Sony is preparing to revamp the PlayStation Plus subscription service with three tiers giving players access to over 700 games. The new PlayStation Plus Extra tier adds a catalogue of up to 400 PS4 and PS5 games.
On top of that, the PlayStation Plus Premium tier adds up to 340 games including PS3 titles streamed over the Cloud as well as classic PS1, PS2, and PSP games.
As we get closer to launch, Sony has revealed the first games that will be available to download in the PS Plus Extra and Premium tiers. Naturally, we’re only focusing on racing games included in the new tiers.
PS4 and PS5 Game Catalogue
In a blog post, Sony confirmed that Destruction AllStars and WipEout Omega Collection will be joining the PS4 and PS5 Game Catalogue. The Crew 2 will also be available as part of the Ubisoft+ Classics service included with PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscriptions.
Classic Games Catalogue
So far, Jak X: Combat Racing is the only confirmed racing game that will be available in the Classic Games Catalogue for PS Plus Premium members, which includes classic PSP and PS1 games as well as remastered PS4 games. Jak X: Combat Racing was originally released on PS2 but the PS Plus Premium version is based on the PS4 port.
Curiously, Baja: Edge of Control HD was originally listed but has since been removed. Ridge Racer 2 for the PSP was also leaked last month as a PS Plus Premium Classic Game but is not listed.
According to Sony, some titles will boast improved frame rates and higher resolutions compared to the original launch versions. Select PlayStation and PSP classic games will also get updated user interfaces and new menus allowing you to save at any time or rewind.
Some games will also be available to purchase separately. In welcome news, you won’t have to repurchase these games if you already own them digitally. Sony will add new games to the PS Plus Extra and PS Plus Premium tiers on a monthly basis.
Unfortunately, no classic PS1 or PSP racing games have been confirmed for the revamped PlayStation Plus service yet. For retro racing game fans, Sony’s Classic Games Catalogue has a lot of potential.
While we’d love to see Gran Turismo 1 and 2 join the service, PS1 classics like Destruction Derby, Twisted Metal, and Ridge Racer Type 4 are probably a safe bet. These titles were re-released digitally on PS3 and were also part of the Sony PlayStation Classic console lineup.
Original PS3 Games (via streaming)
Replacing PS Now, PS Plus Premium will be able to stream a selection of PS3 games. Only two racing games were confirmed: MotorStorm Apocalypse and MotorStorm RC. This isn’t surprising as both titles can be streamed on PS Now.
From Split/Second to the sublime PS3 port of Daytona USA, there are some often-overlooked PS3 racing games on PS Now that we hope to see ported over to PS Plus Premium.
Time-Limited Game Trials
In addition, PS Plus Premium members can get free trials of PS4 and PS5 games for up to two hours including Farming Simulator 22. No other PS4 and PS5 racing game trials were confirmed.
The revamped PlayStation Plus service is launching next week on 24 May in Asia, 2 June in Japan, 13 June in North and South America, and 23 June in Europe and the UK.
Sony has only revealed a small selection of the 700+ titles available for PS Plus Premium. When it comes to backwards compatibility for legacy titles,
Sony has lagged behind Microsoft. Players can access a large catalogue of classic Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles on Xbox One and Series X|S. While the new PlayStation Plus was never designed to compete with GamePass, at least Sony is finally starting to embrace the PlayStation's heritage.