1st Day Buy: The Best 15 PlayStation 4 Launch Titles

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If you didn’t catch last week’s Gamescom press conference for Sony, then you missed one of the best introductions to next-gen gaming you’ll ever see. Don’t fret though, gamers, as we have you locked and loaded with all the information you need.

The PlayStation 4 will be available here in the U.S. on November 15th, which is just in time for the holidays, and will drop 33 games. A mixture of first, third-party, indie, physical and digital titles will all be available by December. That’s a healthy increase from back when the PlayStation 2 announced its batch of releases (29 to be exact).

With an impressive sum as we’ve seen from the launch of previous consoles, the PlayStation 4 is looking mighty strong in the much ballyhooed “console wars.” As the final few months of 2013 look to be a high for video game fans both domestic and abroad, we’ve narrowed down the Top 15 Day One PlayStation 4 Launch Titles worth checking out.

Photo: Activision

Call of Duty: Ghosts

Infinity Ward has been making strides towards world domination ever since Modern Warfare 4. With DICE creeping on the come-up, and Bungie making waves of its own, Call of Duty: Ghosts adds stronger gameplay elements, sharper texture, and a canine companion to the mix. Add to that the PS4’s new and improved sharing capabilities and this title will make a great game to stream your killstreak to friends and foes alike.

Driveclub

This next-gen driving game has caught the attention of automobile fans looking for a raucous racing game to compete against Gran Turismo 6. The new project, which is courtesy of Evolution Studios, is meticulously detailed, from customized carbon patterns to the knitting on a steering wheel. The social-sharing racer will allow gamers to form alliances with friends, share driving data, and compete in regional and international goals that will make trophy hunters squeal with excitement.

Killzone: Shadow Fall

The PS4 version of this popular first-person shooter franchise will introduce an enriched and beautiful, wide-open arena for both single-player and multiplayer fans. If you’re not trying to stop and smell the high-definition roses (which smell awesome, by the way!), you can friend request your buddies-in-arm and take the offensive charge straight to the Helghast.

The Playroom

The next step of next-gen gaming is painfully obvious with The PlayRoom. Created for anyone who wanted to experience the inner working of their DualShock 4 wireless controller, gamers can introduce a host of little robots into your living room for fun! The PlayRoom combines the PlayStation Eye with the console and serves as a wonderfully unique augmented reality experience (which is free) that allows you to turn your room into an enjoyable technological wonderland.

Knack

Knack, an action-platformer created by famed game designer Mark Cerny, is a PlayStation 4 exclusive title. Gamers play a small creature created to win the war against an ugly goblin army. Able to change forms, including size and state; Knack can turn invisible to subvert security and balloon in size to crush enemies.

Battlefield 4

The upgraded superpower of the PlayStation 4 will allow fans of the Battlefield franchise plenty of room to flex the destructive skills. Boasting 64-player online skirmishes, collapsible buildings, and enough resolution to make you think you’re watching Black Hawk Down, DICE has given next-gen fans a lot to be excited for. Players can use their prowess on-and-off the console, as you can use the Battlelog app on your tablet (or PS Vita) to keep an eye on the war at all times.

Blacklight: Retribution

Zombie Inc. revealed there sequel to Blacklight: Tango Downback in January 2011, and since then it has been highly-anticipated. The free-to-play first-person shooter allows gamers to wage war with futuristic weapons and tech, deploy armored exoskeletons and utilize lethal hand-held weapons to defeat your foes in vicious competitive modes.

Need For Speed: Rivals

Capturing the adrenaline and intensity of a Fast and Furiousfilm, this day-one launch title pits you and your racing friends against the cops. Buoyed by a beautiful open road environment (built on the Frostbite 3 game engine), Need For Speed: Rivals allows you to be on the right and wrong side of the law. Each side has its own high stakes challenges, rewards, and trophies. Which risk will prove to be the greater reward? As a gamer, one cannot wait to see those shared racing videos hit Twitch.

NBA Live ’14

Fresh off of a long hiatus from the gaming world, Electronic Arts has finally brought back its hoops title for next-gen gamers. This title hasn’t been seen on the shelves since NBA Live ’10in 2009 and their rep took quite a hit after being canceled in 2010. Promising a new basketball experience, Live ’14 aims to take back its crown from NBA 2K14 and possibly lure LeBron James back into the fold, as they’ve featured Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers as its cover athlete.

DC Universe Online

MMORPG fans have greatly enjoyed this game on the PlayStation 3. Promising free-to-play gaming, player can create their own superhero/villain who gets mentored by the likes of Batman, Superman, or the Joker. DC Universe Online‘s combat system and high production values makes it a great find for gamers who love comics and showcasing their skills online. Plus, as an added bonus, you can maintain your progress from the PS3 version and port it over to the next-gen console.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes

Marvel continues to create dynamic gaming experience, and this title will not fail any interested first day buyers. In the LEGO universe, gamers can play with more than 100 Marvel heroes and villains, and not have to worry about losing any pieces down the sink. For what may not translate to “quality HD” from the PS3 to the PS4, you’ll get plenty of extra content with dozens of levels, playable S.H.I.E.L.D. airborne aircraft, and an open-world New York City to explore.

FIFA ’14

The world’s most beautiful game once against returns, but this time it’ll be a true force on the PlayStation 4. Gamers will experience the thrill of tension-filled matches, a brand new ball physics system, and the ability to fight off attackers. These innovations also include human-like reactions, Precision Movement, Pure Shot, and a next-level of artistry and athleticism that will bring your favorite footballer to life like never before!

Watch_Dogs

As Aiden Pearce, you’re a lone vigilante in an open-world Chicago looking to enact your revenge against a despotic infocracy. Armed with the talents of a genius hacker, you’re able to manipulate the city, its operating system and more (in real-time) to be a savior to the city or the bane of its existence. The multiplayer element in Watch_Dogs will get fans of open-world gaming talking, as you can unexpectedly get caught up in a game of cat-and-mouse while playing your single-player campaign.

Madden NFL ’25

As Electronic Arts celebrates hitting the quarter-century-mark of its popular football franchise, gamers around the globe are awaiting a next-gen adaptation that’s long overdue. Madden NFL ’25, which claims Adrian Peterson as its cover athlete, boasts improved blocking, running, passing, and tackling on top of a refined Infinity Engine physics system.

NBA 2K14

The King of the Hard Court returns with fellow royal monarch, LeBron James, as its cover star. The Akron, Ohio phenom also served as the music curator for the game’s subsequent mixtape and audio experience. Adding to the awesomeness of the game will be the addition of the European Basketball League. “We’re absolutely delighted to be able to welcome top Euroleague teams into the NBA 2K series, European basketball has an incredibly passionate following, and we’re all excited to give fans the opportunity to take on Europe’s best in NBA 2K14,” said Jason Argent, senior vice-president of sports operations of 2K Sports. Which means succinctly, you can reenact that infamous dunk that Vince Carter did back in the day during the Olympics.