Friend, if you‘re a proud new owner of the coveted PS5 console, you‘ve picked an amazing time to join the PlayStation universe. Sony is enticing next-gen players with an incredible selection of free games across both PS5 and classic PS4 titles. Keep reading and I‘ll explain everything you need to know to access this treasure trove of free entertainment.
PlayStation Plus is your gateway to free games every month
The key to unlocking free games on your PS5 is a membership to PlayStation Plus (PS Plus). This is Sony‘s premium online service that opens the door to a bunch of valuable benefits across PS5, PS4, and PS VR platforms.
Here‘s a quick overview of what‘s included in a PS Plus membership:
- Online multiplayer access for most PS games
- 2-3 free games to download each month
- Exclusive discounts on PlayStation Store purchases
- Share play and other social features
- 100GB cloud storage for game saves
There are currently three membership tier options:
- PS Plus Essential – $9.99/month, $24.99/3 months, $59.99/year
- PS Plus Extra – $14.99/month, $39.99/3 months, $99.99/year
- PS Plus Premium – $17.99/month, $49.99/3 months, $119.99/year
PS Plus Essential already gets you those monthly free games, so that‘s the minimum requirement to start expanding your library. The higher tiers add on more downloadable games and streaming access. We‘ll break those down shortly.
First, let‘s detail how the PS Plus monthly free games work.
Two free PS4 and PS5 game downloads each month
All PS Plus members, regardless of tier, gain access to two PlayStation game downloads each and every month. This usually includes:
- 1 major PS4 game
- 1 indie or retro PS4 game
- Occasionally one of the games is a PS5 title
These free monthly games rotate in and out – once claimed they are yours to keep forever as long as you maintain an active PS Plus membership.
Here are some stellar examples of free PS Plus games from the last year:
- Star Wars: Squadrons (PS4)
- Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown (PS4)
- Overcooked: All You Can Eat (PS5)
- Battlefield V (PS4)
- Oddworld: Soulstorm (PS5)
- Greedfall (PS4/PS5)
As you can see, there‘s a great mix of high profile AAA blockbusters, unique indies, old-school classics and next-gen upgrades.
According to gamer surveys, PS Plus subscribers redeem an average of 10 free games each year from these monthly offers. That‘s up to $600 worth of games for just a $60 annual membership!
The PlayStation Plus Collection nets you 20 free classics on PS5
Now, this next freebie is exclusively for PS5 owners. It‘s called the PlayStation Plus Collection and it grants access to a curated library of 20 of the PS4‘s absolute best games ready to download on your new console.
This collection is meant to ease the transition and let PS5 gamers experience some of the essential PS4 must-plays they may have missed. And it‘s available at no extra cost to all PS Plus subscribers upon getting their PS5.
Here‘s the full list of the 20 free PS Plus Collection games:
- Batman: Arkham Knight
- Battlefield 1
- Bloodborne
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III – Zombies Chronicles Edition
- Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
- Days Gone
- Detroit: Become Human
- Fallout 4
- Final Fantasy XV
- God of War
- inFAMOUS Second Son
- Monster Hunter: World
- Mortal Kombat X
- Persona 5
- Ratchet and Clank
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
- The Last Guardian
- The Last of Us Remastered
- Uncharted 4: A Thief‘s End
- Until Dawn
As you can see, that‘s an insane lineup of iconic PS4 experiences across action, adventure, horror, platforming and RPG genres. First-party Sony titles like God of War, The Last of Us, and Uncharted 4 are considered some of the very best games ever made.
Having immediate access to these 20 masterpieces for free is a huge benefit for new PS5 owners. It‘s estimated over 90% of PS Plus subscribers with a PS5 have claimed games from the collection.
Pre-Installed: Astro‘s Playroom platformer lets you test the DualSense
One free game comes pre-loaded on every new PS5 – a cute 3D platformer called Astro‘s Playroom. It‘s designed to showcase the capabilities of the PS5‘s revolutionary DualSense controller.
You‘ll be blown away by feeling direct sensory feedback through the controller‘s advanced haptic system. It allows you to experience different gameplay sensations like puddles, sand surfaces, and more. The adaptive triggers also create dynamic resistance for actions like drawing back a bow and arrow.
Astro‘s Playroom isn‘t the longest game ever made. But it‘s absolutely worth playing through its four worlds both as an introduction to your PS5 and a love letter to PlayStation history filled with references to past Sony consoles and accessories.
How and when to download your free PlayStation Plus games
Now that you know about the tremendous free game options for PS5 owners, here‘s a quick guide on how to download them:
PS Plus Monthly Games – These can be downloaded anytime they are available. New games are rotated in on the first Tuesday of each month. Go to the PlayStation Store > PlayStation Plus section to find that month‘s games.
PS Plus Collection – These 20 PS4 games can be downloaded immediately on a PS5 by subscribing to PS Plus. Head to your Game Library > PlayStation Plus tab > PlayStation Plus Collection.
Pre-Installed Astro Bot – Nothing to download here. This game is ready to play on every new PS5 out of the box. Enjoy!
I recommend browsing the PS Plus hub on your console the day new monthly games go live. Sony also sends out system notifications and emails to notify you of the latest free game updates. Add them to your download queue right away before the month ends.
Once claimed, PS Plus games are tied to your account and can be downloaded again at any time as long as your membership is active.
Genre preferences and cost savings – is PlayStation Plus worth it for you?
I think PlayStation Plus easily pays for itself thanks to the ongoing free games. But let‘s explore whether the membership makes sense based on your gaming preferences.
PlayStation Plus is a great value if:
- You play multiplayer games online
- You like to play a wide variety of game genres
- You enjoy indie games alongside big blockbusters
- You prefer curated, high-quality lineups over quantity
PlayStation Plus may not be essential if:
- You only play single-player games
- You focus on one or two game genres
- You are very selective in the games you play
- You prefer Xbox, Switch, or PC ecosystems
To maximize savings, be strategic with your downloads. Prioritize PS Plus monthly games you know you will actually play – claim the ones you‘re genuinely excited for. Let the lesser titles pass by if they aren‘t your cup of tea.
With hundreds of dollars worth of games redeemable annually, a $60 PS Plus membership practically pays for itself. But your motivation to subscribe ultimately depends on if the program‘s free game selections match your personal tastes.
How does PlayStation Plus compare to Xbox Game Pass?
Now, PlayStation Plus serves a similar purpose to Xbox‘s popular Game Pass subscription. A common question is how they compare.
PlayStation definitely offers strong value with free games, online play, bonuses and discounts. But most agree that Game Pass provides more all-around content and variety through its Netflix-style game library with these key advantages:
- Over 400 downloadable games versus around 50 per year with PS Plus free monthly games
- New Microsoft first-party releases like Halo are free on release day with Game Pass, while Sony‘s big new games are full-price
- Wider range of major third-party games from AAA franchises like Assassin‘s Creed
- Includes games across Xbox consoles, PC, and cloud streaming
However, PlayStation is catching up with its new multi-tier PS Plus overhaul announced for Summer 2022. The top PS Plus Premium tier will include hundreds of additional PS4 and PS5 games available for download or cloud streaming. This definitely narrows the gap with Game Pass.
Both services provide tremendous value at around $10 per month. For multi-platform gamers, subscriptions to both PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass give you the maximal amount of game content to enjoy.
The PS5 ushers in a price hike for new next-gen games
Now, one bit of bad news I must share is that buying new PS5 games has gotten a bit more expensive. With the launch of the PS5, Sony also raised the standard price of new releases from $60 to $70. Major publishers like Activision and Ubisoft have followed their lead.
This is the first major price hike for new games in the last 15 years. Sony justifies it by citing the way games have massively evolved and now cost many times more to develop than the PlayStation 1/2 eras.
While a bummer for players, the good news is PS Plus subscriptions and free games help offset these higher costs. Some other money-saving tips include:
- Be patient for sales and price drops on titles you aren‘t in a rush to play immediately at launch
- Consider buying used physical disc copies
- Take advantage of retailers‘ membership discounts like Best Buy‘s Gamers Club
Next, let‘s explore the differences between physical and digital game pricing.
Physical versus Digital game pricing
If you opted for the standard PS5 Blu-ray disc edition, you‘re likely interested in buying physical game copies. This offers a few key advantages:
- Used games are much cheaper – often 50% off or more
- Easy to re-sell or lend to friends when done
- Retail discount sales will often beat PSN store digital discounts
- Ability to buy and sell second-hand without depreciation
- Collections – some gamers enjoy having a shelf of cases and discs!
However, buying digitally directly from PlayStation Store has its own upsides:
- Convenience – preload and play new releases immediately at midnight
- Often matches retail pricing with PS Store sales and price drops
- Gameshare by setting your friend‘s PS5 as your account‘s primary system
- Lower long-term costs since you‘re guaranteed the lowest sale price rather than buying used games after initial depreciation
Both options are solid for frugal gamers. My advice is to shop around and buy whichever format is cheapest at the time for your desired game. Utilize used discs, PSN sales, retailer deals and subreddits like r/PS4Deals to maximize value.
Key factors to consider before buying a PS5
With PlayStation 5 stock shortages finally easing in 2022, more gamers are preparing to make the next-gen leap. Here are some important points to reflect on before you purchase:
Your budget – The PS5 Disc model retails for $499, while the all-digital version is $399. Factor in likely additions like extra controllers, PS Plus membership, new 4K TV, and some game releases. It‘s easy to spend $700+ in early costs.
Games that interest you – The PS5 library is still ramping up, so make sure there are enough compelling exclusives like Spider-Man, Horizon Forbidden West, and Demon‘s Souls to justify buying in.
Disc drive – If you have an extensive PS4 physical game library or like buying used, the standard PS5 supports 4K Blu-ray discs. Go digital-only if you prefer buying on PSN.
4K TV – While not absolutely necessary, a 4K TV allows you to see the PS5‘s impressive 4K high dynamic range graphics fully realized. If you still game on a 1080p TV, an upgrade here makes a big visual impact.
Wait for deals – With demand finally stabilizing in 2022, PS5 discounts are starting to appear. You may be able to save $50 or score a game/accessory bundle this holiday season as stock normalizes further.
Consider your budget, games backlog, and desired platform exclusives before pulling the trigger. While still a hot commodity, PS5 availability and discounts are only getting better from here.
Tips for actually finding PS5 stock and purchasing
Despite improving supply, buying a PS5 still requires a bit of persistence and luck. Here are tips to secure the console:
Have accounts set up and payment info saved with major retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy and GameStop. This speeds up the checkout process.
Follow Twitter feeds that provide restock updates like @Wario64 and turn on notifications. Jump on a notification instantly as stock sells out in minutes.
Try the PS Direct online queue which gives registered PSN members exclusive access to order directly from PlayStation.
Don‘t rule out local stores! Check area Walmarts, Meijer, GameStops, and electronics chains as you may luck out with in-store restock.
The new Horizon Forbidden West hardware bundles are more widely available and bundle in an amazing PS5 exclusive game!
Be prepared to act fast once you find stock – have those retailer accounts ready to speed through checkout before stock vanishes from your cart. Persistence pays off!
The PS5 is an impressive technological leap forward delivering jaw-dropping visuals, crashes and load times, and extremely immersive gameplay thanks to innovative DualSense haptic feedback. Combine the power of next-gen with an unbeatable library of free games thanks to your savvy use of PlayStation Plus membership. Happy gaming, my friend!
