PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers are now able to claim the monthly games for June 2024, which include SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake, AEW Fight Forever, and Streets of Rage 4. Of course, those subscribed to higher PS Plus tiers like Extra or Premium can also claim these games, but an Essential subscription is required at the bare minimum.

It's a solid start to the month, even if the games may have a more limited appeal than past additions. The best part is that the month is just getting started. However someone feels about these games, the PS Plus Extra and Premium games for June 2024 are not far behind. Fans can expect a reveal and their addition within the next two weeks or so, and then the entire process restarts. In the meantime, fans can spend some time with the new free game selection.

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Headlining the selection (based on IP recognition, most likely) is SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake, a 3D platformer. Players, obviously taking on the role of SpongeBob, travel across Wish Worlds to save Bikini Bottoms and collect Cosmic Jelly, with all the silliness and Goofy Goober-ness fans would expect in between. Overall, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake sits at a "Fair" OpenCritic Rating, with a Top Critic Average of 70 and about 43% of overall critics recommending the title. It is joined by AEW Fight Forever, an arcade-style wrestling game that focuses on exaggeration over realism, and Streets of Rage 4, the latest entry in the beloved side-scrolling beat 'em up genre.

PS Plus Free Games for June 2024 - Complete List

• SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake (PS4/PS5)
• AEW Fight Forever (PS4/PS5)
• Streets of Rage 4 (PS4)

On OpenCritic, AEW Fight Forever comes in with a "Weak" OpenCritic Rating, yet still barely below SpongeBob. It has a Top Critic Average of 65, with 38% of critics recommending it. Streets of Rage 4 clocks in with a "Mighty" OpenCritic Rating, with a Top Critic Average of 84 and 98% of critics recommending the title. The three titles run the spectrum over on OpenCritic, with AEW Fight Forever being ranked weak, SpongeBob being ranked fair, and Streets of Rage 4 being ranked mighty.

It's a bit of a peculiar selection, but generally speaking, PS Plus Extra and Premium have become the must-have tiers of the service. The transition seems slow, but more and more they are the saving grace of each month. On the other hand, it's possible that Sony is holding back on PS Plus this month, simply because of stiff competition. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree's release is soon, and it stands to reason that a lot of subscribers are eyeballing it over any upcoming subscription additions.