February 2026’s PlayStation Plus Essential Games Have Been Revealed

So, February is essentially when the gaming industry comes back from holiday. Not in the sense that developers use an insane amount of annual leave to treat January like a gap month, but in terms of game releases. The first month of the year is often pretty quiet, with a few indies and free-to-play hopefuls (looking at you, Highguard) throwing their hats in the ring, but the heavy-hitters tend to wait in the wings until there’s a two in the month column. Still, that doesn’t mean you have to conform to standards and spend your hard-earned cash on the latest and greatest. You could always fall back on the tried and true subscription service updates to keep you going as the month ticks over.

As announced on the PlayStation Blog, the PlayStation Plus Essentials games for February are Undisputed, Subnautica: Below Zero, Ultros, and Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. All four games will be available on the service on February 3.

Our first cab off the rank is for those looking to take out their (Tyson) fury on an opponent in the ring. Undisputed is a boxing sim that prioritises realism and cinematic qualities that can make bouts so appealing to those who love the sport. With over 70 licensed fighters, boxing fans will have the chance to get in the gloves of some of their favourite personalities in the scene, as well as create their own fighter to take through the game’s career mode. As someone who has only ever dabbled in Wii Sports boxing, this looks like a pretty hefty step up, and those starved for legit boxing games are likely to leap up that step without hesitation.

What’s more daunting than being stranded in the middle of a vast ocean? Well, how about we make that ocean cold enough to freeze you to your bones within seconds? That’ll do it. Subnautica: Below Zero takes the survival format built into the original game and takes it to an arctic planet filled with icebergs and deadly sea creatures. New climates and challenges unique to Planet 4546B will see you struggling to see the next day, as you uncover the mystery surrounding your sister’s disappearance. Please, remember to pack a scarf or a heat pack at the very least.

I could tell you about the Metroidvania gameplay or the mysterious plot at the centre of Ultros, but the best way to help you understand the uniqueness of this indie is by just saying: take a look at all the colours! Ok, yes, Ultros is a Metroidvania with a combo-based combat system, various abilities that will help you slowly unlock more and more of the labyrinth known as the Sarcophagus, and plenty of exploration. But let’s be real, the thing that makes Ultros stand out is its incredible art direction. I could go on and on about how colourful and pretty Ultros is, but you’re better off reading our review, where we slapped a mighty 9 on the game.

Flying, for me at least, is the desperate and futile struggle to get a wink of sleep as I anticipate my destination. For others, it’s an adrenaline-filled fight for your life against enemy pilots and ground-to-air missile systems. That is, if you’re either a real fighter pilot or enjoy the Ace Combat series. Skies Unknown is the seventh game in the long-running dogfighting series, and it brings with it VR compatibility, a campaign, a multiplayer suite, and a raft of jets to choose from. We gave Ace Combat 7 a 7.5 in our review, saying that “Aside from the VR implementation, Bandai Namco knew exactly who they were making this game for; Ace Combat fans.”

If you haven’t downloaded Need For Speed Unbound, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed and Core Keeper, you have until February 2 to do so. As always, please remember that you can add these games to your library and download them later if you don’t have any precious space on your hard drive.

Which game will you be downloading first? What games would you like to see in March? Let us know in the comments or on our social media.