Final Fantasy 16 Sold Just 22,000 Copies on Xbox

Image Credit: Final Fantasy 16 on Xbox

Final Fantasy 16 finally arrived on Xbox Series X|S earlier this month, but early sales figures suggest the long-awaited port isn’t making the impact many expected. According to data from Alinea Analytics, the game has sold only 22,000 copies on Xbox since its surprise release on June 9.

The release was announced during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, and the port was immediately made available to create hype like Oblivion Remastered. But instead of a warm reception, the numbers point to a lukewarm response from Xbox players. The game has failed to even crack the top 400 of the platform’s “Most Played” games list.

One possible explanation for the underwhelming sales is performance issues specific to the Xbox version. As highlighted by Digital Foundry, the Xbox Series X port of Final Fantasy 16 falls short in terms of visual quality compared to its PS5 counterpart. In Graphics Mode, the PS5 renders the game at 1440p, while the Xbox Series X caps out at just 1224p. The gap is even more noticeable in Performance Mode, where the PS5 reaches 1080p but the Xbox version runs at a surprisingly low 720p.

Digital Foundry's Oliver Mackenzie elaborated on the situation in a recent technical analysis, noting that while Xbox maintains a more consistent 60 FPS, it often comes at the cost of resolution and overall visual fidelity. Shadows, foliage, and texture clarity are all less refined on Xbox, which could be contributing to negative perceptions among players.

Square Enix has not yet commented on the sales performance of Final Fantasy 16 on Xbox, and likely won’t until its next financial earnings report later this summer. The company has faced increasing pressure to evolve its release strategy after mixed responses to recent exclusives.

On PS5, Final Fantasy 16 sold around 3 million copies within its first week, but this was still considered an underperformance by Square Enix, especially following significant marketing efforts largely backed by Sony. The company later confirmed it was pivoting toward a more aggressive multiplatform strategy, citing the need to expand its audience base beyond PlayStation.

However, that strategy hasn’t fully taken hold across the board. While Final Fantasy 16 saw a PC port and now an Xbox launch, other titles like Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster have continued to remain exclusive—this time to Nintendo Switch 2.

The Steam release of Final Fantasy 16 last year did slightly better than its Xbox debut, with a peak of 27,508 concurrent players, though it still wasn’t enough to suggest a blockbuster performance. It’s worth noting that concurrent player counts don’t directly translate to sales, but they do give a rough idea of initial engagement.

In gaming circles, the poor reception on Xbox has sparked debate. Some argue that the Xbox price tag ($50/$70) is too steep for a title that’s already been out for nearly two years elsewhere. Others believe the lack of excitement stems from lingering resentment over the franchise’s long-standing association with Sony and the PlayStation brand.

All said and done, the underwhelming Xbox debut of Final Fantasy 16 further underscores the franchise’s shifting place in the modern gaming landscape. While Square Enix’s move toward a multiplatform model is clearly aimed at widening its market, it may take more than just ports to win back the broader audience the series once enjoyed.