If you jumped into Rocket League after it went free-to-play, you’ve probably wondered how much was Rocket League before it was free, especially when you see long-time players rocking rare legacy items that aren’t available anymore. I’ve been playing the game since its 2015 launch, so I remember shelling out for the base game back when it was only available as a paid title, and I’ve seen every price shift and edition release in the years leading up to the free-to-play switch. This guide breaks down all the pricing tiers, regional differences, and extra perks you got when you paid for Rocket League, plus why the switch to free-to-play made sense for Psyonix even if it frustrated some early fans.
How Much Was Rocket League Before It Was Free: Base Edition Tiers
At launch in July 2015, the standard base edition of Rocket League retailed for $19.99 USD across all major platforms, excluding the PlayStation 4 launch promotion. PlayStation Plus subscribers actually got the game for free for its first full month on PS4, which is a big reason it built such a large initial player base so quickly. I actually grabbed my first copy during a 2017 Steam sale for $7.99, and I thought that was an absolute steal for how many hours I ended up putting into it.
Regional pricing varied slightly across markets, with the base game selling for £14.99 in the UK, €19.99 across most of the EU, and $29.99 AUD in Australia. Sale prices dropped as low as $4.99 during major platform events like Steam Winter Sales, PlayStation Holiday Sales, and Xbox Ultimate Game Pass promotions in the years leading up to the free-to-play shift. Even at its lowest sale price, buyers still got full access to all core game features, no strings attached.
Special Edition Prices and Included Perks for Paid Rocket League
Psyonix released several special physical and digital editions of Rocket League between 2015 and 2020 for players who wanted extra content alongside the base game. The first major special release was the 2016 Collector’s Edition, which retailed for $29.99 USD and included a physical disc, three major DLC packs, and exclusive in-game cosmetics that weren’t available to digital base game buyers. All paid special editions of Rocket League included permanent access to all DLC content released before the edition launch, no extra purchases required.
The 2018 Ultimate Edition was the most expensive paid release, priced at $39.99 USD, and it included all 11 DLC car packs released up to that point, plus limited-edition decals, boosts, and wheels for in-game use. Physical copies of special editions often came with extra bonus items like printed art cards or sticker packs, making them popular with collectors even if the in-game content was available separately for cheaper. Many players opted for these bundles because they worked out far cheaper than buying each DLC pack individually if they planned to collect all available cars.
What You Got When You Paid for Rocket League (Vs. Free-to-Play Now)
Players who bought Rocket League before the September 2020 free-to-play update got a lot of extra benefits that new free players don’t have access to today, on top of the base game and any DLC they purchased. Psyonix rolled out a special legacy reward program to thank existing fans for their support, and those perks are still active for eligible accounts today. The full list of legacy benefits includes:
Back when Rocket League was paid, there were no restrictions on core game modes for any buyers. Before free-to-play, there was no required grind to unlock core game modes, and all casual and competitive playlists were available to every paid owner immediately. New free players today have to play a handful of matches to unlock competitive play, and they have to pay separately for premium Rocket Pass tracks, individual DLC cars, and most limited-time cosmetic bundles.
Why Psyonix Decided to Make Rocket League Free-to-Play in 2020
Many long-time fans were confused and even angry when Psyonix announced the free-to-play switch, especially after they’d spent money on the base game and DLC for years. The shift happened shortly after Epic Games acquired Psyonix in 2019, and it was part of a larger plan to expand the game’s reach and build a more sustainable long-term monetization model. Paid sales were slowing down by 2020, and the crate-based loot box system that funded post-launch content was facing increasing regulatory scrutiny in many countries.
Even though many long-time players were frustrated by the switch, data shows the free-to-play transition made Rocket League one of the most popular multiplayer games in the world, with over 100 million registered players by 2023. Player count grew 5x in the first month after the update launched, and queue times for casual and competitive matches dropped dramatically for players in all regions. The shift also introduced full cross-platform progression, which let players carry their inventory and rank across PC, console, and mobile for the first time, a feature that was heavily requested by fans for years before the update.
If you’re a newer player who’s always wondered how much was Rocket League before it was free, the short answer is that most players paid between $5 and $40 depending on when they bought it and which edition they picked. Even with the free-to-play shift, legacy players still get exclusive perks that make their original purchase worth it, and the larger player base means shorter queue times and more diverse competition for everyone who plays. Whether you’re a legacy owner who paid full price at launch or a free player who joined last month, there’s never been a better time to jump into a match.
