Sony to Phase Out PS4 Titles from PlayStation Plus Essential Beginning 2026

Sony has officially confirmed that starting in 2026, the PlayStation Plus Essential subscription will undergo a major transition — monthly selections will no longer automatically include PlayStation 4 titles. Instead, the lineup will focus exclusively on PlayStation 5 games, signaling a significant step toward the future of the platform.

For more than a decade, since the launch of the PS4 in 2013, subscribers to the most basic PS Plus tier have consistently received at least one PS4 game each month. This tradition sustained the service even before it was rebranded as “Essential.” However, Sony now sees the gaming community as increasingly anchored around the PS5 ecosystem.

The end of an era for PS4 on PlayStation Plus

While Sony has not disclosed precise numbers regarding active PS4 players, the shift appears to be backed by impressive PS5 sales figures. Having reached over 84 million units sold globally since its 2020 debut, the PS5 has cemented itself as one of the most successful consoles in the company’s history. Sony notes that the change reflects the growing dominance of PS5 and the decreasing necessity of including PS4 games in the Essential lineup.

Although PS4 players may see this as a setback, Sony has clarified that these titles will not disappear completely. Occasionally, PS4 games might still appear during special campaigns or limited-time events. However, standard monthly distributions will be devoted solely to PS5 releases.

Options for players who still want PS4 content

Subscribers looking to continue enjoying the rich library of PS4 games are encouraged to consider the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium tiers. These plans maintain extensive catalogs of PS4 titles, which continue to receive periodic updates and additions each month. This approach ensures that fans of past-generation games still have meaningful access to their favorite titles while embracing the evolution toward next-generation gaming.

Ultimately, this decision marks a symbolic closure of the PS4 era and a deliberate acceleration into the PS5-dominated landscape. For many long-time PlayStation users, it’s an end tinged with nostalgia but also an invitation to experience the next level of gaming innovation.