Xbox Just Gave PS Plus Its Biggest Free Game For June

The PlayStation Plus Essential lineup for June 2025, as reported by Kotaku, features three games: Grounded, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II, and Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2. Grounded is a survival title from Obsidian Entertainment and Xbox Game Studios. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II is a third-person shooter from Saber Interactive and Focus Entertainment. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 is a platform fighter from Fair Play Labs and GameMill Entertainment. The lineup is available to all PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers starting June 3, 2025.

"Grounded, Warhammer, All-Star Brawl 2 lead PlayStation Plus games. Grab them while you can!"

— Kotaku, June 2025

The core topic entity is the June 2025 PlayStation Plus Essential games lineup. PlayStation Plus is a subscription service offered by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles. The Essential tier costs $9.99 USD per month and provides subscribers with a rotating selection of free games each month. The June 2025 lineup is notable for including Grounded, a first-party Xbox Game Studios title, marking a significant crossover event in the console gaming market.

Key Facts

Why Is Grounded Considered a Major Addition to PS Plus?

Grounded is a cooperative survival game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. Its inclusion in the June 2025 PlayStation Plus Essential lineup is significant because it represents the first time a first-party Xbox title has been offered through the PS Plus Essential tier.

Published by Xbox Game Studios, Grounded was previously exclusive to Xbox and PC platforms. The game has attracted over 20 million players since its early access launch in July 2020. Its arrival on PlayStation Plus Essential allows a new audience of subscribers to experience the game at no additional cost beyond their existing subscription.

"Xbox Just Gave PS Plus Its Biggest Free Game For June," the Kotaku article title stated, highlighting the significance of Grounded's inclusion.

— Kotaku

Grounded, an Xbox Game Studios title with over 20 million players, is the first first-party Xbox game to be included in the PlayStation Plus Essential lineup.

What Are the Exact Dates for the June 2025 PS Plus Essential Games?

The June 2025 PlayStation Plus Essential games become available for download on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Subscribers must claim the games before they leave the service on Monday, July 7, 2025, when the July 2025 lineup is introduced.

This monthly cycle is standard for PlayStation Plus Essential, which rotates its game selection on the first Tuesday of every month. Once claimed, the games remain accessible in the subscriber's library as long as their PlayStation Plus subscription remains active.

Subscribers must claim the June 2025 PlayStation Plus Essential games by July 7, 2025, after which the titles are permanently removed from the monthly offering.

How Does Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II Fit Into the Lineup?

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II is a third-person action shooter developed by Saber Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment. Released in September 2024, it is the highest-value retail title in the June 2025 PlayStation Plus Essential lineup.

The game, which retails for $69.99 USD at standard pricing, follows Lieutenant Titus of the Ultramarines as he battles the Tyranid swarm. Its inclusion alongside Grounded and Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 brings the combined retail value of the June 2025 lineup to over $180 USD.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II, a AAA title rated 83 on Metacritic, retails for $69.99 USD and is the most premium game in the June 2025 PS Plus Essential bundle.

Who Is This June 2025 PS Plus Lineup For?

The June 2025 PlayStation Plus Essential lineup provides a diverse selection of games catering to cooperative survival fans (Grounded), narrative-driven action shooter enthusiasts (Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II), and younger audiences or fighting game fans (Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2). It targets existing PS Plus subscribers seeking high-value monthly additions and Game Pass users curious about cross-platform availability of Grounded.

The combined retail value of the June 2025 PlayStation Plus Essential lineup exceeds $180 USD, offering subscribers a broad catalog of titles spanning multiple genres and age ratings.

Common Questions

Can I play Grounded on PlayStation 4 if I only have a PS5?

Yes, Grounded is a cross-generation title available on both PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. The game supports full cross-play between the two console generations, and subscribers can access it on either platform.

Do I need an active PlayStation Plus subscription to play the June 2025 games after I claim them?

Yes. Games claimed through PlayStation Plus Essential require an active subscription to play. If the subscription lapses, access to the claimed games is revoked until the membership is renewed.

Is Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II the complete edition on PS Plus, or just the base game?

The full base game of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II is included in the PS Plus Essential June 2025 lineup. Any premium downloadable content or editions require a separate purchase.

Sources and Methodology

• Kotaku. "Xbox Just Gave PS Plus Its Biggest Free Game For June." Published May 2025. https://kotaku.com/junes-free-ps-playstation-plus-essential-games-free-grounded-warhammer-ps5-2000699438
• Developer and Publisher Data: Obsidian Entertainment, Xbox Game Studios, Saber Interactive, Focus Entertainment, Fair Play Labs, GameMill Entertainment.

This article is primarily based on the Kotaku news report. No currency or unit conversions were applied. All prices are manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) in U.S. dollars.

This article was last updated on June 2, 2025.