The Best PlayStation 3 & PlayStation 4 Games

Whether you were able to get your hands on the coveted PlayStation 4 or you’re squeezing more mileage out of the PlayStation 3 (and there’s plenty left), it’s all about games this holiday. For the PS4, that means exclusive downloadable choices such as Flower and Sound Shapes — but here are a few favorites you can actually unwrap.

Just Dance 2014

This next-generation installment of one of this popular party game franchise continues its tradition of ridiculous costumes, easy-to-follow moves and zany personality. What’s more, this version features updated tracks and slicker production values. Just don’t forget, PS4 owners will need to purchase the separate PlayStation 4 Camera ($59.99 on Amazon).

Just Dance 2014's track list is heavy on current pop hits from artists such as Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga, mixed with ABBA, The Village People, Bob Marley and even Daft Punk for a little variety. While these might not be in heavy rotation on your iPod if you aren’t a tweenie bopper, they’re a blast to dance to in this game.

Just Dance 2014 also comes in versions for the Xbox 360, Xbox ONE, Wii, Wii U and PS3.

Rating: E

Price: $46.67 on Amazon

Lego Marvel Super Heroes

Combining the beloved worlds of Lego and Marvel to fantastic effect, players take control of Spider-Man, the Hulk, Iron Man, Captain America, Silver Surfer, Wolverine and many more against a host of Marvel villains such as Dr. Doom and Loki.

Set in a Marvel-ized, open-world New York City and infused with the same silly tone as all the Lego games, you must stop the A team of villains from assembling a deadly super-weapon. Lots of brick smashing, puzzles and many, many hours of play make it satisfying and well worth the price.

The game is available on PS3 and PS4 as well as Wii U, Xbox, 360 and PC.

Rating: E

Price: $49.00 on Amazon

Battlefield 4

Multiplayer military shooters may be an overexposed game genre, but this new console generation is coming out of the gate with a few biggies: Battlefield 4 and Call of Duty: Ghosts. BF4 is the more hardcore of the pair, and until now, playing it on a souped-up gaming PC was the only way to squeeze the most out of it. But the PS4 version of Battlefield looks nearly as good as on serious gaming rig you’d pay a hefty amount of cash for, allowing for massive 64-player online shootouts.

BF4 lets you participate in land, sea, air and ground combat via a ridiculous assortment of vehicles. There’s a single-player campaign, but multiplayer is where the real fun lies, especially as the destructable environments keep the gameplay varied and chaotic. Note this is an M-rated game and not for children.

Battlefield 4 is available for the PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC.

Rating: M

Price: $59.99 on Amazon

Need for Speed Rivals

This year’s installment of the longstanding racing game franchise returns to its more wild, arcade-style roots. You can play as either a cop or criminal, pursuing or fleeing as you drive at breakneck speeds, causing vehicular mayhem in the process. Both sides have access to technology such as radar jammers, speed boosts and roadblocks. Easily jump in to multiplayer matches, with opponents appearing when you least expect it.

The action goes down in the fictional, free-roaming world of Redview Country, where there’s a big, surprisingly diverse patchwork of roads to explore, race and chase on. Customize your car with a vast assortment of accessories, upgrades, plates and paint jobs.

The pure, wild fun is also available for the PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PS3.

Rating: E

Price: $59.96 Amazon

FIFA 2014

Each year, EA Sports add new advancements to FIFA, and 2014 is no different. The ball physics and player artificial intelligence have been tuned up to change the feel of shooting, dribbling and passing for heightened realism. A new feature call Pure Shot gives players the ability to tweak angle and approach on the ball, and you can now add force and spin to determine trajectory for rising or bending kicks.

Also for 2014, gamers can create a legendary dream line up via the Ultimate Team feature and pack the roster with powerhouses like Messi and Ronaldo. And of course, FIFA has licenses for national, league and club teams throughout Europe and South America.

FIFA is available on both PS3 and PS4, plus every other game platform imaginable.

Rating: E

Price: $59.96 on Amazon

Resogun

In an homage to classic space shooters like Defender, this downloadable PS4 exclusive is a simple, side-scrolling game where you blast evil alien enemy ships with lasers, missiles, nova bombs and more from a vast arsenal. Driving the experience are the game's mesmerizing visuals, featuring showers of thousands of brilliant, colorful fragments called voxels, or pixels with volume and dimension, every time a piece of the environment or enemy ship explodes.

While there’s little in the way of story, this is a game you'll want to play again and again to top your last high score. Graphic fireworks, catchy music and addictive gameplay — what’s not to love?

Rating: E

Price: Free for PlayStation Plus members.