Buying digital games on the PlayStation Store is a convenient way to immediately access and download games on your PlayStation console without having to leave your home. The PlayStation Store has an extensive catalog of games that you can purchase and download directly to your PS4, PS5 or PS Vita system. Here is a step-by-step guide to purchasing and downloading digital games from the PlayStation Store.
Step 1: Access the PlayStation Store
The first step is to access the PlayStation Store. This can be done in a few different ways depending on which PlayStation console you have:
- PS4 or PS5: On your console homepage, go to the PlayStation Store icon and select it. This will open the store.
- PS Vita: On the LiveArea screen, go to the PlayStation Store icon and select it. This will launch the store.
- You can also access the PlayStation Store online by going to store.playstation.com on a web browser. This allows you to browse and purchase games remotely.
Step 2: Find the Game You Want
Once you are in the PlayStation Store, you can browse through the vast catalog of digital games available for purchase. Here are some tips for finding games:
- Browse featured or popular games on the homepage
- Search for a specific game using the search bar
- Filter by genre, price range, platform, etc using the sidebar filters
- Look through listings under categories like New Releases, Deals, Add-Ons etc.
When you find a game you want, select it to go to the game’s store page. This will give you an overview of the game, screenshots and videos, user reviews and other purchase information.
Step 3: Add the Game to Your Cart
Once you are on the game’s store page, add it to your cart by selecting “Add to Cart.” Your cart will show up in the top right corner of the screen with the number of items.
If you want to purchase multiple games, you can browse and add them all to your cart first before checking out.
Step 4: Go Through Checkout
When you are ready to complete your purchase, go to your cart and select “Checkout.” You will be prompted to:
- Sign-in to your PlayStation Network account if you haven’t already
- Select your payment method – credit card, PayPal, PlayStation gift card etc.
- Confirm your billing information
- Accept the Terms of Service
Review everything carefully and select “Place Order” when you are ready. The checkout process is very similar to shopping cart checkouts you may be familiar with on other online stores.
Step 5: Complete Your Purchase
After you place your order, your purchase will be processed and you will get a confirmation message. At this point, your transaction is complete and you own the digital rights to the game.
For credit card and PayPal purchases, the funds will immediately be deducted from your connected payment method. If you used a gift card or wallet funds, the balance will be subtracted from your PlayStation account.
Step 6: Download Your New Game
You now own the game – the next step is to download it onto your PlayStation console:
- PS4 or PS5: Go to your Library > Purchased section to find and download your new game. It will automatically download to your console and appear in your main library when ready.
- PS Vita: On the LiveArea screen, find the download notification and select it to start your download. Use the Download Manager to monitor progress.
- Online: If you purchased through the web store, use the Download List on your account to send downloads remotely to your console.
Once the download is complete, you can start playing and enjoying your new game!
Tips for Buying Digital Games on PlayStation Store
Here are some additional tips to get the most out of purchasing games digitally from the PlayStation Store:
- Sign up for a PlayStation Plus membership to get special discounts, exclusive deals and up to 3 free games each month.
- Add funds to your PlayStation wallet ahead of time to expedite checkout.
- Check the Deals section for weekly deals and flash sales with big discounts.
- Wishlist games you want and get notified of price drops.
- Consider pre-ordering upcoming games to get extras and play as soon as they release.
Benefits of Buying Digital Games
There are many great benefits to buying games digitally instead of physical copies:
- Convenience: Instantly purchase and download games without leaving your house.
- Remote Access: Buy games remotely through the web store and send downloads to your console.
- No discs to lose/damage: Games are tied to your account and can be redownloaded.
- Game sharing: Share your games with family members on other consoles.
- Play immediately: Start playing as soon as the download completes.
- Save hard drive space: Only install the games you want to play right now.
Key Tips for Downloading Games
Here are some important tips to ensure your game downloads go smoothly:
- Make sure you have enough free storage space for the game on your console.
- For PS4/PS5, activate Rest Mode to download games faster.
- If download is paused, check your internet connection and restart the download.
- Use Download Manager on PS Vita to monitor and manage your game downloads.
- If you encounter an error, restart your console and try downloading again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PlayStation Store the only place to buy digital games?
Yes, the PlayStation Store is the official and only place to purchase digital PlayStation games. This includes games for PS4, PS5 and PS Vita. Physical games are sold at various retailers.
Can I buy PlayStation Store codes at retail stores?
Yes, you can purchase PlayStation Store gift cards and wallet funds codes at many major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, GameStop and more. These can be redeemed for store credit on your account.
What payment methods can I use on PlayStation Store?
Accepted payment methods include major credit cards like Visa, Mastercard and American Express, PayPal, PlayStation gift cards and wallet top up codes. Your payment method must be registered to your PlayStation Network account.
Are PlayStation Store games cheaper than physical copies?
Game prices are usually the same between the PlayStation Store and physical retailers. However, the store often has special sales and deals that offer big discounts not available for physical copies. PlayStation Plus members also get exclusive discounts.
Can I get a refund for a PlayStation Store purchase?
PlayStation has a no refund policy on digital game purchases. However, you can request a refund within 14 days if you have not started downloading or streaming the purchased content.
What happens if my download gets interrupted?
If your game download gets unexpectedly interrupted, it will automatically resume from where it left off once you start the download again. Downloads are reliable and can handle connections dropping temporarily.
Do I need an internet connection to play games after downloading them?
An internet connection is only required to download games initially. Once they are downloaded and installed, you can play them offline without an internet connection.
Can I game share with friends and family?
Yes, PlayStation allows game sharing with one other console. Set your account as primary on a friend or family member’s PS4/PS5 to share your downloaded games with them.
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some troubleshooting tips if you run into any issues:
- If a game won’t download, check if you have enough storage space and restart the console.
- For errors during payment, verify your card details are correct and payment method is valid.
- If purchases are not showing up, restore licenses in your account settings.
- Check the PlayStation Network status page if you are having issues accessing the store.
- Contact PlayStation Support if you cannot resolve an issue.
Conclusion
Purchasing digital games on the PlayStation Store is an easy process that opens up a world of gaming content. Simply browse the catalog, purchase your selected titles, complete checkout, download your games and enjoy immediate access to play. Digital game downloads make gaming more convenient than ever. Follow this guide for a smooth buying experience and you will be building an awesome game library in no time!
