2025’s Most Downloaded Games: Sports, Shooters, and VR Dominate the Charts
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As 2025 draws to a close, a look back at the year’s most popular games reveals a strong performance from sports titles, established shooter franchises, and the growing PlayStation VR2 library. According to data compiled from PlayStation Store downloads, NBA 2K26 and EA Sports FC 26 led the pack in the US/Canada and Europe respectively, demonstrating the continued appeal of simulated sports experiences.
Sports Reign Supreme
The dominance of sports games was a defining trend of 2025. NBA 2K26 secured the top spot in the US/Canada region, while EA Sports FC 26 claimed the crown in Europe. The enduring popularity of Grand Theft Auto V also saw it consistently rank among the most downloaded titles in both regions, proving its continued relevance even after years on the market. Battlefield 6, a highly anticipated release in 2025, landed in second place in the US charts, signaling a strong start for the new installment in the franchise.
Free-to-Play Powerhouses
The free-to-play market continued to thrive, with Fortnite maintaining its position as the most downloaded title in the category. A senior official stated that “the accessibility and constant updates of Fortnite continue to draw in a massive player base.” Roblox also performed strongly, solidifying its position as a leading platform for user-generated content. Other popular free-to-play titles included Marvel Rivals, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Rocket League.
PlayStation VR2 Gains Momentum
The PlayStation VR2 saw continued success in 2025, with Beat Saber remaining a top performer. One analyst noted that “the immersive experience offered by VR continues to attract dedicated players, and Beat Saber has become a flagship title for the platform.” New VR titles like Alien: Rogue Incursion VR and Metro Awakening also gained traction, indicating a growing interest in virtual reality gaming.
Top Games by Platform – 2025
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the most downloaded games across PlayStation platforms:
PS5 Games
- United States/Canada: NBA 2K26, Battlefield 6, Grand Theft Auto V, EA SPORTS FC 25, EA SPORTS College Football 26, Forza Horizon 5, EA SPORTS Madden NFL 26, Minecraft, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, ARC Raiders, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ghost of Yōtei, MLB The Show 25, Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Ready or Not, Split Fiction, Hogwarts Legacy, UFC 5, NBA 2K25, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, It Takes Two, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Monster Hunter Wilds, REMATCH, EA SPORTS FC 25, F1 25.
- Europe: EA SPORTS FC 26, Battlefield 6, Minecraft, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ghost of Yōtei, EA SPORTS FC 26, Forza Horizon 5, NBA 2K25, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, It Takes Two, Ready or Not, Chiaroscuro: Expedition 33, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, EA SPORTS FC 25, F1 25.
PS4 Games
- United States/Canada: Red Dead Redemption 2, STAR WARS Battlefront II, A Way Out, Batman: Arkham Knight, EA SPORTS FC 26, Minecraft, The Forest, Grand Theft Auto V, EA SPORTS FC 25, A Way Out, Need for Speed Heat, Mortal Kombat X, Need for Speed Heat, theHunter: Call of the Wild, STAR WARS Battlefront II, The Forest, Batman: Arkham Knight, Gang Beasts, Unravel Two, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Battlefield V, Middle-earth: Shadow of War, Mortal Kombat X, Stardew Valley, Gang Beasts, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Unravel Two, Hogwarts Legacy, God of War, Battlefield 4, Overcooked! 2, Assassin’s Creed Origins, Injustice 2, Middle-earth: Shadow of War.
- Europe: Red Dead Redemption 2, STAR WARS Battlefront II, A Way Out, Batman: Arkham Knight, EA SPORTS FC 26, Minecraft, The Forest, Grand Theft Auto V, EA SPORTS FC 25, A Way Out, Need for Speed Heat, Mortal Kombat X, Need for Speed Heat, theHunter: Call of the Wild, STAR WARS Battlefront II, The Forest, Batman: Arkham Knight, Gang Beasts, Unravel Two, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Battlefield V, Middle-earth: Shadow of War, Mortal Kombat X, Stardew Valley, Gang Beasts, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Unravel Two, Hogwarts Legacy, God of War, Battlefield 4, Overcooked! 2, Assassin’s Creed Origins, Injustice 2, Middle-earth: Shadow of War.
PS VR2 Games
- United States/Canada: Beat Saber, Alien: Rogue Incursion VR, Among Us 3D: VR, Creed: Rise to Glory – Championship Edition, Metro Awakening, Job Simulator, Pavlov, Horizon Call of the Mountain, Arizona Sunshine 2, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, Swordsman VR.
- Europe: Beat Saber, Alien: Rogue Incursion VR, Among Us 3D: VR, Creed: Rise to Glory – Championship Edition, Metro Awakening, Job Simulator, Pavlov, Horizon Call of the Mountain, Arizona Sunshine 2, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, Swordsman VR.
Free to Play (PS5 + PS4)
- United States/Canada: Fortnite, Roblox, Marvel Rivals, Call of Duty: Warzone, Rocket League, Battlefield REDSEC, Where Winds Meet (F2P), eFootball, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege X – Free Access, Asphalt Legends, Delta Force (F2P), Fall Guys.
- Europe: Fortnite, Roblox, Marvel Rivals, Call of Duty: Warzone, Rocket League, Battlefield REDSEC, Where Winds Meet (F2P), eFootball, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege X – Free Access, Asphalt Legends, Delta Force (F2P), Fall Guys.
Product names may differ from region to region.
The data underscores a dynamic gaming landscape in 2025, with established franchises continuing to thrive alongside emerging trends in free-to-play gaming and virtual reality. As the industry moves forward, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve and shape the future of interactive entertainment.
