Sony has just announced PS Plus Essential January 2026 monthly free games, which will go live next week. Confirming a leak from earlier today, the company revealed Need for Speed Unbound as one of the first free games of the year. The incoming games will replace a chunky December 2025 lineup, which includes five games.
Full list of PS Plus Essential January 2026 monthly free games lineup
The full PS Plus Essential January lineup includes Need for Speed Unbound (PS5), Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (PS5, PS4), and Core Keeper (PS5, PS4).
All games will go live on Tuesday, January 6.
Despite Sony pledging a focus on PS5 games starting January 2026, two of the three games on offer are cross-gen titles, and not particularly games that many would be looking forward to. Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a remake of a 2010 game and Core Keeper is a somewhat niche game that first launched in early access in 2022.
Not a strong start to the year, frankly. And that seems to be the general consensus among members across gaming forums and social media.
Players are reminded that they have until Monday night, January 5, to claim December’s free games: Lego Horizon Adventures (PS5), Killing Floor 3 (PS5), The Outlast Trials (PS5, PS4), Synduality Echo of Ada (PS5), and Neon White (PS5, PS4).
A reminder for PS4 players who don’t wish to upgrade to PS5, PS Plus Essential will offer the least value to last-gen players in 2026. If you use PS Plus for multiplayer, opt for an Extra membership, as there will be more PS4 games in the catalog than monthly lineups.
Are our readers happy with next month’s free lineup? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
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