Sony's PlayStation Plus has been around for more than a decade, however, the service received a full makeover in June 2022. Prior to this change, PS Plus granted subscribers access to online multiplayer, free monthly games, and a few other benefits like unique discounts on the PS Store. During this period, players could also subscribe to PlayStation Now to gain access to a library of PS4, PS3, and some PS2 games.
In 2022, Sony opted to combine these two services into a new version of PS Plus. Utilizing a tier system, this model has hundreds of games from across PlayStation's history, multiple price points, and a slew of other features. With the service picking up steam, it makes sense that a PS5 or PS4 owner might want a full breakdown of what they can expect if they decide to subscribe to PS Plus.
What Are PlayStation Plus's Tiers?
Rather than present a one-size-fits-all subscription, PS Plus lets users have their pick from three tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. Here is a brief summary of each level's offerings:
- Essential – The core PS Plus benefits as they were prior to the 2022 relaunch. Subscribers gain access to online multiplayer, monthly games, exclusive discounts, and a few other benefits.
- Extra – Essential tier benefits + a catalog of downloadable PS5 and PS4 games.
- Premium – Essential & Extra tiers benefits + a catalog of classic PS3, PS2, PS1, and PSP games.
Ultimately, picking a PS Plus tier comes down to someone's needs. If a player will only be using the online multiplayer feature, Essential will suffice and there is little to gain from subscribing to one of the higher tiers.
Premium's central selling is its Classics Catalog, which adds hundreds of titles on top of the PS5 and PS4 games that are also available in the Extra tier. While this collection is grand, please note that PS3 games are played through Cloud Streaming and cannot be downloaded. Consequently, their performance is dependent on the user's internet connection.
Which PS Plus Tier To Buy
As there is quite a jump in price from one level to the next, a full breakdown of each tier's features and benefits might help someone decide whether they should go for Essential, Extra, or Premium.
| Essential | Extra | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Games | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Online Multiplayer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Exclusive Discounts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud Storage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Share Play | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| The PlayStation Plus Collection (PS5 Only) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Exclusive Content | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Game Catalog – PS5 & PS4 Games | No | Yes | Yes |
| Ubisoft+ Classics | No | Yes | Yes |
| Classics Catalog – PS3, PS2, PS1, and PSP Games | No | No | Yes |
| Cloud Streaming | No | No | Yes |
| PS Plus on PC (Using Cloud Streaming) | No | No | Yes |
| Game Trials | No | No | Yes |
How Much Does PlayStation Plus Cost?
Each PS Plus tier has its own price point to match the benefits included with the subscription.
PS Plus Essential
- 1-Month Subscription: $9.99
- 3-Month Subscription: $24.99
- 12-Month Subscription: $59.99
PS Plus Extra
- 1-Month Subscription: $14.99
- 3-Month Subscription: $39.99
- 12-Month Subscription: $99.99
PS Plus Premium
- 1-Month Subscription: $17.99
- 3-Month Subscription: $49.99
- 12-Month Subscription: $119.99
How To Subscribe To PlayStation Plus?
The process to subscribe to PS Plus is quite straightforward, and there are a couple of avenues people can use to get there.
Newcomers to Sony's ecosystem will first need to create a PlayStation Network account as this is required to utilize any service, including buying games from the PS Store. An account by following this link.
Directly From A PlayStation Console
The most convenient way to subscribe to PS Plus is through the PS5 or PS4 console.
- Log into the home screen.
- Navigate to the PlayStation Plus panel
- Select " Subscribe "
- Pick Essential, Extra, or Premium
- Pick a Payment Plan
From A Web Browser
It is also possible to subscribe to PS Plus directly from a web browser. Visit this playstation.com page and scroll down to the "Choose Your Membership Plan." From there, choose a tier and select "Add to Cart." After that, simply check out to complete the transaction.
How To Cancel A PlayStation Plus Subscription?
There might come a time when someone might wish to cancel their PS Plus subscription. The process is quite uncomplicated:
- On a web browser, head to the Sony Network's Account Management page.
- From the menu's PlayStation Network options, select " Subscription ."
- Select " Cancel Subscription " near PlayStation Plus.
Account Management's Subscription page also allows players to change their PS Plus tiers or payment frequency.
What Is PlayStation Plus On PC?
PS Plus Premium subscribers also have the option to stream games via the service's PC app. The library includes titles from both the Games and Classics Catalog, although it is not the full selection. Here are some things interested parties should know about this option:
- The DualShock 4 is the only confirmed compatible controller . That does not mean other controllers will not work, just that they are not guaranteed by Sony.
- PS Plus On PC is not currently available in every country that has the main streaming service.
- PS5 games cannot be streamed.
- A PS5 or PS4 is not needed to subscribe to PS Plus on PC.
- Sony recommends a Broadband wired internet connection of a minimum of 5 Mbps ​​​​.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PS Plus Premium Subscribers Stream PS5 Games?
PS Plus Premium's Cloud Streaming is compatible with the Games Catalog's PS4 games and all the titles found in the Classics Catalog. PS5 games cannot be streamed.
When Are New Games Added To PS Plus Premium & Extra?
Sony has not specified a fixed date of when subscribers can anticipate new additions to the library, but history suggests that games will be added roughly halfway through a month.
Can Subscribers Switch Tiers?
Yes. If someone wants to move up to a higher PS Plus tier, they only need to purchase a new membership at their desired level. This upgrade will happen instantly, and the customer will be charged a prorated fee for the rest of the current month.
If a member wishes to downgrade their tier, they would need to visit their Sony account's "Subscription" tab to perform the change. This alteration will come into effect once the next payment is made.
Can PS Plus Benefits Be Shared?
While limited to one PS5 or PS4 console, certain PS Plus benefits are shared among the different accounts on the system. These include online multiplayer, access to Premium & Extra's libraries, downloaded monthly games, and games purchased using a PS Plus discount.
Which PlayStation Plus should I Get?
Ultimately, this comes down to personal preference. If someone only intends to play PS5 and PS4 games, there is little reason to subscribe to Premium.
PS Plus Essential Free Games (August 2023)
| Games | Platform/s | Genre | Metacritic Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death's Door | PS5, PS4 | Action-Adventure | 87 (Xbox) |
| Dreams | PS4 | Game Creation Tool | 89 |
| PGA Tour 2K23 | PS5, PS4 | Sports | 76 |
| Available from August 1, 2023 – September 5, 2023 | |||
August 2023's PS Plus Essential lineup might not have an attention-grabbing title like that of its immediate predecessor, but it is nevertheless respectable. Death's Door is a throwback to classic isometric Zelda projects, and a great one at that. Featuring stylish visuals with detailed and impressive environments, the game follows a reaper crow as they head out on a reasonably lengthy quest to get the soul of a monster. Naturally, complications arise, and the grim protagonist finds themselves venturing into places unknown. PS Plus subscribers who pick up this release can look forward to fun combat, memorable boss fights, and puzzles.
PGA Tour 2K23 is the most prominent golfing sim on the market, although it does not have all that much competition since most of its peers lean into arcade gameplay. While not perfect, 2K's game does a more than serviceable job of mimicking the highs and lows of being on a golf course, and it is an easy recommendation for anyone searching for a niche sports title to pass the time. Outside of multiplayer, the career mode is PGA Tour 2K23's central offering, and it is fine.
Dreams is undoubtedly August 2023's unique pick, and while the PS4 release has not been ported to the PS5, owners of the latter hardware should still give it a try. First and foremost, Dreams is a game creation tool that allows users to design their own adventures, and the app is reasonably easy to use when compared to other creators on the market. Furthermore, people who just want to play can simply try out these creations, including a couple of titles created by Media Molecule, Dreams' developer.
What Games Are On PlayStation Plus Extra & Premium?
- Current as of August 3, 2023 .
Most subscribers will likely invest in PS Plus Extra as that tier contains more than enough PS5 and PS4 games to keep someone busy for a long time. Unless specifically interested in classic PS games or Cloud Streaming, there is not much reason to pick Premium over Extra. Still, subscribers of both tiers can download and install the following titles.
The games library can vary from country to country.
PS5 Games
| A-H | I-R | S-Z |
|---|---|---|
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PS4 Games
| A-G | L-R | S-Z |
|---|---|---|
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What Classics Are On PlayStation Plus Premium?
PS Plus Premium celebrates PlayStation's past, bringing together titles released over the span of more than two decades. If a PS5 or PS4 owner wants to play some old favorites, this tier should deliver.
PS4 Games (Including Remasters Of PS3, Vita, & PSP Games)
| A-D | E-R | S-Z |
|---|---|---|
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PS3 Games (Cloud Streaming)
| A-E | F-Q | R-Z |
|---|---|---|
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PS1, PS2, & PSP Classics Games
| PS1 | PS2 | PSP |
|---|---|---|
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Games Added To PS Plus Extra & Premium In July 2023
Typically, Sony provides a week's notice regarding new additions to PS Plus Extra and Premium. While there have been a few exceptions, these tiers generally receive a bulk update once a month, and the additions can cover anything from PS1 classics to (relatively) recent PS5 releases.
| Extra & Premium | Premium Only | |
|---|---|---|
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Games Leaving PS Plus Extra & Premium In August 2023
PS Plus' Last Chance section highlights which games will be leaving the service in the near (or distant) future. To ensure that subscribers do not miss out on a departing title they are interested in, they should keep an eye on which PS Plus games are coming and going. Since the service's launch, a few games per month have been removed; for example, on February 21, 2023, titles like Metro Exodus, GTA Vice City, and The Turing Test were removed.
| Subscription Tiers | Games | Departure Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Extra & Premium |
| August 15, 2023 |
| Premium | N/A |
PS Plus Game Trials
Besides instant access to PS Plus's Game and Classics Catalogs, Premium subscribers can also try out a select few PS5 and PS4 titles for a limited time. Players can currently test out more than 40 games, and their trial periods vary in length.
- A Plague Tale: Requiem (2 Hours)
- AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative (1 Hour)
- Biomutant (2 Hours)
- Bonfire Peaks (1 Hour)
- The Cruel King and the Great Hero (2 Hours)
- Construction Simulator (2 Hours)
- Crusader Kings 3 (3 Hours)
- Cyberpunk 2077 (5 Hours)
- Disney Dreamlight Valley (2 Hours)
- DNF Duel (2 Hours)
- Dying Light 2 Stay Human (3 Hours)
- Elemental War 2 (2 Hours)
- Elex 2 (2 Hours)
- F1 Manager 2022 (3 Hours)
- Ghostwire: Tokyo (1 Hour)
- God of War Ragnarok (3 Hours)
- Gotham Knights (1 Hour)
- Hot Wheels Unleashed (2 Hours)
- Hunting Simulator 2 (2 Hours)
- The Last of Us Part 1 (2 Hours)
- LEGO City Undercover (2 Hours)
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (1 Hour)
- Little League World Series Baseball 2023 (2 Hours)
- Marvel's Midnight Suns (2 Hours)
- Miraculous: Rise of the Sphinx (2 Hours)
- MLB the Show 22 (4 Hours)
- MotoGP 22 (2 Hours)
- MX vs ATV Legends (2 Hours)
- NBA 2K23 (2 Hours)
- NHRA Championship Drag Racing: Speed For All (2 Hours)
- Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 Slime Speedway (2 Hours)
- OlliOlli World (1 Hour)
- Persona 5 Royal (4 Hours)
- PGA Tour 2K23 (2 Hours)
- Phoenix Point (2 Hours)
- Relayer (2 Hours)
- Rims Racing (2 Hours)
- Rollerdrome (1 Hour)
- Sniper Elite 5 (1 Hour)
- Soul Hackers 2 (2 Hours)
- Spellforce 3 Reforced (2 Hours)
- Steelrising (2 Hours)
- Tactics Ogre: Reborn (2 Hours)
- Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2 Hours)
- Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection (2 Hours)
- Unrailed! (2 Hours)
- Vampire The Masquerade Swansong (2 Hours)
- World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing (2 Hours)
- WWE 2K22 (2 Hours)
PS Plus Exclusive Packs
Regardless of their chosen tier, PS Plus subscribers can download for free an array of DLC and packs from a selection of games. Here are a couple of examples:
- Brawlhalla (Bonus Pack 4)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (Combat Pack - Motorpool)
- H1Z1 (Bandit Pack)
- Smite (Kukulkan Skin)
- Warface (Rime Pack)
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Best Games By Generation
Taking into consideration the Game and Classics Catalogs along with other benefits like the PlayStation Plus Collection, there are over 500 games on Sony's service. Consequently, narrowing down the library to the cream of the crop can be tiring, and Sony's app does not make the search process all that straightforward. Along with checking out the master list covering the overall best games on PS Plus Premium & Extra, the articles below highlight stand-out titles per console (minus PSP).
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Best Games By Genre
Be it JRPGs, horror, or first-person shooters, PlayStation Plus covers almost every genre imaginable. Rather than focusing on individual consoles, players might prefer to try out something new in a genre they already love. These upcoming articles should help provide some guidance.
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How PS Plus Works
PlayStation Plus is an ever-evolving service. While this guide covers everything that most people need to know about Sony's platform, the below articles expand on a few points.
