Microsoft places itself among the best publishers in the world ahead of Sony and Nintendo

The performance of its games in 2025 drives Xbox above its main rivals.

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Microsoft has achieved a prominent position in the latest annual publisher ranking published by Metacritic, and it has done so with a fact that does not go unnoticed: it has surpassed Sony and Nintendo in the 2026 ranking, based on the performance of its games during 2025.

This is not just a good position, but a clear sign of how Xbox’s catalog has evolved in recent years. Between its own releases and titles from its associated studios, the company has managed to maintain a solid average that places it among the most valued in the industry.

Microsoft enters the top 5 of Metacritic above Sony and Nintendo

• According to Metacritic’s data, Microsoft has reached an average of 80 points, which has allowed it to position itself in the fifth place in the global publisher ranking.

The ranking is as follows in its top positions:

• Square Enix — average of 84
• Gamirror Games — average of 82
• Capcom — average of 83
• Thunderful — average of 78
• Microsoft — average of 80

The most striking thing is that Sony falls to 21st place and Nintendo stays in 12th place, with averages of 74 and 77, respectively.

Part of Microsoft’s success is explained by the performance of several of its most notable releases. Among them, Forza Horizon 5 has been one of the best-rated with a 92, followed by Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Titles like The Outer Worlds 2 or Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 have also contributed.

• Additionally, the weight of its studios (such as Bethesda, Activision, or Blizzard) has been decisive in maintaining a constant level of releases throughout the year.

This result reinforces the idea that Xbox has managed to consolidate its catalog with well-valued proposals, and leaves an interesting scenario for what’s to come in the next few months, with several important releases on the horizon.