No, PS Plus extra games are not permanent

PlayStation Plus Extra provides access to an instant library of hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games, but many gamers wonder – are these Premium catalog games permanent? The short answer is no. Unlike the monthly PS Plus free games, the titles included with PS Plus Extra can be removed at any time. In this detailed guide, we‘ll explain how PlayStation Plus memberships work in 2022 and what you really get to keep with an Extra subscription.

Demystifying the new PS Plus tiers

To understand game permanence, you first need to know how the new PS Plus tiers function. Here‘s a quick comparison:

Sony reshuffled PS Plus in June 2022, merging it with PS Now and segmenting it into three membership levels. PS Plus Essential is the base tier and acts the same as the original PS Plus. Extra and Premium add the game catalog benefits.

You keep the monthly PS Plus games

PlayStation Plus has always offered free monthly games across PS4 and PS5. Typically it‘s 2 PS4 titles and 1 PS5 game. Anything you redeem through this program is permanently yours while you stay a member.

According to the PlayStation Blog:

Once you redeem a game from the monthly games lineup, you can keep the games for as long as you remain a PlayStation Plus member.

So these titles are not at risk of being rotated out. As long as your subscription stays active, you retain access to any monthly games you‘ve redeemed previously.

Hundreds of games with Extra and Premium…but only for now

Here‘s where things get more complicated. The real draw of Extra and Premium is access to the game catalog with hundreds of titles. However, Sony confirms these on-demand games are indeed not permanent:

If a game is removed from the service you can no longer play it until it’s re-added or you purchase it separately.

While you can play any catalog game while subscribed, they can be removed anytime licensing deals expire. This means you don‘t quite "own" these games forever.

Major releases have limited time windows

We‘ve already seen examples of major new releases entering PS Plus for a limited period and then getting removed. Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla will leave the service on December 20, 2022 after 1 year of availability.

Horizon Forbidden West is coming to Extra in February 2023, but there‘s no guarantee how long it will stay in the catalog. Unlike Game Pass which keeps Microsoft exclusives permanently, PlayStation gives no long-term assurances.

Game removals each month

In January 2023, at least 4 titles will exit PS Plus Extra/Premium:

• Bound by Flame
• Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom
• The Council
• Space Hulk: Tactics

While new games join the collection monthly, others do disappear. So if you see something you want to play, claim it ASAP before access expires!

PS Plus Extra offers strong value

Given the sheer volume of titles, a PS Plus Extra membership remains a great value for most gamers. You gain access to a vault of acclaimed PS4/PS5 games for just $15/month.

Compared to buying games at full price of $60 or more, a month of Extra provides comparable savings after playing just 2-3 titles. According to critics and fans, it‘s an easy choice for lovers of single-player experiences.

“If you‘re really into narrative-focused, single-player games, PlayStation Plus‘s Premium tier blows Xbox Game Pass out of the water,” writes Tom‘s Guide.

Premium adds retro classics

Opting for PS Plus Premium at $18/month provides advantages like game streaming and access to legacy content. Along with 700+ modern games, you also can play a back catalog of classics from PS1, PS2, PSP, and PS3 (via cloud streaming).

For retro enthusiasts, this archive of games from past PlayStation generations adds tremendous value. The service has been compared to Nintendo Switch Online‘s libraries of NES and SNES games.

What about game saves?

Your game saves for PS Plus catalog titles are stored locally on your PS4 or PS5 console storage. So even if a game gets removed from Extra/Premium, you keep any save data on your system.

You also have the ability to back up saves to the PlayStation Plus cloud storage. However, you can‘t transfer saves between the downloaded and streamed versions of titles.

Summing up the PS Plus Extra experience

While the hundreds of games accessible with a PS Plus Extra subscription provide stellar value, it‘s vital to remember these aren‘t permanent as with Xbox Game Pass. Titles can exit the service monthly, so claim any downloads quickly you wish to play before access expires.

For fans of single-player narrative adventures, PS Plus Extra grants a huge on-demand library that would cost thousands in individual purchases. Compare the tiers, monitor for removals, and enjoy the evolving catalog while your membership lasts!