Gamers Anticipate January 2026 PlayStation Plus Free Game Lineup

SAN MATEO, California — PlayStation Plus subscribers eagerly await the announcement of free games for January 2026, just as December brings a strong farewell to 2025 with titles like LEGO Horizon Adventures and Killing Floor 3.

PlayStation Plus Essential, the service’s entry-level option, has delivered an impressive slate of games each month, seamlessly mixing indie gems with blockbuster hits. However, January marks a significant shift as Sony plans to focus the Essential tier on PlayStation 5 titles, phasing out PlayStation 4 games from the lineup.

PlayStation explained the change, stating, “As many of our players are currently playing on PS5 and have shifted toward redeeming and accessing PS5 titles from the Monthly Games and Game Catalogue benefit, PlayStation Plus is also evolving with this trend.” This shift may disappoint PS4 users, who must consider upgrading to PlayStation Plus Extra for continued PS4 game access.

The official list of January’s free titles is set to be revealed on December 31 at 11:30 a.m. EST. Many gamers speculate about potential games, with popular guesses including Atomic Heart and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Gaming communities are buzzing with predictions, but these remain unconfirmed.

Some subscribers expressed mixed feelings about the transition. “There’s no reason for Sony to keep supporting the PS4 in larger capacities. I’m more than fine with the change,” one Reddit user shared. Others noted that although PS4 games will be scarce in the Essential lineup, they remain accessible in the Extra tier.

January will officially kick off with the rollout of new games on January 6, 2026. As excitement builds, fans hope that the Essential tier will still offer compelling options to help ease the transition into a PS5-focused future.

Regardless of the changes, the PS Plus community remains engaged, discussing their hopes for the upcoming titles, eager for Sony’s final decision.