PlayStation Plus Free Games: January 2026 List & Guide
Smart spending 12 January 2026
PlayStation Plus Free Games: January 2026 List & Guide
Smart spending 12 January 2026
Get the full list of PlayStation Plus free games for January 2026. See this month’s PS4 & PS5 titles, check the release schedule, and find out how to claim them.
PlayStation Plus Free Games: January 2026 List, Schedule, and Full Guide
PlayStation Plus free games are a monthly benefit provided to subscribers of the Essential, Extra, and Premium tiers, offering a rotating selection of titles to keep at no additional cost. This guide covers the confirmed lineup for January 2026, details the release schedule for the upcoming year, and provides a complete archive of the games released throughout 2025. You will also find instructions on how to claim these titles correctly and a list of popular games that are free to play without needing a subscription.
If you are looking for the PlayStation Plus free games this month, you have come to the right place. We update this list as soon as Sony makes the official announcement, ensuring you never miss a chance to add new titles to your library.
What Are PlayStation Plus Monthly Games?
PlayStation Plus Monthly Games are a curated selection of PS4 and PS5 titles available to subscribers at no extra cost. This benefit applies to all three membership tiers: PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium. Unlike the “Game Catalog” available only to Extra and Premium members, the Monthly Games are yours to keep for as long as you maintain a membership.
To understand how does playstation plus free games work, you simply need to know that Sony releases a new batch of games generally on the first Tuesday of every month. Once you add these games to your library during their availability window, they remain accessible to you. It is the core benefit that has defined the service since its inception, providing a mix of blockbuster hits, indie gems, and multiplayer staples.
Summary
In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about the PlayStation Plus lineup for January 2026. You will see which specific games are available for download right now on PS4 and PS5. We also explain how the redemption process works, what happens to your games if your subscription expires, and which multiplayer games you can play completely for free without any subscription at all.
TLDR
The PlayStation Plus free games January 2026 lineup includes three new titles for PS4 and PS5.
You must add these games to your library before the first Tuesday of next month to keep them.
You keep the Monthly Games forever, but you can only play them with an active subscription.
Free-to-play titles like Fortnite do not require PlayStation Plus for online multiplayer.
The new year kicks off with a strong selection of titles. If you are searching for the PlayStation Plus free games this month, here is the official lineup available for download starting Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
🎮 PlayStation Plus Monthly Games – January 2026 PS Plus
3 Games AvailableNeed for Speed Unbound • Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed • Core Keeper
📅Available: January 6 – February 2, 2026
🎮Now Available! All 3 games are live and ready to download for PlayStation Plus members.
📋 PS Plus January 2026 Games – Quick Summary
Game 1:Need for Speed Unbound — Racing (PS5 Only)
Game 2:Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed — Platformer (PS4/PS5)
Game 3:Core Keeper — Sandbox Adventure (PS4/PS5)
Availability Period: January 6 – February 2, 2026
Subscription Required: PS Plus Essential, Extra, or Premium
Total Games: 3 titles with mixed PS4/PS5 support
📊 PlayStation Plus January 2026 – Complete Game List
Game Title
Genre
Developer
Platforms
Status
Need for Speed Unbound
Racing
Criterion Games
PS5
🟢 Available
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed
Platformer
Purple Lamp Studios
PS4PS5
🟢 Available
Core Keeper
Sandbox
Pugstorm
PS4PS5
🟢 Available
🎮 January 2026 PlayStation Plus Games
Available Now
PS5
Need for Speed Unbound
RacingActionby Criterion Games / EA
Start at the bottom, race to the top in the latest entry in the iconic Need for Speed franchise. With separate single and multiplayer campaigns, this edition delivers hours of electric, adrenaline-pumping racing action. Race against time, outsmart the cops, and take on weekly qualifiers to reach The Grand, Lakeshore’s ultimate street racing challenge.
Street Racing Action
Custom Car Tuning
Single & Multiplayer
Weekly Qualifiers
Police Chases
Global Soundtrack
PlatformPS5 Only
With PS PlusFREE
📅
January 6 – February 2, 2026
Add to library with PlayStation Plus
Play as Mickey Mouse and embark on an epic journey through Wasteland, a realm of forgotten Disney characters. This beautiful remake brings the magic of Disney to life in a vibrant 3D platformer. Use paint to restore beauty and harmony or thinner to alter your environment and uncover hidden secrets.
Play as Mickey Mouse
Paint & Thinner Mechanics
3D Platforming
Disney Characters
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
Collectible Disney Pins
PlatformsPS4 & PS5
With PS PlusFREE
📅
January 6 – February 2, 2026
Add to library with PlayStation Plus
Awaken as an explorer in a long-forgotten cavern teeming with untold secrets. In this award-winning 1-8 player mining sandbox adventure, harvest relics and resources, craft advanced tools, build your base, and explore a dynamically evolving world. Level up your skills, defeat legendary Titans, and unveil the power of the Core.
1-8 Player Co-op
Mining & Crafting
Base Building
Boss Battles (Titans)
Farming & Fishing
Procedural World
PlatformsPS4 & PS5
With PS PlusFREE
📅
January 6 – February 2, 2026
Add to library with PlayStation Plus
Ensure you have an active PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, or Premium subscription
2
Open PS Store
Navigate to the PlayStation Store on your console or via web browser
3
Find Monthly Games
Go to the PlayStation Plus section and find Monthly Games
4
Add to Library
Click “Add to Library” for each game you want
5
Download & Play
Download when ready and enjoy your games!
🏆 PlayStation Plus Tiers
Essential
Online multiplayer + Monthly games
✓ January Games Included
Extra
Essential + Game Catalog
✓ January Games Included
Premium
Extra + Classics + Trials
✓ January Games Included
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the PS Plus games for January 2026?
The PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for January 2026 are Need for Speed Unbound (PS5), Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (PS4/PS5), and Core Keeper (PS4/PS5). All available January 6 – February 2.
When can I download January 2026 PS Plus games?
The January 2026 PlayStation Plus games became available on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. You have until February 2, 2026 to add them to your library.
Do I need PS Plus to get these games?
Yes, you need an active PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, or Premium subscription to claim the monthly games. Once claimed, games stay in your library while your subscription is active.
Which platforms are the January games on?
Need for Speed Unbound is PS5 only. Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed and Core Keeper are available on both PS4 and PS5.
Can I keep the games after claiming?
Yes! Once you add a game to your library, it remains there as long as you maintain an active PlayStation Plus subscription. You can download and play anytime.
What happens after February 2, 2026?
After February 2, 2026, these games will be replaced by the February 2026 PlayStation Plus Monthly Games. Make sure to claim them before they’re gone!
📖 PS Plus January 2026 – Quick Reference
Need for Speed Unbound
Street racing game by Criterion Games — PS5 exclusive — Custom cars, police chases, online multiplayer
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed
3D platformer remake by Purple Lamp Studios — PS4 & PS5 — Play as Mickey Mouse with paint/thinner mechanics
Core Keeper
Mining sandbox adventure by Pugstorm — PS4 & PS5 — 1-8 player co-op, crafting, base building
Availability Period
January 6 – February 2, 2026 (approximately 4 weeks)
Subscription Required
PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, or Premium
How to Claim
PlayStation Store → PlayStation Plus → Monthly Games → Add to Library
These titles answer the question of what are the playstation plus free games for january 2026. Be sure to add them to your library before they rotate out next month.
Recent PlayStation Plus Monthly Games Archive (2025)
Looking back at last year, the service delivered a massive variety of titles. If you are curious about the history or comparing months, here is the PlayStation Plus free games list from 2025. This archive includes some of the best PS5 games that were offered to subscribers.
Late 2025 (October – December)
December:God of War Ragnarök (PS5), Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Sable.
November:Resident Evil Village, Sifu, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2.
October:The Last of Us Part I, Dead Space (Remake), Cult of the Lamb.
Mid 2025 (July – September)
September:Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, Tunic, Need for Speed Unbound.
August:Sea of Stars, Lost Judgment, PGA Tour 2K25.
July:Alan Wake 2, Crash Team Rumble, Ender Lilies.
Early 2025 (January – June)
June:Street Fighter 6, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, Sonic Frontiers.
April:Immortals of Aveum, Minecraft Legends, Skul: The Hero Slayer.
January – March: Featured titles included A Plague Tale: Requiem, Evil West, and Nobody Saves the World.
How to Find and Redeem PlayStation Plus Games
Knowing how to get playstation plus free games is essential to ensure you don’t miss out. Even if your console storage is full, you should always “claim” the games to lock them to your account.
On Your Console (PS5/PS4)
Navigate to the PlayStation Plus icon on the far left of your home screen.
Scroll down to the “Monthly Games” tab.
Select each game individually.
Click “Add to Library”. Do not just click “Download” unless you want to play immediately; adding to library secures the license.
Via App or Web Browser
Open the PlayStation App on your phone or visit the PlayStation Store website.
Go to the “Subscriptions” or “PS Plus” section.
Find the “Monthly Games” banner.
Tap “Add to Library” for each title.
Pro Tip: If you search for where are the playstation plus free games after claiming them, simply go to your “Game Library” on your console dashboard and filter by “Your Collection” or the “PlayStation Plus” tab.
PlayStation Plus Release Schedule: When Do New Games Drop?
Sony follows a very specific pattern for when playstation plus free games become available. Understanding this schedule helps you plan your downloads and storage space.
The Golden Rule: New PlayStation Plus Monthly Games generally become available for download on the first Tuesday of the month.
Announcement Date: The games are usually revealed on the last Wednesday of the previous month.
Release Date: The games go live on the PlayStation Store the following Tuesday morning (around 11:00 AM local time in most regions).
Expiration Date: You usually have until the first Tuesday of the next month to claim them before they are replaced.
If you are wondering when does playstation plus free games change, mark your calendar for the first Tuesday of every month in 2026.
Do You Keep PlayStation Plus Games Forever?
One of the most common questions new subscribers ask is: can i keep playstation plus free games if I cancel? The rules differ slightly depending on whether you are talking about the “Monthly Games” or the “Game Catalog.”
The Answer: Yes, you keep the Monthly Games forever in your library, but you can only access them while you have an active subscription.
Scenario
Outcome
Active Subscription
You can download and play all claimed Monthly Games unlimitedly.
Subscription Expires
The games become “locked.” They remain in your library but cannot be launched.
Resubscribe Later
You immediately regain access to every Monthly Game you previously claimed.
This is different from the PlayStation Plus Extra games (Game Catalog). If a game leaves the Extra/Premium catalog, you lose access to it entirely, even if you are still subscribed.
Free PlayStation Games You Can Play Without PS Plus
You do not always need a subscription to enjoy gaming online. There are many free ps4 games without playstation plus requirements. Sony has a policy that generally allows “Free-to-Play” (F2P) titles to be played online by anyone.
If you are looking for what games are free without ps plus, here are the heavy hitters dominating the charts in 2026:
🎮 Fortnite (Battle Royale)
🔫 Call of Duty: Warzone (Shooter)
⚽ Rocket League (Sports/Driving)
🤖 Apex Legends (Hero Shooter)
🎭 Genshin Impact (RPG)
🧱 Roblox (Creative/Social)
Note: While these playstation 5 free games without ps plus allow online play, paid games (like EA Sports FC or the main Call of Duty titles) strictly require a Plus membership for multiplayer features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are PlayStation Plus free games appropriate for kids?
The monthly selection varies significantly, ranging from family-friendly titles rated ‘E’ for Everyone to mature titles rated ‘M’. Because the selection changes every month, parents should always check age ratings before allowing children to download or play the playstation plus free games for kids.
Does PlayStation Plus give free games every month?
Yes. Since the service introduced the Instant Game Collection years ago, Sony has consistently provided playstation plus free games every single month without fail. It is a guaranteed benefit of the subscription.
Can you play monthly games after the month ends?
Yes, as long as you claimed them during the month they were available. Once you click “Add to Library,” they are tied to your account. You can download and play them months or even years later, provided you have an active subscription.
Is there a difference between PS4 and PS5 free games?
Often, yes. While many games are cross-gen (playable on both), the PlayStation Plus free games list frequently includes a PS5-exclusive version that takes advantage of better graphics and loading times. PS4 owners cannot play the PS5-exclusive versions, but PS5 owners can usually play both.
