List of most popular video game genres in 2023

The video game industry is a huge and consistent segment of the market. Video games are the first choice for millennials as well as adults who can’t get their childhood gaming addiction off their heads. Every day, new games are released across all platforms, each focusing on a distinct genre. They are more popular than ever, facilitating social interactions, flooding our newsfeeds and providing countless hours of entertainment. 

From role-playing and first-person shooter games to simulation ones, there is a video game genre for every gamer’s choice. To this day, game developers continue to blend already existing genres, sub-genres, and types in new and surprising ways to provide players with more options. Below is a list of the most popular video game genres that can help you choose the best gaming style. 

9 Most Popular Video Game Genres Dominating the Gaming Market

Adventure Games 

Adventure games feature minimal fighting and rely rather on narrative. Players typically interact with the environment and other characters in order to solve puzzles containing clues to advance in the gameplay. Additionally, several games have platforming features, secret stages, and hidden treasure chests, all encouraging exploration, discovery and storytelling. Adventure games are likely for those who enjoy exploring and finding new experiences. Some of the best examples of adventure video games include The Last of Us, Legend of Zelda, God of War, etc.

Role-playing Games (RPGs)

Role-playing games are one of the most immersive and content-rich games one can play. It has grown from simple text-based console games to aesthetically rich 3D experiences since its inception with popular games like Star Wars, Battletech and Dungeons & Dragons. It is a game genre in which the player controls the protagonist, interacts with NPCs and explores a world rich in lore. This category encompasses sub-genres, such as action RPGs, sandbox RPGs, tactical RPGs, MMORPG and more. Some of the best RPG games are Skyrim, Fallout 4 and The Witcher 3.  

Sports Games 

Since gaming culture began, sports games have been among the world’s most popular video game genres. These games are often similar to replicating real-life sports, allowing players to play against AI or bots using their preferred sports team or characters from popular sports like football, basketball, baseball and golf. Sports games include physical and tactical difficulties, testing the player’s precision and accuracy. This video game genre includes sub-genres like racing, combat, team and sports-based fighting game. Well-known examples of sports games include NBA 2k11, Tony Hawks and Madden NFL.

Casino games 

Casino games are another one of the most popular video game genres that involve gambling as well as thrills. Games like online poker, bingo, blackjack, roulette, and slots are well-known games in this genre. Players can play with virtual currency or real money anytime, anywhere. These online games, like physical versions, share the same features when played digitally. Table games, random number games and gaming machines all fall under this category.

Racing Games 

In racing games, the players take part in a racing competition. Many people have experienced the thrill of speed at some point in their lives, and some have taken it to the next level. A wide range of racing games, including cars, dirt bikes, boats, snow bikes, or pretty much anything with an engine, cater to that need! Sub-genres of this video game category include arcade-style, futuristic, kart and simulation racing games. Some examples of racing games are Forza Motorsport 7, Need for Speed, F1 Mobile Racing and Real Racing 3.

Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)

The multiplayer online battle arena is a strategic video game where two teams of players compete on a specified battleground. Players take charge of a single character, each of whom possesses their own set of skills that develop over time and ultimately contribute to the overall strategy of the team. MOBA is an interesting mash-up of two gaming genres: RTS (real-time strategy) and RPG (role-playing game). Famous examples of this genre are League of Legends, Heroes of the Storm, and Dota 2.

Action Games 

Action games are one of the oldest and most popular video game genres. These games have a unique place in the hearts of gamers since they provide an adrenaline rush and high-energy experiences to gamers. It focuses on testing the player’s reflexes, reaction times and hand-eye coordination due to their fast-paced gameplay. Subgenres of this video game category include platformers, FPS, fighting, rhythm and survival games. Call of Duty, Halo, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Super Mario Bros and Donkey Kong are examples of this most popular video game genre.

Simulation Games

Simulation games immerse players in a virtual world, generally of their creation. This video game genre allows players to build their gaming world, whether a theme park or an entire family. The story and the end goal do not matter, as the player has complete control. The sub-genres of simulation games include life, building, sports and construction and management simulators. War Thunder, Dirt Rally, Microsoft Flight Simulator, X Plane 10 Global, etc., are some of the prime examples of simulation games.

Puzzle Games

Puzzle games often require gamers to challenge their brains and put them to the test. This involves the exercise of memory, logic, pattern matching, word completion and sequence solving. This video game genre can also rely on trial and error, in which the player experiments with all the available objects to see how each responds. This video game genre includes sub-genres such as word games, trivia games, match-three puzzles, action puzzles and hidden objects. Tetris, Sudoku, and candy crush saga are some examples.

Which gaming genres should you choose?

The video gaming genres mentioned above are among the most famous and widely played games in the gaming world. There are different types of video games to choose from, each with its own set of sub-genres. Given the variety of genres available to you, your gaming options are numerous. As the video game industry is growing and diversifying, new platforms, consoles and genres are emerging on a regular basis. If you have a game idea, Logic Simplified is your one-stop solution. We have developers and game designers for hire who have the expertise and skills to create high-end and entertaining games that could become massive hits in the video gaming world. To know more about us, contact us or drop us an email at enquiry@logicsimplified.com.