PlayStation Plus, Sony’s flagship subscription service, is set for a seismic change at the start of 2026—one that’s already sparking debate among gamers worldwide. According to ComicBook.com and National World, Sony will stop guaranteeing monthly free PlayStation 4 games for PlayStation Plus subscribers beginning in January 2026, shifting its focus entirely to PlayStation 5 titles. The move, while perhaps expected by some, is poised to have ripple effects across both major and emerging gaming markets, and is raising questions about the future value of the service for millions of users still loyal to their PS4 consoles.
For years, PlayStation Plus has been a staple for gamers, offering a rotating selection of free monthly games alongside other perks. Recent months have brought a string of well-received titles to subscribers, including Stray, Alan Wake 2, and LEGO Horizon Adventures. In December 2025 alone, five games were added to the service’s virtual library, giving players plenty to chew on throughout the holiday season. But as the calendar flips to 2026, the monthly game lineup is set for a dramatic overhaul.
Starting in January 2026, the essential tier of PlayStation Plus will no longer provide PS4 games as part of its monthly free offerings. As National World reports, “PlayStation 4 games will no longer be made available. Instead, it will be PS5 only from here on out.” The change will also apply to the wider game catalogue benefit, meaning that both the monthly selection and the broader library will be focused exclusively on PS5 titles.
This shift is not just a technical update—it’s a strategic pivot that reflects changing player habits. A PlayStation spokesperson explained to National World, “As many of our players are currently playing on PS5 and have shifted toward redeeming and accessing PS5 titles from the monthly games and game catalogue benefit, PlayStation Plus is also evolving with this trend and will focus on offering PS5 titles through the monthly games and game catalogue benefit starting January 2026.”
While this may make sense for Sony, which is keen to push its latest hardware, the decision is likely to sting for many who haven’t yet upgraded. In major gaming markets like the United States and Europe, the vast majority of PlayStation fans have already made the leap to PS5. But in smaller markets around the world, the PS4 remains the primary console. As ComicBook.com notes, this is often “down to not just access, but costs. The PS5 remains too expensive in many markets around the world.” For those gamers, the new policy represents a clear downgrade in value.
It’s not just PS4 owners who may feel the pinch. There’s uncertainty even for those on PS5 about whether the overall quality of the monthly free games will hold up. The PS5’s library, while growing, is still smaller and—according to ComicBook.com—generally considered lower in quality compared to the PS4’s, especially when it comes to first-party titles. The outlet points out, “The first-party output from both a quantity and quality perspective during the PS4 generation takes a dump on the same measurements for the PS5 generation.” December 2025’s inclusion of LEGO Horizon Adventures, a first-party PS5 game, was described as “very underwhelming.”
So what can subscribers expect in January 2026? As per National World, the three essential PS Plus games for the month will be announced on December 31, 2025. While the official lineup remains under wraps, there are some educated guesses circulating. Among the frontrunners are Deliver Us The Moon—a PS5 launch title that many missed out on due to initial console shortages—Button City, a pastel-hued indie adventure inspired by 90s nostalgia, and Forspoken, a fantasy RPG that recently left the higher PS Plus extra and premium tiers. These predictions are based on trends in recent months and the types of games Sony has been keen to spotlight.
For those who subscribe to higher tiers of PlayStation Plus, there’s a practical warning to keep in mind. National World highlights that “sometimes adding PS Plus essential games to your library wipes your previous save progress, so it might be worth making a cloud save, just in case.” It’s a small but important detail that could spare players from frustration as they transition to the new system.
The move to a PS5-only model for PlayStation Plus is, in many ways, a reflection of the broader industry trend toward pushing the latest hardware and software. But it’s also a reminder of the challenges that come with generational change in gaming. For Sony, the hope is that this will encourage more users to upgrade to the PS5, thereby boosting sales and engagement with their newest titles. For players, especially those in regions where the PS5 remains out of reach, it’s a bittersweet development.
Historically, transitions like this have been fraught with tension. When PlayStation moved from the PS3 to the PS4 era, there was a similar period of overlap, with support for older consoles gradually phasing out. However, the PS4’s enduring popularity—thanks to its robust library of first-party hits and widespread affordability—means that this latest shift will be felt more acutely by a significant segment of the PlayStation community.
It’s also worth noting that the value proposition of PlayStation Plus has always been a moving target. While some months deliver blockbuster titles that delight subscribers, others have been met with disappointment or apathy. The PS5’s higher price point for games could theoretically mean more value for subscribers, but as ComicBook.com observes, “the PS5 library isn’t even close to as impressive as the PS4 library, so value may increase, but quality will decrease.”
As the January 2026 announcement approaches, all eyes are on Sony to see how it will navigate this transition. Will the company bolster its PS5 offerings with must-play exclusives that make the change worthwhile? Or will the shrinking pool of available titles lead to a sense of diminishing returns for long-time subscribers? For now, PlayStation Plus users—especially those still gaming on PS4—are left weighing their options and, perhaps, considering when or if to make the leap to the next generation.
In the ever-evolving world of gaming subscriptions, one thing is certain: change is inevitable, and how both companies and players respond will shape the landscape for years to come.
