Kalixo Blog Content

Tag: Video games

  • The Best Holiday 2025 Gaming Winners: Holiday Sales, Player Counts & What Came Out on Top

    The Best Holiday 2025 Gaming Winners: Holiday Sales, Player Counts & What Came Out on Top

    The 2025 holiday season was one of the most closely watched periods in the video game industry. With higher game prices, slower hardware growth, and fewer blockbuster releases than past years, the question wasn’t just what sold, but which games actually won the holidays.

    By looking at sales performance, player counts, and engagement trends, clear winners emerged across console, PC, and live-service gaming.

    Quick Answer

    The biggest gaming winners of Holiday 2025 were Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Arc Raiders, and evergreen titles like Minecraft.
    Traditional retail sales favored established franchises, while PC and digital storefronts rewarded strong word-of-mouth and long-term engagement. The holiday season confirmed a shift toward player retention and platform dominance, not just launch-week sales.

    How Holiday 2025 Gaming Winners Were Measured

    To determine the strongest performers, three key metrics were used:

    • Holiday sales rankings (physical and digital)
    • Active player counts and engagement
    • Platform dominance during Black Friday through New Year

    This approach reflects how modern success is measured across console and PC ecosystems, not just unit sales.

    Best-Selling Games of Holiday 2025

    Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

    Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 once again dominated traditional sales charts.

    • Top-selling game in the U.S. during November 2025
    • Strong Black Friday and holiday bundle performance
    • Continued the franchise’s annual sales streak despite broader market softness

    Why it won:
    Call of Duty remains the most reliable holiday franchise in gaming, benefiting from brand loyalty, cross-platform play, and aggressive holiday promotions.

    Mini-summary:
    Black Ops 7 was the retail sales winner of Holiday 2025.

    The Biggest PC & Digital Winner

    Arc Raiders

    Arc Raiders emerged as the surprise breakout hit of the holiday season.

    • Consistently ranked as the top-selling premium game on Steam
    • Maintained strong concurrent player counts throughout December
    • Outperformed several higher-budget AAA releases on PC

    Why it won:
    Arc Raiders benefited from positive reviews, strong streamer exposure, and a price point that resonated with holiday buyers looking for value.

    Mini-summary:
    Arc Raiders was the PC and Steam holiday champion, proving that new IPs can still break through.

    Evergreen Games That Still Dominated the Holidays

    Minecraft

    Minecraft once again demonstrated why evergreen titles remain holiday powerhouses.

    • Consistently high player activity across PC, console, and mobile
    • Strong gift sales during Black Friday and December
    • Continued relevance driven by updates, mods, and creator content

    Why it won:
    Minecraft’s accessibility and multi-platform reach make it a perennial holiday favorite, especially for families and younger players.

    Mini-summary:
    Minecraft was the engagement winner, not reliant on launch cycles.

    Console & Platform Winners of Holiday 2025

    PlayStation 5

    PlayStation 5 led console sales during the holiday window.

    • Highest market share during Black Friday 2025
    • Strong bundle-driven sales
    • Continued momentum over competing platforms

    The strength of PS5 hardware sales helped drive software purchases across major franchises and exclusives.

    Nintendo Switch Family

    Nintendo Switch maintained strong holiday relevance.

    • Continued success with family-friendly and evergreen titles
    • Benefited from price accessibility and gift appeal
    • Strong software attach rates despite aging hardware

    Holiday 2025 Gaming Winners by Category

    CategoryWinner
    Best-Selling GameCall of Duty: Black Ops 7
    Best PC / Steam PerformerArc Raiders
    Highest Player EngagementMinecraft
    Best Console SellerPlayStation 5
    Strongest Evergreen PerformanceMinecraft

    What Holiday 2025 Sales Trends Reveal

    Several clear trends defined the 2025 holiday season:

    • Established franchises still dominate retail
    • PC players reward quality and value over brand size
    • Evergreen games outperform new releases in engagement
    • Player retention matters more than launch-week hype

    This marks a continued shift away from one-time purchases toward long-term ecosystems.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What was the best-selling game of Holiday 2025?
    Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 led holiday retail sales in the U.S.

    Which game performed best on Steam during the holidays?
    Arc Raiders consistently topped Steam’s premium sales charts.

    Did any new IPs succeed in Holiday 2025?
    Yes. Arc Raiders was the standout new IP success.

    Which game had the most players during the holidays?
    Minecraft remained one of the most played games across all platforms.

    Which console won Holiday 2025 sales?
    PlayStation 5 led console sales during the Black Friday and holiday period.

    Conclusion

    Holiday 2025 showed that winning in modern gaming is no longer about a single metric. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 proved that blockbuster franchises still own retail sales, while Arc Raiders demonstrated the power of strong PC communities and word-of-mouth momentum. Meanwhile, Minecraft reminded the industry that long-term engagement beats short-term hype.

    The biggest winners of Holiday 2025 were the games and platforms that combined visibility, accessibility, and sustained player engagement. As the industry moves into 2026, these trends are likely to shape how publishers approach future holiday releases.d

  • Mario vs. Pokémon: Which Franchise Has More Spin-Offs?

    Mario vs. Pokémon: Which Franchise Has More Spin-Offs?

    Nintendo has created some of the most valuable and recognizable franchises in video game history, but Mario and Pokémon stand clearly above the rest. While both series are known for their mainline games, their real reach comes from decades of spin-offs that span genres, platforms, and audiences.

    So when you look beyond the core titles, an important question emerges:

    Which franchise actually has more spin-off games — Mario or Pokémon?

    Quick Answer

    Mario has significantly more spin-off games than Pokémon by raw count.
    As of 2025, the Mario franchise has more than 150 spin-off titles, while Pokémon has roughly 60–70, depending on how games are classified. However, Pokémon’s spin-offs generally generate far more revenue per title, making this a comparison of quantity versus financial impact.

    What Counts as a Spin-Off Game?

    To compare the two franchises accurately, a clear definition is necessary.

    A spin-off game is a title that:

    • Is not part of the mainline series
    • Changes the genre, structure, or gameplay focus
    • Uses the same characters, universe, or branding

    Included as spin-offs

    • Sports games
    • Party games
    • Side-series RPGs
    • Puzzle and strategy titles
    • Mobile and live-service games
    • Crossovers with other franchises

    Not included

    • Mainline Super Mario platformers
    • Core Pokémon RPG generations (from Red and Blue through Scarlet and Violet)

    This classification aligns with how major outlets such as IGN, GameSpot, Polygon, and Nintendo Life typically catalog franchise titles.

    How Many Spin-Offs Does Mario Have?

    Mario is one of the most versatile characters in entertainment history. Nintendo has used Mario as a foundation for experimentation across nearly every major game genre.

    Estimated Mario Spin-Off Count (2025)

    More than 150 spin-off games, including:

    • Mario Kart (console, arcade, and mobile entries)
    • Mario Party (console and handheld titles)
    • Mario Sports series (Golf, Tennis, Soccer, Baseball, Olympic Games)
    • Paper Mario
    • Mario & Luigi RPG series
    • Dr. Mario
    • Luigi’s Mansion
    • Mario vs. Donkey Kong
    • Mario + Rabbids
    • Educational, puzzle, and crossover titles

    Why Mario Has So Many Spin-Offs

    • Mario functions as a genre-neutral mascot
    • Nintendo regularly uses Mario to test new gameplay concepts
    • The brand’s family-friendly image makes experimentation low-risk
    • Mario titles work across casual, competitive, and party settings

    Summary:
    Mario dominates in terms of volume and genre diversity, appearing in more types of games than almost any character in history.

    How Many Spin-Offs Does Pokémon Have?

    Pokémon takes a more selective approach. While Pokémon is one of the most profitable media franchises ever, its game output is far more controlled.

    Estimated Pokémon Spin-Off Count (2025)

    Approximately 60–70 spin-off games, including:

    • Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
    • Pokémon GO
    • Pokémon Snap and New Pokémon Snap
    • Pokémon Unite
    • Pokémon Ranger
    • Pokémon Rumble
    • Pokémon Conquest
    • Pokémon Café ReMix
    • Various mobile, puzzle, and companion titles

    Why Pokémon Has Fewer Spin-Offs

    • Strong brand oversight by The Pokémon Company
    • Focus on high-impact releases rather than volume
    • Core RPG generations remain the franchise’s primary pillar
    • Spin-offs are often tied to long-term monetization strategies

    Summary:
    Pokémon releases fewer spin-offs, but each one is carefully positioned within the broader brand strategy.

    Mario vs. Pokémon: Spin-Off Comparison

    CategoryMarioPokémon
    Estimated Spin-Offs150+60–70
    Genre DiversityVery highModerate
    Mobile FocusLimitedStrong
    Biggest Spin-Off SeriesMario KartPokémon GO
    StrategyVolume and experimentationFewer, high-impact releases

    Which Franchise’s Spin-Offs Make More Money?

    This is where Pokémon gains a clear advantage.

    • Pokémon GO alone has generated multiple billions of dollars in lifetime revenue, according to reporting from Bloomberg and mobile analytics firms such as Sensor Tower.
    • No single Mario spin-off reaches that scale, although Mario Kart remains one of Nintendo’s most consistently profitable series across generations.

    Key takeaway:

    • Mario wins on how many spin-offs exist
    • Pokémon wins on how much revenue each spin-off generates

    Which Franchise Really Wins?

    The answer depends on how success is measured.

    • More spin-off games: Mario
    • Higher revenue per spin-off: Pokémon
    • Broader genre experimentation: Mario
    • Global live-service dominance: Pokémon

    Both strategies have proven extremely successful, just in very different ways.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Does Mario really have more spin-offs than Pokémon?
    Yes. Mario has more than double the number of spin-off games.

    What is Pokémon’s most successful spin-off?
    Pokémon GO is the most successful spin-off by revenue and global reach.

    Is Mario Kart considered a spin-off?
    Yes. Mario Kart is a racing spin-off, not part of the mainline platformer series.

    Why doesn’t Pokémon release more spin-offs?
    The franchise prioritizes brand consistency, long-term value, and high-return projects.

    Which franchise is bigger overall?
    Pokémon is the highest-grossing media franchise in history, while Mario is the most versatile and widely used gaming mascot ever created.

    Conclusion

    Mario and Pokémon represent two fundamentally different approaches to spin-offs. Mario maximizes presence, spreading across genres, platforms, and audiences through sheer volume. Pokémon maximizes impact, focusing on fewer spin-offs that deliver massive engagement and revenue.

    As of 2025, Mario clearly has more spin-off games, but Pokémon’s spin-offs tend to matter more financially. Both approaches have helped define modern gaming — and both continue to shape how franchises expand beyond their core titles.