Think your console is testing your patience more than your skill? Turns out, there’s data to back that up. A new study from Chicks Gold, a video game asset marketplace, has uncovered which platforms have been pushing players to their limits in 2025 — and which ones are letting gamers breathe easy.
The research analysed 100 new releases this year using data from HowLongToBeat, comparing completion and retirement rates (that’s the percentage of players who quit before finishing). Games were then grouped by platform to determine which consoles served up the toughest challenges.
And the Winner (or Loser) Is…
In a twist nobody saw coming, the Nintendo Switch 2 has been crowned the console with the easiest games of 2025. Scoring just 11 out of 100 on the difficulty scale, its players saw the lowest retirement rate — only 1.9% gave up before rolling credits, while an average of 284 players per game completed the journey.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Xbox One proved to be the ultimate test of gamer endurance, landing a tough-as-nails score of 69 out of 100. On average, just 162 players managed to complete a game, while 3.2% tapped out before the finish line. The most challenging title? Splitgate 2, where 11.8% of players threw in the towel and only 21 crossed the victory line.
Console Difficulty Rankings of 2025
| Rank | Console | Difficulty Score (100 = Hardest) | Avg. Retired Rate | Avg. Completions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nintendo Switch 2 | 11.0 | 1.9% | 284 |
| 2 | Xbox Series X/S | 50.0 | 4.2% | 329 |
| 3 | PlayStation 5 | 50.8 | 3.9% | 299 |
| 4 | Nintendo Switch | 54.3 | 2.1% | 124 |
| 5 | PlayStation 4 | 54.8 | 2.5% | 158 |
| 6 | Xbox One | 69.0 | 3.2% | 162 |
The Easiest Games of 2025 (So Far)
If you’re in the mood for a more chill experience, these Nintendo Switch 2 titles were found to be the least likely to make you rage quit:
- Split Fiction – Difficulty 34.6 | Retired Rate: 0.8% | 2,100 completions
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma – Difficulty 45.3 | Retired Rate: 2.2% | 101 completions
- Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter – Difficulty 47.9 | Retired Rate: 0.9% | 79 completions
- Hades II – Difficulty 48.8 | Retired Rate: 1.3% | 530 completions
- No Sleep for Kaname Date: From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – Difficulty 49.4 | Retired Rate: 0.5% | 105 completions
The Toughest Game of the Year
Across all consoles, FBC: Firebreak earned the title of the most punishing game of 2025. Available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, the game boasts a brutal 22.5% retirement rate and only 46 completions so far. On the flip side, the easiest game overall was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which kept players engaged with a low 1.4% retirement rate and a massive 6,300 completions.
Expert Insight from Chicks Gold
Al Alof, CEO of Chicks Gold, commented on the findings:
“These results show which consoles have challenged gamers the most this year. High retired rates can indicate that a game is too difficult, or perhaps players simply lost interest. Either way, completion data tells an interesting story about how players engage with new releases.”
So, whether you’re hunting for an adrenaline-fueled challenge or just want something relaxing to play before bed, this year’s data proves one thing — your console choice might just determine how many controllers survive the year.
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