The US gaming industry is poised to reach $200 billion this year. How? Plain and simple. Because of its diverse landscape from California to New York and from Minnesota to Texas, there is something for every player. While regional tastes may differ, broader patterns emerge, and companies cannot help but notice.
But what works where?
If you’ve ever wondered what types of games Americans are obsessing over in 2025, you’re not alone.
In this blog post, I will break down the top Gaming Genres and why they’re winning hearts across the country.
Most Popular Gaming Genres in the US
Platform Influence And Cross-Platform Dynamics
Genre popularity cannot be separated from the platforms used. 2024 data shows that 78% American gamers are on mobile, which is not a surprise but a continuation of a trend. Consoles are present with roughly 50% of gamers, and PC dropped to 40%. In many states, mobile penetration is nearly universal, so mobile-first gamers often choose puzzles, casual, strategy, or lighter RPGs.
In states like California, New York, and Illinois, action shooters and RPGs still dominate among core gamers. The overlap of cross-platform play helps: many titles now allow mobile ↔ console ↔ PC connections, which blur lines. In that sense, an action RPG might be experienced on mobile in Kansas, but on console in New York.
But as gamers can own multiple platforms to play on, the topic extends to game types. These can also overlap, as games can fall within multiple genres. Players can access online casinos in Wisconsin on their mobile, play any of the games they offer from a whole plethora of games, and then continue on their tablet, and finally sit on their PC. Consumer research is dependent on the contexts of how people perceive or enjoy gaming.
Dominance Of Puzzle, Strategy, And Casual Formats
Roughly 48% of US players favor puzzle or strategy games, driving this category to the most preferred one in the ratings. It’s mostly due to their design, as they are made for mobile or tablet gamers, allowing experiences for short bursts of gameplay in a narrow time window. Rough, heavy mechanical complexity is often off-putting to casual players.
Even in states like Arizona or Florida, where outdoor life draws attention, mobile puzzle play remains strong during commutes or breaks. But this does not mean that gamers want brain-dead games. On the contrary, what’s perceived as “casual/hyper-casual” games register far lower. With about 19% of such games preferred among gamers, it’s evident that gamers want something more than the bare minimum. This leaves room for, lets say, incredible games from the PS1 and PS2 era to make a comeback.
And here is where that delicate balance must be achieved. Strategy games shine in longer time windows and when the horizon for potential complexity is vast. Such games are designed for mature gamers with higher spending potential, provided they are well-made and not overly complex. In states like Michigan or Ohio, where PC gaming still has room for loyalty, strategy titles (turn-based, grand strategy) tend to hold stronger market shares.
Action-Adventure, Shooters, And First-Person Dominance
Though puzzle and strategy lead in share, action/adventure games register about 41% preference. Those are often the blockbuster console or PC titles, made for the latest hardware and thrive on the hype. Gamers are anticipating the PS6 release in the near future, and part of the charm is preparing and imagining all the incredible games that will follow.
Shooters and first-person experiences pull roughly 30 percent of respondents. Texas or Georgia console players prefer franchise shooters like Call of Duty or Valorant. People love military FPS franchises, which is why 2024’s top seller in the US was Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
RPGs, Simulation, And Niche Growth
Role-playing games (RPGs) have a healthy player base, with about 23% of players steadily playing them. Here we have two schools of design. The Western open-world RPGs and the Japanese-style ones. In California and Washington, where gamer culture overlaps with tech and dev hubs, RPGs often command devoted fan bases.
In more rural states like Iowa or Nebraska, simulation and farming sims sometimes resonate more because they echo real-life rhythms. The slower pacing and open-ended mechanics suit people who prefer less frenetic gaming. With more women trying out gaming, the preference may change even further.
Niches like survival, roguelikes, or asymmetrical multiplayer also show upward momentum in pockets. These don’t yet top charts in broad surveys, but devs often emphasize them in indie spaces. In Colorado or Vermont, small dev studios sometimes build regional communities around such niche genres.
Sports, Racing, And Competitive Titles
Sports games still draw ongoing interest, especially among fans living in states with strong sports culture. In Ohio or Pennsylvania, fans of football or basketball often gravitate toward titles like Madden or NBA 2K.
In some surveys, sports games attract about 25 percent preference. Racing and motorsport games, while smaller in share, remain consistent favorites in states with auto culture (say Michigan or Indiana).
Regional Variation And Cultural Factors
In a tech hub like Washington state, competitive shooters and eSports titles carry extra weight; players there often follow Twitch, attend LANs, and engage in multiplayer intensively. Meanwhile, in states like New York or Illinois, the club-style gaming communities push both action and strategy genres: board-game converts often try grand strategy games on PC.
Also, urban vs rural divides matter. In states with big cities, Texas, Florida, the inner cities may host convention culture, high-end gaming cafes, and competitive scenes. In suburban or rural pockets, casual, mobile, slower genres naturally win more hearts.
Player fatigue plays a role. A gamer in Florida or New York might shift preference over time. Someone who loved heavy shooters at age 20 in Georgia may now favor lighter RPGs or strategy as they age. Or they wish to give Pokemon Go a chance due to nostalgia. These shifts cause midlife slippage in genre share.
Wrapping Up
Each year, we see a rise in gaming in the US. The doors of the industry remain wide open, and everyone is invited. With over 300 million people, there are plenty of profiles that wish to find something for themselves. And with an industry as wide as gaming, there is surely a game for everyone. And whether you’re gaming from a cabin in Wisconsin or from a flat in downtown New York, it’s the love of the game that connects you.
