When Sony rolled out the September 7 PS5 system software update, it did more than add party screen sharing and faster game joining. It introduced 1440p HDMI video output, a quiet little key that unlocked a vault of older titles. In 2026, that vault is still glowing. The PS5 and PS5 Pro have turned backward compatibility into a kind of time machine with a turbo button, letting players revisit PS4 games at 60 FPS, sharper resolutions, and with DualSense feedback that makes old controllers feel like wooden spoons. The PS5's SSD is a stagehand who clears an entire set between the audience's blinks. The 1440p update was a pair of reading glasses for a library of older games—suddenly every fine print of texture and reflection became legible. And DualSense haptics turn each weapon into a braille edition of combat, letting fingers read recoil, resistance, and the difference between a pistol and a plasma cutter.

Here are ten PS4 games that still deserve a PS5 playthrough in 2026, ranked by how dramatically the newer hardware rewrites their original limits.

🗡️ Dark Souls 3

FromSoftware's 2016 action RPG was already a critically acclaimed apocalypse. On PS5, it runs at 60 FPS with no fuss, while the Xbox Series X version remained capped at 30 FPS for years. That difference is not cosmetic. It is the difference between reading a battle and feeling it in the wrists. Players who bounced off the original due to uneven frame pacing now find a silky, almost ceremonial rhythm. In 2026, Dark Souls 3 remains one of the best-running Souls games on console, and the PS5 is the reason.

🚇 Metro Exodus

Metro Exodus' winding tunnels and grimy train tracks were always atmospheric. On PS5, the game's 60 FPS upgrade and DualSense adaptive triggers make each weapon feel distinct. The controller mirrors the tension of a real trigger, so a shaky hand in a dark tunnel becomes part of the story. Its illuminative aesthetic is a hauntingly glorious sight, and the PS5 does not just hold a candle to the PS4 version—it sets the old console's limitations ablaze.

🌀 Control: Ultimate Edition

The PS4 struggled to digest Control: Ultimate Edition's intense graphics, often dropping frames during its most chaotic fights. The PS5, by contrast, exhibits complete control. Graphics Mode delivers crisp 1440p visuals that show off the game's many reflective surfaces, while Performance Mode pushes 60 FPS with native 4K. In 2026, Control remains a showcase for ray tracing and destruction, and the PS5 finally lets its oldest house breathe.

⚔️ Final Fantasy VII Remake

Final Fantasy VII Remake was seemingly built for the PS5. The update doubled its frame rate to 60 FPS, smoothed gameplay, and sharpened textures. Cloud's sword swings feel more immediate, and Sephiroth's flowing silver hair—which surely uses an entire bottle of shampoo and conditioner per wash—looks even more imposing. The PS5 excels at making great RPG villains feel like weather events.

🏍️ Days Gone

Days Gone mimics a live-action style so convincingly that a quick glance could mistake it for a Hollywood blockbuster. On PS5, the Game Boost patch brings it to life, cutting loading times in half and delivering unreal 4K resolution. The game likely will not receive a sequel in the near future, but playing it on PS5 cushions that disappointment. It is a zombie apocalypse with a cinematographer's eye.

🌌 No Man's Sky

No Man's Sky disappointed many at launch, but years of updates transformed it into the game it promised to be. On PS5, 60 FPS, 4K resolution, fast loading, and detailed settings sharply increase its replay value. DualSense haptic feedback and 3D audio make firing a Boltcaster and feeling artificial terrain changes satisfying. Known as one of the least stressful multiplayer games, No Man's Sky becomes even easier to sink into with the PS5's graphical muscle.

🗿 Shadow of the Colossus

Shadow of the Colossus is one of the most improved remasters ever made. The PS2 classic sparkles on PS5, adapting to 4K and a pristine 60 FPS. After its PS5 patch, its expansive landscapes and 16 colossi battles feel monumental all over again. As the nameless hero takes down towering creatures, players can take in a vast, detailed world that owes its second life to the console's processing power.

🧟 The Last of Us Part 2

The Last of Us Part 2 arrived at the tail end of the PS4 era, but the PS5 leaves that version in the dust. Game Boost upscales from 1440p to 4K and adds satin-like smoothness. Every drop of blood from the undead looks sharper, character animations are more expressive, and DualSense makes each reloaded chamber feel like a breath of life. In 2026, with the series expanded on TV and in remasters, this remains the definitive way to experience Ellie's brutal journey.

🌸 Ghost of Tsushima

With the Director's Cut and PS5 specs, even Ghost of Tsushima's armor looks its best. The game's replay value may never diminish, and its elaborate sword fights become exceptional at 60 FPS with DualSense resistance. Loading times vanish in a flash, which matters when the landscapes seem endless. In 2026, Ghost of Tsushima remains a samurai fantasy that plays as beautifully as it looks.

🪓 God of War

As Kratos and his son uncover the secrets of the nine realms, PS5 players witness the Norse regions with strikingly beautiful coloring and ripe combat movements. The 2018 reboot was already considered one of the best games of all time. With the PS5's Enhanced Performance Mode, it runs in checkerboard 4K with deep learning super sampling and 60 FPS. DualSense rumbling during climbing or rowing a boat makes the journey tactile. In 2026, God of War remains a benchmark for cinematic action.

The September 7 update may be old news in 2026, but its 1440p HDMI output helped establish a baseline: older games do not have to feel old. With the PS5 Pro and continued patches, the console has become a museum where every exhibit is allowed to run at its best. For players who missed these titles the first time, or for veterans seeking a smoother trip, the PS5 library offers a rare gift—a second chance without the waiting.