Sony has published its September PlayStation Store download charts. The PS5 leaders differed by region, while older games and free-to-play titles also appeared across the PS4, PS VR2, and F2P lists.
Two different games led the PS5 charts by region
Sony published its September 2026 PlayStation Store download charts on October 22. In the US and Canada, Marvel's Wolverine ranked first on PS5, followed by EA Sports FC 27. In Europe, those two titles swapped places: EA Sports FC 27 led the list, with Wolverine in second. It is a useful snapshot of what PlayStation players downloaded in two regions, but it is not a worldwide sales report or a measure of total active players.
The post also lists PS4, PS VR2, and free-to-play rankings for the month. Those separate charts show why a single headline cannot describe the whole PlayStation audience. New releases and sports series had strong PS5 positions, while older titles such as Red Dead Redemption 2, Batman: Arkham Knight, and several Call of Duty games continued to appear on PS4. VR and free-to-play players have their own distinct patterns.
Sony's methodology note matters: the lists are based on PlayStation Store purchases, and upgrades or games bundled with hardware are excluded in the relevant charts. The post does not show unit counts, revenue, or exact gaps between positions. So when we say a title topped the chart, we mean it ranked highest by downloads within the listed region and category, not that it sold a specific number of copies or beat every platform combined.
The North American and European top tens tell different stories
After Wolverine and EA Sports FC 27, the US/Canada PS5 list places NBA 2K27 third and Halloween fourth, followed by The Blood of Dawnwalker. Europe's third spot belongs to The Blood of Dawnwalker, with Halloween fourth and Grand Theft Auto V fifth. Some titles appear in both charts but at different positions; others, such as Minecraft and Valheim, show up in one region's upper section but not the other's top five.
These differences are interesting, but the chart alone does not explain why they happened. Release timing, local sports audiences, promotions, edition availability, and player preferences may all affect downloads. Sony's post does not attribute the rankings to any one cause. It is safer to treat the lists as a comparison of regional activity rather than an argument that one audience likes a genre more or that a particular game is universally more popular.
The September results can also be read as a mix of new and established games. Onimusha: Way of the Sword and Control Resonant appear in both regions' top ten, while franchises such as GTA V, Minecraft, Valheim, and The Witcher 3 remain visible farther down. A monthly ranking can include fresh launches and catalog games at the same time, especially when players are catching up, responding to a promotion, or buying a title they missed earlier.
PS4 and PS VR2 charts still include familiar names
Red Dead Redemption 2 tops the US/Canada PS4 chart, with EA Sports FC 27 at the top in Europe. Batman: Arkham Knight sits near the top in both regions, and Call of Duty entries occupy several positions. Minecraft, Resident Evil titles, Need for Speed Heat, and LEGO Marvel Super Heroes also appear. The chart is a reminder that new hardware does not immediately end activity on an older platform, particularly when a large installed base keeps using familiar games.
For PS VR2, I Am Cat leads both regional lists. Horizon Call of the Mountain, Beat Saber, Pavlov, and Job Simulator also appear, though their exact order varies. The chart's footnote says purchases only are counted and games bundled with hardware are not included. That matters when comparing a VR title with strong bundle exposure against a game users choose to buy separately.
These charts should not be used as a direct comparison of platform size. The number of PS4 downloads, PS VR2 purchases, and PS5 downloads can be shaped by different pricing, audience sizes, bundles, and release schedules. Sony publishes the rankings, not normalized per-player rates. They are most useful as a monthly discovery list: a way to notice which titles are getting picked up, rather than a final verdict on the health of a platform or genre.
Free-to-play leaders varied between North America and Europe
Call of Duty: Warzone leads the US/Canada free-to-play list, followed by Once Human and Fortnite. In Europe, Aniimo is listed first, with Fortnite second and Warzone third. Roblox, Once Human, Marvel Rivals, and Rocket League appear in both regional tables, while games such as eFootball and Asphalt Legends show up in the European ten. The list offers a useful look at which free-to-play downloads were prominent in September, without giving a count of how many people played them afterward.
Free-to-play charts can be particularly easy to misread. A download does not necessarily mean a player stayed for the month, made a purchase, or returned after installing. It can reflect a new console user building a library, someone reinstalling a familiar game, or a player following a new release or event. Sony's table reports download ranking only. It does not claim that the order measures engagement, retention, or revenue.
If you are looking for something new, the list can still act as a starting point. Once Human and Aniimo were high in at least one region, and long-running names like Fortnite, Warzone, Roblox, and Rocket League remained present. Before installing, check the current store page for supported systems, account requirements, online features, in-game purchases, and storage needs. Those practical details matter more for your decision than a title's chart position.
A download ranking is a snapshot, not a review score
The most useful way to read a PlayStation Store chart is as a record of relative download positions for one month, one platform category, and one region. It tells us that Wolverine was the top listed PS5 download in US/Canada and EA Sports FC 27 led in Europe. It tells us that older games remained visible on PS4 and that I Am Cat led the PS VR2 list. It does not tell us how many copies were downloaded, whether every purchase was a new player, or what caused a rank to rise.
That distinction is important for SEO and for everyday gaming conversation. Search snippets often compress a result into 'the biggest game' or 'most popular game,' but the official source supports a narrower statement about PlayStation Store downloads. It does not cover other console stores, PC platforms, subscriptions, physical sales, or players who already own a title. Use the full source when you need to make a broader market claim.
For players, the chart is still a nice discovery tool. If you have not played The Blood of Dawnwalker, Control Resonant, Valheim, or an older PS4 favorite, their appearance can prompt a look at the store page or a trusted review. Just choose based on your tastes, budget, and current platform support. A strong ranking can tell you what other people downloaded; only you can tell whether the game fits the kind of session you want.
FAQ
What was the most downloaded PS5 game in September 2026?
Sony's chart lists Marvel's Wolverine at number one in the US/Canada and EA Sports FC 27 at number one in Europe. The rankings are separate by region.
Do PlayStation download charts show total sales?
No. Sony describes these as PlayStation Store download charts. The post does not publish unit sales, revenue, or total player counts.
CHECK THE ORIGINALS.
Facts and update details above are based on these official sources. Details can change as the game is updated.
- PlayStation Store: September 2026's top downloads ↗PlayStation.Blog / Sony Interactive Entertainment
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