As 2025 comes to a close, the PlayStation Store charts reveal what gamers were playing most throughout the year. Across PS5, PS4, PS VR2, and free-to-play titles, sports games, shooters, and long-running franchises dominated the download lists. Regional differences also played a role, with certain titles performing better in the US and Canada than in Europe, reflecting local preferences in sports and action games.
PS5 Downloads Highlight Sports and Action Favorites
On the PS5, sports titles continued to attract the largest audiences. In the US and Canada, NBA 2K26 topped the charts, followed by Battlefield 6, the latest installment in the long-running shooter series. Grand Theft Auto V remained in the top three, showing the enduring appeal of Rockstar’s open-world classic.
In Europe, football fans favored EA SPORTS FC 26, while Grand Theft Auto V and EA SPORTS FC 25 rounded out the top spots. Beyond sports and action, players continued to enjoy a mix of open-world adventures like Assassin’s Creed Shadows, simulations like Minecraft, and competitive shooters including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. These rankings indicate a balance between new releases and established franchises that consistently attract downloads year after year.
PS4 Downloads Reflect Long-Term Player Engagement
Even as PS5 adoption grows, PS4 downloads in 2025 remained significant. Red Dead Redemption 2 led the charts in both the US/Canada and Europe, highlighting the longevity of Rockstar’s narrative-driven western. Other consistently popular titles included Grand Theft Auto V, A Way Out, and Minecraft, which showed strong cross-generational appeal.
Sports titles like EA SPORTS FC 26 and fighting games such as Mortal Kombat X maintained visibility, while cooperative and multiplayer experiences like Gang Beasts and Overcooked! 2 continued to engage casual players. The PS4 charts demonstrate that many players remain invested in the platform for both single-player and social gaming experiences.
PlayStation VR2 Maintains Steady Popularity
The PS VR2 saw continued engagement with rhythm, action, and narrative-driven titles. Beat Saber held the top spot in both regions, reinforcing its role as a core VR experience. Other popular downloads included Alien: Rogue Incursion VR, Among Us 3D: VR, and Creed: Rise to Glory – Championship Edition, highlighting a mix of action and social gameplay.
Story-driven VR experiences like Metro Awakening and Horizon Call of the Mountain also found an audience, alongside shooters such as Arizona Sunshine 2 and Pavlov. The VR download trends suggest steady growth in user interest, with immersive experiences continuing to attract both newcomers and long-time VR players.
Free-to-Play Games Continue to Lead in Downloads
Free-to-play games maintained a strong presence across PS5 and PS4 in 2025. Fortnite remained the most downloaded free-to-play game in both the US/Canada and Europe, demonstrating its ongoing relevance in the competitive multiplayer landscape. Titles like Roblox, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Rocket League continued to engage large player bases.
Additional entries such as Marvel Rivals, Battlefield REDSEC, and Where Winds Meet showed the diversity of free-to-play options, appealing to players across genres from sports and racing to strategy and action. The free-to-play ecosystem continues to serve as a gateway for multiplayer and live-service content on PlayStation consoles, complementing premium downloads.
Regional Patterns in 2025 Downloads
Several trends emerged when comparing downloads between regions. Sports games consistently led both North American and European charts, though the specific franchises varied depending on local preferences. Shooters and open-world games maintained popularity across all regions, with titles like Call of Duty, Battlefield, and GTA V consistently appearing in the top rankings.
VR adoption remained concentrated among rhythm and action titles, while free-to-play games like Fortnite and Roblox maintained broad global appeal. Overall, 2025 demonstrated the continued strength of established franchises while also highlighting opportunities for growth in VR and live-service titles.
Conclusion
The PlayStation Store’s top downloads of 2025 highlight a balance between new releases and enduring franchises. From sports titles like NBA 2K26 and EA SPORTS FC 26, to shooters like Battlefield 6, and immersive VR experiences such as Beat Saber, the data reflects diverse player interests across platforms.
Free-to-play titles like Fortnite remain key drivers of engagement, while PS4 continues to host long-term favorites. These trends indicate that PlayStation’s ecosystem is sustaining both traditional gaming and emerging experiences, with steady interest in web3-adjacent concepts influencing future industry strategies.
Source: PlayStation
Make sure to check out our articles about top games to play in 2026:
Best Nintendo Switch Games for 2026
Best First-Person Shooters for 2026
Best PlayStation Indie Games for 2026
Best Multiplayer Games for 2026
Most Anticipated Games of 2026
Top Game Releases for January 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What were the most downloaded PS5 games in 2025?
The top PS5 downloads in 2025 included NBA 2K26, Battlefield 6, Grand Theft Auto V, and EA SPORTS FC 26, with strong representation from sports, shooters, and open-world games.
Which PS4 games were most popular in 2025?
Red Dead Redemption 2 led the PS4 charts, followed by Grand Theft Auto V, A Way Out, and Minecraft. The platform remained strong for sports, multiplayer, and co-op experiences.
What PS VR2 games saw the highest downloads in 2025?
Beat Saber continued to dominate, with Alien: Rogue Incursion VR, Among Us 3D: VR, and Creed: Rise to Glory – Championship Edition also ranking highly.
Which free-to-play games were most downloaded in 2025?
Fortnite topped the free-to-play category, followed by Roblox, Call of Duty: Warzone, Rocket League, and Battlefield REDSEC, appealing to a broad player base.
Did regional preferences affect the top downloads?
Yes, sports titles varied between regions, with NBA 2K26 leading in the US/Canada and EA SPORTS FC 26 leading in Europe, while shooters and open-world games remained popular globally.
Are web3 features reflected in PlayStation Store downloads?
While mainstream downloads focus on traditional games and free-to-play titles, interest in web3-adjacent concepts continues to influence publisher strategies and future offerings.
