Is Marvel Rivals on PS4? And Should It Be?

When a hot new competitive game drops, one of the first questions on everyone’s mind is, “Can I play this on my system?” For a huge swath of the gaming community, that means one thing: “Is it on PS4?” The short and direct answer for Marvel Rivals has always been a resounding no. Since its launch, NetEase Games has been clear, the hero shooter is a current-gen exclusive, developed from the ground up to take advantage of the hardware in the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and modern PCs.

As a writer for RivalsSector, I’ve spent countless hours in the game, and my take has always been that this was the right call. The game’s dynamic environments, detailed character models, and fluid, fast-paced action are all a result of the developers pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with the latest gaming tech. Trying to squeeze that experience onto a decade-old console would likely mean significant compromises to performance, visuals, and even the core gameplay loop. 

Why Not PS4? The Tech Behind the Decision

The decision to skip the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One wasn’t made lightly. It’s a strategic move that speaks volumes about the game’s design philosophy. When you’re building a title from the ground up using a powerful engine like Unreal Engine 5, you have to choose your battles. The developers at NetEase opted to focus on creating an uncompromised experience for current-gen players, rather than diluting it to support older hardware.

Here’s a breakdown of why this choice makes sense from a technical standpoint:

• Unreal Engine 5: Marvel Rivals is a showcase for Unreal Engine 5’s capabilities. Features like advanced lighting, high-polygon character models, and complex environmental destruction are staples of UE5. The PS4’s architecture simply wasn’t built to handle this level of fidelity without significant downgrades.
• Destructible Environments: A key feature of Marvel Rivals is its dynamic, destructible maps. I’m talking about blowing up walls like Iron Man to create a new sightline or slamming a car with the Hulk to use it as a projectile. These real-time calculations and physics simulations are incredibly demanding. A last-gen console would struggle to process this without major frame rate drops.
• Performance Targets: Competitive games live and die by their performance. A stable, high frame rate is crucial for responsive gameplay and a level playing field. To achieve the buttery-smooth 60+ FPS on consoles and even higher on PC, the developers need every ounce of power they can get from the latest hardware. Downgrading for the PS4 would almost certainly mean a locked 30 FPS at best, which is a non-starter for a hero shooter.

The Platforms That Matter

So, if the PS4 is out of the question, where can you actually dive into the action? The game is available on all the major modern platforms, and thanks to robust cross-play, the player base is unified. This is a huge win, ensuring quick matchmaking and a healthy competitive ecosystem.

Here is a quick look at the platforms where you can play Marvel Rivals:

The move to focus on these platforms has paid off. My experience with the game on PS5 has been nothing short of fantastic. The load times are near-instantaneous, and the gameplay is consistently smooth, allowing me to focus on my team’s synergy and the epic moments rather than worrying about technical hiccups.

The Rumor Mill and the Future

Now, as an enthusiast who follows the scene closely, I’ve seen the whispers. There have been recent leaks and rumors suggesting that a PS4 version of Marvel Rivals might be in development. Data miners have supposedly found files on Sony’s servers, sparking a firestorm of speculation.

While it’s exciting to think about the game potentially reaching a wider audience, I have my reservations. A PS4 port would likely require a massive overhaul of the game. We’re talking about a significant visual downgrade, simplified physics, and a potentially locked frame rate. It would essentially be a different version of the game.

Some of the key questions and concerns I have about a potential PS4 port include:

• Will it impact the competitive integrity? If the PS4 version runs at a lower frame rate, will there be a distinct disadvantage for those players? Cross-play is a huge part of the game’s identity, but this could fracture the experience.
• How will it affect ongoing development? Will the developers have to divert resources to maintain an entirely separate, downgraded version of the game? This could slow down the release of new heroes, maps, and features for the current-gen versions.
• Is the hardware even capable? The base PS4’s hardware is struggling with many modern titles. Could it handle the chaos of a 6v6 Marvel Rivals match with all the explosions and particle effects? The risk of overheating and poor performance is real.

I personally believe that while a PS4 version might bring in new players, it also carries the risk of compromising the game’s vision. The current-gen experience is top-notch, and my hope is that NetEase and Marvel Games continue to focus on building that out, rather than stretching their resources thin to support hardware that is on its way out.

My Final Verdict and Call to Action

As it stands, Marvel Rivals is not on PS4, and for the health and quality of the game, that’s a good thing. The developers made a bold decision to focus on the future of gaming, and it’s evident in every aspect of the game’s design and performance. The game delivers a fluid, visually stunning, and competitive experience that would be impossible on last-gen consoles.

So, if you’re a PS4 gamer eager to jump into the action, my advice is to look into upgrading to a PS5 or PC. The investment is well worth it for a game like this, and you’ll be part of the thriving, uncompromised Marvel Rivals community.