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PS Plus has changed quite a bit in recent years. It finally seems to be actively challenging the Xbox Game Pass and offering a large library of games for players to download at no extra cost.
The all-new PlayStation game subscription service combines PS Plus and PS Now into a new PS Plus package for PS4 and PS5. It was only a matter of time before Sony answered the juggernaut that is Xbox Game Pass, but it’s no comparable competitor. Sony says the focus of the revamp is to provide players with diverse, top-notch titles, giving subscribers access to a new library of games.
The games that make up the PS Plus catalog range from AAA blockbusters to indie darlings. Depending on your level of subscription, you may also have access to a selection of retro titles, including PS3, PS2, PS1 and PSP games.
Here’s what you need to know about PS Plus, including how it’s now divided into three tiers. You’ll find pricing information for each, as well as some details on the free games you get with each subsequent level.
PS Plus price
The new PS Plus merges both PS Now and existing PS Plus into one comprehensive service with three tiers. For regions without cloud gaming support, like Australia, there’s a slightly cheaper tier called PS Plus Deluxe instead of Premium.
We will go into the details of the levels in the next sectionbut in terms of pricing, here’s what we’re looking at:
- PS Plus essential
- $9.99 monthly / $24.99 quarterly / $59.99 annually
- £6.99 monthly / £19.99 quarterly / £49.99 annually
- AU$11.95 monthly / AU$33.95 quarterly / AU$79.95 annually
- PS Plus Extra
- $14.99 monthly / $39.99 quarterly / $99.99 annually
- £10.99 monthly / £31.99 quarterly / £83.99 annually
- AU$18 monthly / AU$54.95 quarterly / AU$134.95 annually
- PS Plus Premium
- $17.99 monthly / $49.99 quarterly / $119.99 annually
- £13.49 monthly / £39.99 quarterly / £99.99 annually
- PS Plus Deluxe
- AU$21.95 monthly / AU$63 quarterly / $154.95 annually
Compared to before, PS Plus Essential is exactly the same service as your previous PS Plus subscription and the prices are unchanged for that tier.
With PS Plus you can play online and get a handful of free PS4, PS5 and PlayStation VR games every month, along with exclusive member discounts and content. There is also 100 GB of cloud storage along with the Share Play feature.
With PS Now you can download or stream a collection of PS4, PS3 and PS2 games on PS5, PS4 and Windows PC. It wasn’t available in Australia, but cost $9.99 / $24.99 / $59.99 in the US for one, three, and 12-month options. UK prices came in at £8.99 / £22.99 / £49.99 for the same increments. So, assuming you’ve subscribed to both services, PS Plus Premium essentially matches that price.
If you previously subscribed to PS Now, that subscription has migrated to PS Plus Premium. Better yet, this came with no increase in your existing subscription costs at launch. Otherwise, existing PS Plus subscribers have switched to PS Plus Essential.
PS Plus levels
The PS Plus subscription has three tiers: PlayStation Plus Essential, PlayStation Plus Extra, and PlayStation Plus Premium.
For areas with cloud streaming, PlayStation Plus Deluxe is on the table for a lower cost compared to PlayStation Plus Premium.
The former standard PS Plus subscription is the same as the new Essential tier, and prices have remained the same.
PS Plus essential
- Benefits:
- Two monthly downloadable games
- Exclusive discounts
- Cloud storage for saved games
- Online multiplayer access
- Offers the same benefits that PlayStation Plus members get today
- There are no changes for existing PlayStation Plus members in this tier
- Benefits:
- Provides all the benefits of the Essential tier
- Adds a catalog of up to 400 PS4 and PS5 games, including blockbuster hits from the PlayStation Studios catalog and third-party partners. Games in the Extra level can be downloaded to play.
PS Plus Premium
- Benefits:
- Offers all the benefits of the Essential and Extra levels
- Access to cloud streaming for original PlayStation, PS2, PSP and PS4 games offered in Extra and Premium tiers in markets where PlayStation Now is currently available. Customers can stream games using PS4 and PS5 consoles and PC.
- Trials of limited-time games are also offered in this tier to allow customers to try selected games before purchasing
- Adds up to 340 additional games including:
- PS3 games available via cloud streaming
- A catalog of beloved classic games available in both streaming and download options from the original PlayStation, PS2 and PSP generations
PS Plus Deluxe
PS Plus Deluxe is a regional equivalent of PS Plus Premium. It’s only available in regions that don’t currently support cloud gaming, such as Australia and New Zealand, for a lower price. Otherwise, Deluxe includes all other benefits of the Essential and Extra levels. That’s in addition to a catalog of classic PlayStation, PS2 and PSP games to download and play, as well as limited-time trial versions of games.
PS Plus games
We had our first look at the PS Plus catalog of new games as it rolled out across Asia. The revamped subscription service for over 400 PS4 and PS5 games from in-house and third-party developers for Extra/Premium subscribers. There are also retro games from the PS1, PS2 and PS3 eras (via cloud streaming).
However, the catalog for Extra/Premium subscribers changes from month to month and like Xbox Game Pass, once they leave PS Plus, you won’t have access. There are new titles to dive into midway through each month, the number of which will vary, but this is nicely spread out across the PS Plus Essential games.
look at the PlayStation website (opens in new tab) for a full list of every game in the catalog.
Upcoming PS Plus games
Here are the new additions to the PS Plus Extra library:
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Special Edition | PS4, PS5
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege | PS4, PS5
- Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX | PS4
- Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue | PS4
- Kingdom Hearts III | PS4
- Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory | PS4
- Oddworld: Soulstorm – Enhanced Edition | PS4, PS5
- Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 | PS4
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon breakpoint | PS4
- Chorus | PS4, PS5
- What remains of Edith Finch | PS4
- The gardens in between | PS4, PS5
As for the PS Plus Premium library, you’ve got all the games in Extra, plus a few extra classics:
- Ratchet & Clank | PS3
- Ratchet & Clank 2: Going Commandos | PS3
- Ratchet & Clank: Level Up Your Arsenal | PS3
- Ratchet & Clank: Jammed | PS3
- Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction | PS3
We can usually predict when we find out when the next PS Plus games will be announced, both for Essential and the Extra/Premium catalogues.
Essential games are usually revealed on the last Wednesday of each month. Sony has also confirmed that we’ll see the catalog expand halfway through each month, so expect to hear more at that point.
However, in 2022, Dealabs user Billbil-kun (opens in new tab) has leaked this lineup repeatedly (and accurately) in advance. So there’s a chance that we’re more likely to learn what we’re given. We’ll update as soon as we know what other games are coming to PS Plus next.