Nothing beats the excitement of console gaming, but playing PlayStation 4 games on a PC opens up flexibility for gamers. Whether you own a PS4 console or not, modern tools and services bridge the gap between console and PC gaming. Here are the three proven methods: Remote Play, emulation, and cloud streaming to help you play PS4 games on your computer.
Method 1: Use PS Remote Play (For PS4 Owners)
PS Remote Play is Sony’s official app that streams games directly from your PS4 or PS5 to a Windows PC or Mac. This method requires owning a PS4 console and a stable internet connection, which is a minimum of 5 Mbps upload/download. The app mirrors your console’s screen, allowing you to control games using a DualShock 4 controller connected to your PC. Here are the steps:
- On your PS4, navigate to Settings > Remote Play Connection Settings and toggle Enable Remote Play.
- Activate your console as the primary device under Settings > Account Management > Activate as Primary PS4
- Download the app from Sony’s official website and install it on your PC
- Plug your DualShock 4 into your PC via USB. Wireless Bluetooth pairing is not supported unless you own Sony’s DualShock wireless adapter.
- Open the app, sign in with your PlayStation Network account, and select your PS4.
The app will automatically detect your console if both devices are on the same network. Adjust streaming quality (720p or 1080p) based on your internet speed. For minimal lag, use a wired Ethernet connection. Remote Play requires your PS4 to stay powered on, and game performance depends on network stability. Turn PS4 titles into awesome PC gaming with this method.
Method 2: Use fpPS4 Emulator (For Non-PS4 Owners)
fpPS4 is a free, open-source PlayStation 4 emulator that lets you run PS4 games on a Windows PC without owning the console. While still experimental, it supports over 110 games, including Bloodborne and God of War.
- Get the fpPS4 emulator, Launcher-Windows.zip, and PkgEditor from trusted sources.
- Create a folder named fpPS4 on your desktop. Extract Launcher-Windows.zip into it and run launcher.bat.
- Move fpPS4.exe into the Emu subfolder.
- PS4 games must be in .pkg format. Use PkgEditor.exe to extract game files into the Games folder.
- Open the launcher, select your game, and click Run fpPS4. Note that only Xbox controllers are natively supported.
Emulation requires high-end PC hardware (for example, Intel i7 CPU, NVIDIA RTX GPU), and game files may violate copyright laws if obtained illegally.
Method 3: Stream via PlayStation Plus Premium
Sony’s PlayStation Plus Premium subscription ($17.99/month) includes access to a library of all PlayStation games streamable to PC via the PlayStation Plus app. Unlike Remote Play, this service doesn’t require owning a PS4.
- Sign up for the Premium tier on Sony’s website.
- Install the app on your desktop computer/PC and use your PlayStation Network account to log in.
- Use a DualShock 4, Xbox, or third-party controller via USB or Bluetooth.
- Streaming quality varies with internet speed, and the game library is smaller than Xbox Game Pass.
How to Choose the Right Method?
Choosing the right method is like choosing the best online casino because you don’t want to lose money. Instead, you want to win in Winzie Casino and other platforms like 888. The same is true for PS4 games because you don’t want to waste time.
The first method is the Remote Play, which is suitable for PS4 owners. It is free and has official support with complete access to the game library. However, it requires you to keep your PS4 powered on.
On the other hand, PlayStation Plus Premium does not require a console and provides instant access to classic games. However, it has subscription costs and a limited game selection. Tech enthusiasts can play without a console using the fpPS4 emulator with customized settings.
However, this emulator exists in a legally gray area. FpPS4 may also be hard on hardware. The good news is that you can play PS4 games on your PC – something that is not possible is playing PS2 games on PPSSPP. Anyways, choosing any of these methods depends on your preferences and how you want to play the games.
Final Words
Playing PS4 games on a PC is achievable through Remote Play if you own a console, PlayStation Plus Premium for cloud streaming, or emulation for tech-savvy users. Each method balances convenience, cost, and performance, so choose based on your setup and preferences. Always ensure you legally own games when using emulators, and prioritize a wired internet connection for smoother streaming.
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