Can you keep PlayStation Plus monthly games? Absolutely!
As a long-time PS Plus subscriber and avid PlayStation gamer, this is one of the most frequent questions I get asked about the service. So let me provide a definitive answer: Yes, PlayStation Plus members get to keep the monthly PlayStation Plus games for free as long as you maintain an active subscription! Once it expires, you lose access until you resubscribe.
Here‘s how the popular monthly PlayStation Plus games benefit works:
| Date | Game 1 | Game 2 |
| January 2023 | Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order | Fallout 76 |
- Sony provides 2-3 games across PS4 and PS5 to PS Plus members every month
- You can download and play these games for free if you claim them during that month
- The games are tied to your account and available until you cancel PS Plus membership
- Based on Sony‘s 2021 annual report, there are over 48 million PS Plus subscribers enjoying this benefit
- That translates into 144-216 free games being claimed by the PS community monthly!
So in summary, yes the monthly PlayStation Plus games are yours to enjoy indefinitely on an active membership. An exceptional value-add that‘s kept me subscribed for 5+ years now.
What happens if your PlayStation Plus membership expires?
If you let your PlayStation Plus subscription expire after claiming monthly games, then you lose access UNTIL you renew your membership:
- Your claimed monthly games will have padlock icons indicating they are not accessible
- Playing them prompts you to renew your lapsed membership before launching games
- Renewing gives you access again to all your previously claimed monthly PlayStation Plus games
Essentially these free monthly games are tied to your PS Plus membership status. Let it lapse = lose access temporarily until you resubscribe.
PlayStation Plus recently merged with PlayStation Now
In a major revamp of Sony‘s gaming subscription services, as of June 2022 PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now have consolidated into a new 3-tier offering:
- Essential – Same as the original PS Plus with online gaming, monthly games etc
- Extra – Adds access to a 400+ game catalog
- Premium – Expands into 700+ game catalog, game trials, streaming and classic games
For avid gamers like myself, the Premium tier is an insane value-add. But more on that later!
You still keep your monthly games on the new PlayStation Plus tiers
- The ability to claim and keep PlayStation Plus monthly games functions the same even after the revamp
- It is part of the Essential tier benefits so remains unchanged for existing subscribers
- So longtime PS Plus users can continue enjoying this popular perk on active membership
Now let‘s get into the impressive benefits unlocked by the pricier PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium tiers!
PlayStation Plus Extra Game Catalog – 400+ PS4 & PS5 games
For $17.99 monthly, the PlayStation Plus Extra tier adds access to a Game Catalog of over 400 PS4 and PS5 games to download and play!
That‘s a MASSIVE value-add beyond the standard PS Plus benefits even without considering streaming or classic games.
Some major titles available right now from my personal library include:
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Marvel‘s Spider-Man
- Ghost of Tsushima Director‘s Cut
- Death Stranding
- God of War
- Miles Morales
- Demon‘s Souls
- Returnal
In my view $17.99 a month is an absolute steal for access to that many incredible games!
PlayStation Plus Premium – The ultimate package for serious gamers
Okay, now for the real meat and potatoes. The Premium tier combines all the benefits of Extra with a bunch of extras costing $17.99 monthly or $119.99 annually.
You get everything discussed already plus:
- 700+ Game Catalog – Includes over 700 PS4, PS5, PS3 classics and retro titles from PS1/PSP
- Game Trials – Time-limited access to try new-release games before buying
- Enhanced Cloud Streaming – Higher quality streaming from PS3 game catalog compared to existing PlayStation Now
- Classic Games – 400+ beloved PS1, PS2 and PSP games with modern features applied
As a passionate gamer who adores retro classics, this is my ideal subscription package!
Incredible value breaking down the PlayStation Plus Premium math:
- Over 700 downloadable games
- Valued at $60 per game = $42,000+ worth of gaming content
- Game trials for upcoming AAA titles
- Big savings trying games before buying
- Streaming classics like Ape Escape, Tekken 2 etc.
- Serious nostalgia perks for veteran gamers
- Online multiplayer, exclusive discounts & monthly games
- Gravy on top of everything else!
Viewed holistically, a $119.99 annual rate for PlayStation Plus Premium membership brings EXTRAORDINARY value not found anywhere else in console gaming.
It would take lifetimes to play through that content library even for hardcore gamers. Sony Interactive Entertainment has delivered a master-stroke here in my opinion.
So in summary:
YES – You keep PlayStation Plus monthly games indefinitely on an active membership! Let it lapse = lose access until resubscribing.
The revamped PlayStation Plus tiers add even more outstanding value. PlayStation Plus Premium especially is every gamer‘s dream service backed by strong adoption and engagement within the PlayStation community historically.
This gaming guru is subscribed for the long haul!
What do you think? Are you a PlayStation Plus subscriber enjoying the monthly games and new catalog benefits too? Let me know in the comments below!
