We've still got Christmas to go, but December — and the year — are already wrapping up. You all know what that means: the next batch of PlayStation Plus Essential free games.
It's been a pretty good year for PlayStation Plus Essential. While some months have certainly been a bit of a mixed bag, there have been plenty of bangers. The Stanley Parable, Stray, and Neon White all spring to mind. These are, really, the perfect kind of PlayStation Plus freebie: short, and plenty of fun.
There are plenty of eyes on the PlayStation Plus Essential free games for January 2026. Not only will this lineup set the tone for the year, it also marks the start of a major departure for PlayStation Plus. Starting next month, PlayStation Plus Essential is going to phase out PS4 games, focusing on PS5 titles moving forward.
PlayStation explained earlier this year:
“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 and will focus on offering PS5 titles through the Monthly Games and Game Catalogue benefit starting January...
