PS Plus Essential games for October 2026

PlayStation has already confirmed the PS Plus Essential games for October 2026, and this month’s selection offers plenty of variety: Formula 1 racing, action and extraction against monsters, and a cooperative shooter with an arcade-inspired style.

If you already have an active subscription, all you have to do is add the games to your library. And if you don’t, or you need to renew your subscription or add funds, you can do so through VidaPlayer, where you can access PlayStation products, PlayStation Plus subscriptions and PSN gift cards with instant delivery.

Let’s take a closer look at exactly which games are included this month, which platforms they are available on, what each one offers and how long you have to add them to your library.

PS Plus Essential games for October 2026

These are the PlayStation Plus Essential monthly games for October 2026. All three will be available to add to your library from October 6 to November 2 for PlayStation Plus members.

Game	Platforms	Available	Type
F1 25	PS5	October 6 – November 2	Racing / driving
Hunt: Showdown 1896	PS5	October 6 – November 2	Shooter / extraction
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2	PS5 and PS4	October 6 – November 2	Action / co-op

The month’s main addition for racing fans is F1 25, the official video game of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship. Hunt: Showdown 1896 delivers an action and extraction experience where you’ll have to face monsters and other hunters, while Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 focuses on cooperative battles against huge armies of enemies with its distinctive block and voxel-based aesthetic.

Quick analysis of the PS Plus Essential games for October

F1 25

F1 25 is the official video game of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship and the most racing-focused title among October’s monthly games. It allows you to compete on F1 circuits and enjoy different experiences both solo and online.

One of its main attractions is My Team 2.0, where you can take control as the owner of a racing team and create your own story within the championship. It also includes Career mode and different options for competing online.

F1 World also introduces a new multiplayer mode where you can team up with your friends and compete together against AI-controlled drivers.

The game combines driving, management and competition, making it an interesting option both for Formula 1 fans and for players simply looking for a racing game with different modes.

• Best features: Career and My Team 2.0 modes, online competition and official Formula 1 content
• Worth noting: it is available for PS5 as part of this promotion
• Who it’s for: motorsport fans and players who enjoy racing games and simulators

If you enjoy racing and want to take advantage of your subscription to try an official Formula 1 game, F1 25 is the most direct addition this month.

Hunt: Showdown 1896

Hunt: Showdown 1896 takes the action into a much darker setting. This extraction shooter combines battles against monsters with encounters against other players, while you try to secure a bounty and escape alive.

The main gameplay loop involves locating different bosses, defeating them and claiming their bounty before attempting to extract. The problem is that other hunters are doing exactly the same thing and can become a threat at any moment.

You can tackle matches solo or form a team of up to three players. Deciding when to fight, when to move cautiously and when to attempt an extraction is part of the strategy in every match.

Its setting, built around dark and corrupted environments and grotesque creatures, gives it a strong identity in a genre where risk and managing every encounter are essential.

• Best features: combination of PvE and PvP, atmosphere and extraction system
• Worth noting: matches can be demanding, and losing an expedition is part of the experience
• Who it’s for: players who enjoy competitive shooters, survival and extraction experiences

It’s a particularly different offering among October’s monthly games, delivering an experience focused on risk, exploration and encounters with other hunters.

Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2

Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 completely changes the pace and focuses on cooperative action with an aesthetic based on characters and environments built from blocks. Earth is under attack from enormous enemies, and you’ll have to assemble a team to take them on.

One of its main features is the ability to select four team members from the characters you’ve unlocked, creating a formation suited to your playstyle and the type of battle ahead.

The game brings together soldiers from different entries in the EDF series, along with familiar enemies and new threats. This allows you to create very different teams and take on huge numbers of enemies on screen.

It also includes online co-op for four players and local split-screen for two players on PS5 and PS4, making it particularly well suited to players who want to play together.

• Best features: huge numbers of enemies, customisable teams and cooperative gameplay
• Worth noting: its visual style and tone are much more light-hearted than those of other shooters
• Who it’s for: players who enjoy arcade action and cooperative gameplay

It’s the most co-op-focused option in October’s selection and allows you to form teams of four characters to face the different threats together.

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If you already have an active PS Plus subscription, you can add the games without any issues. But if you need to renew your subscription or simply don’t have enough funds, this is where many users look for a quick alternative.

Buying directly from the PlayStation Store isn’t always the most flexible option. That’s why many players turn to platforms such as VidaPlayer, where you can get digital PSN gift cards and PlayStation Plus subscriptions quickly and easily.

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This allows you to activate or renew your subscription within minutes and access your PS Plus games without relying on longer processes.

Frequently asked questions about PS Plus Essential October 2026

What are the PS Plus Essential games for October 2026?

The PS Plus Essential games for October 2026 are F1 25, Hunt: Showdown 1896 and Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2. They will be available to PlayStation Plus members from October 6 to November 2.

Until when can I download the October 2026 games?

The October monthly games can be added to your library from October 6 to November 2, 2026. Once added, you can access them as long as you maintain an active PlayStation Plus subscription.

Is F1 25 available on PS4?

No. As part of October’s monthly games, F1 25 is available on PS5.

Is Hunt: Showdown 1896 available on PS4?

No. Hunt: Showdown 1896 is included as October’s monthly game for PS5.

Is Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 available on PS4 and PS5?

Yes. Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 is available on PS5 and PS4 and offers online co-op for up to four players, as well as local split-screen for two players.

Are PS Plus games free forever?

Monthly games that you add to your library remain associated with your account, but access to them depends on maintaining an active PlayStation Plus subscription.

Which September games can I still claim?

PlayStation Plus members have until October 5, 2026 to add September’s monthly games to their libraries: Sniper Elite: Resistance, MLB The Show 26, Wobbly Life and Chained Echoes.

Do I need PSN funds to access the games?

You don’t need PSN funds to claim the monthly games if you already have an active subscription. If you need to renew PS Plus or add funds to your account, you can use digital PSN gift cards as a quick alternative.