Despite the negativity, Marathon was one of last month’s best-selling games, though there’s a catch
Marathon defied vocal skepticism to become one of the best-performing games at launch, according to sales data from market analyst firm Circana. The $40 multiplayer shooter achieved the fourth-highest revenue ranking in the US when it released in March and ranks sixth for the year so far. This strong sales performance stands in stark contrast to the considerable criticism surrounding the game’s announcement and ongoing skepticism reflected in Steam Charts activity.
The impressive revenue ranking is particularly notable given Marathon’s $40 price point—significantly below the standard $60 price tag for AAA releases. Despite this lower price, the game outsold several full-price titles, including Pokémon Pokopia, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, and Crimson Desert. Only MLB: The Show 26 and Resident Evil: Requiem achieved higher revenue rankings in the measured period.
The sales figures highlight a notable disconnect between negative player sentiment and actual market performance. While Marathon has faced considerable online criticism and shown modest concurrent player numbers on Steam, the revenue data demonstrates the game successfully attracted a substantial purchasing audience. The strong debut suggests that despite community concerns and skepticism, Marathon secured a significant position in the highly competitive gaming market.