Sony has quietly redrawn the map for PlayStation Plus subscribers: starting January 2026, the service will lean heavily into PS5 titles. That sounds straightforward until you remember millions of people still play on PS4 — and depend on those monthly freebies.
The change, in plain terms
In a short statement, PlayStation explained the shift: “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.”
Translation: Essential monthly drops will favor PS5 games, and PS4 support in the Essential lineup will be scaled back. The Extra catalogue — the higher tier — will still offer PS4 entries, but that comes with a higher price point.
That matters because most months the Essential tier is where casual players find the freebies that keep their libraries full and their wallets closed. December 2025 was unusually generous (LEGO Horizon Adventures, Killing Floor 3, The Outlast Trials, Synduality: Echo of Ada and Neon White), and plenty of subscribers are worried that January will feel, well, thin by comparison.
Fans aren’t thrilled — and some aren’t surprised
Reaction has been a mix of irritation and resigned acceptance. Reddit threads and comment sections point out that the PS5 has been out for five years; developers and platform holders often let older hardware fade. Others argue Sony is nudging owners toward hardware upgrades — or toward the pricier Extra tier.
There’s a practical tip floating around: PS4 users can still add PS5 games to their library via Sony’s app or website so they’ll be waiting in their account if and when the player upgrades. It’s not a solution for everyone, but it’s a way to avoid completely missing a title you wanted.
If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading, Sony’s move adds a little urgency. For those considering a new console, the [PlayStation 5 Pro] (https://amzn.to/48BLvuO) is already being talked about — and owning a PS5 removes the compatibility headaches entirely.
Leaks, wishlists and the calendar
The usual rumor mill has started turning. Some leaks — unverified and to be treated skeptically — have named candidates like Mortal Kombat 11, Sniper Elite: Resistance and Tactics Ogre Reborn. Larger outlets and community leakers have traded predictions for weeks, and the internet is a reliable place to find both plausible tips and outright fantasy.
Sony traditionally announces the monthly Essential lineup at the end of the year for January’s rotation. Expect the reveal around December 31 with the titles going live on Tuesday, January 6 (give or take holiday scheduling). If you’re holding out for something specific, check your library and make sure you’ve claimed December’s offerings before they rotate away.
Why Sony might be doing this
A few realities intersect here:
- PS5 install base has grown steadily; developers now target it first.
- Maintaining a broad PS4 catalogue complicates curation and may dilute promotional impact for new PS5 releases.
- PlayStation Plus tiers have been nudging users toward Extras and Premium for years; shifting Essential toward PS5 could push some users up the funnel.
- Claim December freebies you want before the month ends — you don’t want to lose a game because it slipped from the Essential rotation.
- If you plan to stick with a PS4 for now, check whether Extra (which keeps PS4 titles) is worth the upgrade in subscription rather than hardware.
- Keep expectations modest for January: Sony’s pivot suggests fewer PS4-first entries on Essential.
Beyond that, Sony’s broader platform roadmap includes features like streaming and tighter account integrations. If you use remote play or cloud benefits, changes to how games are distributed and targeted toward PS5 make operational sense. For a look at how Sony’s hardware and cloud features are evolving, see coverage of the PlayStation Portal streaming update and the datamine hints around cross-buy on PS5 that suggest deeper platform integration is coming Datamine Reveals ‘Cross‑Buy’ Icon on PS5 — Is Sony Preparing PS5‑PC Ownership?.
What subscribers should do now
For many players this is an inconvenience; for others it’s the nudge that finally pushes them toward a new console or a pricier subscription. Either way, January’s lineup will be more than a list of games — it will be an early test of whether Sony’s strategy pays off with subscribers or prompts a backlash.
The full reveal should land December 31, with games redeemable on January 6. Controllers at the ready.