The March 2018 PlayStation Plus lineup represents a significant month for subscribers, offering a mix of high-profile titles and cross-platform availability. Sony Interactive Entertainment announced a diverse selection of free games for PlayStation Plus members across PS4, PS3, and PS Vita platforms. The monthly offering includes action RPGs, platformers, and indie titles available at no additional cost to active subscribers. Additionally, the company confirmed strategic changes to the program's future structure, specifically regarding legacy console support.
The primary headliners for March 2018 are Bloodborne and Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation 4. Bloodborne, developed by FromSoftware, is a 2015 action RPG known for its challenging combat and atmospheric setting. Ratchet & Clank is a 2016 remake of the original PlayStation 2 game, rebuilt for the PS4 hardware. Beyond these headline titles, the month features several games available through the Cross-Buy program, allowing access to multiple platform versions with a single purchase or download. The Cross-Buy titles for March include Mighty No. 9, Claire: Extended Cut, and Bombing Busters.
Regarding subscription costs, Sony offered a promotional discount during this period. A 25% discount was available for a 1-year PlayStation Plus membership, reducing the price from the standard $79.95 AUD to $59.95 AUD. This offer was positioned as an incentive for new subscribers, particularly in light of upcoming program modifications.
A major announcement accompanying the March 2018 lineup was the confirmation that Sony would discontinue free game support for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita systems. Starting in March 2019, the PlayStation Plus program would focus exclusively on PlayStation 4 titles. This decision provided subscribers with a one-year notice to utilize the legacy console benefits before they expired. While the free monthly games for PS3 and Vita would cease, previously claimed games would remain accessible to users who had downloaded them prior to the cutoff date.
March 2018 PlayStation Plus Game Lineup
The March 2018 selection provided a total of six free titles across the three active PlayStation platforms. The lineup was headlined by two major PS4 releases, supported by legacy console titles and cross-buy bonuses.
PlayStation 4 Titles
The PlayStation 4 received two primary free games for the month, alongside three additional titles available through the Cross-Buy feature.
- Bloodborne: An action RPG developed by FromSoftware. The game takes place in the cursed city of Yharnam, known for its distinct Victorian Gothic aesthetic and plague-ridden inhabitants. It is characterized by aggressive combat mechanics and a high difficulty level. The game supports asynchronous online multiplayer elements.
- Ratchet & Clank: A 2016 reimagining of the first game in the Insomniac Games series. It serves as both a remake of the PlayStation 2 original and a tie-in to the 2016 animated film. The game features platforming and third-person shooting mechanics with high-fidelity graphics exclusive to the PS4.
- Mighty No. 9: A Cross-Buy title developed as a spiritual successor to the Mega Man franchise. It is available on PS4 via Cross-Buy, meaning purchasing or downloading the PS3 version grants access to the PS4 version.
- Claire: Extended Cut: A 2D pixel art horror game featuring psychological horror elements and an intense musical score. It is available on PS4 via Cross-Buy from the PS Vita version.
- Bombing Busters: A puzzle-action game closely resembling the mechanics of Bomberman. It is available on PS4 via Cross-Buy from the PS Vita version.
PlayStation 3 Titles
The PlayStation 3 library received two titles for March 2018. These were the final years of PS3 support within the PlayStation Plus program.
- Mighty No. 9: The spiritual successor to Mega Man. This version is the base for the Cross-Buy offering, granting access to the PS4 version.
- Legend of Kay: An action-platformer game. Visually and mechanically, it draws inspiration from Nintendo 64 era platformers such as Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie.
PlayStation Vita Titles
The PlayStation Vita received two titles for March 2018, both of which utilized the Cross-Buy feature to provide PS4 versions.
- Claire: Extended Cut: The base version of the pixel art horror game for the handheld console.
- Bombing Busters: The base version of the Bomberman-style puzzle game for the handheld console.
Cross-Buy Program Mechanics
The Cross-Buy program was a significant component of the March 2018 offering, effectively increasing the number of games available to PS4 owners. This program allows users to purchase or download a game on one platform (such as PS Vita or PS3) and automatically receive the digital version for the PS4 at no extra cost.
For March 2018, three titles utilized this system: 1. Mighty No. 9: Available on PS3; the PS4 version is unlocked via Cross-Buy. 2. Claire: Extended Cut: Available on PS Vita; the PS4 version is unlocked via Cross-Buy. 3. Bombing Busters: Available on PS Vita; the PS4 version is unlocked via Cross-Buy.
This structure ensured that PS4 owners had access to a total of five distinct game experiences for the month, despite the official lineup listing only two primary PS4 titles.
Additional Content and Promotions
Beyond the standard monthly games, March 2018 included a limited-time downloadable content (DLC) offer for a specific title.
- Dungeon Defenders PS Plus Pack: This pack was available for the game Dungeon Defenders II. It was offered at no extra cost to PlayStation Plus members between March 13 and April 10. The pack was geographically restricted to the United States region. Contents of the pack included:
- Four Shadow Costumes
- One million in-game gold
- Five Defender Packs
- Five Campaign Shard Packs
- One Ninja Gato Pet
Subscription Discount and Program Changes
Sony promoted a 25% discount on a 1-year PlayStation Plus membership during this period. The discounted price was $59.95 AUD, compared to the regular $79.95 AUD. This offer was highlighted as an optimal time to join the service due to the impending structural changes to the program.
The most significant administrative change announced was the termination of PS3 and PS Vita game support. Effective March 8, 2019, Sony would cease providing free monthly games for these legacy consoles. The program would transition to a PS4-only focus. This announcement was made with more than a year of advance notice. The source material clarifies that games already claimed by users prior to this date would remain in their libraries and be accessible for download, even after the support cutoff.
Availability and Redemption Windows
The March 2018 games became available for download on March 6, 2018. The standard availability window for monthly PlayStation Plus games runs from the first Tuesday of the month until the first Tuesday of the following month. Users were advised to claim the games before the end of February 2018 to avoid missing out on the previous month's lineup (which included Knack and Rime).
Specific time-limited content, such as the Dungeon Defenders PS Plus Pack, had a separate redemption window (March 13 to April 10).
Regional Variations
While the core lineup for North America and Europe was largely consistent, there were notable variations in the Japanese region. The Japanese PlayStation Plus lineup for March 2018 included: * Bloodborne (PS4) * Downwell (PS4/PS Vita) * Metal Slug Anthology (PS Vita) * The Darkness II (PS3)
This differs from the North American lineup, which featured Ratchet & Clank, Mighty No. 9, Claire: Extended Cut, Bombing Busters, and Legend of Kay. The source material indicates that Downwell and Metal Slug Anthology were specific to the Japanese offering for that month.
Conclusion
The March 2018 PlayStation Plus cycle was a pivotal moment for the subscription service. It offered a high-value selection of games, headlined by the critically acclaimed Bloodborne and the visually impressive Ratchet & Clank. The utilization of the Cross-Buy program expanded the offering for PS4 users, while the inclusion of PS3 and Vita titles marked the final phase of multi-platform support. The concurrent announcement regarding the cessation of legacy console support in March 2019 signaled a strategic shift toward a PS4-centric ecosystem. For U.S. consumers and deal seekers, the combination of high-profile free games and a 25% subscription discount made this period a particularly attractive time to engage with the service.