PlayStation Plus lands surprise free new-gen version of beloved Fallout entry

PlayStation Plus Extra subscribers just secured a criminally overlooked Fallout game, now running on new-gen hardware.

Fallout is still as popular as it’s always been, but its glory days seem to be behind it.

The latest entry, Fallout 76, is generally very well liked nowadays by players, but there’s still a large majority of fans who wouldn’t recommend it as a Fallout game.

Fortunately, PlayStation Plus Extra is now offering a risk-free way of sampling this particular title at no additional cost, and with the launch of its new-gen update, there’s no better time to give it a go.

The PlayStation 5 version (and Xbox Series X version) will boast simple upgrades like faster loading times, boosted frame rates and better resolution. It’s also PS5 Pro enhanced.

In-game players will further find a fourth legendary mod level for their weapons, and Legacy Season aims to bring back limited-time rewards new players might have missed from previous years.

Those who own the game either on disc or digital can upgrade for free, and those who don’t own the game at all can play through PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium.

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Thousands of PlayStation Plus users won’t be able to upgrade

An annoying, but expected, caveat is some PlayStation Plus subscribers have once again been shafted by their memberships.

Back in 2023, Fallout 76 was offered as a PlayStation Plus Essential game.

Sony

Unfortunately, owning the game in this format makes you ineligible for the free upgrade, a common practice that’s been irking PlayStation Plus subscribers for years.

Those that want the new-gen copy will require an Extra and Premium tier subscription to PlayStation Plus.

Does Fallout 76 have crossplay in 2026?

The new-gen upgrade for Fallout 76 is solid, but it does omit the big feature gamers have been asking for: crossplay.

Sadly, despite it being 2026 and most multiplayer games supporting this feature, Fallout 76 is still without a coherent crossplay mechanic.

Xbox PC app and Steam players can team-up with no problem, but the same can’t be said for PC and PlayStation/Xbox console players.

Those on PlayStation and Xbox platforms can’t play with each other either.

Hopefully this new-gen upgrade is a stepping stone to fully-functioning crossplay, as Bethesda knows current players are keen to raid the wastelands with their friends on other platforms. The game is still regularly being updated too, so the playerbase is still there for such a feature.

After a rocky start, Fallout 76 is in much better shape now than it was when it first launched. There are still those that argue it’s not a true Fallout game, and we’re inclined to agree, but if you’re looking for a decent open-world RPG to play with friends, Fallout 76 is a solid option.

If you’ve got PlayStation Plus Extra or Essential, there’s no reason to not give it a go, and it’s also available on Xbox Game Pass too.

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