Opinion: PS Plus Has Added Way Too Many Sports Games for My Dollar

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I would have been amazed as a kid by how affordable gaming is now. It seems strange, considering new games and consoles keep getting pricier, but services like PlayStation Plus and Game Pass let you play tons of games for a low monthly fee. While this creates challenges for smaller game companies trying to make money, it’s generally a great thing for players.

I regularly use both Xbox Game Pass on my PC and PlayStation Plus Extra on my PS5, so I’m familiar with what each service offers. And I don’t hesitate to say which one I think is better. Even with some recent issues, Xbox Game Pass still stands out as having a stronger library of high-quality games. Game Pass simply has more games that are really worth playing, while PlayStation Plus, although decent, includes a lot of more obscure or disappointing titles. This is especially noticeable with the number of sports games on PS Plus, which often feel like they’re just there to fill space.

Traditional Sports Games Are Among the Least Exciting On the Market

It might be an unpopular opinion, but I find yearly sports games like Madden and NBA 2K surprisingly boring. I’ve definitely had fun playing them – I spent a lot of time with 2K growing up and still play with friends sometimes – but they often feel creatively empty and driven more by profit than innovation. These games perfectly represent the frustrating cycle of annual releases that prioritize sales over genuinely improving the experience for players.

Major sports games like Madden face criticism for being nearly identical releases each year, costing $70 and relying heavily on in-game purchases. Beyond that, these games often lack quality and innovation in subtle ways. The storytelling in modes like NBA 2K‘s MyCareer, including the acting, directing, and animations, is frequently poor. Even when big names like Spike Lee or Idris Elba are involved, their contributions feel forced and like they’re just checking a box for fans who expect a single-player experience, rather than a genuine creative effort.

If you just want to have fun playing games with friends or online, that’s perfectly fine. However, issues like a poorly made career mode often point to a bigger problem: these sports game franchises aren’t putting in enough effort. While you might not notice this if you only play standard multiplayer matches, the core gameplay eventually feels stale after years of little innovation. It’s frustrating because these games keep asking players to spend more and more money with each new release, despite not offering significant improvements.

PlayStation Plus’ Sports Games Offer Little Value for Subscribers

Sports Games Added to PlayStation Plus in the Last Six Months

  • EA Sports FC 26
  • Football Manager 26
  • The Crew Motorfest
  • Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions
  • Madden NFL 26
  • Rugby 25
  • Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown
  • Art of Rally
  • Expeditions: A Mudrunner Game
  • Moto GP 25
  • EA Sports WRC 24

I’ve noticed a lot of older sports games – the ones with two-digit years in their titles – appearing on PlayStation Plus since December 2025. This seems like a growing trend, and it feels like these games are being added to simply make the library look bigger and compete with other game subscription services, rather than to genuinely improve the value for subscribers.

Sports games tend to lose value much faster than other video games. For example, the digital version of Madden NFL 26, which came out less than a year ago for $70, is now available on GameStop’s website for only $14. What’s even more surprising is that Madden NFL 26 is very similar to Madden NFL 25, which GameStop sells new for just $7.

Many PlayStation Plus subscribers want to get the most for their money, so the growing number of sports game additions is a bit worrying. Unlike bigger, more substantial games like Horizon Forbidden West and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, these yearly sports titles don’t offer the same level of value. Considering the cost of PlayStation Plus Extra ($15/month) or Essential ($10/month), it’s frustrating to see so many lower-quality games added to the service.

I still think PlayStation Plus offers good value, but I’m always a little disappointed when a yearly sports game gets added to the library. Beyond just the cost, these games often feel creatively stale and don’t offer the fresh, different experiences I’m looking for on a service like PS Plus. I mainly subscribe to PS Plus to save money and discover unique games. Unfortunately, titles like FIFA, EA Sports FC, and Madden don’t really deliver on either of those fronts.

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2026-05-08 16:05