Sony is kicking off 2026 with a PlayStation Plus lineup that blends speed, nostalgia, and creative freedom. The PlayStation Plus January 2026 games have officially been confirmed, and the selection offers something for nearly every type of player, from adrenaline-fueled racers to platforming purists and sandbox explorers.

Leading the month’s lineup is Need for Speed Unbound, joined by Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed and the indie favorite Core Keeper. All three titles will be available to PlayStation Plus subscribers from January 6 through February 2, according to Sony’s official announcement on the PlayStation blog.

While it may not be the flashiest lineup PlayStation Plus has ever delivered, it’s a thoughtful one, and a strong, measured way to ease players into the new year.

Need for Speed Unbound Brings High-Speed Energy to PS Plus

Headlining January’s drop is Need for Speed Unbound, the 2022 entry in EA’s long-running racing franchise. Available exclusively on PS5, the game represents one of the series’ boldest stylistic pivots in years.

Rather than sticking to pure realism, Unbound blends authentic cars and environments with animated, graffiti-inspired visual effects. The result is a look that feels loud, expressive, and unapologetically modern. The result is an aesthetic risk that immediately sets it apart.

Beyond its visuals, however, the game remains firmly rooted in classic Need for Speed DNA. Players race against the clock, evade increasingly aggressive police units, and compete in weekly qualifiers for a chance at The Grand—Lakeshore City’s ultimate street-racing showdown.

Importantly, Need for Speed Unbound separates its single-player and multiplayer progression systems. This allows solo players to advance at their own pace, while competitive racers can jump straight into online events without feeling left behind.

Although the game didn’t reinvent the genre mechanically, critics largely agreed that its creative gamble paid off. Many noted that while it builds on the foundation laid by Need for Speed Heat, its animated flair gives the franchise a fresh edge that feels especially at home on next-gen hardware. For PS Plus members who skipped the game at launch, January offers the perfect excuse to finally hit the streets.

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed Revives a Forgotten Classic

Shifting gears entirely, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed delivers something PlayStation Plus rarely offers: a carefully considered revival of a cult classic.

Originally released in 2010 on the Nintendo Wii, Epic Mickey introduced players to a darker, more introspective corner of Disney lore. Set in the Wasteland, a world populated by forgotten characters, the game reimagined Mickey Mouse as an unlikely hero wielding paint and thinner instead of brute force.

The Rebrushed edition, available on both PS4 and PS5, modernizes the experience without stripping away its soul. Visuals are sharper, controls are smoother, and the environment feels far more alive than it did more than a decade ago.

One of the game’s strongest emotional threads remains Mickey’s relationship with Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Disney’s original star before Mickey took center stage. Their uneasy alliance adds surprising depth to what might otherwise feel like a straightforward platformer.

At its core, Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is about atmosphere, choice, and consequence. Whether you restore the world with paint or erase obstacles with thinner subtly shapes how the story unfolds, inviting players to engage thoughtfully rather than rush forward.

Core Keeper Adds Indie Depth to the January Lineup

Rounding out the month is Core Keeper, a sandbox adventure that has quietly built a devoted following since its early access debut.

Playable on PS4 and PS5, Core Keeper supports one to eight players, making it equally suited for solo explorers and cooperative groups. The game blends mining, crafting, base-building, and combat within a procedurally evolving underground world that rewards curiosity and patience.

Its inclusion in January feels particularly well-timed thanks to the upcoming Void & Voltage Update, scheduled for January 28, 2026. The update introduces a new biome, Breaker’s Reach, alongside a formidable new boss—S.A.H.A.B.A.R.—and expanded automation systems designed to deepen long-term play.

By offering Core Keeper ahead of this update, PlayStation Plus gives players a valuable head start: time to explore, build, and prepare before the game grows even further.

It’s a smart addition, and one that underscores Sony’s continued effort to spotlight indie titles alongside major releases.

Closing Out 2025 While Setting the Tone for 2026

Before fully turning the page to January’s lineup, PlayStation Plus members still have a brief window to claim December 2025’s games. Titles like LEGO Horizon Adventures, Killing Floor 3, The Outlast Trials, Synduality: Echo of Ada, and Neon White remain available to add to libraries until January 5, after which they will rotate out of the service.

That overlap feels intentional. It creates a gentle transition from December’s high-energy chaos to a more deliberate start to the new year. And that’s precisely where January 2026 distinguishes itself.

The PlayStation Plus January 2026 games are about balance. Speed and style arrive through Need for Speed Unbound. Narrative-driven nostalgia comes via Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed. Meanwhile, Core Keeper offers depth, freedom, and longevity for players looking to settle in rather than sprint through content.

As the gaming calendar inevitably heats up later in the year, January doesn’t feel like a grand statement. Instead, it feels like an invitation: slow down, try something different, and step into 2026 with intention.

Featured image: EA

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