Xbox has Surpassed Nintendo and PlayStation as a Publisher
Xbox has been in the news in recent years more for layoffs, studio closures, and strategic changes. The Game Pass price increase and the departure of high-profile executives, in particular, raised questions about the brand’s future. However, a new ranking from this period suggests that things aren’t entirely bad for Xbox.
Xbox Stands Out with Publisher Performance
In Metacritic’s publisher list, which is based on games released in 2025, Xbox ranked fifth with an average score of 80. This result is even more remarkable considering Nintendo is in 12th place with an average of 77, and Sony is in 21st place with an average of 74. This is somewhat unusual for the three console manufacturers, who have been competing in different areas for years.
On the Xbox side, the biggest contributor to this success is its extensive game portfolio. With contributions from major studios like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard, the catalog features a total of 21 games and over 40 releases. This breadth is a significant factor in boosting the average score.
There’s an interesting detail regarding standout games. One of the highest-scoring titles is the PlayStation 5 port of Forza Horizon 5, while the PS5 version of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle also received a high score. This shows that Xbox’s success is directly influenced by its strategy of porting its games to different platforms.
However, this isn’t entirely a flawless success story. Releasing more games and releases provides an advantage in raising the average, but it also makes the comparison somewhat debatable. Nevertheless, it’s clear that Xbox remains strong, especially in terms of content, and continues its journey with different strategies. How this approach will yield results in the future remains the main question.
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