Another outstanding year has come to its conclusion for the PlayStation 4 in which digital purchases continued to overtake retail sales. Celebrating the growth of digital distribution, Sony's decided to share several lists featuring the top downloaded PlayStation titles in 2018. Split into six different categories, including PS Classics, PS Vita games, and free-to-play games, Sony's lists help lend perspective regarding 2018's most successful PlayStation releases.

The category most PS4 owners will be interested in is, of course, the top downloaded PS4 games. There won't be too many surprises here, with Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 reigning supreme, much like its franchise predecessors have in previous years. The full list isn't too surprising either, but here are the top 10 downloaded PS4 games of 2018 nonetheless:

  1. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
  2. Red Dead Redemption 2
  3. Marvel's Spider-Man
  4. God of War
  5. Grand Theft Auto 5
  6. NBA 2K19
  7. FIFA 19
  8. Monster Hunter: World
  9. Far Cry 5
  10. Madden NFL 19

Marvel's Spider-Man overtaking God of War as the top-downloaded PS4 exclusive shows just how significant the Spider-Man branding can be, though both games have been reviewed exceptionally. Though God of War managing to win out over the annual sports releases and the big action and shooters shows that Sony's first-party IP is no slouch itself.

job simulator ps vr

Beyond PS4 games, the other categories that Sony offers a look at are much more diverse and just as interesting. For example, the PlayStation VR games category shows that 2018 was dominated by one of the platform's original releases, Job Simulator. Launched in 2016, it seems like Job Simulator remains the go-to game for new PS VR buyers to experiment with. Following up Job Simulator is the 2018 release Beat Saber and then Superhot VR.

Topping the free-to-play list is none other than Fortnite Battle Royale, followed by H1Z1: Battle Royale. It looks like the Battle Royale genre will continue to be popular going into 2019. Also, Rockstar's got a stranglehold on the PS Classics list, with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas topping the list and Bully coming in second.

It looks as if PlayStation gamers are downloading more games than ever.  That said, we will have to see if 2019 continues the trend.

Source: PlayStation