Square Enix Tops Metacritic Publisher Rankings for 2026
Each year, Metacritic meticulously compiles and analyzes extensive data regarding the performance of various video game publishers over the preceding calendar year. This comprehensive ranking is determined by evaluating several key factors: the average Metascore across all games released by a publisher, the total number of titles launched, and the distribution of games categorized as 'excellent' (Metascore of 90 or above), 'bad' (49 or below), or 'good' (at least 75). While Sega notably led the charts in 2025, this year sees another prominent Japanese publisher ascend to the pinnacle of achievement.
Square Enix has clinched the top position with an impressive total score of 330.5 points. This remarkable feat is largely attributable to nine of their launched products achieving 'good' ratings, alongside one standout 'excellent' project: Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth on PC.
Metacritic emphasized Square Enix's leading performance, stating: "Securing the top rank for the very first time in the 16 years these rankings have been compiled, Japanese publisher Square Enix garnered positive reviews for every single one of its 2025 releases, simultaneously boosting its average Metascore by five points compared to the prior year. A diverse range of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest titles significantly contributed to the publisher's excellent showing last year (and also in early 2026), while even its 'worst' release of 2025, SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered, still managed to earn critical approval."
For those interested in the broader landscape, the remainder of the top 10 is listed below. It's worth noting that several major industry players, including Ubisoft (11th), Nintendo (12th), Sony (21st), and Bandai Namco (24th), did not manage to secure a spot within this elite group.
- Square Enix - 330.5 points
- Gamirror Games - 322.4 points
- Capcom - 322.2 points
- Thunderful - 306.8 points
- Microsoft - 305.7 points
- Take-Two Interactive - 304.0 points
- Sega - 303.9 points
- Electronic Arts - 302.9 points
- Dotemu - 302.2 points
- Raw Fury - 301.0 points
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