March and April PlayStation Plus content

Exclusive PlayStation Plus access to the SOCOM: Special Forces beta will begin on 23rd March, Sony has announced.

Throughout March, Plus members will also pay nothing for Sonic the Hedgehog ("undiluted, old-school platforming goodness at its most refined" - 9/10 Eurogamer). In April that changes to Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ("an all-time great" - 9/10 Eurogamer)

Also free to Plus subscribers this month is decent, two year-old shoot-'em-up Astro Tripper (7/10 Eurogamer)

On 16th March, the Prince of Persia Trilogy - Sands of Time, Warrior Within, The Two Thrones - will be cut by £12 to a new price of £24. In April, Prince of Persia Classic will be thrown in for free.

As always, PlayStation Plus content can change as time rolls on. Below are the lists as they stand, courtesy of the European PlayStation blog. PlayStation Plus costs £39.99 annually or £11.99 for 90 days.

March PlayStation Plus Content (available until 6th April)

• Special: SOCOM Special Forces beta access on 23rd March
• Free games: Sonic the Hedgehog (PSN), Astro Tripper (PSN), Guilty Gear X2 Reload (PSone - actually PS2 according to the EU blog link), Pix'n Love Rush (mini), Enigmo (mini)
• Discounts: Prince of Persia Sands of Time/Warrior Within/Two Thrones (down £12 to £24 on 16th March), Fat Princess (50 per cent off on PS3 and PSP), Cool Borders 2 (50 per cent off), Stardrone (50 per cent off day-one discount on PS3), Premier Manager (50 per cent off), PlayTV Live Chat (25 per cent off until 6th July)
• Dynamic themes: SEGA Mega Drive Classics, inFamous 2

April PlayStation Plus Content (available until 4th May)

• Free games: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (PSN), Prince of Persia Classic (PSN), Creature 3: Raised in Space (PSone), Dual Invaders (mini), Dynogems (mini)
• Discounts: TBC
• Dynamic themes: Abstract Art, Growing Garden