If you’re a PlayStation Plus subscriber and you haven’t claimed the January PS5 Essentials, then consider this your final warning to grab the games for free before they revert to full price.
Headlined by Need for Speed Unbound, the January PS Plus games are worth a combined £126, which means you could miss out on the big saving if you don’t act fast.
The current line-up is available until around 9am GMT UK time on the morning of February 3. They will be replaced the next batch of games, which includes boxing simulator Undisputed and Ace Combat 6 from the long-running aerial combat series.
As for the January releases, Need for Speed Unbound is the highest-profile title, even if it doesn’t quite recapture the magic of entries gone by.
Featuring arcade driving action and an open-world to explore, the 2022 title attempts to tap into street racing culture with fast cars, graffiti art and lots of stylish customisation options.
While it’s by no means terrible, Need for Speed Unbound didn’t fully resonate with fans and critics, earning a Metacritic score of 77%, and a Mixed Steam rating.
Other games available for PS Plus in January 2026 include Disney’s Epic Mickey Rebrushed, which is an underrated 3D platform game featuring a blend of familiar and forgotten faces.
The third and final game is sandbox mining adventure Core Keeper, which supports eight-person multiplayer.
The new games are arguably a step up, especially as there’s four of them to download and keep.
Boxing simulator Undisputed features a mixture of modern and legendary fighters, including Muhammad Ali and Tyson Fury.
It also contains a ton of different punch types and attributes, making each fighter feel completely unique.
One game that I’m interested to try out is Subnautica: Below Zero, which sees players explore icy waters, all the while avoiding deadly creatures and trying to survive the harsh conditions.
Metroidvania Ultros is another game that’s worth trying, featuring a colourful art style and unique stage design.
Finally, Ace Combat 7 is an aerial combat game that launches ahead of the recently announced sequel.
