Throughout the [PlayStation 5](https://stock-checker.com/products/gaming/playstation-5-slim.html) era, one complaint has repeatedly surfaced among PlayStation fans. Too many games still feel held back by the PlayStation 4. For players who upgraded early, it has often seemed like Sony has been slow to fully commit to its newer hardware.
At the same time, not everyone saw this as a bad thing. Big releases like **God of War Ragnarök** launching on PS4 meant millions of players could keep enjoying new games without spending money on a new console. For some, that delay has lasted nearly 5 years.
That grace period is finally coming to an end.
Starting in January 2026, **PlayStation Plus Essential** will no longer offer PlayStation 4 games. From that point forward, the monthly lineup will focus solely on PlayStation 5 titles. The first real sign of this shift will arrive on December 31, when the January games are officially revealed.
Sony explained the decision clearly in its announcement:
“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 Catalog benefit, PlayStation Plus is also evolving with this trend and will focus on offering PS5 titles through the Monthly Games and Game Catalog benefit starting January 2026.”
In other words, the data shows most subscribers are already on PS5. The service follows the players.
This is a significant moment for PlayStation Plus. For years, Essential has tried to balance two generations at once. Dropping PS4 support removes that safety net and raises expectations for what the monthly games should look like going forward.
There’s no official word yet on the January 2026 lineup. Still, many fans are hoping Sony kicks off this new era with something substantial. Whether that means a major first-party title, a recent third-party hit, or a strong mix of both won’t be known until the end of December.
Despite the shift, this is not the end of the road for PS4 owners.
PlayStation 4 games will continue to appear in PlayStation Plus Extra, though that tier costs more than Essential. More importantly, PS4 users don’t lose the ability to claim PS5 games altogether.
Even without a PS5, subscribers can still add monthly PS5 games to their library. This can be done through the PlayStation App or by logging into the PlayStation Store on a phone, tablet, or computer. Once claimed, those games stay tied to the account and remain playable whenever the user eventually upgrades, as long as the subscription stays active.
This move signals something PlayStation has been building toward for a while. The PS5 is no longer the “new” console. It’s the standard.
For PS4 players who have waited this long, January 2026 may finally be the point where upgrading stops being optional. For PS5 owners, it’s a sign that Sony is ready to fully commit to its current generation.
Either way, PlayStation Plus is about to feel very different.
At the same time, not everyone saw this as a bad thing. Big releases like **God of War Ragnarök** launching on PS4 meant millions of players could keep enjoying new games without spending money on a new console. For some, that delay has lasted nearly 5 years.
That grace period is finally coming to an end.
Starting in January 2026, **PlayStation Plus Essential** will no longer offer PlayStation 4 games. From that point forward, the monthly lineup will focus solely on PlayStation 5 titles. The first real sign of this shift will arrive on December 31, when the January games are officially revealed.
Sony explained the decision clearly in its announcement:
“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 Catalog benefit, PlayStation Plus is also evolving with this trend and will focus on offering PS5 titles through the Monthly Games and Game Catalog benefit starting January 2026.”
In other words, the data shows most subscribers are already on PS5. The service follows the players.
A Big Change With Big Expectations
This is a significant moment for PlayStation Plus. For years, Essential has tried to balance two generations at once. Dropping PS4 support removes that safety net and raises expectations for what the monthly games should look like going forward.
There’s no official word yet on the January 2026 lineup. Still, many fans are hoping Sony kicks off this new era with something substantial. Whether that means a major first-party title, a recent third-party hit, or a strong mix of both won’t be known until the end of December.
PS4 Players Aren’t Completely Shut Out
Despite the shift, this is not the end of the road for PS4 owners.
PlayStation 4 games will continue to appear in PlayStation Plus Extra, though that tier costs more than Essential. More importantly, PS4 users don’t lose the ability to claim PS5 games altogether.
Even without a PS5, subscribers can still add monthly PS5 games to their library. This can be done through the PlayStation App or by logging into the PlayStation Store on a phone, tablet, or computer. Once claimed, those games stay tied to the account and remain playable whenever the user eventually upgrades, as long as the subscription stays active.
The End of an In-Between Era
This move signals something PlayStation has been building toward for a while. The PS5 is no longer the “new” console. It’s the standard.
For PS4 players who have waited this long, January 2026 may finally be the point where upgrading stops being optional. For PS5 owners, it’s a sign that Sony is ready to fully commit to its current generation.
Either way, PlayStation Plus is about to feel very different.