Most Gaming-Obsessed States and Cities
Gaming's popularity in the United States shows no signs of slowing down this year. As an online gaming platform, we wanted to know which states are crazy about gaming and what players can't get enough of right now. So, we dug into the numbers, analyzing everything from local arcades to trending searches to map out Americans' gaming obsessions. Our findings reveal where gaming thrives the most and what fuels America's passion for play in 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Delaware, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire are the most gaming-obsessed states per capita.
- "Helldivers II," "Valorant," and "Black Myth: Wukong" are the most searched video games in 2025.
- On the West Coast, the most searched gaming console is the Nintendo Switch 2, while on the East Coast, the Sony PlayStation 5 leads in popularity.
Gaming Trends Across the US in 2025
Here's a look at which states and cities led in gaming interest, the titles that grabbed attention, and how consoles stacked up nationwide.
Vermont had the highest per capita search interest in gaming, followed by South Dakota, Idaho, Mississippi, and Iowa. Other high-ranking states included Arkansas, Connecticut, Louisiana, Wisconsin, and Missouri. Each of these states showed significant enthusiasm for gaming through their online searches for video game-related content.
In addition to Google search trends, we gathered data about each state's gaming attractions, including arcades, gaming stores, lounges, and esports events. We then weighted each category and created a meta-ranking to determine the top states for gamers based on their final scores.
Delaware, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire stood out as the most gaming-obsessed states per capita. With a final score of 76.16 out of 100, Delaware led the way with the most arcades (101) and gaming stores (55) per 100,000 residents. No. 5 Nevada claimed the highest number of gaming lounges per capita (13), while ninth-ranked California hosted the most esports events, with 21 held across the state.
Top 10 Most Game-Obsessed States per Capita
- Delaware
- Rhode Island
- New Hampshire
- Connecticut
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Maryland
- Vermont
- California
- Texas
Wondering which video games captured the spotlight in each state this year? Search trends provided some surprising answers.
The top 10 most searched games of 2025 are a mix of new releases and highly anticipated sequels. "Helldivers II" claimed the top spot, followed by "Valorant" and "Black Myth: Wukong."
Other popular titles included "Star Wars: Outlaws" and "Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero," both tapping into massive fan bases with fresh installments. RPG fans drove interest in "Dragon's Dogma 2" and "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth," which ranked sixth and seventh, respectively.
Rounding out the top 10 were "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6," "Silent Hill 2," and "Balatro," which gained traction as an emerging fan favorite. These nationwide trends set the stage for a closer look at the most popular games in the largest US cities.
In the 25 most populated cities, "Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero" and "World of Warcraft: The War Within" tied as the most searched video games, each topping the charts in five cities. "Balatro" also made a strong impression as a trending game in three major cities.
Console searches in 2025 reflected both enduring favorites and excitement for upcoming releases. The PlayStation 5 continues to be popular, claiming the top spot as the most searched console in the US. The Nintendo Switch followed closely, cementing its place as a versatile and family-friendly favorite.
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S ranked third and fourth, respectively, appealing to gamers seeking high performance and value. Rounding out the top five was the Nintendo Switch 2, building anticipation as one of the most awaited next-generation consoles.
For gaming consoles, the Nintendo Switch 2 led with the highest search interest in six cities. The PlayStation 6 followed closely, ranking as the top search in four cities, reflecting high anticipation for the next generation of gaming hardware. Regional preferences stood out as well: on the West Coast, the Nintendo Switch 2 was the most searched console, while the Sony PlayStation 5 led in popularity on the East Coast.
Gaming Insights Across the Nation
These 2025 gaming trends reveal a snapshot of regional preferences, from Delaware's arcade density to the console wars between the West and East Coasts. Popular titles like "Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero" captivated audiences, while next-generation consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 6 fueled excitement across cities. As gaming continues to grow, these insights show how passion for play unites players nationwide, even as regional differences make each gaming community unique.
Methodology
We analyzed data from Yelp and egamersworld.com to evaluate the availability and quality of gaming-related establishments, including arcades, video game stores, gaming lounges, and esports events. Each category was assigned a specific weight to reflect its importance and normalized per capita per 100,000 residents:
- Arcades: 30%
- Video game stores: 30%
- Overall gaming-related search volume: 20%
- Gaming lounges: 10%
- Esports events: 10%
We also collected Google search volume data to measure interest in the most searched games, gaming consoles, and overall gaming-related topics in 2025. This provides a broader perspective on gaming popularity and trends.
About Prodigy Education
Prodigy Education is a global leader in game-based learning. Our mission is to help every student in the world love learning, motivating millions worldwide via fun, secure, and accessible curriculum-aligned gameplay experiences. At Prodigy Education, we believe maximizing student motivation helps develop a lifetime love of learning. Prodigy's approach to fun, game-based learning means kids no longer have to choose between homework and playtime. Visit www.prodigygame.com to learn more.
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