Skip to main content

PlayStation Plus is adding this classic sci-fi shooter series, but only for Premium members

A man jumping and shooting in action in TimeSplitters.
Plaion

PlayStation announced new additions to its Plus catalog on Wednesday, and they’re set to hit the service on August 20. The update includes the three cult classic shooters from the TimeSplitters franchise, including one that hasn’t been available on newer consoles until now.

There’s a catch, though: You can only play the series if you have PlayStation Premium, the most expensive PlayStation Plus tier. This gives you access to the classics catalog, which is where the TimeSplitters games will live.

Recommended Videos

But maybe an upgrade might be worth it. First off, these are well-loved first-person shooters in the same vein as Perfect Dark, so it’s almost a mandatory option for fans of these kinds of games. The first TimeSplitters was also PlayStation 2 exclusive, and its inclusion here is the first time it’ll be available on another console (the other two were released on the Xbox and GameCube, and were made available via backward compatibility on newer Xbox consoles).

Please enable Javascript to view this content

These additions to PlayStation Plus are also sort of retribution for the series after developer Free Radical Design was shut down in December 2023 as part of Embracer Group’s prolific financial struggles. The studio has had a rough life, going bankrupt, getting picked up by Crytek, being shut down, and getting reformed as part of Deep Silver (owned by Embracer) to revive the TimeSplittersfranchise. The future of the series is still in limbo, but in the meantime, you can play the whole series for free.

There’s still plenty of must-play games being added to the PlayStation Plus service that Extra subscribers can check out. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt needs no introduction, and if you have a PlayStation 5, you’ll get access to the enhanced version with improved visuals, ray tracing, and shorter loading times. Cult of the Lamb is a strangely charming dark comedy about building a cult full of adorable creatures. Its addition to PlayStation Plus also coincides with its major Unholy Alliance update, which brings two-player local co-op.

There are also a ton of Sword Art Online games, Ride 5, and more. Check out the full list below.

PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium

  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (PS4, PS5)
  • Wild Hearts Standard Edition (PS5)
  • Cult of the Lamb (PS4, PS5)
  • Ride 5 (PS5)
  • Watch Dogs 2 (PS4)
  • Sword Art Online: Last Recollection (PS4, PS5)
  • Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker (PS4)
  • Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris (PS4)
  • Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet (PS4)
  • Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization (PS4)

PlayStation Premium: PS VR2 and Classics

  • Vacation Simulator (PS VR2)
  • TimeSplitters (PS4, PS5)
  • TimeSplitters 2 (PS4, PS5)
  • TimeSplitters: Future Perfect (PS4, PS5)
  • Sword Art Online: Lost Song (PS4, streaming version only)
Carli Velocci
Carli is a technology, culture, and games editor and journalist. They were the Gaming Lead and Copy Chief at Windows Central…
3 PlayStation Plus games to play this weekend (January 31-February 2)
sayonara-wild-hearts

As January comes to a close, we have one last weekend of relative downtime before all the upcoming PS5 games in February swoop in. That said, we still need some great games to play without cutting into our budgets. That's where PlayStation Plus comes in. We are in that awkward period between the last batch of Extra and Premium games arriving and the new Essential games for February going live, but there are hundreds of games in the service you might have missed that may have passed you by that are more than worth a weekend of your time. Whether you need something to whet your appetite for Monster Hunter Wilds or a cozy indie game you can complete in a sitting or two, these are the games on PlayStation Plus you should add to your download queue for this weekend.
Sayonara Wild Hearts
SAYONARA WILD HEARTS | Launch Trailer

Imagine playing through an interactive music video and you will start to get an idea of what Sayonara Wild Hearts is. You will guide your character through vibrant and high-contrast environments with a dream-like aesthetic across an entire tracklist of songs. The gameplay is a blend of rhythm game mechanics where you will need to time button presses, but it is mainly about guiding your character through stages trying to collect hearts to rack up as many points as possible. While you could go for the high scores and secret objectives, you could just as easily vibe out with the game and flow through it like an interactive album in just a sitting or two.

Read more
The PlayStation 6 could launch in 2027 according to chipset leak
A PlayStation 5 connected to a TV, showing the Sony Pictures Core interface.

According to a known tipster, the PlayStation 6 chipset is nearly ready for fabrication, with estimates giving it a release window as early as 2027 — as long as current patterns continue. Take the news with a grain of salt, though; none of this is confirmed, and this is one of the earliest supposed leaks we've seen.

User KeplerL2 shared the initial information in a NeoGaf forum post. The estimated release window of 2027 is based on previous Sony trends; each Sony console is released typically two years after entering the fabrication stage. The range also fits the typical seven-year lifespan for Sony consoles. The PS3 dropped in 2006, the PS4 in 2013, and the PS5 in 2020, according to Android Authority.

Read more
PlayStation Plus adds God of War Ragnarok and more to its lineup
Kratos fighting a boss in God of War Ragnarok.

PlayStation Plus has added even more titles into its lineup, including several older PlayStation 2 games that are steeped in nostalgia. The heaviest hitter in the bunch is God of War: Ragnarök, which Extra and Premium subscribers can claim for no extra charge thing month.

PS Plus is a PlayStation subscription service that gives subscribers access to games every month. This month brings a respectable lineup of both modern and classic titles. Grand Theft Auto V is a chance to experience one of the most profitable gaming franchises of all time if you haven't played it yet, while Orcs Must Die 3 blends shooters and tower defense into one irresistible combination. Here's the full list.

Read more