What is PlayStation Plus Extra Subscription? A Comprehensive Guide
PlayStation Plus Extra is a mid-tier subscription service offered by Sony for PlayStation consoles, sitting between the basic PlayStation Plus Essential and the premium PlayStation Plus Premium. Essentially, it provides subscribers with all the benefits of PS Plus Essential, such as online multiplayer access, monthly games, exclusive discounts, and cloud saves, while also granting access to a vast catalog of downloadable PS4 and PS5 games. This catalog, which can contain up to 400 games, is a primary draw for many players looking for a cost-effective way to access a wide variety of titles. Games within the catalog often include popular hit titles, providing a value proposition for both casual and hardcore gamers. It’s important to understand that you don’t own these games like you would if you purchased them; they’re available to play while your subscription remains active.
Diving Deeper into PlayStation Plus Extra
What Do You Get?
At its core, PS Plus Extra is about value and variety. Here’s a breakdown of the key features:
- Essential Tier Benefits: You receive all the perks of the basic PS Plus Essential tier, allowing you to play online multiplayer games, get a selection of free games each month, and take advantage of exclusive discounts on the PlayStation Store. Cloud saves are also included.
- Game Catalog: Access to a library of up to 400 downloadable games for PS4 and PS5. This collection includes some big-name AAA games, indie darlings, and a range of titles covering various genres.
- Downloadable Games: Unlike some streaming-based services, PS Plus Extra allows you to download the games directly to your console, providing the best performance and stability.
- No Day-One Releases: One significant difference from other services like Game Pass is that PS Plus Extra generally does not offer new releases on day one. This can be a deciding factor for some players.
Cost and Availability
PS Plus Extra is available in various regions, with prices varying based on location. Typically, you can subscribe on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis. The pricing for PS Plus Extra is typically structured as follows (although these prices may vary slightly):
- Monthly: Approximately $14.99 / £10.99 / AU$18
- Quarterly: Approximately $39.99 / £31.99 / AU$54.95
- Yearly: Approximately $134.99 / £99.99 / AU$169.95
How it Compares
PlayStation Plus Extra is frequently compared to Microsoft’s Game Pass service. The key differences lie in game releases and the catalog. While Game Pass often includes major new releases on day one, PS Plus Extra tends to rely on older popular titles for its catalog. However, both offer a subscription-based approach for players to access a vast library without individually purchasing each game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About PS Plus Extra
Here are 15 frequently asked questions that provide more detail about PlayStation Plus Extra:
1. What’s the difference between PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium?
PlayStation Plus Essential provides basic online play, monthly games, cloud saves, and exclusive discounts. PlayStation Plus Extra includes all of the Essential benefits plus a catalog of downloadable PS4 and PS5 games. PlayStation Plus Premium includes everything from Essential and Extra, plus a library of classic PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP games, as well as game trials.
2. How often are new games added to the PS Plus Extra catalog?
New games are added to the PS Plus Extra Game Catalog on a regular basis, often monthly. However, the exact dates and number of titles can vary. Games also leave the catalog, meaning titles are constantly being rotated.
3. Can I upgrade from PS Plus Essential to PS Plus Extra?
Yes, you can easily upgrade from PlayStation Plus Essential to PlayStation Plus Extra (or Premium) at any time. You’ll be charged a pro-rated fee based on the remaining time on your current subscription.
4. Can I share my PS Plus Extra subscription with family members?
Yes, the main benefits of your PlayStation Plus subscription can be shared with child accounts on one PS5 console and one PS4 console. This requires the parent account to set up console sharing within the user settings.
5. Are the games on PS Plus Extra permanent?
No, the games in the PS Plus Extra catalog are available as long as you maintain your active subscription. They are not like the monthly games you get with the essential tier. Once your subscription ends or if a game leaves the catalog, you’ll lose access.
6. Do I need PS Plus Extra to play online multiplayer games?
Yes, you need at least a PlayStation Plus Essential subscription to play online multiplayer games. PS Plus Extra includes this benefit as well.
7. Can I play PS4 games with PS Plus Extra on my PS5?
Yes, the PS Plus Extra game catalog includes a selection of PS4 games that are playable on the PS5 via backward compatibility, which greatly expands the number of available games.
8. Can I download PS5 games from PS Plus Extra?
Yes, the PS Plus Extra game catalog includes a selection of PS5 games that can be downloaded directly to your console, as long as you maintain an active subscription.
9. How do I download games from the PS Plus Extra catalog?
You can download games from the PS Plus Extra catalog through the PlayStation Store. Select the game you want, and if it’s included in the catalog, it will give you the option to download.
10. What happens to my PS Plus Extra games if I cancel my subscription?
If you cancel your PS Plus Extra subscription, you will lose access to all games you downloaded via the catalog, including all PS4 and PS5 games. If you resubscribe, your access will be restored.
11. Is PS Plus Extra worth it?
The value of PS Plus Extra depends on your gaming habits. If you like trying a lot of different games, enjoy a variety of genres, and are not focused on day-one new releases, it can be a very cost-effective way to expand your game library. Many players find it worth the upgrade, especially if they missed out on the main titles in the catalog.
12. Can I share PS Plus Extra on multiple consoles?
While you can use your PSN account on multiple consoles, only one console can be logged into your account simultaneously, and the console sharing of the subscription is restricted to one PS5 and one PS4 console.
13. What genres of games are included in PS Plus Extra?
The PS Plus Extra catalog typically features a variety of genres, including action, adventure, RPGs, sports, and indie titles. It aims to cater to a wide variety of gaming tastes.
14. Can games leave the PS Plus Extra catalog?
Yes, games do leave the PS Plus Extra catalog periodically. New games are added to replace them, ensuring the catalog remains fresh and varied. This rotation of games happens every month.
15. Is PS Plus Extra only for single players?
While a large part of the PS Plus Extra library features single-player games, it is not limited to just that. Remember, as an Essential tier benefit, online multiplayer is included with your subscription, and many games in the catalog have both multiplayer and single-player modes.
Conclusion
PlayStation Plus Extra offers a compelling middle ground for PlayStation gamers. It gives access to a huge catalog of games that will keep you busy for many months, as long as you don’t have a need to play all games on day one. It’s a great value for gamers who enjoy exploring a variety of titles, and it sits in a sweet spot between the basic Essential tier and the premium Premium tier. Understanding the benefits and limitations is essential to determine if this subscription is right for you.