The first PlayStation Plus Essentialfree game for January has been leaked ahead of its official reveal later today, and it looks like we’re kicking 2026 off with a bang.
January’s PlayStation Plus Essential games are set to be officially revealed later today (December 31) around 11:30am ET. However, leaker bibil-kun has shared one of the games via Dealabs. It’s worth noting that bibil-kun and Dealabs have a 100 percent track record going back years when it comes to the PlayStation Plus lineup, so we can take this as near enough official confirmation.
PlayStation Plus’ First Free Game For January 2026 Is Here
Get ready to race
According to Dealabs, the first free PlayStation Plus game for 2026 is EA and Criterion’s Need For Speed Unbound. The most recent game in the popular racing series, Need For Speed Unbound came out back in 2022 and has a 77 critic score on Metacritic. It also has a user score of 5.9, so I don’t know how well this one is going to go down.
Personally, I think Need For Speed Unbound is a great game and well worth a look if you’re a fan of this particular franchise. If you’re not super into racing games? Well, I don’t know what to tell you. Hopefully the other two games are more up your street.
It’s also important to remember Need For Speed Unbound is PlayStation 5 only, as January 2026 officially sees the end of PlayStation 4 games added to the PlayStation Plus Essential monthly lineup.
January 2026 Is The End Of An Era For PlayStation Plus
It’s time to move on
Today’s lineup is probably the most important in a long while, given that PlayStation Plus Essential is going to phase out PS4 games, and focus on PS5 titles moving forward.
PlayStation explained earlier this year:
“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.”
If you still don’t have a PlayStation 5 for whatever reason, PS4 gamers can still add PS5 PS Plus games to their library through the PlayStation App, or through your account on the PlayStation Store website via any mobile device or computer. Check back here later and we’ll have the rest of the free games for January as they’re announced.
- Brand
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Sony
- Original Release Date
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June 29, 2010
- Original MSRP (USD)
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$59.99 (Essential), $99.99 (Extra), $119.99 (Premium) – Per Year
- App Store
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PlayStation Store
