PlayStation Plus subscribers can kick off 2026 with a solid trio of free games. Sony officially announced the PS Plus Essential lineup for January on December 31, 2025, confirming that Need for Speed Unbound, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, and Core Keeper will be available to claim starting January 6. The games remain available until February 2, giving members nearly a full month to add them to their libraries.
Need for Speed Unbound Speeds In
The headliner is Need for Speed Unbound, EA’s 2022 street racing game that marked the franchise’s return after a multi-year hiatus. This PS5-exclusive offering drops players into Lakeshore City, a fictionalized Chicago-inspired urban playground where illegal street racing reigns supreme. The game features both single-player and multiplayer campaigns, with players racing against time, outsmarting cops, and competing in weekly qualifiers to reach The Grand, Lakeshore’s ultimate street racing challenge.
What sets Unbound apart from previous Need for Speed entries is its bold animated visual style. The game incorporates graffiti-like effects, cel-shaded elements, and vibrant street art aesthetics that overlay the realistic environments. IGN’s review noted that while Unbound “hasn’t strayed very far from the fundamentals of 2019’s Heat, its bold new animated style impresses.” The game also features A$AP Rocky as part of the story, following your rise through the underground racing scene while managing your rep and evading increasingly aggressive police pursuits as your Heat index rises.
Disney Magic Gets Rebrushed
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is the second game in January’s lineup, available on both PS4 and PS5. This is a complete remake of the 2010 Wii exclusive that brought Mickey Mouse into a darker, more adventurous platforming experience. THQ Nordic’s 2024 remaster modernized the visuals and gameplay while preserving the original’s unique charm and creativity.
In Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, players control Mickey Mouse as he’s sucked into the Wasteland, a realm where forgotten Disney characters and concepts have languished for decades. The star attraction is Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt Disney’s original creation before Mickey Mouse. This marks one of the first times Mickey and his “brother” Oswald appear together in a game, forcing Mickey to reconcile with Oswald if he wants any chance of escaping the Wasteland. IGN’s preview praised how much the remake “looks and, perhaps most importantly, feels like a 2024 game” despite being based on 14-year-old source material.
Core Keeper Digs Deep
Rounding out January’s offerings is Core Keeper, a mining sandbox adventure that blends cozy and survival game elements. Available on both PS4 and PS5, Core Keeper supports 1-8 players online as you explore a vast underground cavern filled with hidden treasures, untold secrets, and dangerous creatures. Players dig for relics and resources, craft advanced tools, build elaborate bases, and delve deeper into the dynamically evolving world.
The gameplay loop involves defeating giant Titans while maintaining your base, tending to animals, growing food, fishing, and cooking. It’s essentially a subterranean take on games like Stardew Valley and Terraria, offering both relaxing farm management and intense boss battles. The timing for Core Keeper joining PS Plus is particularly good since the game is receiving a massive Void & Voltage Update on January 28, 2026. This update adds a new biome called Breaker’s Reach, a new boss named S.A.H.A.B.A.R., an Advanced Automation Table, and much more. The game is also launching on Switch 2 the same day.
Platform Availability Breakdown
| Game | PS5 | PS4 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Need for Speed Unbound | Yes | No | PS5 exclusive |
| Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed | Yes | Yes | Cross-gen |
| Core Keeper | Yes | Yes | Cross-gen, big update coming Jan 28 |
It’s worth noting that Need for Speed Unbound was previously available as part of the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for Extra and Deluxe members, meaning higher-tier subscribers may have already tried it. However, this is the first time Essential members can claim the game permanently without needing the pricier subscription tiers.
Don’t Forget December’s Games
Before January’s lineup goes live, PlayStation Plus members have until January 5, 2026, to claim December 2025’s free games. That month featured an unusually generous selection of five titles instead of the typical three. The December lineup included LEGO Horizon Adventures, Killing Floor 3, The Outlast Trials, Synduality Echo of Ada, and Neon White. If you haven’t grabbed those yet, make sure to do so before they disappear from the free games rotation.
December’s batch was particularly strong for horror fans with both Killing Floor 3’s co-op zombie slaying and The Outlast Trials’ psychological terror. Neon White offered speedrunning heaven for players who enjoy chaining movement mechanics, while LEGO Horizon Adventures brought family-friendly action to Sony’s post-apocalyptic robot dinosaur universe. Synduality Echo of Ada rounded things out with its mech-focused survival gameplay.
How January’s Lineup Stacks Up
Compared to recent months, January 2026 feels like a solid if not spectacular offering. Need for Speed Unbound is a recent AAA release that still carries a $39.99 price tag when not on sale, making it the clear value leader. However, the fact that Extra and Deluxe subscribers already had access through the Game Catalog diminishes its impact for higher-tier members.
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is the most interesting inclusion for many subscribers. The remake launched in September 2024 to positive reviews and still sells for $59.99, making this an excellent opportunity for platformer fans who missed it. The game’s unique Mickey Mouse IP combined with Wasteland’s darker aesthetic creates something genuinely different from typical Disney fare.
Core Keeper might be the sleeper hit of the bunch. While it lacks the name recognition of Need for Speed or the Disney branding of Epic Mickey, the mining sandbox has built a dedicated following since its early access period. The upcoming Void & Voltage Update arriving later in January gives new players perfect timing to jump in alongside existing community members experiencing fresh content.
What Subscribers Are Saying
Community reactions to January’s lineup have been mixed but generally positive. Many PlayStation Plus members expressed satisfaction with Need for Speed Unbound despite having seen it in the Game Catalog, since Essential subscribers now get permanent access without upgrading. Epic Mickey: Rebrushed drew particularly strong interest from nostalgic gamers who remembered the original Wii game fondly.
Some criticism emerged around the lack of PS5 exclusives beyond Need for Speed Unbound. Two of the three games are cross-gen titles, which feels slightly disappointing for members who specifically upgraded to PS5 for next-gen experiences. However, others countered that cross-gen availability means more people can enjoy the games regardless of which PlayStation console they own.
Claiming Your Games
PlayStation Plus Essential members can claim all three January games starting January 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM CET (which converts to roughly 2:30 PM IST for Indian subscribers). The games remain available until February 2, 2026, when they’ll be replaced by February’s lineup. Once claimed, the games stay in your library permanently as long as you maintain an active PlayStation Plus subscription.
To claim the games, simply navigate to the PlayStation Plus section of your PS5 or PS4’s main menu, or visit the PlayStation Store on your console or through the PlayStation app. The monthly games section will prominently display all three titles with a “Add to Library” button. Make sure to claim them before the February 2 deadline, as you cannot retroactively add expired monthly games once they rotate out.
Looking Ahead
January’s lineup sets an interesting precedent for 2026. After December’s five-game extravaganza, returning to the standard three-game formula might disappoint some members. However, the quality of these three offerings – particularly the recent AAA racer and a 2024 remake – suggests Sony is still investing in delivering value for Essential subscribers.
With PlayStation Plus price increases implemented throughout 2024 and continuing pressure from Xbox Game Pass, Sony needs to maintain strong monthly offerings to justify the subscription cost. January’s lineup accomplishes that goal reasonably well, offering variety across racing, platforming, and survival sandbox genres. Whether subsequent months maintain this quality level remains to be seen, but January 2026 starts the year on solid footing.
FAQs
When can I claim PS Plus January 2026 games?
PlayStation Plus Essential members can claim Need for Speed Unbound, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, and Core Keeper starting January 6, 2026. The games remain available until February 2, 2026.
Are all three games available on PS4?
No, Need for Speed Unbound is PS5 exclusive. However, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed and Core Keeper are both available on PS4 and PS5.
Was Need for Speed Unbound already on PS Plus?
Yes, Need for Speed Unbound was previously available in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for Extra and Deluxe tier subscribers. This is the first time Essential members can claim it permanently.
What’s the deadline to claim December 2025’s free games?
You have until January 5, 2026, to claim December’s lineup, which includes LEGO Horizon Adventures, Killing Floor 3, The Outlast Trials, Synduality Echo of Ada, and Neon White.
Is Core Keeper getting any updates soon?
Yes, Core Keeper is receiving a major Void & Voltage Update on January 28, 2026, which adds a new biome, new boss, advanced automation features, and more. It’s also launching on Switch 2 the same day.
Can I keep these games forever?
Once claimed, the games remain in your library permanently as long as you maintain an active PlayStation Plus subscription. If your subscription lapses, you lose access but regain it when you resubscribe.
Do I need PS Plus Extra or Deluxe to get these games?
No, these are PlayStation Plus Essential monthly games available to all PS Plus subscribers regardless of tier. Essential is the base $9.99/month subscription.
Is Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed the original game?
No, it’s a complete remake of the 2010 Wii exclusive with modernized visuals, improved gameplay, and enhanced mechanics. THQ Nordic released this version in September 2024.
Can I play Need for Speed Unbound offline?
Need for Speed Unbound includes both single-player and multiplayer campaigns. The single-player content can be played offline, but multiplayer features require PS Plus for online play and an internet connection.
Conclusion
PlayStation Plus kicks off 2026 with a well-rounded January lineup that offers something for racing fans, platformer enthusiasts, and survival sandbox players. While Need for Speed Unbound being a PS5 exclusive and having appeared previously in the Game Catalog slightly diminishes its impact, the inclusion of Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed and Core Keeper creates a balanced offering across genres and platforms. With Core Keeper’s major update arriving later in January and Disney Epic Mickey representing a solid 2024 remake, subscribers have legitimate reasons to claim all three titles even if street racing isn’t their thing. Make sure to grab December’s five-game lineup before January 5, then prepare to start the new year with fresh additions to your PlayStation library on January 6.