Gaming is quite big in the United States. Although the country does not hold exclusivity in the gaming industry, a simple fact of the matter is that a lot of great games that have shaped the world have been borne on American soil. This has nurtured and created a strong culture of gaming in the United States, with millions of people seeking games they can enjoy in their free time, or even consider a little more seriously, as the rise of esports has demonstrated.
Today, video gaming is about luck, having fun, but it can also be about skill. Electronic sports are one good example of how this medium can be transformed into a multi-billion dollar industry where talented youngsters compete against each other to win a seven-figure prize pool and become the best of the best. But what are America’s favorite online games today? There are quite a few of those to go around, so we are going to take a look right now.
Super Mario Bros: The Game That Won America and the World
According to aggregate data provided by YouGov US, the most popular video game in the United States right now is Super Mario Bros. The Nintendo all-time classic has won the hearts and minds of millions of people and has established a legacy that was recently immortalized in The Super Mario Bros. Movie adventure comedy movie starring Pedro Pascal, which solidified itself as the highest-grossing video game adaptation of all time. The game itself is not necessarily competitive, although it can be.
America’s love for Super Mario is quite strangely fascinating as well. Mario is a heavily stereotypical Italian with a moustache and a heavy English accent who nevertheless has defied criticism and has become one of the most iconic characters of video gaming. Super Mario Bros. is also a game that Americans simply love.
It’s easy to get into, it’s even easier to play, and there is a fair degree of room for really kicking the game up into a higher gear if you want to be necessarily more competitive. The exact player base in the United States is not known but the Super Mario Bros. series has sold more than 222 million copies across all platforms.
Candy Crush Saga: Endless Mobile Gaming Fun
There is hardly a more popular mobile game in the United States over the past years than the Candy Crush franchise and its many iterations. Since 2012, Candy Crush has become a cultural phenomenon equal to “Google” or “Yahoo,” and it has enjoyed a massive following in the country. By one estimate, some 255 million people play Candy Crush making it one of the most successful mobile games of all time.
Candy Crush is frankly stupid. It’s an overly-animated and showy piece of gameplay that is just so difficult to resist. It’s easy enough to be approachable and has what could be an endless skill ceiling, which is what keeps so many people going on and on, and on. Candy Crush is not losing any momentum either, with the game continuing to captivate the minds and hearts of the American player.
Online Poker: The Resurgent Giant
The United States is becoming more aware of a new phenomenon – online gambling, but while gambling invites a lot of luck, randomness, and uncertain outcomes, the game of poker is all about understanding odds, mathematical probability and bluffing your opponent with a Hollywood-worthy composure. Poker is a game that has long been lambasted as gambling, but it’s so much more.
The game has people who can play it so well that they win consistently and become millionaires in the process. These players are living proof that although poker invites some degree of luck and chance, the underlying factor is the ability to play the game so well that you can win consistently.
Americans are starting to appreciate this. If you want to join the rest of the crowd and try your hand at poker, the best way to do this is at the top 10 online poker sites for USA players, which will provide you with not just access to many cash games, but also some excellent opportunities to join satellite events, big-event qualifiers, and weekly tournaments.
Video Gaming A La Carte
As mentioned before, video gaming and esports have become quite a phenomenon. Players in the United States are keen to explore this entertainment as it’s rather cheap, it’s accessible, and let’s face it – it’s a lot of fun.
Besides, video gaming has become so social, too, with platforms such as YouTube Gaming and Twitch making it a social experience. You do not play in a vacuum. Even when you are slaying monsters in Dark Souls on your own, you go to discussion boards such as Facebook or Reddit to just share your achievement, perhaps brag about it, and receive well-deserved accolades.
All of this just feels good, and it begs the question – what video games is America playing today? Well, some do not rely on competitive video gaming to be great, but the truth is, most games today really want to focus on bringing people together.
Some excellent choices include Resident Evil 4, Diablo IV, Hogwarts Legacy, Company of Heroes 3, Street Fighter 6, and so many others. These games are all about the community – even if they are very competitive at their core. Now, this is not a bad thing, too, as it’s ultimately a social experience that brings people together.
Whatever You Choose to Play, Remember to Have Fun
Having fun is at the core of every game, and online is the fastest and most reliable way to find such titles. Players come from various backgrounds but they all aspire to the same thing – finding a satisfying game, whether it’s the all-player favorite Super Mario Bros. or something seemingly as unassuming as Candy Crush Saga, or the high-stakes game of online poker. All of these games can be mighty entertaining and this is precisely what people should be looking out for first and foremost.