PlayStation enthusiasts with either a PS Vita or PS3 console, along with an active PlayStation Plus membership, currently have an exceptional opportunity to add Stardew Valley to their permanent library at no cost. This isn't the usual PS Plus limited license offer—through a special cross-buy feature, players can secure permanent ownership of this beloved farming simulation title.

Originally launched in 2016 to widespread critical praise, Stardew Valley has maintained its position as one of Steam's highest-rated games, often competing for the top spot with legendary titles like Portal 2. The game's enduring popularity is evident in its selection as one of September 2025's headline PlayStation Plus offerings, allowing subscribers to enjoy it throughout their membership period.

However, astute gamers have discovered a method to bypass the subscription requirement entirely. As highlighted by prominent gaming content creator Wario64, players can utilize the cross-buy functionality through PS Vita or PS3 stores to permanently add Stardew Valley to their collection. This clever workaround effectively converts the temporary PS Plus license into permanent ownership across all three PlayStation platforms.

Securing Permanent Access to Stardew Valley

The process involves two straightforward steps:

• First, claim Stardew Valley through your PlayStation Plus subscription
• Then, access the free cross-buy option through one of these platforms:

Further investigation revealed that some users successfully completed this process without needing physical access to older consoles. Simply navigating to the PSN webstore provided the option to 're-purchase' Stardew Valley at no cost after claiming the PS Plus version. While many have reported success with this method, some players have encountered issues with the option not appearing in certain interfaces, particularly the PSN mobile application.

This unexpected loophole appears to be the result of an unintentional system configuration that might be corrected in future updates. Interested players should consider acting promptly to secure their permanent copy through these methods before potential fixes are implemented.

Stardew Valley joins two other notable titles in September's PlayStation Plus lineup: Psychonauts 2, the acclaimed 2021 sequel to the cult classic platformer, and Viewfinder, an innovative 2023 puzzle game. Together, these offerings provide PlayStation subscribers with a diverse range of gaming experiences for the month.

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