As an incredible year for video games, a promising 2026 is approaching. And coming titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 and Marvel's Wolverine Of course, gamers can view services like this PlayStation Plus To provide a consistent source of games that makes waiting for new releases a little easier. Looking at the last three January game drops, it looks like PS Plus members can expect to see some solid offerings in a few weeks time.
January 2023 brought a stellar PS Plus Essentials lineup Jedi: Fallen Order, Fallout 76and Axiom Verge 2While 2024 offered a solid trio Plague Story: Request, Wicked Westand No one saves the world. However, the January 2025 headlining match could be divisive Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice LeagueThis service content was complete, as Deathstroke was added a month ago. It also helped that the accompanying games were very popular, eg Need for Speed: Hot Search Remastered and Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe Made for a diverse batch of freebies. If Sony wants to keep its service attractive and impress those who increase their subscriptions during the holidays, the games listed below will be a great way to do so.
PS Plus Free Games Wish List for January 2026 — Red Dead Redemption 2
Read Game Rant's review of Red Dead Redemption 2
Although PS Plus has begun phasing out PS4 titles in January 2026, the focus is switching to free PS5 games very soon, with the first month of the year likely to be the last hurray for older games. Also, if the rumors are to be believed and there really is a proper next-gen update Red Dead Redemption 2 At work, now would be the perfect time to get Rockstar Classic on PS Plus' Essential Tier. with the original Red Dead Redemption Joining PS Plus Extra in December, and GTA 5The PS Plus drops, showing that Sony is no stranger to doubling down on Rockstar projects. Red Dead Redemption 2 Providing essential customers will feel like a logical progression. And whether gamers are finally experiencing Arthur Morgan's titular redemption for the first time, or revisiting Rockstar's version of the Wild West for a trip down memory lane, this title will be a worthy headliner for the first essential lineup of 2026.
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Explore an incredibly detailed open world on foot or on horseback, complete with third-person shooting mechanics.
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Experience a master-class story filled with unforgettable characters, a powerful soundtrack, and emotional moments that hit hard.
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Enjoy an entertaining multiplayer experience through Red Dead OnlineWhich is deep enough without getting nearly as much support GTA Online.
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October 26, 2018
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M for Mature: Blood and gore, intense violence, nudity, sexual content, strong language, drug and alcohol use
PS Plus Free Games Wish List for January 2026 – Kingdom Come: Rescue
Watch Kingdom Come: Redemption at Open Critic
with Kingdom Come: Redemption 2 With some major game award nominations, including Game of the Year, many may be interested in learning Henry's story. KCD2 A four-hour trial is available for premium members, but jumping into the sequel isn't really worth it for those who want to know the whole story. With the first game leaving the PS Plus Extra way back in May 2023, enough time has passed to bring it back to the service, this time as an essential game pushing fans towards its famous follow-up. Although it is visually a bit dated compared to its sequel, its many positive aspects outweigh this negative aspect.
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Enjoy a unique focus on realism with tough sword fighting, challenging survival mechanics, and a gradual rise from peasant to knight.
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Explore an immersive bohemian world that truly nails the goal of historical accuracy.
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Experience the origins of Henry of Skalitz and his friends, characters that gamers have fallen in love with.
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February 13, 2018
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M for Mature 17+ due to blood and gore, intense violence, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, use of alcohol
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Warhorse Studios
PS Plus Free Games Wish List for January 2026 — The Alters
Read Game Rant's review of The Alters
PlayStation Plus usually offers two major AAA releases and one minor one, and it's hard to think of a better choice for the latter category. Alters. Another Game Awards nominee, this unique title is currently discounted on both Steam and the PlayStation Store — that's before titles make their way to the subscription service. While Alters' The 20-hour experience is a far cry from the dozens of hours players spend with the other two titles, making it the ideal companion piece, as it will be a refreshing palette cleanser after getting through some big games. PS Plus may thrive on shorter games, as seen with some additions to PS Plus Free Games for December 2025. Alters Will entertain players from start to finish, with many variations of protagonist Jan Dolski sure to stick with players and inspire repeat playthroughs.
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Experience a memorable story filled with tough choices and mature dialogue.
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Enjoy the stressful yet satisfying management gameplay where clone needs and resources must be carefully juggled.
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Explore an unforgettable sci-fi world that will keep gamers coming back for more.
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June 13, 2025
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Mature 17+ / Blood and gore, strong language, drug and alcohol use, violence
January 2026 Wishlist for PS Plus Extras and Premiums
- psychologists — while its Game of the Year-nominated sequel was a PS Plus essential game in September, the platforming classic that preceded it isn't currently available in the Classics catalog. That should change, as the wacky world and characters Raz interacts with deserve to be appreciated by as many gamers as possible.
- Notorious 1 and 2 – Considering how long the PlayStation Plus and Extra have been around, it feels criminal that Cole McGrath's story isn't accessible. With no hope for remasters or sequels on the horizon, fans of these compelling, intriguing superhero stories can only hope they join PS Plus.
- Resistance trilogy – While the first two Resistance While the games were available on PS Plus for a while, they suddenly left the game list in mid-2025. This had some fans hopeful Resistance A remaster that takes advantage of the DualSense controller, but much like it infamousIt sounds like a pipe dream. Hopefully, these memorable FPS games will return to service soon, bringing a satisfying threequel along for the ride.
- Killzone trilogy — Not only does the classic catalog give PlayStation a chance to do better with humanity's war against the Chimera, but the Helghast conflict deserves more love as well. Somehow, the PSP game Killzone: Salvation is in service, but the original – and more importantly, its two brilliant sequels – are nowhere to be found. Before the guerrillas began their work horizon series, it shined with these underrated FPS games, and it would be worthwhile to let new fans enjoy the studio's older work.
- Notorious: Second Son – while infamous It's more pressing to pay some attention to the classics catalog, why not go in and get it all second son In the game list? It has come and gone many times, and now, only first light– a short spin-off focusing on a second son Character – available. It's really weird, this character's story feels incomplete without a grand game full of bold powers before.
- dead space — EA Motive's brilliant remake of the 2008 horror classic was a must-have PlayStation Plus title in 2024, with significant time having passed between then and January 2026. Anyone who missed the game should get a second chance to grab it via Games Catalog, so everyone can feel the power of Plaswe. Unbridled fear of facing the Reborn.
- fury — from this fantastic indie Kern Developer The Game Breakers was free for PS Plus nearly a decade ago, meaning it's long overdue for a second to come to the platform. A bold mix of bullet hell and action combat, the game is essentially a challenging boss rush with a fantastic art style. It also received a PS5 upgrade a few years ago with DLC and several improvements, ensuring that a re-release through the game catalog would be appropriate.
- Nex Machine – A very different bullet hell experience from Housemark, the developer of return And the upcoming PS5 exclusive Saros. Before the studio made big-budget titles, it was the king of small-scale twin-stick shooters. Nex Machine Housemark is the swan song for this era of games. Brilliant music and responsive controls come together to make this shmup a forgotten gem that could shed some new light on the game's catalog.