All three U.S. PlayStation Plus tiers—Essential, Extra, and Premium—include Monthly Games. You do not need to upgrade to Extra or Premium just to claim the monthly selection. The higher tiers add different libraries and features, so the right choice depends on what else you want to play.
What is the difference between Monthly Games and the Game Catalog?
Monthly Games are a selection that Sony says is updated at the beginning of every month. They are included with Essential, Extra, and Premium. Sony describes Essential members as able to play the monthly selection “as well as the entire PlayStation Plus Collection library” in its U.S. PlayStation Plus FAQ.
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The Game Catalog is a separate, on-demand library included with Extra and Premium. Sony describes it as featuring hundreds of games and says titles are added regularly; catalog availability and individual games can change. Having access to the Game Catalog is not a requirement for getting Monthly Games.
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Which tier should you choose?
| Tier | Monthly Games | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Yes | Core benefits including online multiplayer, discounts, Share Play, cloud storage, and exclusive content. |
| Extra | Yes | Essential benefits plus the Game Catalog. |
| Premium | Yes | Essential and Extra benefits plus the Classics Catalog, Game Trials, and cloud streaming. |
This comparison reflects Sony’s U.S. tier descriptions. Benefits and catalog availability may vary by country.
#1 Best Overall
- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
Choose Essential if the monthly selection is your priority
Essential includes Monthly Games along with the core benefits Sony lists. If your main question is whether you need a higher tier to receive the monthly selection, you do not: Essential includes it.
Choose Extra if you also want the Game Catalog
Extra includes Monthly Games and adds the Game Catalog. That makes it the relevant upgrade if you want access to that separate library as well as the monthly selection. Catalog games can change, so access to a library does not mean every title remains available indefinitely.
Rank #2
- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
Choose Premium if you want its additional features
Premium includes the benefits of the lower tiers and adds the Classics Catalog, Game Trials, and cloud streaming. Sony’s U.S. page says cloud streaming is unavailable in overseas territories and requires a minimum internet speed of 5 Mbps, or 15 Mbps for 1080p. Check local availability and requirements before choosing Premium for streaming.
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Monthly Games and catalog titles are not a promise that the same games will remain available forever. Sony updates the monthly selection at the beginning of each month, and catalog titles can change. Sony’s U.S. page also says PS4 games will be added to the catalog only intermittently from January 2026, so do not assume a steady flow of new PS4 additions.
Rank #3
- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
Can a PlayStation Store gift card pay for PlayStation Plus?
Yes. Sony says PlayStation Store gift-card credit can be used to purchase any PlayStation Plus membership. A gift card adds wallet credit; it is not itself a particular tier or subscription term. Sony also describes membership gift cards as a way to buy or extend a subscription. See PlayStation Store gift cards and Sony’s PlayStation Plus membership information.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
