Metacritic has unveiled its 16th annual game publisher rankings, assessing the performance of major video game publishers in 2025 based on the critical reception of their releases. This year saw a significant shift at the top, with Square Enix achieving the number one spot for the first time, while Nintendo made a notable climb from its previous year's performance.

Square Enix Dominates, Nintendo Makes a Comeback

Square Enix achieved the coveted top position in Metacritic's 2025 Game Publisher Rankings, marking a significant milestone for the company. Their success is attributed to an impressive roster of releases that garnered high praise from critics, notably including the PC version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and critically acclaimed titles like Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, and Octopath Traveler 0. The publisher's consistent quality was highlighted by the fact that none of their releases received a score below the 'Green' threshold, indicating widespread positive reception across their entire 2025 portfolio. This stellar performance positions Square Enix as a dominant force in the gaming industry, setting a high bar for quality and critical acclaim.

Nintendo demonstrated a remarkable resurgence in the 2025 rankings, ascending to 12th place, a significant improvement from its 22nd position in 2024, which had been its lowest-ever ranking. This substantial leap reflects a robust year for the gaming giant, characterized by a higher volume of releases—18 games in 2025 compared to 13 in the previous year. Key contributors to Nintendo's improved standing include highly anticipated titles such as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Mario Kart World, alongside new Nintendo Switch 2 editions of popular games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Furthermore, Nintendo distinguished itself as the sole publisher with multiple games scoring 90 or above. However, the overall average was somewhat tempered by lower scores from two Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive titles, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour and Drag x Drive, preventing an even higher placement. Mobile game scores, such as Fire Emblem Shadows, were not factored into these console-centric rankings, which ironically spared Nintendo from a further drop.