Every New PlayStation Plus Game Coming and Leaving in January 2026
January is supposed to be a fresh start — new goals, new habits, and in the case of PlayStation Plus, a new batch of games to hoard in your library and absolutely forget to download until the last possible minute. Sony has officially rolled out the full list of titles joining the service this month, and thanks to a few reports, we also know which games are packing their bags and quietly slipping out the back door.
If you’re trying to keep track of everything happening with PlayStation Plus in January 2026, here’s the full breakdown of what’s coming, what’s leaving, and what you should probably claim before you forget and spend the rest of the year pretending you didn’t miss out.
PlayStation Plus Essential Games for January 2026
Sony confirmed the January lineup on the official PlayStation Blog, and it’s a return to the classic three‑game format after December’s five‑game extravaganza. The new PlayStation Plus Essential titles are available from January 6 to February 2, and the selection is surprisingly varied.
Need for Speed Unbound (PS5)
Criterion’s stylish street‑racer headlines the month, giving PlayStation Plus subscribers a chance to drift, boost, and outrun cops in a neon‑splashed Chicago. Polygon called it a “breath of fresh air” for the franchise, and honestly, it’s nice to see a racing game that isn’t afraid to look like it was designed by someone who drinks energy drinks recreationally.
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (PS4/PS5)
The remake of the cult‑favorite Wii classic joins PlayStation Plus this month, complete with updated visuals and smoother controls. If you’ve ever wanted to watch Mickey Mouse accidentally erase half a world with a paint thinner brush, this is your moment. Sony highlights it as one of the month’s standout additions.
Core Keeper (PS4/PS5)
The cozy‑but‑chaotic mining sandbox rounds out the lineup. It’s the kind of game where you start out digging a tunnel and somehow end up fighting a giant glowing worm because you got curious. CNET notes that some subscribers think the lineup is “underwhelming,” but Core Keeper is the sleeper hit of the bunch.
All PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium Additions for January 2026
MSN compiled the full list of every game joining PlayStation Plus across all tiers this month, and it’s a surprisingly stacked lineup for Extra and Premium subscribers.
Here’s the full list of everything added in January 2026:
- Need for Speed Unbound
- Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed
- Core Keeper
- Black Myth: Wukong
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage
- Granblue Fantasy: Relink
- Cat Quest 3
- LEGO Horizon Adventures
- Skate Story
- Synduality: Echo of Ada
- Neon White
- The Outlast Trials
Some of these were added earlier in December, but MSN’s January roundup confirms they remain part of the active catalog for Extra and Premium subscribers going into the new year.
If you’re on the higher tiers of PlayStation Plus, January is basically a buffet. A slightly chaotic buffet, sure, but still a buffet.
Every Game Leaving PlayStation Plus in January 2026
Of course, with every new month comes the heartbreak of losing games you definitely meant to play but absolutely did not. Reports confirm that at least four games are leaving PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium in January 2026.
According to NationalWorld and Game Rant, these titles are exiting the service:
- Black Book
- Spiritfarer
- Tales of Iron
- The Forgotten City
These games are set to leave the Extra tier on January 20, according to the PlayStation Store listings spotted by the community.
If any of these were on your “I’ll get to it eventually” list, this is your warning. Your very gentle, very polite warning.
A Strange Month for PlayStation Plus — But a Busy One
NME points out that Sony originally planned to phase out PS4 games from PlayStation Plus Essential starting this month, but clearly someone changed their mind because two of the three January titles still support PS4. So if you’re still gaming on a PS4 in 2026, congratulations — you survived another round.
Between the new Essential games, the stacked Extra/Premium additions, and the handful of departures, January is shaping up to be a surprisingly active month for PlayStation Plus. Whether you’re here for racing, nostalgia, or digging holes until you accidentally summon a boss, there’s something worth claiming.
