exploration, and flashy spell combat made it one of 2023’s standout single-player hits on PS4.

7. Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 remains a powerhouse years after release. In 2023, many PS4 players either revisited Arthur Morgan’s journey or finally tackled their backlog and realized, “Oh, this really is one of the greatest games ever made.”

It’s not the fastest game, but that’s exactly the appeal: cinematic storytelling, incredible writing, and a world that feels hand-crafted. It’s the game you boot up when you want immersion instead of sweaty competition.

8. NBA 2K23

The NBA 2K series is a staple on PS4, and NBA 2K23 was no exception in 2023. Between MyCareer, MyTeam, and online park/pro-am modes, hoop fans had endless reasons to grind badges and VC.

2K is also one of those games that dominates living rooms: couch rivalries, “loser passes the controller,” and spontaneous tournaments all help keep it near the top of the PS4 activity charts.

9. Madden NFL 24 (and Madden NFL 23)

American football fans on PS4 split their time between Madden NFL 23 and Madden NFL 24. Franchise mode diehards, Ultimate Team grinders, and head-to-head rivals kept servers busy throughout the 2023 season.

While debates about gameplay balance never stop, the reality is simple: if you love the NFL and you own a PS4, Madden is almost mandatory.

10. Diablo IV

Diablo IV became the go-to “log in, smash demons, get loot” game for many PS4 players. Its dark art style, build variety, and seasonal content gave it serious staying power.

Even with some ups and downs in balance, the core loop of dropping into Sanctuary with friends, tearing through dungeons, and watching legendaries explode from enemies kept players returning season after season.

11. Resident Evil 4 (Remake)

The Resident Evil 4 Remake took a beloved classic and modernized it without losing the charm. On PS4, it became one of the year’s most impressive single-player experiences, blending horror, action, and over-the-top set pieces.

Veterans replayed it for the 12th time, while new players finally understood why people never shut up about “that village section.” The result: lots of screaming, lots of knife parries, and a very busy chainsaw man.

12. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege

Rainbow Six Siege is the definition of a long-tail hit. Years after launch, the tactical shooter still had a huge PS4 player base in 2023. New operators, maps, and balance tweaks kept the meta evolving.

Compared to run-and-gun shooters, Siege rewards slow, methodical play: leaning, sound cues, drone intel, and creative breaching. It’s the game you play when you want strategy and stress in equal measure.

13. The Last of Us Part II

Thanks in part to the wildly successful HBO adaptation of The Last of Us, interest in the series surged again. Many PS4 owners either replayed or finally finished The Last of Us Part II in 2023.

It’s brutal, emotionally heavy, and visually stunning for PS4 hardware. Even without multiplayer, strong word of mouth and story discussions kept it very relevant throughout the year.

14. Elden Ring

Elden Ring officially launched in 2022, but 2023 was the year a lot of people on PS4 finally decided to see what all the “Git Gud” memes were about. With its massive open world, co-op options, and huge build variety, the game stayed incredibly active.

For many players, it became the ultimate “one more boss attempt” gamewhere “one more” quietly turns into three hours and a new build idea.

15. God of War Ragnarök

God of War Ragnarök is a technical flex on PS4 and one of the most cinematic action games available on the console. In 2023, plenty of players were still working through its lengthy campaign, side quests, and endgame challenges.

The combination of father-son storytelling, crunchy combat, and mythological spectacle made it a must-play for story-driven gamers who hadn’t jumped to PS5 yet.

16. Apex Legends

Apex Legends stayed a staple of the PS4 battle royale scene. Its ping system, fast movement, and hero abilities give it a distinct feel compared to Warzone or Fortnite.

Rotating maps, new legends, and regular balance updates kept the meta fresh, while cross-play ensured PS4 players always had full lobbies to drop into (and immediately get third-partied in).

17. Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is part open-world RPG, part gacha, part “I swear I’m just logging in for my dailies.” On PS4, it remained huge in 2023 thanks to constant new regions, story quests, and character banners.

Its anime art style and co-op features make it perfect for both solo players and friend groups who want to explore together and flex their carefully built characters.

18. Rocket League

Rocket League is still unmatched when it comes to simple-to-learn, impossible-to-master gameplay. Soccer with rocket-powered cars sounds silly until you find yourself training aerials and arguing about rotations.

On PS4 in 2023, its free-to-play model and cross-play support kept it busy, especially among friend groups looking for something competitive but slightly less sweaty than a tactical shooter.

19. WWE 2K23

WWE 2K23 kept wrestling fans entertained with a surprisingly strong entry in the long-running series. Between MyGM, MyRise, Universe mode, and an absurdly detailed creation suite, players spent hours building dream feuds and chaotic PPVs.

Local multiplayer also made it a go-to party game: nothing bonds friends like putting each other through tables in 4-way ladder matches.

20. MLB The Show 23

Baseball fans on PS4 continued to flock to MLB The Show 23. From Road to the Show to Diamond Dynasty, it offered deep modes for both solo and online players.

Its year-round live content and authentic presentation made it the default sports sim for anyone who cares more about batting averages than passing yards.

21. The Forest

Thanks to streaming and word of mouth, The Forest enjoyed a new wave of attention on PS4. The survival-horror crafting hybrid is perfect for co-op chaos: one minute you’re chopping trees, the next you’re screaming because something moved in the dark.

Its mix of base building, exploration, and genuinely unsettling enemies gave PS4 players a different flavor of survival game than the usual zombie or sci-fi fare.

22. Need for Speed Heat

While newer racers exist, Need for Speed Heat stayed popular on PS4, especially in regions where street-racing fantasy never goes out of style. Daytime sanctioned races and risky nighttime heat-building runs gave players two distinct vibes in one game.

Custom cars, neon aesthetics, and arcade-style handling made it a favorite for players who wanted something faster and flashier than realistic sims.

How to Choose Which Popular PS4 Game to Play Next

Staring at this list and feeling overwhelmed? Here’s a quick way to narrow it down:

• Want competitive multiplayer? Try Call of Duty, Fortnite, Rainbow Six Siege, Apex Legends, or Rocket League.
• Want single-player story? Go for Red Dead Redemption 2, The Last of Us Part II, God of War Ragnarök, or Resident Evil 4.
• Want co-op with friends? Diablo IV, Minecraft, The Forest, and GTA Online are all great picks.
• Sports fan? EA Sports FC / FIFA, NBA 2K23, Madden, MLB The Show, or WWE 2K23 will eat your weekends.

The PS4 library is so strong that in 2023 it still felt like a current-gen platform, especially if you mainly play third-party and live-service titles.

Experiences and Tips: Getting the Most Out of 2023’s Most Popular PS4 Games

Numbers and rankings are useful, but what really matters is how these games feel to live with day-to-day. Here are some practical, experience-based tips and observations to help you squeeze more fun (and less frustration) out of your PS4 time.

Balance Your “Forever Games” and Your Story Games

Many of the titles above are what players call “forever games”: Call of Duty, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Rocket League, sports titles, and live-service RPGs like Genshin Impact and Diablo IV. They’re designed to be played in short but frequent bursts, with constant progression and seasonal updates.

That’s great for keeping a regular gaming habit, but it also makes it easy to ignore your story backlog. A smart approach is to pair one or two forever games with a single-player adventure. For example, play a few matches of Fortnite or CoD on weeknights, then devote weekend sessions to Red Dead Redemption 2 or The Last of Us Part II. You’ll still keep up with your friends and battle passes, but you won’t miss out on some of the best narratives the PS4 has to offer.

Use Cross-Play to Keep Your PS4 Relevant

Even if your friends have moved to PS5 or PC, games like Fortnite, Rocket League, Apex Legends, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty, and Diablo IV make it easy to keep playing together thanks to cross-play. That makes the PS4 an excellent “second console” or budget machine in 2023 and beyond.

If you’re still on PS4, don’t feel pressured to upgrade just to stay social. Instead, take a weekend to link all your accounts (Epic, Activision, EA, etc.), turn on cross-play options, and you’ll instantly open up your player pooland your party chat options.

Optimize Your Storage and Load Times

One very real PS4 experience in 2023: constantly running out of storage. Big games like Call of Duty, Diablo IV, and modern sports titles eat up 100GB or more, especially with texture packs and expansions.

A few tips that genuinely improve quality of life:

• Install only 1–2 “huge” live-service games at a time if you’re on a base 500GB model.
• Use an external SSD or HDD to keep long-term favorites like GTA V and Minecraft handy without filling your internal drive.
• Turn off automatic downloads for games you don’t play anymore; you can always reinstall later.

On top of that, installing an internal SSD (if you’re comfortable doing so) can noticeably improve load times for many of these titles, making open-world games and frequent reload-screens a lot less annoying.

Play to Your Mood, Not Just the Meta

It’s tempting to only play whatever is “meta,” especially in competitive games. But some of the best PS4 experiences in 2023 came from players who stepped off the ranked treadmill and chose games that fit their mood instead.

Had a long, stressful day? Maybe skip sweaty battle royales and boot up Minecraft or The Forest for some relaxed base building. Want a cinematic night? Pick God of War Ragnarök or The Last of Us Part II and treat it like watching a prestige TV show you control.

The beauty of the PS4’s 2023 library is that there’s always something that matches your energy levelwhether that’s “I want to min-max a Diablo build” or “I want to ride a horse through a sunset and think about life.”

Use Popular Games as a Gateway to New Genres

Because these games are so widely played, they’re great entry points into genres you might not normally touch. If you love the shooting in Call of Duty, Rainbow Six Siege can introduce you to slower, more tactical FPS gameplay. If FIFA or EA Sports FC is your comfort game, Rocket League can soften the jump from sports to arcade competitive titles.

Similarly, if you enjoyed Hogwarts Legacy and its open-world exploration, Red Dead Redemption 2 or Elden Ring might be your next big adventure. The transition can feel surprisingly natural once you realize the core loopexplore, upgrade, overcomeis similar even when the settings are wildly different.

Remember That “Popular” Doesn’t Have to Mean “Forever”

Finally, don’t feel obligated to stick with a game just because it’s popular. One healthy mindset shift many PS4 players made in 2023 was treating big live-service games like “seasons of a show” rather than a permanent commitment. Play a season of Fortnite or Diablo IV, have fun, and then move on to another game without guilt.

The PS4 has one of the richest libraries in gaming history. Use these 20+ popular games as anchors, but give yourself permission to bounce between them. The goal isn’t just to keep up with what everyone else is playingit’s to actually enjoy the time you spend holding that DualShock controller.

Conclusion: The PS4 Era Isn’t Over Yet

In 2023, the PS4 proved it’s still very much alive, powered by massive online ecosystems, endlessly replayable sports titles, and some of the best single-player games ever made. Whether you’re dropping into a battle royale, grinding for loot, or losing yourself in a story that feels like a prestige TV series, the console still delivers.

If you’re wondering whether it’s “too late” to start or return to any of these games, the answer is simple: no. The servers are busy, the communities are active, and your backlog is patiently waiting. Pick a game that fits your mood, clear some space on your hard drive, and let 2023’s most popular PS4 titles remind you why this console generation refuses to fade away.