Free PlayStation Plus games for January 2026: The complete list
With the start of the new year, Sony Interactive Entertainment officially revealed, via its official blog, the long-awaited list of free games for PlayStation Plus for January 2026. This move comes to enhance the players' library with a diverse range of strong titles that cater to different tastes, from exciting racing games to classic platforming adventures and cooperative survival games.
Game availability dates and menu details
The company confirmed that the three new games will be available for download to all subscribers across all service tiers (Essential, Extra, and Premium) starting Tuesday, January 6, 2026. The list includes the following titles:
- Need for Speed Unbound (PS5 version): The latest installment in the long-running racing series developed by Criterion Games, it features a unique visual style that blends realism with cel-shading, and takes place in the fictional city of Lakeshore.
- Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (PS4 and PS5 versions): This is the enhanced (remake) version of the classic game originally released on the Wii. It reintroduces Mickey Mouse in the dark world of Wasteland, with significant improvements to the graphics and gameplay mechanics, giving the new generation the chance to experience one of Warren Spector's masterpieces.
- Core Keeper (PS4 and PS5 versions): A sandbox adventure survival game that supports cooperative gameplay for up to 8 players. It features attractive pixel graphics, where players explore endless caves, mine, farm, and craft equipment to face giant bosses.
The importance and development of the PlayStation Plus service
Free monthly games have been a cornerstone of PlayStation Plus since its inception, a feature Sony has maintained even after restructuring the service and dividing it into three tiers. The importance of this tier lies in the added value it offers subscribers, allowing them to try games they might not otherwise purchase individually, thus broadening their gaming horizons.
Strategically, by releasing strong titles like Need for Speed Unbound at the beginning of the year, Sony aims to maintain subscriber momentum and compete with other services in the market. The diverse lineup, ranging from family-friendly games (Epic Mickey) to professional-level games (NFS), also reflects the company's desire to satisfy the broad global fan base of PlayStation platforms.
A look at the history of the series presented
Need for Speed game brings back memories of the long history of street racing games that have been part of gaming culture since the 1990s. Meanwhile, the return of Epic Mickey in a new guise celebrates Disney's rich history in the gaming industry, blending deep storytelling with innovative gameplay mechanics that rely on drawing and scanning to transform the world.
It is worth noting that subscribers have the opportunity to add these games to their digital library and keep them as long as their subscription to the service is in effect, making January 2026 a strong start to a year full of digital experiences.
