Helldivers 2 was more successful on Xbox than on PS5; will Days Gone, Returnal & Co. follow suit?

Helldivers 2 is selling better on Xbox than on PS5. Is Sony now opening the door for more games like Days Gone or Returnal on the rival console?

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Mark Tomson
Managing Director of PlayFront. Mark Tomson shapes the vision of independent PlayStation reporting. His focus: technical analysis, hardware evolution, and the strategic positioning of the gaming industry. He stands for...

helldivers 2 It's currently causing a stir: The game, originally launched as a PS5 exclusive, is selling even better on Xbox in its launch week than it did on Sony's own hardware. This development is not only surprising but also raises questions: Is Sony opening the door for more games like this? Days Gone or return on the rival console?

Helldivers 2 has a dream start on Xbox

Numbers of Alinea Analytics This is supposed to show: Six days after the Xbox release, around 926.000 units were sold. helldivers 2 via digital retail. For comparison: The PS5 version only managed 633.000 sales in the same period in 2024. This is not just a respectable achievement, but a clear signal: Xbox players have been waiting for this title, and they are buying it in droves.

At the same time, it also appeared Gears of War: Reloaded on the PS5 and sold a respectable 259.000 copies. The fact that Sony players can now play Marcus Fenix ​​and Xbox players can play side-by-side in helldivers 2 Fighting would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

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Which Sony games could follow?

The intriguing question is: Will this remain an isolated incident like helldivers 2Or is Sony actually taking the next step? There are plenty of potential candidates:

  • Days GoneBend Studio's zombie biker adventure game is considered underrated. It could get a second life on Xbox.
  • returnHousemarque's roguelike shooter is technically impressive, but it occupied a niche market on the PS5. It could reach a wider audience on Xbox.
  • Sackboy: The Big Adventure or Ratchet & Clank: Rift ApartFamily-friendly titles that could round out the Xbox portfolio.

Ob The Last of Us, Uncharted or Spider-Man Whether they will ever appear on Xbox is doubtful, as these are Sony's crown jewels, which they likely want to keep exclusive. More likely candidates would be titles that aren't performing well or have already been released for Nintendo Switch, see [link/reference]. LEGO Horizon AdventuresBut the fact that such scenarios are even being discussed shows how much the industry is changing.

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From console wars to an open future

Microsoft has long since adapted its own strategy. Titles like Forza Horizon 5 or Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are now also available on PlayStation. Sony, on the other hand, is cautiously testing the waters. But helldivers 2 This proves that a PlayStation game can also be a hit on Xbox.

This is good news for players. The eternal console war is losing its significance.And instead of walls, bridges are being built. Those who previously had to choose a platform may in the future have the option of experiencing their favorite games everywhere.

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helldivers 2 This is more than just an Xbox hit; it's a test run. Sony now sees in black and white that a multi-platform strategy works. Whether this becomes a real trend depends on how boldly the company handles its brands.

The big question remains: Would you like games like Days Gone or return Will they make the jump to Xbox? Or is exclusivity still a core part of PlayStation's DNA for you?

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4 Comments
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Joseph P. Brenner
5. September 2025 11: 43

Lucien Noctus, do you mean like in Forza Horizon 5?

Lucien Noctus
5. September 2025 11: 44

Joseph P. Brenner, what's the point of that?

Joseph P. Brenner
5. September 2025 11: 59

Lucien Noctus, I wanted to agree with you 🙂 FH5 sales were very good for the PS5.

Crydog
5. September 2025 06: 47

Sure, you can do it with Days Gone. Instead of finally making a sequel, Bend first has to go and make some money. Sackboy is dead, and that won't interest any Xbox fans, and Returnal is very niche; nobody cares about that, whether it's Rogue or Souls.