• A new analysis of player data has revealed the Nintendo Switch 2 has had the best-received new game releases in 2025 so far.
• Player stats were pulled for 100 games released this year: number of people playing, backlogs, replays, percentage retired, and rating.  
• The Switch 2 scored best across every category, with the lowest retired rate and highest player rating for games available on the platform. 
• Xbox Series X/S ranked second and the PlayStation 5 was third, while Xbox One performed the worst across all consoles analyzed. 

A new analysis of player data has identified which games consoles have released the best-received new games this year so far – and which have let fans down.

The analysis came from video game asset marketplace Chicks Gold, which analyzed the following metrics from HowLongToBeat across 100 games released in 2025: number of people currently playing, number of backlogs, number of replays, percentage of players who retired the game, and percentage rating.

The results for these games were then grouped and averaged based on which platforms the games are available on, with each console given a final score out of 100 to indicate which has released the best content this year. 

Games analyzed included Hollow Knight: Silksong, Borderlands 4, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and Monster Hunter: Wilds. Consoles considered were the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4 and 5, the Xbox One, and the Xbox Series X/S. 

On average, the typical game saw the following: An average of 79 people currently playing it, added to 260 backlogs, 2.6 replays, 3% retired, and a rating of 78%.

The Nintendo Switch 2 led by a landslide, scoring a perfect 100 out of 100 for average game reception this year. Of the 2025 games released on this console, each sees an average of 127 current players and appears in 328 backlogs, suggesting many more intend to play even if they haven’t gotten around to it yet.

The typical game released on the Switch 2 this year is replayed 3.9 times, and holds a retired rate of just 1.9% – the lowest of any console in the study. It also holds an average player rating of 82% – 5% above the study average (78%). 

Among the best-received games on the console this year is Hollow Knight: Silksong, despite a fairly high retired rate of 1.5%, Hades II, and Donkey Kong Bananza. 

Second is the Xbox Series X/S – which struggled to catch up to the Nintendo Switch 2 – scoring 39 out of 100 for new game reception. The typical game released on the X/S sees 80 people playing it at any given time, with 318 adding it to their backlogs.

The typical game also sees 4.2% of players retiring it, which is the highest rate of any console analyzed. It’s also 40% above the study average (3% retired). The average X/S game is replayed 3.2 times, and holds a 76% player rating.

Of the games that scored the best across the same metrics, the fan favorite Xbox Series X/S releases were found to be: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Split Fiction. 

Rounding out the top three consoles for new content this year is the PlayStation 5, scoring 36 out of 100. The typical new game attracts 77 current players, sits in 285 backlogs, and holds an average player rating of 77%. It’s also replayed 2.9 times, and is retired at a rate of 2.9%. 

The top-performing newly-released games available on the console also included Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Split Fiction, as well as Monster Hunter: Wilds and Deltarune. 

Consoles ranked by average reception for a new game released in 2025

At the bottom of the ranking is the Xbox One, scoring just 14 out of 100 for new game reception. Across the 100 games analyzed, just one-quarter (25%) were available on the console, with the typical game holding a player rating of 76%. 

The platform was largely let down by a high retired rate of 3.2%, and the number of replays at 1.6 – the lowest in the study. The typical game is added to 212 backlogs, and is being played through by 68 players at any given time.

Although the platform sees the least enthusiastic reception for a new game release, it does still offer some of the best-received games this year, including Hollow Knight: Silksong and Elden Ring: Nightreign. 

Overall, the game that saw the best reception across the metrics (number of people currently playing, number of backlogs, number of replays, percentage of players who retired the game, and percentage rating) was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, scoring 97 out of 100, followed by Hollow Knight: Silksong at 63.4, and Hades II at 57.4. 

The 10 best games released in 2025, based on player reception

The worst-received game of the 100 analyzed was FBC Firebreak, scoring just two out of 100. The game sees 23 current players, is in 48 backlogs, has seen no replays so far, holds an exceptionally high retired rate of 21.9%, and a low player rating of 51%. The game is available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. 

Discussing the study findings, Al Alof, CEO of Chicks Gold, said:

“There’s a lot of discussion about which game releases fans are most eagerly anticipating throughout the year, but not much on how a game is actually received once players access it. And while some consoles are generally considered better investments than others at the moment, it’s clear that game reception differs drastically by platform and that the Nintendo Switch 2 is the best at the moment when it comes to actual gaming experience.

“It’s impressive that such a new console has dominated the ranking, and it suggests that Nintendo are well aware of which titles to prioritize on their new platform in order to offer players the best value for money. Meanwhile, the Xbox One isn’t really providing that much value in terms of new content this year so far.

“It remains to be seen how upcoming game releases affect the ranking, as the long-awaited GTA VI is rumored to be ‘the largest game launch in history’ and will be on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. The Switch 2’s domination could be rocked by that – unless the games they release in the meantime continue to impress.”

Methodology: Player data was analyzed via howlongtobeat.com, which allows players to catalog their games collection and share data. The following metrics were pulled for 100 games released in 2025:

• Playing (current players)
• Backlogs
• Replays
• Retired %
• Rating %

Each metric was scored out of 10, added and doubled, to calculate a final reception score out of 100. Games were grouped based on the consoles they’re available on and then averaged across the metrics, to reveal the average reception per console.

The post Nintendo Switch 2 named console with best game releases this year – where does your favorite rank? appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Fortnite is a complex game with incredible depth, which carries over to its control options. Whether you’re sporting a keyboard and mouse, a gamepad, or a mobile device, mastering one of the default control schemes on your favorite Fortnite platform can help you get the most out of your Fortnite gameplay. Click here for the Cheat Sheet and get to know all the controls and then follow it up with the Best Fortnite Settings for cross platform play!

The post Fortnite For Dummies Cheat Sheet – All the controls! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Here’s the link to check out the bundle and name your own price!

More awesome indie games for you. Cool off this summer with a bundle full of indie PlayStation titles! Uncover the horrors in Layers of Fear, awake from a deep sleep in The Talos Principle, and team up with friends for Zed-slaughtering mayhem in Killing Floor 2. Plus, your purchase will support GameChanger, Save the Children, Rett Syndrome Research Trust, and a charity of your choice!

Pay $1 or more. Normally, the total cost for the games in this bundle is as much as $239. Here at Humble Bundle, you choose the price and increase your contribution to upgrade your bundle! This bundle has a minimum $1 purchase. Redeem with PlayStation Network. All of the games in this bundle are available for PlayStation 4 and require an SIEA region PSN account. Please check out the full system requirements here prior to purchasing.

Limited Availability. Once keys run out for a tier, that’s it! Get these hot PlayStation titles while supplies last!

Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the publishers, GameChanger, Save the Children, Rett Syndrome Research Trust, and/or a charity of your choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!

The post Pay what you want for great PlayStation 4 games and more in The Humble Indie PlayStation REbundle 2019! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

When upgrading is important

The most determinant aspect of your gaming setup for online gaming is, of course, the hardware. For console gamers, the options are fairly restrictive, though a highly quality television can provide greater image fidelity and better help you with twitch-reaction games. Upgrading peripherals is easier to budget than before; making an immediate upgrade won’t break the bank. It’s entirely possible to use your savings without making a huge dent. Alternatively, the low cost of peripheral upgrades means that those on lower incomes will be able to qualify for funding such as personal credit to purchase the upgrades they need. PCs are far more customization and relatively more complex, but prices continue to drop, as Forbes have noted. Big speed boosts can be obtained with minor changes to storage, RAM, or your graphics and central processor.

Bringing in gadgets

For some, an upgrade won’t be feasible, especially if your monitor is already up to date and your console is, too. This is where gadgets come in. For instance, a Xbox or PlayStation experiencing low boot speeds can be augmented with a USB driven solid state drive. As Lifehacker point out, SSDs will write at up to 650Mb/s, against the much slower 80-120Mb/s offered by hard disk drives. When you’re in the flow of gaming and looking to find a new match, this will save you valuable seconds and keep you in the zone.

Fine tuning your system

Buried in the default settings of every system are a myriad of options that can help to greatly improve speed. On Xbox, disabling smooth transitions is infamous for improving menu screen times. The PS4 can be boosted through rebuilding the database on a regular basis, which when done carefully will remove unnecessary files. For computers, the possibilities are often unlimited, but a good starting point is to keep storage usage down and to remove unnecessary software and processes. An often forgotten point is cleaning – a simple air dusting of the interior of any device, once every few months, will keep things running smoothly.

As more gamers pick up their controllers to join the online arena, you’re likely to find much more competition. Keeping your devices up to speed will help you to find that edge. Whether that’s tweaking your settings, a simple clean or replacing the hardware altogether, there are always options to get ahead.

The post Staying Competitive In The Expanding Game Market appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Here’s the link!

The Humble Indie PlayStation Bundle 2019

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Companies Partner to Deliver “Atari® Flashback Classics” and “RollerCoaster Tycoon®” Series Software to All Major Consoles in 2018

PRESS RELEASE  UPDATED: NOV 7, 2018 08:14 PST

LOS ANGELES, November 7, 2018 (Newswire.com) – AtGames® Digital Media Inc., a leader in interactive entertainment products, in partnership with Atari®, today announced their complete line-up of exciting software titles for modern consoles. These titles include “Atari® Flashback Classics” Vol. 1 – Vol. 3 for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Microsoft Xbox One, “RollerCoaster Tycoon Joyride” for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and enhanced for PlayStation®VR, “Atari® Flashback Classics” for Nintendo Switch, and “RollerCoaster Tycoon® Adventures” for Nintendo Switch. All releases will be available at major U.S. and Canadian retailers this holiday season.

“Atari has an incredible library of classic arcade and home games,” says Dr. Ping-Kang Hsiung, CEO of AtGames. “It’s a true pleasure to bring so many of these all-time classics, including the popular ‘RollerCoaster Tycoon’ franchise, to today’s console gamers.”

Joining “Atari Flashback Classics” Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 this year is Vol. 3, which brings 50 more legendary arcade and home games to PS4 and Xbox One consoles. In addition to more Atari arcade and Atari 2600 console classics like “Atari Basketball” and “Canyon Bomber,” Vol. 3 includes hit titles from M Network, like “Astroblast” and “Dark Cavern,” and a selection of games from the Atari 5200 SuperSystem console, like “Centipede®” and “Star Raiders.” All three volumes together total 150 amazing games. For some online fun, you can check out virgin casino online, where you can get some great promotions.

In “RollerCoaster Tycoon Joyride” for PlayStation 4, players are challenged to build and ride breathtaking roller coasters in thrilling environments with an easy-to-use coaster builder. In a twist on the coaster experience, riders can now shoot down fast-moving targets as they soar through the sky to reach the top of the leaderboards. “RollerCoaster Tycoon Joyride” is enhanced for PSVR, marking a first for the beloved series.

“Atari Flashback Classics” for Nintendo Switch features a stunning selection of 150 of the best Atari arcade, Atari 2600 console, and Atari 5200 SuperSystem console games ever made. This expansive collection represents the first time all of these games have been brought together at one time and takes full advantage of the Switch’s versatile feature-set. It’s the history of Atari for play at home or on-the-go!

“RollerCoaster Tycoon Adventures” for Nintendo Switch lets gamers take a trip to the ultimate theme park by building the biggest, wildest, and most thrilling rides ever. Can you make money in this volatile business? Can you become a true rollercoaster tycoon? Only time will tell. Well-designed gameplay mechanics, appealing graphics, and high replay value make this a must-have title for Switch owners.

“Atari Flashback Classics” vol. 1 – 3 for PS4 and Xbox One retail for $19.99 each. “RollerCoaster Tycoon Joyride” retails for PS4 and PSVR retails for $29.99. Atari Flashback Classics for Nintendo Switch retails for $39.99. RollerCoaster Tycoon Adventures for Nintendo Switch retails for $49.99.

About AtGames

AtGames Digital Media Inc. (http://www.atgames.net) is a leader in innovative consumer-oriented interactive entertainment products. The company leverages the latest technology to develop and publish its best-selling classic videogame products for worldwide distribution. AtGames is based in Los Angeles, with international offices in Taipei and Shenzhen.

 About Atari

Atari is an interactive entertainment company. As an iconic brand that transcends generations and audiences, the company is globally recognized for its multi-platform, interactive entertainment and licensed products. Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 200 games and franchises, including world-renowned brands like “Asteroids®,” “Centipede®,” “Missile Command®,” “Pong®” and “RollerCoaster Tycoon®.” Atari has offices in New York and Paris. Visit us online at www.Atari.com.

Media Contact
pr@atgames.net

Source: AtGames Digital Media Inc.

The post AtGames Partners With Atari to Publish 2018 Line-Up of Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One Games appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Here’s the link!

The Humble THQ Nordic PlayStation Bundle 2

THQ Nordic 2: The Sequel. This bundle is no mere reboot. Our friends at THQ Nordic are here with a brand-new bundle of games for PS4! Get Darksiders Warmastered Edition, This is the Police, Titan Quest, Battle Chasers: Nightwar, and more. Plus, your purchase will support Flüchtlingsprojekt Ute Bock – or a charity of your choice!

Pay what you want. Normally, the total cost for these games is as much as $269. Here at Humble Bundle, though, you choose the price!

Redeem on PlayStation. All of the games in this bundle are available on PlayStation 4. Pay $1 or more to access PSN keys. Please check out the full system requirements here prior to purchasing.

Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the developers, Flüchtlingsprojekt Ute Bock, and, if you’d like, a charity of your choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like the bundle or like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!

The post Name your own price for PlayStation 4 games in the Humble THQ Nordic Bundle 2! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

AtGames® Announces 2018 Line-Up of Atari® Branded Consoles and Handheld Products

Company to Deliver a Diverse Line-up of Atari® Branded High Definition HDMI-based Console and Handheld Products in 2018

PRESS RELEASE  UPDATED: OCT 24, 2018 08:03 PDT

LOS ANGELES, October 24, 2018 (Newswire.com) –  AtGames® Digital Media Inc., a leader in interactive entertainment products, today announced their complete line-up of Atari® branded console and handheld products. This diverse line-up of products includes three exciting entries in the Blast! Family Fun series of HDMI dongle and wireless controller bundles, Atari Flashback® 9 and 9 Gold consoles, and the latest version of the Atari Flashback® Portable. These new hardware products, like the Virgin Games promo code 2019, will be available at major U.S. and Canadian retailers this holiday season.

“Atari’s exceptional range of classic home video games has always felt at home on AtGames’ products,” says Dr. Ping-Kang Hsiung, CEO of AtGames. “For 2018, we’ve introduced an impressive line-up of six new Atari-branded products, so families everywhere can more easily enjoy playing these legendary hits in the form factor of their choosing.”

The Blast! family of Atari-branded products includes the Atari Flashback® Blast! Vol. 1 and Atari Flashback® Blast! Vol. 2, which both come with a USB-powered HDMI dongle that plugs directly into your TV, and an ergonomic six button wireless gamepad. The Atari Flashback® Blast! Vol. 3 swaps the wireless gamepad for a pair of wireless game paddles, which are specially optimized for its selection of classic paddle and ball games. Additional wireless controllers are available for purchase so the fun can be shared with friends and family.

Atari Flashback® Blast! Vol. 1 features 20 Atari 2600 classics like Centipede®, Millipede®, and Yars’ Revenge®. Atari Flashback® Blast! Vol. 2 features 20 Atari 2600 classics like Adventure, Asteroids®, and Missile Command®. Atari Flashback® Blast! Vol. 3. features 20 Atari 2600 paddle-based classics like Breakout®, Pong®, and Warlords®.

The Atari Flashback® 9 features 110 Atari 2600 classics and favorites like Frogger, Gyruss and Jungle Hunt, high definition HDMI output, and two wired joystick controllers modeled after the originals. The Atari Flashback® 9 Gold features 120 Atari 2600 classics and favorites like BurgerTime and Space Invaders, high definition HDMI output, and two wireless joystick controllers modeled after the originals. Optional wired paddle controllers, exclusively designed for use with the Atari Flashback® 9-series, are available for even more authentic play of the included paddle-based games.

The Atari Flashback® Portable returns in 2018 with new features and an amazing selection of 80 Atari 2600 classics and favorites, including Dig Dug, Pac-Man, and Tutankham. A built-in, rechargeable battery means the on-the-go fun never has to end. Games can be played on the portable’s built-in, high-resolution 2.8” display, or on a TV via optional cable.

Every Atari-branded AtGames product includes an intuitive menu system, save and resume game functionality, and the ability to rewind a game in progress to recover from a play misstep.

All Atari-branded AtGames console and handheld products retail for $19.99 – $69.99.

About AtGames

AtGames Digital Media Inc. (http://www.atgames.net) is a leader in innovative consumer-oriented interactive entertainment products. The company leverages the latest technology to develop and publish its best-selling classic videogame products for worldwide distribution. AtGames is based in Los Angeles, with international offices in Taipei and Shenzhen.

 About Atari

Atari is an interactive entertainment company. As an iconic brand that transcends generations and audiences, the company is globally recognized for its multi-platform, interactive entertainment and licensed products. Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 200 games and franchises, including world-renowned brands like Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Pong® and RollerCoaster Tycoon.® Atari has offices in New York and Paris. Visit us online at www.Atari.com.

 Media Contact
pr@atgames.net

Source: AtGames Digital Media Inc.

The post AtGames Announces 2018 Line-up of Atari-branded Consoles and Handheld Products! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Microsoft has the Xbox One and Sony has the PlayStation 4.  Both of these are constantly changing and both have received a modern look with a slimmer design, many new features and of course great new games.  Xbox one has entertainment apps and gamers can enjoy Xbox and Xbox 360 games and the PS4 has consistently bought out exclusive games and a console that is very easy to use.  Both of these have a wide and varied range of games and for many gamers the decision when choosing a console is a difficult one.

Games

PS4 and Xbox One feature some of the best games of this generation, such as Monster Hunter: World, Doom, Resident Evil 7, Shovel Knight, Inside and Rocket League for the Xbox One fans.  Xbox One also has excellent first party games like Halo 5 and Sunset Overdrive and the very popular shooter game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds can only be played on Xbox One.  Most of the sports games are compatible with both consoles but exclusive to PS4 is the Show series.  PS4 has come out with games like Uncharted 4, Zero Dawn and many other exclusives. PS4 has more fighting games like Street Fighter V and Revelator 2 while Xbox fans can exclusively enjoy Killer Instinct.  2018 Brings with it new games for both PS4 and Xbox One. Neither console offers easy access to casino no deposit games, but they make up for it in many ways.

Backwards Compatibility

Gamers will not necessarily need the Xbox One to play Microsoft’s popular first party games as many of them can be played on Xbox One and Windows 10 thanks to Play Anywhere.  For gamers who have Xbox 360 games it would be a good step up to buy the Xbox One.  Over 400 of the Xbox 360 games can be played on the Xbox One and even some of the 2001 Xbox games are compatible. PS4 gamers can also enjoy older games, but at a cost.  There are a few PS2 games which can be played on the new PS4, but for around $15 per game.  PS4 is compatible with PS3 games by way of PlayStation Now where gamers can stream titles directly from the cloud for a monthly or annual fee.

Microsoft on the other hand using Xbox Game Pass allows gamers access to more than 100 Xbox One and 360 games which can be downloaded for a small fee.

Specifications

Both have slim attractive designs and both are easily transportable.  The latest PS4 is a bit smaller but not does not have an input for gaming headsets.  The PS4 Pro is a bit bigger while the Xbox One X is slimmer than the Xbox One S.  Both consoles come with 500GB of storage space and both can easily connect an external hard drive if more space is needed.  The PS4 has the option of putting in a SATA drive.  The Xbox One controller pad has textured grips while the DualShock 4 is ergonomically designed with a reactive light bar and touchpad.  The PS4 controller will also support a micro USB charger while Xbox One will either require batteries or a charging kit.  The PS4 headset supports VR while Xbox One does not.

Xbox One X

Both consoles have their good and bad points, but ultimately it does often come down to which brand a gamer is more loyal to, and what experience they are expecting from their consoles.

The post Choosing between Xbox and PlayStation appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Here’s the link. Offer expires 2018-05-08 11:00:00 PDT.

Plenty of games down at the ‘Station. Capcom and SEGA are back with a sweet bundle of PS3, PS4, and PlayStation Vita games! Get titles like Mega Man Legacy Collection, Alien: Isolation, and Dead Rising 2 HD. Plus, your purchase can support three charities: Save the Children US, the American Red Cross, and the Rett Syndrome Research Trust.

Pay what you want. Normally, the total cost for these games is as much as $239. Here at Humble Bundle, though, you choose the price!

Redeem on PlayStation. These games are available on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, or PlayStation Vita. Please check out the full system requirements here prior to purchasing.

Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the developers, Save the Children US, the American Red Cross, and the Rett Syndrome Research Trust via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like the bundle or like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!

The Humble Capcom X SEGA PlayStation Bundle

The post Pay what you want for The Humble Capcom X SEGA PlayStation Bundle! (Sonic, Mega Man, Dead Rising, Alien, etc.) appeared first on Armchair Arcade.