Sonic the Hedgehog is the most popular 2D video game in America, a new study has revealed.
The research, conducted by online gaming experts Indivisible Game, analyzed Google search data to determine which 2D game is the most popular in America. After devising a list of more than 200 games, the study combined five common search terms related to 2D games to reveal the nationwide average monthly search volume for each game over the past year. The study also disclosed which games are favored in each state.
2D video game Average monthly search volume (US) Sonic the Hedgehog 767,128 Pac-Man 710,175 Tetris 364,346 Geometry Dash 139,195 Super Mario Bros 134,254
Sonic the Hedgehog is the most popular 2D video game in the country. Its original title, which was released in 1991, set the basic premise for the franchise. It follows Sonic, an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who battles the evil Doctor Eggman, a mad scientist. With 767,128 average monthly searches, the Japanese video game series is the most googled 2D game in America. It is also the most popular game in 24 states, including in Texas, Pennsylvania and Illinois.
The research revealed that Pac-Man is the second most popular 2D video game in America. The 1980 maze action video game has left a commercial and cultural legacy and is widely recognised as one of the most successful video games of all time. It remains popular today, particularly in America. With 710,175 average monthly searches, it is narrowly behind Sonic the Hedgehog in terms of popularity. That being said, it is the most popular 2D retro game in six US states, most notably in Florida.
The third most popular 2D video game in America is Tetris. Created by Soviet software engineer Alexey Pajitnov in 1985, the puzzle video game has established itself as one of the greatest video games ever made. With an average monthly search volume of 364,346, it is significantly less popular than both Sonic the Hedgehog and Pac-man overall. However, the game is favored to both of those game series in 19 states, including in California and New York.
Geometry Dash is the fourth most popular 2D video game in America with 139,195 average monthly searches. In the game, players control the movement of an icon and navigate along music-based levels, while avoiding obstacles such as spikes that instantly destroy the player’s icon on impact. Although it isn’t the most popular game in any of the US states, it is the fourth most popular 2D video game in every state except Arkansas.
Super Mario Bros. Rounds off the five most popular 2D games in America. With more than 58million copies sold worldwide, it is one of the bestselling video games series of all time. With 134,254 average monthly searches, it remains popular in the US. It is also the fifth most popular game in 17 states, including California.
A spokesperson at Indivisible Game commented on the findings: “Although gaming has evolved over time, some of the best video games series ever made use a 2D platform. This research provides a significant insight into which of those famous games are most popular in the US. Some may find the results surprising, but what is clear is that the public still prefer the so called ‘classics’, which is testament to how incredible some of those games were and still are.”
ENDS
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Most googled 2D games per state
State Most googled 2D game Average monthly search volume Alabama Sonic the Hedgehog 10,047 Alaska Tetris 1,269 Arizona Pac-Man 17,983 Arkansas Sonic the Hedgehog 5,769 California Tetris 106,732 Colorado Tetris 12,348 Connecticut Tetris 8,853 Delaware Sonic the Hedgehog 2,171 Florida Mac-Man 51,249 Georgia Sonic the Hedgehog 28,202 Hawaii Tetris 4,403 Idaho Tetris 3,593 Illinois Sonic the Hedgehog 33,284 Indiana Sonic the Hedgehog 13,956 Iowa Tetris 5,583 Kansas Sonic the Hedgehog 5,682 Kentucky Sonic the Hedgehog 8,436 Louisiana Sonic the Hedgehog 8,744 Maine Tetris 2,498 Maryland Sonic the Hedgehog 15,698 Massachusetts Tetris 20,920 Michigan Sonic the Hedgehog 20,642 Minnesota Tetris 11,813 Mississippi Sonic the Hedgehog 5,585 Missouri Sonic the Hedgehog 12,765 Montana Tetris 1,610 Nebraska Sonic the Hedgehog 3,683 Nevada Sonic the Hedgehog 8,210 New Hampshire Tetris 2,664 New Jersey Tetris 24,232 New Mexico Sonic the Hedgehog 5,052 New York Tetris 51,124 North Carolina Sonic the Hedgehog 24,336 North Dakota Tetris 1,636 Ohio Sonic the Hedgehog 24,343 Oklahoma Pac-Man 6,303 Oregon Pac-Man 10,082 Pennsylvania Sonic the Hedgehog 28,743 Rhode Island Tetris 2,798 South Carolina Sonic the Hedgehog 10,803 South Dakota Tetris 1,635 Tennessee Sonic the Hedgehog 14,393 Texas Sonic the Hedgehog 86,789 Utah Tetris 8,686 Vermont Tetris 1,356 Virginia Pac-Man 22,519 Washington Tetris 24,762 West Virginia Pac-Man 2,902 Wisconsin Sonic the Hedgehog 10,813 Wyoming Sonic the Hedgehog 829
