What are the most popular video game genres in 2025?
Video gaming has captured the attention of many people worldwide. It’s interesting to see how it has changed over time.
The diversity of video game genres is impressive, with a vast range of titles and gameplay options available. There’s a game type for everyone, like RPGs, action-adventures, first-person shooters, simulations, and puzzles.
In this article, we will look at different video games, types of gameplay, and popular genres that gamers love.
What is a Video Game Genre?
A video game genre is a category encompassing different types of video games.
Different genres of video games have emerged over time as the gaming industry has grown. From action-packed, first-person shooter games to immersive role-playing games, there’s a vast range of options to explore.
Each video game genre offers unique gameplay mechanics, storylines, and visual styles.
Besides popular genres, there are also specific video game genres for different audiences, like visual novels or interactive fiction games.
By identifying different video games based on their gameplay elements, gamers can quickly figure out their favorite games. Thus making it easier for them to find new and exciting titles to enjoy.
To learn more about gaming stats, check out our blog post titled “How Many Gamers Are There in the World?“
How Many Genres of Video Games Are There?
More than 35 video game genres are popular in the gaming industry. Some examples of these genres include shooter games and simulation games.
However, as video games continue to gain popularity, developers regularly create new types of video game genres. This leads to an increase in the number of available genres.
As gamers, we’re spoiled for choice, with countless different types of video games to explore. That said, we’ve compiled a list of game genres and their subgenres right below!
Game Genres and Subgenres
Let’s see our list of game genres and subgenres!
Action Genre
- Shooters
- Shoot ’em Up
- Run and Gun
- Shooting Gallery
- Light Gun Shooter
- First-person Shooter (FPS)
- Third-person Shooter (TPS)
- Beat ’em Up
- Scrolling Beat ’em Up
- Hack ‘n Slash
- 3D Beat ’em Up
- Platformer
- Metroidvania
- Fighting
- Arcade
- Stealth
- Horror
- Survival
- Rhythm
- Battle Royale
Adventure Genre
- Text Adventures
- Graphic Adventures
- Visual Novels
- Interactive Movie
- Real-time 3D adventures
RPG Genre
- Action RPG
- MMORPG (massively-multiplayer online role-playing games)
- Roguelikes
- Tactical RPG
- Sandbox RPG
- First-person Party-based RPG
- Monster Tamer
- Gacha Games
Sports Genre
- Racing
- Arcade Sports
- Competitive
- Realistic Sports Games (Sports-based fighting)
Strategy Genre
- 4X
- Multiplier Online Battle Arena (MOBA)
- Real-time Strategy
- Turn-based Strategy
- Tower Defense
- Card and Board Games
Simulation Genre
- Construction
- Management
- Life Simulation
- Vehicle Simulation (Driving Simulation, Flight Simulation, Submarine Simulation,…)
- Programming Games
- Photography Games
Puzzle Genre
- Breakout Clone Game
- Logical Game
- Point-and-click Adventure
- Reveal The Picture Games
- Match 3 Games
- Hidden Object Games
- Word Games
- Typing Games
- Trivia Games
Casual Genre
Casual games are easy to play, have simple rules, and don’t require much time or commitment. They’re perfect for those who want to unwind after a long day or simply pass the time.
Some of the subgenres of casual games include idle games, clicker games, incremental games, indie games, and simulation games. The casual Game genre has something for everyone, no matter their age, skill level, or interests.
Whether you’re into crafting, farming, or just clicking buttons, there’s a variety of games out there for you. Nowadays, mobile gaming has made casual games more accessible than ever before.
Most Popular Video Game Genres 2025
What is the most popular video game genre, you may ask?
Each year, new games are launched, and some genres tend to dominate the market more than others. This article will explore the most popular genre of video games in 2025.
1. Action Games
Action games are a cornerstone of the video game industry and remain popular among gamers. These exciting games are packed with adrenaline and feature action-packed combat, exciting exploration, and engaging puzzle-solving.
Some of the most popular action games include Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut, and Resident Evil Village.
2. Role-playing Games (RPGs)
RPG games allow you to take on the role of a fictional character, finish quests, and travel through huge, open worlds. RPGs are a popular genre of video games that often have complex storylines and character development.
Gamers have the ability to fully engage in the game world, crafting friendships with NPCs (non-playable characters) and personalizing their own characters. The most popular RPG games include Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy VII Remake, and Baldur’s Gate III.
3. First-person Shooter (FPS) Games
FPS games are fast-paced, action-packed shooters in which players shoot their way through levels. FPS games often have complex stories, memorable characters, and visually stunning graphics.
Some of the most popular FPS games include Call of Duty: Vanguard, Battlefield 2042, and Halo Infinite.
4. Sports Games
Sports games simulate real-life sports such as basketball, racing, or football games. This game genre allows players to compete against each other or the AI (Artificial Intelligence). These games often have realistic graphics and physics, making them challenging and enjoyable to play.
A few of the top sports games out there are FIFA 23, Madden NFL 23, and NBA 2K23.
5. Adventure Games
Video games in the adventure game genre emphasize exploration, puzzle-solving, and narrative. These games can range from puzzle-solving to mystery-solving or put players in an open-world setting to explore.
They often have rich storylines, compelling characters, and beautiful graphics. Some well-liked examples of adventure games are Breath of the Wild 2, Deathloop, and Kena: Bridge of Spirits.
6. Strategy Games
Strategy games require careful planning, resource management, and quick decisions. Popular action games are Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut, and Resident Evil Village.-making
skills. They are popular among gamers who enjoy games requiring critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Strategy games can vary from medieval conquests to sci-fi wars.
Age of Empires IV, Total War: Warhammer III and Civilization VI are the top strategy games of 2025.
7. Simulation Games
Simulation games are popular among gamers who enjoy virtual worlds with realistic mechanics. They allow players to simulate real-life experiences like running a farm, flying a plane, or being a truck driver. These games are often educational and provide players with an insight into real-life activities.
The most popular simulation games include Microsoft Flight Simulator, The Sims 5, and Farming Simulator 22.
8. Fighting Games
Video games in the fighting game genre emphasize character-versus-character combat. They require fast reflexes and careful timing to land combos and defeat opponents. Fighting games can be traditional 2D fighters or 3D fighters with free movement.
Popular fighting games in 2025 include Tekken 8, Mortal Kombat 12, and Street Fighter VI.
9. Puzzle Games
Puzzle games are video games that challenge players to solve puzzles to advance through levels. These games can vary from traditional jigsaw puzzles to complex brain teasers to physics puzzles.
Puzzle games are a hit for those who relish critical thinking and problem-solving. The most popular puzzle games include Tetris Effect: Connected, Superliminal, and Return of the Obra Dinn.
10. Clicker Idle Games
Clicker games are popular in the gaming industry, especially for casual gamers who want a low-pressure experience. These games need very little player involvement, mostly involving tapping or clicking to advance through levels or receive rewards. That’s why sometimes these games are also called clicking games.
Some popular clicker/idle games include Adventure Capitalist, Cookie Clicker, and Tap Tycoon. Playsaurus is a famous indie game publisher known for its idle/clicker games that can entertain players for a long time.
Clicker Heroes is a popular game by Playsaurus. Players summon and upgrade heroes to fight monsters and advance levels. Other popular games from Playsaurus are Mr. Mine and Grindcraft.
Conclusion
As tech advances, video games constantly evolve in popularity, and new video game genres are expected to emerge. No matter what genres of video games you seek, the video game landscape offers much for casual players and dedicated gamers alike.
What’s your favorite game genre? Let us know!