How to Get a PlayStation Game Catalog: A Comprehensive Guide
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Getting access to a PlayStation game catalog is simpler than you might think, but it does require a subscription to one of the PlayStation Plus tiers above the base “Essential” level. To put it plainly, you need to be subscribed to either PlayStation Plus Extra or PlayStation Plus Premium to access the game catalog. This catalog provides access to a vast library of games ready for download and play. Here’s a detailed guide on how you can get started.
Accessing the Game Catalog on Your PlayStation Console
Navigating to the Game Catalog
The most direct way to access the game catalog is through your PlayStation console. Whether you have a PlayStation 4 (PS4) or a PlayStation 5 (PS5), the process is virtually the same:
- Start at the Games Home Screen: From your console’s main menu, navigate to the Games home screen.
- Scroll to PlayStation Plus: Look for the PlayStation Plus icon, which is usually located on the right side of your home screen. Scroll right to select it.
- Select the Benefits Tab: Once on the PlayStation Plus screen, you’ll see several tabs. Navigate to the Benefits tab.
- Choose Game Catalog: Within the Benefits tab, you’ll find an option that says Game Catalog. Select this to access the library of available games.
Once you’ve accessed the Game Catalog, you can browse the extensive list of available games, explore genres, and download your chosen titles directly to your console. Remember that games included in the catalog are available to play only as long as you maintain your PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium subscription.
Understanding PlayStation Plus Tiers and the Game Catalog
The Essentials
The base tier, PlayStation Plus Essential, does not include access to the game catalog. This tier provides monthly downloadable games, exclusive discounts, cloud saves for game data, and access to online multiplayer features.
PlayStation Plus Extra: The Gateway to the Game Catalog
The PlayStation Plus Extra tier is the first step towards unlocking access to the game catalog. This tier includes all the benefits of the Essential tier, plus the addition of up to 400 downloadable PS4 and PS5 games. This is where you will find a vast collection of both first-party and third-party titles, available for you to download and play while they remain in the catalog and you have an active subscription.
PlayStation Plus Premium: More Games, More Features
PlayStation Plus Premium offers the most comprehensive benefits package. It includes all of the advantages of both Essential and Extra, and it adds the Classics Catalog, an expanding library of PlayStation 1, PlayStation 2, and PS3 games. The Classics Catalog allows you to either download or stream most of these older generation titles. Additionally, the Premium tier provides cloud streaming capabilities for select titles and exclusive game trials for selected new games.
How the Game Catalog Works
The PlayStation Plus Game Catalog works similarly to other subscription services, like Game Pass, with a constantly evolving library. Games are rotated in and out of the service periodically. This means that games leave the catalog each month to be replaced with newer ones. However, this doesn’t mean that games are only playable for one month. Games typically stay in the catalog for multiple months, allowing you time to experience them.
Importantly, keep in mind that you do not own the games from the catalog. Access is tied directly to your active subscription. If you allow your subscription to expire or if a game is removed from the catalog, you’ll lose access to that game even if it’s still downloaded to your console.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly is the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog?
The PlayStation Plus Game Catalog is a benefit included in the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscriptions that offers access to a large library of downloadable PS4 and PS5 games. Games included in the catalog can be played as long as you have an active subscription and the game is available in the catalog.
2. Which PlayStation Plus tiers provide access to the game catalog?
Only the PlayStation Plus Extra and PlayStation Plus Premium tiers give access to the game catalog. The Essential tier does not include this feature.
3. How many games are available in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog?
The game catalog includes up to 400 PS4 and PS5 games. The exact number may vary as games are added and removed periodically.
4. Do I get to keep the games I download from the game catalog?
No, you do not own the games you download from the game catalog. Your access to these games is linked to your active PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium membership. If you cancel your subscription, you lose access, even if the game is still downloaded on your console. The game also must remain on the catalog.
5. How often do games get added to the PS Plus Game Catalog?
New games are added to the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog every month, along with some games being removed, offering a constant stream of fresh content.
6. How long do games stay in the PS Plus Game Catalog?
The length of time a game remains in the catalog varies. Some games might stay for several months, while others may only be available for a shorter period before rotating out. Games are not usually only available for a single month.
7. What is the difference between the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium tiers?
PlayStation Plus Extra gives access to the main game catalog, while PlayStation Plus Premium includes all benefits of Extra, along with the addition of the Classics Catalog, containing downloadable PS1, PS2 games, as well as cloud-streamed PS3 games, and also exclusive game trials and cloud streaming capabilities for select titles.
8. Can I play games from the PS Plus Game Catalog on my PS4?
Yes, you can absolutely access and play games from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog on your PS4 console.
9. What is the Classics Catalog in PlayStation Plus Premium?
The Classics Catalog is a library of games from older PlayStation consoles, including the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and streamed PlayStation 3 games. This catalog is exclusively available to PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers.
10. How do PlayStation collectibles work with PS Plus?
PlayStation Plus members earn points for eligible purchases on the PlayStation Store, which can be redeemed for digital collectibles, or PSN wallet funds. These collectibles are primarily for display and social purposes. You are not able to sell them for real money.
11. What happens to games I’ve downloaded if they leave the catalog?
If a game leaves the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, you lose access to it, even if it is still downloaded to your console. You would have to purchase the game to continue playing it.
12. Can I still play the PS Plus monthly games if I cancel my subscription?
The monthly games given through the PlayStation Plus Essential membership are tied to your account and remain playable as long as you maintain any active PlayStation Plus membership. However, the games from the game catalog are only accessible while you have a PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium subscription and the games are still listed on the catalog.
13. Do PlayStation trophies have any monetary value?
PlayStation trophies themselves do not have any monetary value. They are earned based on in-game achievements and contribute to your “trophy level” on your profile.
14. Can I transfer or sell my PS Plus collectibles?
No, PS Plus collectibles cannot be transferred or sold for real-world money. Their purpose is social and to add to your virtual profile.
15. Is there a difference between PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now?
PlayStation Plus offers access to online multiplayer, free monthly games, and the game catalog (on Extra and Premium tiers), while PlayStation Now (now integrated into PlayStation Plus) provided access to a library of streamed games, which is a feature of the Premium subscription now. The main difference now is that PlayStation Plus is an overall membership, with different tier options.