Best video games for 4K HDR screens

“Shadow of the Tomb Raider” is one of the prettiest games you can play in 4K.“Shadow of the Tomb Raider”/Square Enix

Televisions with 4K and HDR functionality are more affordable than ever, but there’s still a lack of actual 4K HDR content to watch. Luckily, video game developers are constantly pushing the boundaries of new visual technology, and there’s no shortage of new games to showcase the power of modern displays.

Also known as Ultra HD, or UHD, 4K describes the display resolution. 4K images are 3,840 by 2,160 pixels, making them about about four times the size of an image at 1080p, the highest resolution currently offered by cable broadcasts. HDR is used to describe images with a high-dynamic range. As the name implies, displays with HDR have a higher contrast between lights and darks and a larger overall range of colors than older displays.

Video games are especially good for showing the effect of 4K and HDR due to their wide range of environments, dynamic animations, and dramatic shifts in perspective. From basketball courts and race tracks to ancient tombs and foreign planets, video games give the viewer the greatest control over what appears on their screen. They also have a higher frame rate than films, meaning more images appear on the screen per second.

4K images provide finer details than a regular high definition image.WB Games

To play video games in 4K or with HDR, you’ll need a console or PC strong enough to output the high resolution graphics. Gaming PCs capable of 4K and HDR vary in specs, but you can certainly build your own to turn your TV into a full-fledged media center.

For those looking for a more standard 4K solution, there are two main console options: the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. 

The standard PlayStation 4 costs $299 and can output HDR images, but it’s not capable of 4K. A more expensive version of the console, the PlayStation 4 Pro, is 4K ready for $399.

The Xbox One has more variations, but both the $299 Xbox One S and the $399 Xbox One X are capable of 4K and HDR output. Certain games on the Xbox One X, even those without 4K or HDR output, will have better visual performance and load times compared to the S model.

Unfortunately some of the best looking games were developed specifically for Xbox One or PlayStation 4, so it’s important to choose your console wisely.

Here are 15 of the best games to test your 4K HDR screen: