What Were the Top New PC & Console Games of 2023?

This analysis identifies the top-performing new video game releases of 2023 across major PC and console platforms, including Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. Utilizing data from GameDiscoverCo and Gamalytic, the findings distinguish between success measured by unit sales versus gross revenue, while also examining the impact of subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. The scope is global for PC and PlayStation, with specific regional focuses on the U.S. Xbox ecosystem and the U.S. Nintendo eShop.

On Steam, the independent survival title Sons Of The Forest emerged as the leader in unit sales, while high-priced AAA titles like Hogwarts Legacy dominated gross revenue rankings. A notable trend on PC is the success of small-team multiplayer games such as Lethal Company and BattleBit Remastered. Conversely, the console market remains heavily dominated by established intellectual properties and sequels. On Xbox and PlayStation, top performers included Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, EA Sports FC 24, and Spider-Man 2. The data suggests a significant disparity in consumer behavior between platforms; while mid-priced indie titles thrive on Steam, console players primarily purchase premium AAA experiences or engage with titles through subscription services.

The Nintendo Switch ecosystem continues to be defined by first-party dominance, with titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Bros. Wonder leading the charts. However, the platform also showed strong digital performance for low-cost viral hits like Suika Game and Vampire Survivors. Methodology for these rankings involves algorithmic estimates of digital sales, physical retail data where applicable, and tracking of "Day 1" download activity on Game Pass to provide a comprehensive overview of the 2023 competitive landscape.