PlayStation Plus January 2026: Major Changes Coming as PS4 Games Phase Out
A Significant Shift for PlayStation Plus Subscribers
As we approach the new year, PlayStation Plus is preparing for one of its most significant changes in recent history. The free PlayStation Plus Essential games for January 2026 should be officially announced on December 31 around 11:30am EST, marking the beginning of a new era for Sony’s subscription service. The PS Plus January 2026 games for the Essential tier will be announced on December 31, 2025 and made available from January 6, 2026.
The End of an Era: PS4 Games Being Phased Out
The January 2026 lineup carries particular significance as PlayStation Plus Essential is going to phase out PS4 games, focusing on PS5 titles moving forward. Sony has stated that from January 2026, PS4 games will be added only intermittently. This shift reflects the gaming landscape five years into the PlayStation 5’s lifecycle, though it has already proven controversial among subscribers who still rely on PS4 hardware.
What to Expect and Popular Predictions
While Sony has not confirmed the official lineup yet, speculation is rampant among the PlayStation community. Atomic Heart and Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora, the latter of which just got a substantial update, are some of the more popular guesses right now. Some sources suggest potential titles including Mortal Kombat 11, Sniper Elite: Resistance, and Tactics Ogre Reborn, though these remain unverified.
December 2025 saw PlayStation Plus Essential bring us a bumper selection of games, with LEGO Horizon Adventures, Killing Floor 3, The Outlast Trials, Synduality Echo of Ada, and Neon White, setting high expectations for what’s to come.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Subscribers
The transition to PS5-focused offerings represents both an opportunity and a challenge for Sony. For PS5 owners, this could mean higher-quality, more graphically impressive titles. However, PlayStation Plus gamers with a PlayStation 4 are being advised to upgrade to the more expensive PlayStation Plus Extra tier, which will still include games from the previous console each month.
As PlayStation Plus enters 2026, all eyes will be on whether Sony can deliver a compelling lineup that justifies this major shift in strategy. The announcement on December 31 will set the tone for the service’s entire year ahead.