Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 claimed the top spot as the best-selling game in the United States last year, according to Circana analysts. This marks an impressive 16 consecutive years of Call of Duty dominance in the U.S. market.
Meanwhile, EA Sports College Football 25 secured the title of most popular sports game, launching on consoles in July. While overall U.S. gamer spending dipped slightly (1.1% year-over-year), Circana notes this decline is primarily due to reduced hardware demand. Conversely, spending on add-ons and services saw growth, increasing by 2% and 6% respectively.
Black Ops 6 and Warzone 2 are set to launch their second season on January 28th, featuring a ninja-themed update and an exciting crossover with the "Terminator" universe.
Critical acclaim has been widespread, with players and reviewers alike praising the game's diverse missions, preventing monotony and delivering consistent surprises throughout the campaign. The revamped shooting mechanics and innovative movement system—allowing for omnidirectional running and shooting while falling or prone—have also received high praise. The campaign's approximate eight-hour playtime has been lauded as a sweet spot, avoiding both brevity and excessive length. The zombies mode and campaign itself have been particular highlights for many gamers.
However, Black Ops 6 hasn't been without its detractors. A significant portion of Steam reviews cite technical issues as a major drawback. Reports of frequent crashes and unstable server connections are common, hindering progress through the story mode and impacting the overall player experience.