It is crucial to stay ahead of the industry trends and incorporate them in your games to set yourself apart from the competition. In this blog, we will explore the most popular video game genres in 2025. From action RPGs to immersive simulations, we have listed the best gaming genres that are trending in the industry.
Video games have evolved in recent times with the emergence of a wide variety of game types and mechanics. With over 3 billion players globally, video game genres are essential to distinguish games and align them with the preferences of their target audience.
if you are a gaming enthusiast or operator who wants to understand which gaming genres are the most profitable, this blog is for you. We will take a deep dive into video game genres and will provide valuable insights into which gaming genres are thriving today.
Let’s get started.
Before diving into the list, let’s take a look at which genres dominated the previous years. We have segmented the most profitable gaming genres according to different platforms. Take a look:
(Source)
While Shooter games dominated the PC platform, adventure games were quite popular on Consoles like PlayStation and Xbox. On the other hand, mobile gamers preferred RPG games like Genshin Impact, the Monster Hunter Series, and Dragon Quest.
The best video game genres are the ones that can attract people from all demographics and regions. We have listed which gaming genres were the most profitable in the previous years, now let’s dive into the most popular genres that attract millions of gamers worldwide.
Shooter games dominated the gaming industry with games like Fortnite, Valorant, and Counter-Strike 2. Over the years, the demand and craze for these games has increased drastically. These games focus on weapon-based combat and allow gamers to overpower their enemies through tactical gameplay.
However, that’s not all! The shooter genre consistently ranks above in player spending, making it one of the most popular video game genres in the United States. This is because it provides high-octane, competitive, and tactical gameplay that ultimately results in a huge ego boost.
Who does not want the sweet release of overpowering their enemies and gunning them down?
Some of the most popular shooter games include:
Role-playing games, also known as RPGs, are where players become the main character and play as the protagonist. Games like The Witcher 3, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Cyberpunk 2077 where players can emulate other characters and live out their story, are quite popular. In fact, most Game of the Year games are RPGs.
These games feature unique storylines, tasks, characters, and immersive worlds that captivate users and provide an overall engaging experience. Moreover, these games are also the primary choice of top game development studios when it comes to developing profitable games.
Some popular Role-playing Games include:
Sports titles are self-explanatory. Games like Football, Volleyball, Cricket, Basketball, etc are some of the most popular sports games. From classic team games like Cricket and Football to individual games like Golf and Tennis, sports games are the preferred choice of a casual gamer. Sports game developers focus on creating accurate game mechanics and the competitiveness of real-world sports.
Moreover, these types of games appeal to both sports lovers and game enthusiasts, making them a perfect choice for targeting various demographics. With multiple game modes like leaderboards, career, and tournaments, these types of games offer plenty of playable content except exhibition matches.
Popular Sports Games titles include:
Battle Royale games gained a surge in popularity with the launch of games like PUBG and Fortnite. It allowed multiple players to engage in combat in real-time and also included a lot of strategy elements. The concept of these games is simple: land on an isolated location and fight it out to become the last man standing.
It is the perfect blend of survival, shooting, fighting, and high-octane action, making it one of the most popular gaming genres of recent times.
Popular Battle Royale Games are:
Adventure games are topping the mobile gaming genre charts by offering story-driven experiences that immerse players. These games excel in exploration, puzzle-solving, and narrative depth.
These video games take a break from the high-octane madness and focus on story-driven narratives and adventures. While some adventure games like The Legend of Zelda do feature great combat, they primarily focus on exploration and puzzle-solving. Games like Monkey Island and Life is Strange showcase the genre’s popularity and ability to immerse players.
Popular adventure games are:
Racing games are perfect for individuals who get an adrenaline rush from high speeds. These games simulate the excitement of racing cars and the thrill of beating other racers. Developers of racing card games focus on creating realistic physics, environments, and dynamic vehicle handling to mimic the experience of driving a real-world car.
Games like the Need for Speed franchise made the gaming genre popular, and Forza Horizon took it a step further with its stunning visuals and gaming experience. Whether it’s navigating traffic in a high-speed chase or racing on a professional track, these games provide a realistic experience and the thrill of racecars.
Popular Racing Games are:
Fighting games are skill-based masterpieces that pit two players against each other. These games focus on 1v1 or 2v2 close-quarter combat between two characters. Developers focus on creating responsive and balanced combat systems where player reflexes, precision, and quick thinking are crucial.
The primary appeal of fighting games is the ego boost delivered by overpowering your opponent and defeating them in 1v1 combat. From basic wrestling to flashy moves and even superpowers, fighting games provide diverse combat experiences and are often the life of parties.
Popular fighting games are:
Simulation is a top game genre as it offers great versatility. It is a broad genre that features a lot of game types, from flight and vehicle simulations to life simulations. These games require players to strategize, manage resources, and make decisions that mimic real life. For example, in The Sims, players have to control a ‘SIM’ and basically lead a day-to-day life from going to the washroom to studying and sleeping.
On the other hand, vehicle simulations like truck or flight allow players to step into the shoes of a driver or pilot and maneuver vehicles just like a real-world person would.
Popular Simulation Games are:
As the name suggests, casual games feature easy-going and laid-back mechanics. These games are fairly straightforward and do not require any strategy or quick decision-making on the player’s part. Casual games, also known as Hypercasual games, are perfect for players of all skill levels, catering to both beginner as well as seasoned gamers.
This video game genre is mostly popular on mobile platforms like Android and iOS, where users want quick bursts of satisfaction without any hassle.
Popular Casual Games are:
Board games, aka Tabletop games, feature a game board like Chess or Carrom. This game genre encompasses games of various types, including strategy and casual games. They are mostly digital versions of traditional games that have been played for generations. Since these games feature simple gameplay and ease of access, this popular video game genre is a preferred choice for casual gamers.
Popular Board Games are:
Educational Games provide some sort of learning or education to players. It is a popular gaming genre that caters to kids, teenagers, and even some adults. These games explore a broad range of topics and provide educational learning by leveraging gamification.
From basic English wordplay to games that boost cognitive functioning, this gaming genre makes learning enjoyable and engaging.
Popular Educational Games are:
Strategy games encompass various game mechanics, including resource management, planning, puzzle-solving, and tactical decision-making. These games are targeted towards players who crave a mental challenge. Developers have to create intricate game mechanics and unique opportunities that force players to plan their moves, manage resources, and adapt to evolving scenarios.
In recent times, the strategy gaming genre has seen a comeback. Games like Age of Empires require players to manage resources, deploy troops, and properly manage a civilization.
Some popular Strategy games are:
Horror gaming genre focuses on one thing only- scaring players! These types of games specialize in delivering suspenseful and uncomfortable experiences to players. Developers of the horror genre excel in creating suspenseful and horror environments that instill fear and a sense of dread in the player.
Over the years, developers have combined horror with various video game genres like strategy where players have to collect and manage resources to survive in a suspenseful and fearful environment.
Some popular Horror games are:
BR Softech is a renowned video game developer offering a wide range of immersive and engaging games for players worldwide. Our developers are highly professional and experts in creating best-in-class games across various genres, including action-adventure, card games, board games, and more. Whether you need a game for Android, iOS, or multiple platforms, we provide comprehensive development services tailored to your needs.
Choose us for:
BR Softech stands out as a leading game development company with a commitment to innovation, quality, and seamless user experiences. Partner with us to bring your gaming vision to life!
Ans. Some of the most popular video game genres include:
Battle Royale
Fighting
Role-Playing
Strategy
Ans. In 2025, the RPG and Battle Royale genres are dominating the gaming industry. Most highly anticipated AAA games are action RPGs, and ever since COVID, there has been a great demand for Battle Royale shooters.
Ans. Fighting and strategy are two of the hardest video game genres as they have complex game mechanics. In fighting games, players are required to make quick decisions. On the other hand, strategy games require players to think ahead and make strategic decisions that have long-term implications.
Ans. Shooter, specifically FPS shooter games, are becoming more popular each year. Games like Valorant, Apex Legends, Counter-Strike, and Rainbow Six Siege are quite popular and are contributing to the growth of the FPS shooter genre.
Ans. Yes, battle royale games gained traction with the launch of PUBG and Fortnite. Ever since then, various other battle royale games have hit the market and have been massively successful. Games like Apex Legends and Marvel Rivals are some examples of why battle royale games are still popular in 2025.
