Helldivers 2 launched on Xbox at the end of August 2025 after originally being exclusive to PlayStation and PC. This was a significant moment for the industry. It marked the first time Sony had actively pushed one of its own published games onto Xbox, rather than just releasing older titles to PC at a later date. Arrowhead, the studio behind Helldivers 2, even confirmed that Sony initiated the Xbox port.
After launch, a narrative started spreading online that Helldivers 2 had underperformed on Xbox in September. That was not accurate. The game was missing from the initial Circana sales chart due to a data feed error, not because it failed to sell.
Borderlands 4 takes the crown and the rest of the Xbox sales chart context
Borderlands 4 had its fair share of controversy due to performance issues at launch, but it still topped the Xbox sales chart in September and the overall sales chart. I actually picked it up myself, and according to Circana, it recorded the strongest launch in franchise history, generating 30% higher launch revenue than Borderlands 3.
The number 2 and 3 spots went to sports titles, with NBA 2K26 and EA Sports FC 26 continuing their yearly sales dominance. Helldivers 2 followed closely in fourth place, which we will come back to in a moment. Rounding out the middle of the chart were Madden NFL 26, NHL 26, and EA Sports College Football 26, giving EA a heavy presence in the rankings.
Content – September 2025 Top 10 Best-Selling Premium Games on Xbox Platforms – U.S. (Dollar Sales, Physical and Digital from digital data sharing publishers, excludes add-on content)
— @matpiscatella.bsky.social (@matpiscatella.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-10-22T21:20:35.012Z
A franchise close to my heart shows up next. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds landed at number 8, which is great to see because Mario Kart could do with some real competition. Konami also had a strong month, with Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater coming in at number 9, and Silent Hill f claiming the final slot at number 10.
Personally, I would have liked to see Digimon Story: Time Stranger make the Xbox chart, but it still managed an impressive number 2 debut on PC and ranked 13th overall across all platforms. In the wider U.S. top 20 sales chart for September, a few Microsoft games also appeared, including Minecraft at number 15 and Forza Horizon 5 at number 16.
Two strong Xbox months prove Helldivers 2 is a multiplatform win for Sony
Seeing Helldivers 2 become a proven seller on Xbox could make PlayStation rethink its approach to platform exclusivity. It raises a fair question: what older titles could Sony bring to Xbox to generate extra revenue and fund games currently in development? If it is willing to go multiplatform in select cases, that decision could add a healthy stream of cash without hurting PlayStation’s core audience.
Personally, I would love to see Spider-Man or even the first three Uncharted games if I am being cheeky. Those feel unlikely in the short term, but Sony already has a growing PC strategy, and Helldivers 2 shows that expanding to Xbox might not be off the table anymore.
Helldivers 2 also launched on Xbox with strong support, including a Halo crossover that drew a lot of attention. When I played recently, almost everyone I ran into was wearing ODST gear. The game is currently delaying new content updates to focus on performance improvements, but that has not slowed down player interest. It is clear Helldivers 2 is here to stay, and if Sony is willing to follow this path further, it could be the start of a new wave of multiplatform revenue.
The message is clear — Xbox players want more Sony games
Helldivers 2 has shown that great games will sell wherever people are allowed to play them. It is a win for Arrowhead, a win for Xbox players who finally got to experience it, and a win for Sony too. If this momentum continues, it could influence how PlayStation approaches third-party publishing and live service strategies going forward. Money talks, and Helldivers 2 is speaking loudly.
We are already seeing a shift in how the industry views platform borders. PlayStation veteran Shuhei Yoshida has openly been enjoying the Xbox Ally X and If this is where the industry is heading, I am all for it. Let good games be played by as many people as possible.
Follow Windows Central on Google News to keep our latest news, insights, and features at the top of your feeds!
