April’s PlayStation 5 sales charts tell an unexpected story: every top-selling game on the platform came from Xbox. This shift highlights how Microsoft’s strategy of releasing its games on rival consoles reshapes the gaming market.
Once upon a time, the idea of Xbox exclusives showing up on PlayStation was laughable. PlayStation players stuck to their God of War and Gran Turismo, while Xbox fans enjoyed Halo and Gears of War. Those lines have blurred considerably, with Microsoft opening its doors to PC and PlayStation releases.
April’s sales data from Sony confirms this trend. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered topped the charts in the US and Canada. This classic RPG remake, published by Bethesda (now part of Microsoft), became the third best-selling game of 2025 in the US after just one week. It indicates that Microsoft’s Bethesda acquisition is paying off on multiple platforms.
“After just one week in market (w/e 4.26) Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion: Remastered is already the 3rd best-selling game of 2025 in the US ($ sales) trailing only Monster Hunter: Wilds and Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. It was the best-selling game of the week.”
– Circana Retail Tracking Service
In Europe, Forza Horizon 5 claimed the top spot and ranked third in the US after its PS5 debut on April 29. This marked the first time Forza, a flagship Xbox racing series, officially landed on PlayStation consoles. Historically, Forza, Halo, and Gears of War were Xbox’s crown jewels, so seeing Forza on PS5 is a notable milestone.
Minecraft also made the top three, ranking second in the US and third in Europe. Despite its age, Minecraft’s popularity remains strong, likely boosted by the recent Minecraft movie’s box office success. Mojang Studios, the developer behind Minecraft, has been part of Xbox Games Studios since Microsoft’s $2.5 billion acquisition in 2014.
Other Xbox-related titles also performed well. Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 gained traction through Xbox Game Pass, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, another Bethesda release, launched on PS5 in April.
With Gears of War: Reloaded will arrive on PS5 in August, it’s clear Microsoft plans to keep expanding its presence on PlayStation. The big question now is whether Halo will follow suit.
What do you think about Xbox’s growing footprint on PlayStation? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
