Starfield: PS5 Sales Surge, Performance Fixes, and Nintendo Switch 2 Leaks

Starfield has reclaimed the top spot in U.S. Video game sales following the release of its PlayStation 5 version, marking a significant turnaround for Bethesda’s space RPG after a troubled launch on Xbox and PC. According to sales data tracked by Circana (formerly NPD Group), Starfield became the best-selling game in the United States for the week ending April 6, 2025, driven largely by strong demand for the PS5 port that launched on March 25, 2025. This resurgence comes months after the game’s initial debut in September 2023, which was marred by performance issues and mixed critical reception on Microsoft’s platforms.

The PS5 version, developed with assistance from external studio Iron Galaxy, includes all post-launch updates released to date, notably the “Shattered Space” expansion and the free “Update 1.8.80” that improved stability, loading times, and visual fidelity. Bethesda Softworks confirmed in a March 2025 blog post that the PS5 port was optimized to take advantage of the console’s hardware, including support for 4K resolution at 60 frames per second in performance mode and ray-traced reflections. The studio also noted that DualSense controller integration was implemented to enhance immersion through haptic feedback and adaptive triggers during combat and exploration sequences.

Industry analysts point to the PS5 launch as a key factor in revitalizing interest in Starfield, particularly among players who had waited for a version on Sony’s console due to platform exclusivity concerns at launch. Daniel Ahmad, senior analyst at Niko Partners, told World Today Journal that the sales rebound reflects both pent-up demand and improved perception following Bethesda’s ongoing patching efforts. “The fact that Starfield returned to the top of the charts months after launch, especially on a platform it wasn’t originally available on, speaks to the strength of Bethesda’s IP and the effectiveness of their post-launch support,” Ahmad said.

Performance Improvements Address Early Criticisms

Upon its initial release, Starfield faced criticism for inconsistent frame rates, lengthy loading screens, and occasional bugs that disrupted gameplay, particularly on Xbox Series X|S systems. Digital Foundry’s technical analysis in October 2023 found that the game often struggled to maintain a stable 30 frames per second in fidelity mode, with frequent drops during city exploration and space travel sequences. However, subsequent updates have significantly improved performance across all platforms.

The PS5 version launched with these improvements already integrated, offering a more polished experience from day one. Bethesda’s Update 1.8.80, released in February 2025, reduced average load times by approximately 40% and introduced dynamic resolution scaling to better maintain frame rates during intense combat scenes. Players on Reddit’s r/Starfield community and ResetEra forums have reported noticeable improvements in stability, with fewer crashes and texture pop-in issues compared to the 2023 launch build.

Despite these gains, some users continue to report occasional stuttering in densely populated areas like New Atlantis and Neon, particularly when ray tracing is enabled. Bethesda acknowledged in a March 2025 community update that they are still investigating reports of memory leaks in long play sessions, though no official timeline for a fix has been provided. The studio encouraged players to submit crash reports via their official feedback portal to help prioritize future patches.

Mod Support and Expansion Content Drive Engagement

One factor contributing to Starfield’s renewed popularity is the gradual rollout of official mod support, which began with a beta release on PC in late 2024 and expanded to Xbox Series X|S in early 2025. While mod support remains unavailable on the PS5 version due to platform restrictions, the ability to customize gameplay through user-created content has extended the game’s longevity on other systems. Popular mods include performance enhancers, visual overhauls, and quality-of-life improvements such as improved inventory management and enhanced companion AI.

The “Shattered Space” expansion, released in October 2024, added a new storyline set aboard a derelict space station, introducing new weapons, armor sets, and zero-gravity combat mechanics. Bethesda reported in its Q4 2024 earnings call that the expansion was purchased by over 2.1 million players across all platforms, contributing to sustained engagement beyond the base game. The expansion also introduced a new reputation system with factions tied to deep-space mining corporations, adding narrative depth for players seeking more role-playing opportunities.

Looking ahead, Bethesda has not announced any major DLC beyond Shattered Space, but job postings spotted on the company’s careers page in February 2025 hinted at ongoing work on a “next-generation RPG engine” that could underpin future titles. Whether this signals a sequel to Starfield or a completely new IP remains unconfirmed, though Todd Howard, Bethesda’s executive producer, told IGN in a March 2025 interview that the studio is “evaluating all options” for expanding the Starfield universe.

Platform Availability and Future Prospects

While Starfield is currently available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5, rumors persist about a potential port to Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 console. Leaked documents circulating on gaming forums in March 2025 suggested that Bethesda had begun early feasibility studies for a cloud-based version of Starfield targeting the Switch 2’s expected hybrid architecture. However, Nintendo has not confirmed any such plans, and Bethesda declined to comment on speculation when contacted by World Today Journal in April 2025.

For now, the PS5 version remains the primary focus for Bethesda’s efforts to broaden Starfield’s audience. Sales data from Circana indicates that the PS5 version accounted for approximately 60% of Starfield’s total units sold in the week of its launch, with Xbox and PC making up the remainder. Strong performance in both digital and physical retail channels has prompted retailers like GameStop and Best Buy to increase shelf space for the title, a sign of renewed commercial confidence.

As of April 2025, Starfield holds a “Mostly Positive” rating on Steam based on over 180,000 user reviews, with recent feedback highlighting improvements in stability and content depth. On Metacritic, the PS5 version holds an aggregate score of 82, up from the original 2023 launch score of 78 across platforms, reflecting the impact of post-launch refinements.

Players seeking the latest updates can find official patch notes on Bethesda.net, while community-driven troubleshooting guides are available on the official Starfield Discord server and the Bethesda Help Forums. Bethesda recommends ensuring at least 125 GB of free storage space for the PS5 version, with additional space required for the Shattered Space expansion.

The next major milestone for Starfield will be the release of Update 1.9.0, currently scheduled for mid-May 2025 according to Bethesda’s public roadmap. This update is expected to focus on further performance optimizations and bug fixes, though specific details have not yet been disclosed.

What are your thoughts on Starfield’s comeback? Have you played the PS5 version, or are you waiting for potential future expansions? Share your experiences in the comments below and help others decide if it’s worth diving into the Settled Systems. Don’t forget to share this article with fellow space explorers on social media.