Great PlayStation Games Under $10

PS5 and PS4 owners do not need to break the bank to play an amazing game.

It’s the holiday season, and that means it is officially one of the best times of year to snag presents. PlayStation users 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.

RELATED: Best Games That Frequently Go On Sale

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. These PS4 games might be inexpensive but they are anything but “cheap.”

Here are some of the best PlayStation games under $10. A few of the games are also available on PS5, but no PS3 titles will be included since most of those are under $10 by this point.

Updated January 7, 2023 by Mark Sammut: Gaming can be an expensive hobby, even with services like PS Plus Extra and Premium granting subscribers access to a large library for a monthly fee. AAA titles typically cost more than $50, and while they are frequently worth that price, it is still a lot of money to spend on a regular basis. The PS Store is absolutely packed with budget options, but there are so many titles to sift through that the standout projects can get lost in the shuffle. Luckily, there are plenty of cheap PS5 and PS4 games that are awesome.

Nexomon – $9.99

Available on PS5 and PS4

Looking for something similar to Pokemon but don’t feel like investing in Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth? If the answer is yes, then Nexomon is the game to consider. This PS5 and PS4 game doesn’t hide the fact it is inspired by Nintendo’s popular franchise, with the visuals, monster designs, and gameplay all sharing plenty in common with Pokemon; however, Nexomon should not be dismissed as just a cheap clone.

Nexomon’s selling point is its massive roster of monsters, most of which have cute and charming designs. The turn-based combat gets the job done, although it does have some balancing issues.

Metrico+ – $6.99

Available on PS4 and PS Vita

Originally released on the PS Vita before being ported to the PS4, Metrico+ is an eye-catching indie game that has a fascinating central mechanic. The environment changes depending on the player’s actions; for example, moving to the right could cause a platform to do the same.

This idea is executed quite well by the puzzle platformer, and the game maintains a steady level of difficulty throughout its 4-hour campaign.

Bloodstained: Curse Of The Moon – $9.99

Available on PS4

Released alongside Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Curse of the Moon has a convincing case for being the superior game of the two. Inspired by Castlevania’s 8-bit era, Curse of the Moon is a short but sweet Metroidvania that pays homage to the classics while modernizing enough elements to qualify as more than just a nostalgia kick.

RELATED: The Best Games In The Castlevania Franchise Ranked (According To Metacritic)

With four playable characters, a robust selection of difficulty options, and detailed retro visuals, Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon will impress even those people who never played Simon’s Quest or Dracula’s Curse.

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 is even better but costs $14.99.

Among Us – $4.99

Available on PS5 and PS4

Among Us has 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 as astronauts 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 Us delivers 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 Us can be relied upon for a good time.

SteamWorld Dig – $9.99

Available on PS4

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 Dig is 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.

Blaster Master Zero 2 – $9.99

Available on PS4

Developed by Inti Creates, Blaster Master Zero 2 builds upon the foundations of its 2017 predecessor, which is also available on the PS4 for the same price. The sequel improves in small but notable ways over the first Blaster Master Zero, providing more variety in weaponry and level design. The game is split into a few different gameplay styles, although the majority of the campaign is spent in side-scrolling platforming and top-down action.

Blaster Master Zero 2 is a throwback to retro games, and nostalgia for the Blaster Master NES and SNES classics might influence someone’s appreciation for the new titles. That said, Zero 2 is a polished project with charming characters and solid gameplay.

Ape Escape 2 – $9.99

Available on PS4

A lovable classic, Ape Escape 2 made its way to the 2013 console as part of Sony’s underutilized PS2 to PS4 project. Only a small percentage of the PS2’s library made the cut, and Ape Escape 2 is one of the best games to be featured.

The whole point of Ape Escape 2 is 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, but Ape Escape 2 has such an overabundance of personality that the gameplay doesn’t become dull.

Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment – $9.99

Available on PS4

A prequel to the original Shovel Knight, Specter of Torment chronicles Specter Knight’s quest to form the Order of No Quarter, the Enchantress’ powerful knights. Primarily split into stages, Specter of Torment is not a rethread of Shovel Knight, and that goes for both the game and the protagonist.

RELATED: Game Prequels Better Than The Original (According To Metacritic)

Specter Knight is a joy to control since his whole stick is executing accurate movement, giving battles a frantic but controlled pace. Fans of Shovel Knight should have a blast with Specter of Torment, while the uninitiated can dip their toes into the franchise with a cheap PS4 game.

Retro City Rampage DX – $9.99

Available on PS4

Available across a wide array of platforms, Retro City Rampage DX is an over-the-top parody of old-school gaming and ’80s movies. In the main city, the game plays out like the top-down Grand Theft Auto entries, and Retro City Rampage DX matches Rockstar’s projects in terms of pure chaos and violence. The map is littered with stages that present a short gameplay diversion, and they often take inspiration from classic genres and franchises.

Retro City Rampage DX is a love letter to gaming’s past that also manages to be a fun time for those who did not grow up with the NES or Genesis. As variety is the name of the game, levels fluctuate in terms of quality, but they rarely completely miss the mark. When they land, they hit a bullseye.

Ikaruga – $9.99

Available on PS4

Regarded as one of the best shmups to ever grace gaming, 2001’s Ikaruga has aged like a fine glass of wine. In a genre notoriously known for being unforgivably difficult, Ikaruga makes most of its contemporaries look like walks in the park. Despite its high challenge, the shoot ’em up’s tight gameplay means that it rarely feels unfair.

Shmups, in general, are not easy games to recommend to people who are not already fans of the genre. That said, if there is one 2D shooter that can convert a nonbeliever, it is Ikaruga. For $9.99, this game is a steal.

A Short Hike – $7.99

Available on PS4

Claire, a bird, arrives at a park where she will be spending the day. As she is waiting for an important call, she decides to climb up to the top of the trail in order to get a signal. Along the way, Claire can interact with other travelers who are just going about their day.

A Short Hike is a short and sweet game that encourages players to explore Hawk Peak Provincial Park and seek out NPCs. Claire’s journey lasts as long as someone wants it to, and the trip is generally relaxing.

Psychonauts – $9.99

Available on PS4

Psychonauts 2 made quite a splash earlier this year, hopefully introducing a whole new audience to Double Fine’s creative series. Newcomers who wish to get the full experience should consider picking up 2005’s Psychonauts since the PS2 game was ported to the PS4.

RELATED: Best Platforming Games For Kids

Although dated in a few ways, Psychonauts holds up surprisingly well, particularly its ambitious narrative, awesome characters, and imaginative level design. The gameplay isn’t quite as enjoyable as some of the platforming genre’s biggest names, but it is more than serviceable.

Quake – $9.99

Available on PS5 and PS4

One of 2021’s most random surprises, Quake was suddenly released on previous and current generation consoles. The original game helped cement the FPS genre as a staple of gaming, and the remaster goes out of its way to not only do justice by Quake’s legacy but also enhance the experience.

This version of Quake is the nicest the game has ever looked, and it comes package with a ridiculous amount of content. Along with the base campaign and its mission packs, the remaster includes MachineGames’ “Dimension of the Past” and a whole new episode called “Dimension of the Machine.”

Limbo – $9.99

Available on PS4

Limbo is impeccable. Playdead’s puzzle-platformer revolves around a child who is trying to find his missing sister, and the indie game makes this intense adventure one to remember. Boasting a stylish aesthetic that complements the grim storyline, Limbo looks great, plays splendidly, and features some truly unforgettable imagery.

This is one of those games that almost everyone should try to play at one point or another. While typically costing $9.99, Limbo is often on sale and can be picked up for much cheaper.

MORE: Story-Heavy Games To Play If You Loved The Last Of Us, Ranked By Metacritic