Previously on My Gaming History…

1. ColecoVision
2. Atari 2600
3. Nintendo Entertainment System
4. Game Boy
5. Super Nintendo
6. Nintendo 64
7. PlayStation
8. PlayStation 2
9. PC Gaming
10. GameCube
11. Game Boy Advance
12. Wii
13. PlayStation 3

The PlayStation 4 has been a remarkable console. While I was late to the party, getting one primarily to swing around New York in Marvel’s Spider-Man, I’ve enjoyed my time with Sony’s black parallelogram. As the PS4 rides off into the sunset, I wanted to share some of my favorite gaming memories from the past generation.

First, a quick history lesson. The PS4 launched way back in November 2013 and instantly became a hit, selling over a million consoles in North America alone on release. With its sleek design, powerful AMD processor, and gamer-friendly policies, it represented a huge leap from the PlayStation 3. Sony smartly focused on ease of use, enabling gamers to easily share clips and screenshots, stream games, and download digital titles. The PS4 has since sold over 106 million units as of December 2019, making it the second best-selling home console of all time behind only the PlayStation 2. Not too shabby.

But enough about sales figures – let’s talk games. As a Star Wars fan, I sunk countless hours into DICE’s Star Wars Battlefront reboot. While light on content at launch, it nailed the look and feel of classic Star Wars locales and the unique thrill of 40-player battles. Those graphics still hold up.

I also have to give a shout-out to Final Fantasy XV. Sure, it was a bit of a mess narratively, but cruising around in the Regalia with my boy band buddies and battling massive creatures was a delight. The same goes for Final Fantasy VII Remake – stepping into the reimagined world of Midgar was a jaw-dropping experience. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age proved that one of the most underrated entries in the series deserved a second chance.

On the stealth-action front, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain let me live out my Special Forces fantasies with its reactive open world and limitless tactical options. Horizon Zero Dawn also created an instantly iconic world full of mystery and robot dinosaurs. I still get chills thinking about sneaking through tall grass to override my first Tallneck.

The PS4 was home to incredible story-driven games as well. The Last of Us nudged the medium forward with its masterful mix of stealth, survival, and character-driven drama. Red Dead Redemption 2 is basically a playable season of Deadwood. And games like Tomb Raider, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and the criminally underplayed Injustice 2 delivered top-notch cinematic action.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the other gems. Civilization VI proved consoles could handle dense 4X strategy. MLB The Show 19 was my first baseball game in years and I couldn’t put it down. And Mortal Kombat X and 11 continued the franchise’s brutal evolution (RIP my DualShock 4 controllers).

Looking back, the PS4 provided so many unforgettable experiences. These are just some of my personal favorites – I’d love to hear about yours in the comments below! As we enter a new console generation, it’s amazing to reflect on how far gaming has come. Thanks for the memories, PS4. You were one heck of a ride.