Console wishlists are becoming an increasingly important part of the digital gaming ecosystem. As players look for ways to track upcoming releases, and developers seek to build pre-launch momentum, the wishlist function has taken on a central role. One recent example of this trend is Hypercharge: Unboxed, which accumulated over 50,000 PlayStation wishlists within just a few weeks of being announced for the platform. This level of interest, particularly for a self-published title developed by a small team, highlights the growing influence of wishlists in shaping early user engagement.

Console Wishlists and Visibility Challenge for Games

PlayStation’s Wishlist Visibility

Despite the clear signal of interest provided by large wishlist numbers, PlayStation’s current storefront does not promote highly wishlisted titles any differently than others. A closer look at how unreleased games are listed on the PlayStation Network shows a system primarily sorted by the date a game page was added or alphabetically, without any added visibility for titles that are drawing notable attention through wishlists. As a result, well-received or highly anticipated games appear alongside lower-quality or derivative titles, which may reduce the effectiveness of wishlists as a discovery tool for users.

This sorting method also creates challenges for developers hoping to benefit from early interest. Without algorithmic support or editorial spotlighting based on wishlist counts, there is little reward for generating enthusiasm ahead of a release. This situation differs significantly from how PC storefronts like Steam approach the same issue.

PlayStation’s Logo

Steam’s Model for Wishlist Integration

Steam has long integrated wishlist data into its storefront algorithms. Games with high wishlist counts are often featured more prominently in users’ Discovery Queues and are more likely to appear in curated collections or recommendations. The platform also uses wishlist trends to inform editorial decisions, which can lead to greater exposure for titles before release. This model gives developers a clear incentive to encourage wishlisting and ensures that user interest translates into improved visibility.

By comparison, console storefronts have been slower to adopt this approach. While pre-orders remain a key indicator for placement on some platform pages, wishlists are often treated solely as bookmarks rather than signals of broader market interest. This can limit the impact of pre-release community engagement and reduce opportunities for smaller or independent developers to reach wider audiences.

Proportion of Revenue on Steam Coming from Indie Games

The Broader Landscape of Storefront Discovery

Other platforms, including Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2, are incorporating wishlist functionality into their digital stores. However, indications suggest that these features will also focus more on personal bookmarking than on influencing broader discovery algorithms. This could continue the trend where wishlist data is underutilized in helping users discover content based on community anticipation.

Additionally, there are concerns that promoting games based on wishlist popularity could inadvertently surface lower-effort titles that attract attention through misleading names or visual presentation. Still, many argue that the benefits of recognizing legitimate user interest outweigh the risks, especially if supported by moderation tools or user reviews to provide additional context.

Nintendo’s Upcoming Switch 2

A Missed Opportunity in Game Promotion

The lack of visibility given to highly wishlisted games highlights a missed opportunity for console platforms to improve how users find new content. In the current environment, a game with significant pre-release interest, like Bread & Fred, might end up listed next to low-rated or quickly produced titles, simply because of alphabetical sorting. This limits the potential for organic discovery and may discourage developers from investing in community-building strategies that rely on wishlist momentum.

While some games gain visibility through pre-order metrics, this system tends to favor larger publishers and AAA titles, which are more likely to use pre-orders as part of their marketing strategy. Smaller studios that rely on wishlists to build interest before launch may find it difficult to convert that interest into visibility without changes to how storefronts prioritize and display unreleased games.

Bread & Fred 

Final Thoughts

Console wishlists have emerged as a valuable metric for gauging player interest in upcoming games, but their potential as a discovery tool remains underdeveloped on platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo. Unlike Steam, which uses wishlist data to drive game visibility and discovery, most console storefronts continue to treat wishlists as personal tools rather than community signals. As digital storefronts evolve, there is an opportunity for platforms to refine how they incorporate wishlist trends into their algorithms, ultimately creating a more effective and equitable system for players and developers alike.

Source: GameDiscoverCo