Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass subscription service has been hailed as the best deal in gaming, and it's hard to argue with that claim. In exchange for a relatively low subscription fee, Xbox Game Pass subscribers get instant access to well over 100 games, including brand-new day one releases. Xbox Game Pass quests and Microsoft Rewards points even make it possible for people to effectively get Game Pass for free, sweetening the pot even further.
With all the buzz surrounding Xbox Game Pass, it was only a matter of time until Sony responded with its own take on the concept. To combat Xbox Game Pass, Sony is revamping its popular PlayStation Plus subscription service into three separate tiers. The first tier is called PS Plus Essential, and it gives PlayStation gamers access to PlayStation Plus pretty much as it exists today. Then there's PS Plus Extra, which gives players access to PS Plus games as well as some newer PS4 and PS5 titles. And finally, there's PS Plus Premium, which is the most expensive tier but adds around 300 games to the lineup in the form of retro titles.
Instead of banking on new releases, Sony's plan is to draw people to PlayStation Plus Premium by offering hundreds of retro games from the PS1, PS2, PSP, and PS3 generations. PS Plus Premium and the other new PS Plus tiers aren't going to be introduced until some point in June, so fans have yet to see if this strategy pays off, but it's clear right off the bat that there are some big disadvantages to PS Plus Premium compared to Xbox Game Pass.
PS Plus Premium Price
At launch, PS Plus Premium is going to cost $17.99 monthly, $49.99 quarterly, or $119.99 yearly. By comparison, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs $14.99 per month and $39.99 quarterly, though there are no 12 month subscription options available from retailers. On paper, it seems like those buying the PS Plus Premium annual subscription would save money compared to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. However, anyone paying for PS Plus Premium is still likely going to pay more than they do for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate because it's effectively possible to get Game Pass for free through Microsoft Rewards. Even if one wasn't actively trying to complete Xbox Game Pass quests and the like, they will still likely get enough points to get some months for free by accident.
PS Plus Premium Does Not Have First-Party Day One Games
The other big disadvantage that PS Plus Premium has compared to the competition is the lack of day one games. Sony is banking on PS Plus Premium's retro games winning people over, but there's no denying the value that the day one Xbox Game Pass games bring to the table. Even if one isn't interested in getting Game Pass for free through Microsoft Rewards, if they had planned on buying even just two of the games added on day one that year, the service basically pays for itself.
If Sony comes out swinging with some must-play, hard to find retro games then PS Plus Premium may very well be able to succeed with this strategy, but it seems like it will be an uphill battle. Fans will have to wait for June to roll around to see what happens.