If you’re a console gamer browsing the PlayStation Store for tactical shooters that hold up years after launch, you’ve probably wondered: can you buy Rainbow Six Siege on PS4? The short answer is yes, but there are a few key details you need to know before you hit purchase, from edition differences to performance limitations that might impact your play experience. I’ve been playing Siege on PlayStation consoles for 7 years, so I’ve walked through every step of buying, installing, and troubleshooting the game on PS4, and I’m breaking all of that down below to help you avoid the mistakes I made when I first bought it back in 2017.
Can You Buy Rainbow Six Siege on PS4: All Available Purchase Options
Rainbow Six Siege has been available for PS4 since its launch in 2015, and Ubisoft has kept it listed on the PlayStation Store and stocked at most physical game retailers ever since. You can choose between digital and physical copies, with three main edition tiers that fit different budgets and playstyle needs. The game regularly goes on sale for up to 75% off during PlayStation seasonal sales, so if you’re not in a rush to play, waiting for a sale can save you a lot of money.
It’s important to pick the right edition the first time, because upgrading after purchase usually costs more than buying the higher tier upfront. Here’s a breakdown of what each edition includes:
- Base Edition: Full core game, all permanent maps, 20 original launch operators, no extra post-launch content included. This is only a good pick if you’re on a very tight budget and don’t mind grinding for extra operators.
- Deluxe Edition: Base game plus all Year 1 and Year 2 operators (16 extra total), the most budget-friendly pick for new players who want to skip the early operator grind. It usually costs only $10 more than the base edition.
- Premium Edition: Base game plus all operators from Year 1 through the current most recent full year of content, plus 10 premium battle pass tiers to use on the current season. This is ideal if you plan to play regularly and don’t want to grind for operators at all.
Physical copies are a great option if you have limited internet data, since you won’t have to download the full 80GB game file to get started. Just note that any extra DLC codes included with physical copies are single-use, so used copies may not come with the extra operator content advertised on the case.
Key Differences Between PS4 and PS5 Versions of Rainbow Six Siege
If you own both a PS4 and a PS5, or plan to upgrade to a PS5 in the future, you don’t have to worry about wasting your money on the PS4 version. Ubisoft offers a free next-gen upgrade for all PS4 owners of Rainbow Six Siege, so you can download the PS5 version at no extra cost when you get your new console. All of your save progress, operators, skins, and battle pass progress carry over seamlessly between the two versions.
I’ve tested both versions side by side, and while the PS5 version is obviously sharper and smoother, the PS4 version is still perfectly playable, especially if you have a PS4 Pro. Base PS4 models run the game at 900p resolution and 30 frames per second, while PS4 Pro models run at 1080p and 60 frames per second. The PS5 version supports 4K resolution and up to 120 frames per second if you have a compatible display.
Crossplay is enabled by default for all PlayStation players, so PS4 users can play with PS5 users, as well as Xbox and PC players if you choose to keep crossplay with PC turned on. You can turn off PC crossplay in the settings at any time if you prefer to only play against other controller users.
Common Issues to Avoid When Buying Rainbow Six Siege on PS4
Over the years, I’ve heard from dozens of new players who ran into avoidable issues when buying the game for PS4, so I’m highlighting the most common ones here to save you time and money. First, don’t buy the base edition unless you truly can’t afford the extra $10 for the Deluxe edition. The 16 extra operators included in the Deluxe edition would take you more than 50 hours of casual play to unlock with in-game currency, so the extra cost is well worth it.
I once bought a used Deluxe copy from a local game store only to find the code for Year 1 and 2 operators was already redeemed, so I had to pay an extra $20 to buy those operators separately. Don’t make that same mistake. If you’re buying a used physical copy, ask the seller to confirm that all DLC codes are unused before you pay.
Don’t buy third-party digital codes from unvetted sellers on social media or auction sites, either. A lot of these codes are stolen or expired, and Sony and Ubisoft won’t refund you if the code doesn’t work. Only buy digital codes directly from the PlayStation Store or trusted official retailers.
You also need to remember that Rainbow Six Siege is an online-first game. You need an active PlayStation Plus subscription to play the core PvP and ranked modes. If you don’t have PS Plus, you’ll only be able to play the single-player Terrorist Hunt mode, which is a very small part of the full game experience. Make sure you factor the cost of PS Plus into your budget if you don’t already have a subscription.
Tips for Getting Started With Rainbow Six Siege on PS4 After Purchase
Once you’ve bought and installed the game, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the operators, maps, and mechanics if you’re new to tactical shooters. The first thing you should do is play through all the beginner tutorials, even if you have experience with other FPS games. Siege’s unique destruction and gadget mechanics are unlike any other shooter, and the tutorials do a great job of teaching you the basics without wasting your time.
Stick to casual mode for at least the first 20 to 30 hours of play, and don’t jump into ranked matches immediately. Ranked lobbies are full of experienced players who have thousands of hours in the game, and you’ll get destroyed and discouraged if you try to play ranked too early. Casual mode is far more forgiving, and you’ll have time to learn map layouts and operator abilities without losing rank progress.
Turn on crossplay only if you’re comfortable facing more experienced PC players. Most console players turn off PC crossplay to keep lobbies more balanced for controller users, since mouse and keyboard inputs give PC players a big advantage in aim and reaction time. You can toggle this setting in the game’s options menu at any time.
Don’t try to learn all 70+ operators at once. Pick 2 to 3 easy operators to main for your first few weeks of play. For attackers, Sledge and Ash are great beginner picks, since their gadgets are simple to use and very effective. For defenders, Rook and Jäger are ideal, since their gadgets support the whole team even if you’re still learning how to aim and position yourself. Use the in-game ping system constantly even if you don’t have a mic, since marking enemies, gadgets, and objectives for your team is the easiest way to win more matches.
At the end of the day, if you’re looking for a deep, tactical team-based shooter to play on your older console, the answer to can you buy rainbow six siege on ps4 is a resounding yes. It’s still one of the most active tactical shooters on PlayStation, with thousands of active players every day, regular content updates, and a welcoming community for new players who take the time to learn the basics. Just make sure you pick the right edition for your budget, double check any used copies for unused codes, and don’t forget your PlayStation Plus subscription if you want to play the core PvP modes. I still boot up my PS4 copy when I’m traveling and don’t have access to my PS5, and it runs just as well as it did when it first launched, so you don’t have to worry about it being a broken or abandoned port on older hardware.
