PlayStation Plus just fired its biggest December in years. I can confirm five monthly games are live for Essential, a two stage catalog shake up is hitting Extra and Premium, and Sony has locked a PS5 first strategy for 2026. This is a pivot month, with wins, cuts, and a loud signal for where the service is going next.
What You Can Claim Right Now
Essential subscribers have five games to grab between now and January 5. LEGO Horizon Adventures and Killing Floor 3 land on PS5. The Outlast Trials and Neon White include both PS4 and PS5 versions. Synduality: Echo of Ada is PS5 only. It is a strong holiday spread, mixing a cozy action adventure, a hardcore shooter, sleek speed run action, and co op horror.
If you only own a PS4, you can still claim Neon White and The Outlast Trials now, then play them on PS5 later if you upgrade. Claiming locks the license to your account. You can download whenever you want, as long as your subscription stays active.
Claim all five Essential titles before January 5. Claiming is enough. You do not need to download today.
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Mid December Additions, Plus Nine Catalog Exits
Extra and Premium get a one two punch. Skate Story joined the catalog on December 8 as a day one drop. Then on December 16, the library expands again. Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, and Planet Coaster 2 headline the update. LEGO Horizon Adventures also lands in the catalog, alongside Cat Quest III and two Paw Patrol entries. Premium adds a classic in Soulcalibur III with modern enhancements.
Here are the four additions I would start with:
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage for a tight stealth throwback
- Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty for fast, punishing combat
- Granblue Fantasy: Relink for co op action RPG depth
- Planet Coaster 2 for serious park builder tools
The refresh cuts both ways. Nine games leave Extra and Premium on December 16. Notable exits include Battlefield 2042, Grand Theft Auto III Definitive Edition, Sonic Frontiers, Forspoken, Surviving Mars, Firefighting Simulator The Squad, and Star Trek Bridge Crew. Two PSVR2 titles, Arcade Paradise VR and Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge Enhanced Edition, also depart.
With those two removals, Premium has no PSVR2 titles in the catalog. VR owners should plan accordingly.
Catalog titles stop working when they leave unless you buy them. Downloads do not preserve access. Your save data remains on your console or in cloud storage, so you can continue if you purchase later. Watch the store for exit discounts, which often arrive near removal dates.
The 2026 Pivot, And What It Means
Sony will shift to PS5 first content starting January 2026. PS4 games will still appear, but only once in a while. This is a clean line for the service after a long cross gen era. It will let Sony target DualSense features, faster storage, and modern engines without compromise.
For PS4 only players, the message is clear. Expect fewer fresh monthly claims you can play on your current console. Cross gen drops will still happen, just not on a regular rhythm. If you have been stacking PS4 Essential titles for years, nothing is lost. Your redeemed PS4 games remain in your library and will play with an active sub.
Previously redeemed PS4 titles stay accessible while you are subscribed, even after the 2026 shift begins.
VR players face a tougher near term picture. With PSVR2 content leaving Premium this month, the catalog has a gap. Sony will need to address this in 2026 if it wants to keep VR owners inside the service. For now, the only path is buying VR games outright or leaning on demos and trials when available.
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What To Do Before December 16
- Claim all five Essential games before January 5
- Finish or buy any catalog game that leaves on December 16
- Sync cloud saves to protect progress
- Download Skate Story now, then line up Mirage and Wo Long for the 16th
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I keep Essential games forever?
A: You keep access as long as your subscription stays active. Claim them before the deadline. You can download later.
Q: What happens when an Extra or Premium game leaves?
A: You lose access unless you buy it. Your saves are safe. If you purchase, you can pick up where you left off.
Q: Is PSVR2 content gone from Premium?
A: After December 16, there are no PSVR2 games in the catalog. You can still play VR games you own.
Q: I only have a PS4. Is there anything for me this month?
A: Yes. The Outlast Trials and Neon White include PS4 versions in Essential. Extra and Premium may add some PS4 builds, but the focus is shifting.
Q: How will the 2026 change affect monthly giveaways?
A: Expect PS5 heavy lineups. PS4 games will show up less often, but redeemed PS4 titles remain playable with an active sub.
Sony’s December move resets expectations, and it does it loudly. Essential gets real variety. Extra and Premium gain heavy hitters, while nine exits tighten the library. VR takes a hit. Then the 2026 plan puts PS5 front and center. The signal is simple. If you play on PS5, PlayStation Plus is leaning toward you. If you are on PS4 or PSVR2, make a plan now, then watch how Sony fills the gaps in the new year.
