Xbox Beats PlayStation and Nintendo in Metacritic Publisher Rankings
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Metacritic's publisher rankings place Xbox fifth for its 2025 output, beating both Nintendo and Sony thanks to strong scores across multiplatform releases and internal studios.
The latest publisher rankings from Metacritic have shaken up the console wars. According to data compiled by Game Rant, Xbox claimed the fifth spot overall for its 2025 output, landing well ahead of its traditional rivals. Nintendo placed twelfth with an average score of 77, while Sony lagged behind in twenty-first with an average score of 74. Microsoft achieved an impressive publisher average of 80 across its entire stable, which now includes heavy hitters from Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.
Ironically, the software doing the heavy lifting for Microsoft's top tier ranking came from its newly adopted multiplatform strategy. The PlayStation 5 port of Forza Horizon 5 led the charge with a stellar 92 score, closely followed by the PlayStation 5 release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle at 86. On native hardware, Activision's Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 matched that 86 mark, while Obsidian's The Outer Worlds 2 held down the fort for internal Xbox Game Studios with a solid 83.
This critical success arrives during a massive transitional period for the brand. Xbox is currently navigating major executive changes, including leadership shifts and restructuring, alongside ongoing community discussions regarding subscription pricing and its pivot toward cross-platform publishing. While the business side of the brand undergoes a complete evolution, these Metacritic scores prove that the actual games coming out of Microsoft's expanding studios are still hitting the mark for players across every ecosystem.
Tags: Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, Metacritic, Gaming News
Original article: Game Rant