Sony has announced a significant shift in its PlayStation Plus service, set to take effect from January 2026. The company will phase out PlayStation 4 (PS4) games from its PlayStation Plus Essentials monthly games and the Games Catalog, focusing exclusively on PlayStation 5 (PS5) titles. This change was disclosed in a PlayStation Blog post alongside the reveal of February 2025's monthly titles.
The blog post stated, "As we shift to PS5, PS4 games will no longer be a key benefit and will only be occasionally offered for PlayStation Plus Monthly Games and Game Catalog." This adjustment will not impact the PS4 games that subscribers have already claimed; however, PS4 titles in the Games Catalog will remain available until they are rotated out during the monthly refresh.
Sony is committed to enhancing the PlayStation Plus experience, promising continued evolution and optimization of the service's benefits. These include exclusive discounts, online multiplayer access, online game save storage, and more. The company emphasized its intent to introduce new PS5 titles monthly, aiming to enrich the gaming experience for PS5 users.
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The PS4, launched in 2013, has been succeeded by the PS5, which debuted in 2020. Sony noted that "many of our players are currently playing on PS5 and have shifted toward redeeming and accessing PS5 titles," reflecting a growing preference among gamers for the newer console's offerings.
It remains uncertain whether Sony will reclassify PS4 games into the Classics Catalog, which currently features ports and remasters from PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3. Further details on this are expected to be announced as the transition date approaches.
