Honestly, if you’re still rocking a PS4 as your main machine, January 2026 just handed you some pretty bittersweet news. Sony finally did it. They pulled the trigger on the "PS5-first" era for PlayStation Plus.
For years, we’ve been comfortable. You’d get your three games, usually a mix of generations, and everyone was happy. But the latest ps plus monthly games list marks a hard pivot.
The January 2026 Lineup: A New Vibe
Let's talk about what's actually sitting in your library right now. If you haven't claimed them yet, you have until February 2nd to grab this trio:
- Need for Speed Unbound (PS5)
- Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (PS4, PS5)
- Core Keeper (PS4, PS5)
It’s a weirdly specific mix. You’ve got the high-octane, graffiti-soaked racing of Unbound, which is strictly for the current-gen crowd. Then there’s Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, a remake that feels like a warm hug for anyone who grew up with the Wii original. Finally, Core Keeper is that "just one more hour" sandbox game that will absolutely wreck your sleep schedule if you let it.
But look closer at the platforms. Notice something? Sony is officially winding down the "guaranteed" PS4 support. While we still got two cross-gen titles this month, the messaging from the PlayStation Blog has been blunt: PS4 games are now "intermittent" additions. They aren't the priority anymore.
What's Hitting the Game Catalog (Extra and Premium)
If you’re paying for the higher tiers, January 20 is the big day. This is where the real value lives lately. The "headliners" are genuinely massive this time around.
Resident Evil Village is the big one. It’s spooky, it’s got Lady Dimitrescu (obviously), and it’s the perfect primer if you’re looking ahead to the rumored Resident Evil: Requiem. Alongside it, we're getting Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. If you haven't played a Yakuza game, this is basically "Crime Simulator: Hawaii Edition" with turn-based combat and a minigame that is basically Pokémon with weird middle-aged men. It’s brilliant.
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The rest of the January update is a bit of a grab bag:
- Expeditions: A MudRunner Game (Think Death Stranding but with trucks and 100% more mud).
- A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead (Don't scream. Seriously, the game uses your mic).
- Darkest Dungeon II (For when you want a game to bully you).
- Art of Rally (Super stylish, very chill).
- The Exit 8 (The "liminal space" anomaly game that went viral).
- A Little to the Left (Organizing things has never been this stressful/satisfying).
Premium subs also get Ridge Racer from the PS1 era. It’s got that classic "REEEER" engine sound that hits right in the nostalgia, plus modern perks like rewind and quick save.
The February 2026 Outlook
We’re in that "rumor mill" window for February. Usually, Sony drops the official news on the last Wednesday of the month. Since February is right around the corner, the community is already guessing.
There is a huge vocal group on Reddit and ResetEra begging for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth to hit the service. It’s been out long enough. It would be a massive win for Sony to drop a heavy hitter like that right as they fully transition away from the PS4. Others are putting their money on a "wildcard" indie like Ball X Pit.
Whatever happens, expect the ps plus monthly games list for February to double down on the PS5 hardware. If you’re still on PS4, you can still claim the PS5 games through the mobile app or a web browser. Do this. Even if you don't have the console yet, you're building a library for the day you finally upgrade.
Why the "PS4 Cliff" Matters
Sony’s strategy here is pretty transparent. With Grand Theft Auto VI looming on the horizon as a current-gen exclusive, they need to migrate the remaining millions of PS4 users over to the PS5.
Stopping the "guaranteed" flow of PS4 games in the Essential tier is a nudge. A polite, "hey, it’s been thirteen years, maybe it’s time" kind of nudge.
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Is it fair? Depends on who you ask. If you've been a loyal sub since 2013, it feels like the end of an era. But from a technical standpoint, developers are tired of being held back by 2013 hardware. We're seeing more games that simply cannot run on the old Jaguar CPU.
Getting the Most Out of Your Sub Right Now
Don't just let these games sit there. If you’re an Extra or Premium member, you should be playing The Exit 8 tonight. It’s short—maybe an hour or two—but it’s one of the most unique experiences on the service.
Also, a pro-tip: check the "Last Chance to Play" section frequently. We're expecting a batch of departures around February 17. Word is a few Lego titles and some older Ubisoft classics might be heading for the exit. If you’re halfway through Lego Jurassic World, finish it now.
The ps plus monthly games list isn't just a list of freebies anymore; it’s a shifting library that requires a bit of strategy to navigate.
Your Action Plan
- Claim January's Essential games before February 2. Even the PS5 ones.
- Download Resident Evil Village on January 20 if you have Extra/Premium.
- Use the PS App to manage your library so you don't miss the "intermittent" PS4 drops.
- Keep an eye out for the February announcement on January 28.
The transition to a PS5-only ecosystem is finally happening. It’s a bit of a bummer for the legacy crowd, but honestly? It’s probably time we let the PS4 get some well-deserved rest.