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PlayStation Plus Monthly Games vs. Game Catalog: What’s the Difference?

Monthly Games must be claimed during their offer period and remain playable with an active membership. The Game Catalog is a rotating library for Extra and Premium members.
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Monthly Games are titles you must claim during their offer window; the Game Catalog is a rotating library you browse on demand. Monthly Games are included with PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium. Game Catalog access requires Extra or Premium. After claiming a Monthly Game, you can play it while your membership is active; a Game Catalog game is playable only while your plan includes the catalog and the game remains available.

Monthly Games and the Game Catalog are different benefits

Question Monthly Games Game Catalog
What is it? A selection of offers updated each calendar month. You need to add each game to your library during its offer period. A rotating, on-demand library that PlayStation describes as containing hundreds of games, with titles added regularly.
Which plans include it? Essential, Extra, and Premium. Extra and Premium; not Essential.
How long can you play? While your membership is active, after you claim the game. While you have an eligible plan and the game remains in the service.
How do you play? Add the offer to your library, then download it. Select a currently available title and download it, or stream an eligible title with Premium where supported.

PlayStation does not give a universal claim-window length or a universal notice period for catalog removals. Check the offer and each game’s current listing rather than assuming a fixed number of days. See PlayStation’s current games listings for the service libraries and title availability.

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What happens to a Monthly Game after its offer ends?

If you added the Monthly Game to your library while it was offered, it remains playable as long as your PlayStation Plus membership is active. You do not have to download it during the offer period; claiming it is the important step. If you did not claim it before the offer ended, it is no longer available as that month’s offer.

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PlayStation Support says, “New games are added every calendar month.” The exact offers and their availability dates can change, so check the current Monthly Games page or your console’s PlayStation Plus section. The official guide explains how to access and add them: How to access PlayStation Plus games.

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Do Game Catalog games leave PS Plus?

Yes. The Game Catalog rotates, so a title can leave even while your subscription continues. Access is conditional on both having Extra or Premium and the game still being included in the service. A catalog listing is not permanent ownership, and downloading a game does not change that condition. Check a title’s listing for current availability or an announced removal date.

Which PlayStation Plus plan gives access to each library?

  • Essential: Includes Monthly Games, but not the Game Catalog.
  • Extra: Includes Essential benefits and Game Catalog access.
  • Premium: Includes Essential and Extra benefits, plus the Classics Catalog, game trials, and cloud-streaming features in supported regions.

Premium streaming is not available for every game, platform, or location. PlayStation says most games across its libraries can be downloaded; some Classics Catalog games, including a selection of PS3 titles, are streaming-only. Check the game’s listing and PlayStation’s PlayStation Plus support information for details that apply to your region and device.

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How to find and claim Monthly Games

  1. On PS5: Open PlayStation Plus, go to Benefits, then select Monthly Games. Choose an available game and add it to your library.
  2. On PS4: Open PlayStation Plus, select Monthly Games, then choose Add to Library for the offer you want.
  3. From a browser or the PlayStation App: Select the current offer and add it to your library; you can also start a remote download where supported.
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Which benefit matters when choosing a plan?

If you mainly want the monthly offers, Essential includes them; remember to claim each game during its offer period. If you want a larger selection to browse and play on demand, Extra adds the Game Catalog. Premium is the higher tier for people who also want the Classics Catalog, trials, and supported streaming features. Compare the games currently available in your region with the features you would actually use before choosing a tier.

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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.

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