What are the best arcade games on PS4? Arcade is far from dead, and it lives on through many excellent games on Sony's system. Arcade used to mean change-guzzling coin-op machines featuring fast-paced and addictive games. That first bit is done away with on PS4, of course, but arcade-like games are plentiful on the console.
Spanning a wide range of genres, arcade games come in all shapes and sizes, typically championing high scores, big combos, and one-more-go gameplay. It's applicable to all kinds of games — for example, arcade racers like Burnout Paradise Remastered, shooters such as Nex Machina, and beat-'em-ups like Streets of Rage 4. There are so many great games that have an arcade-like feel.
With so many to play, we need your help in tracking down the best arcade games on PS4. This list is powered by the Push Square community and your user ratings. The games that appear and in what order is decided by your votes, slowly shifting around as you have your say. You can use the below search bar to find arcade games on PS4 and give your ratings.
Please note that games require at least 20 ratings before they appear on this page. If your favourite PS4 arcade title isn't here, it might just be it needs more ratings, so make sure to get those votes in.
Anyway, enough waffle — here are the best arcade games on PS4, as chosen by you.
20. Need for Speed Heat (PS4)
Need for Speed Heat brings the series back on track after a couple of troubled outings on PS4. By day, you'll be taking part in sanctioned races throughout Palm City. By night, you turn to illegal street racing to build your Rep, but this will attract the attention of the brutal police force. Balancing these two sides of the game is its main strength, but it's overall a fun open world arcade racer with great customisation and lots of cars to choose from. It's not perfect, but this is still the best Need for Speed in a good while.
19. Everybody's Golf (PS4)
Developer Clap Hanz has been making cheerful, all-ages golf sims for a long time now, and it's only gotten better over time. The simply-named Everybody's Golf on PS4 is arguably the best iteration yet; the simple three-click gameplay remains as satisfying as ever, the physics are a fine balance of forgiving and realistic, and it looks and sounds very pleasant indeed. It features a new, semi-open structure, as well as fishing and, of course, plenty of customisation options. The online features are sadly a thing of the past, but this is still a lovely arcade golf game to play alone or with pals.
18. Gang Beasts (PS4)
Gang Beasts is a hilarious party brawler that banks on its shonky physics to produce sheer chaos. You and up to three others attempt to knock each other out in a variety of creative stages, controlling colourful, wobbly men as they deliver haymakers and hoist each other up. It's very simple but often results in hysterics, making for a brilliant game to bring out with a few buddies over.
17. Peggle 2 (PS4)
The hype surrounding the unveiling of Peggle 2 was kind of tongue-in-cheek, but the thing is, it's a legitimately great game. Like the first game, it's all about sending little balls down each level, hitting pegs to score points as they fall. The unpredictable physics combine with all sorts of ways to increase your score, and the result is a potently compelling mix that'll keep you playing for hours. The one more go effect is in full force here, and it's incredibly satisfying when you pull off a great move.
16. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered (PS4)
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered revives the Criterion-developed cops n' robbers racer on PS4, and it's more than welcome. Though the visuals aren't the greatest nowadays, the gameplay holds up wonderfully. It's an arcade racing title through and through — high speeds, epic drifts around sweeping corners, and slow-mo crash cams make this more akin to Burnout than NFS. Still, it's a slick and highly entertaining game, whether you're chasing down racers and deploying spike strips, or running away from the police with evasive action. The Autolog system that constantly pits you against your friends is the cherry on top.
15. Dead Nation: Apocalypse Edition (PS4)
With Dead Nation: Apocalypse Edition, developer Housemarque turns its arcade sensibilities to a zombie shooter, resulting in some intense action. Essentially a twin-stick shooter, you (and a co-op buddy if you like) must fend off hordes of the undead, using a variety of weapons and environmental traps to mow down the masses. It's not the studio's best title, but if you're looking for some simple shoot-everything thrills, this definitely gets the job done.
14. Trials Fusion (PS4)
Trials Fusion is the definition of the one-more-go factor. This side-scrolling motorbike platforming title presents you with a seemingly endless supply of tricky levels, with the aim of beating them as fast as possible. It's only through many attempts you'll start to achieve target times, but the real game begins when you're competing with your friends. Deliriously addictive, this is an absolute blast — but we can't be held accountable for any friends you might lose on the road to victory.
13. Alienation (PS4)
Alienation is another winner from developer Housemarque. This colourful, explosive arcade shooter is a fast-paced and addictive good time, full of aliens to blast away with a variety of weapons and skills. Working through the campaign and beyond, either alone or in online co-op, is a blast, and the studio's signature style means the screen is never short of eye-opening particle effects. It's not particularly deep, but it's an intuitive, addictive game from the off.
12. Nex Machina (PS4)
Among Housemarque's best games, Nex Machina is an exquisite arcade shooter. Developed in collaboration with arcade gaming royalty Eugene Jarvis, this is a twin-stick shooter that has you zipping through hundreds of levels, keeping your score up by mowing down hordes of enemies. It's incredibly addictive chasing higher and higher scores, and a high level of challenge means you always have a new mountain to conquer. Incredibly responsive and a feast for the eyes, Nex Machina is fantastic.
11. Until Dawn: Rush of Blood (PS4)
This PSVR rail shooter really will get your blood pumping. Until Dawn: Rush of Blood takes you on a horrifying rollercoaster ride as you shoot targets and deal with all manner of jump scares and other terrors. Multiple routes through the stages are there to discover, and online leaderboards will keep you coming back to chase up those high scores.
Comments 5
Galaga should be #1. C’mon now!
Still better stuff in the arcades especially 80s & 90s
Glad to see Housemarque is well represented.
SoF 4 is one of my favorite couch co-op brawlers of forever. I think Dotemu are the best at brawlers.
@Cashews SOR4 is the king of beatemups.
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