New Zealand is a gaming country. Last year, 67% of the population identified as gamers. Of this population, 54% are male, while 46% are female. The average gamer in NZ spends two hours playing online games on their devices.
What are the most popular online games in the country? It depends on the gaming device. Additionally, the popularity of games changes from one year to another. That said, below is a list of the most played online games in NZ:
1—Sonic Origins
Sonic Origins is a package of four classic video games from the 1990s: Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic 2 &3, Sonic CD, and Knuckles. Sony repackaged these games to have modern graphics, infinite lives, more characters and better mechanics.
Truth be told, Sonic games have always been popular. So, when Sony repackaged and released them in July, everyone in New Zealand wanted to have a look. The biggest draw to the games is their add-ons.
Yes, you play Sonic the Hedgehog regularly. But the new game is more customized and more feature-rich. It has a mirror mode, a mission mode, and a boss rush. It also comes with box art, instruction manuals and rarities.
The game isn’t perfect, though. Although Sonic Origins has been a trend throughout New Zealand, it has been criticized for its numerous bugs. From sound effects that loop unnecessarily to characters freezing, the game will need a few patches before it becomes flawless.
2—FIFA 22
Rugby might be New Zealand’s national sport. But according to Statista, FIFA 22 is the country’s most preferred sports simulation game. FIFA 22 came out last year with a bunch of modes.
Unlike the previous versions, FIFA 22 was designed to celebrate football as a sport. It does not just focus on popular leagues and competitions. It also allows you to enjoy street football through its Volta football mode.
If you would rather stick to traditional football, there’s a range of options. You can start a career mode. Or you could play the game online with friends. There’s also a five-a-side mode for people with a small circle of friends.
The best part of FIFA 22, though, is that it has improved the speed, skillset and mechanics of the game. This means it’s more enjoyable compared to its predecessors.
Of course, if you want to enjoy an even more advanced FIFA game, find FIFA 23. It has an updated list of present players in different clubs. And it has added modes to include the likes of Ted Lasso.
3—Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto has sold more than 170 million copies since its launch in 2013. To provide some context, NZ has a population of slightly over five million people. That means if all of the game’s copies were sold in Kiwi land, everyone would have at least 34 copies.
That’s how popular GTA is around the world. Experts predict the game will continue to get popular now that it’s available in next-generation consoles. Why do people love GTA V so much?
The game has an abundance of exciting moments. You can hijack planes, ride dirt bikes on trains or engage in countless shootouts with members of the police. In other words, GTA is an insanely versatile game.
There are the usual missions found in every action game. But there are also side quests and the ability to manage properties like clubs and trade on the stock market. You can also gamble at a GTA casino with slots, blackjack, and poker.
4—Fortnite
Fortnite is one of the most popular online games. At some point last year, Fortnite was the most-played game in the world. What makes it so popular? For starters, it’s an insanely competitive game.
Every year, more than 80 million people compete to win varying prizes in the game. The battle royale game is particularly successful in the mobile gaming space.
Fortnite has several modes. Battle Royale is its most popular version. Here, you compete with 99 others to be the last person standing on a fast-shrinking island. You can play the game on mobile, PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One.
Although most people play battle royale solo, Fortnite also offers the option to play with a friend (duo), a squad of four partners, or a team of 20. Once you land on the island, it’s usually a matter of death or survival. You must eliminate your enemies quickly or avoid detection.
5—Online Slots
Slots or pokies as they are known in New Zealand, are very popular among Kiwis. Unlike slot machines, online pokie games provide more advanced graphics and higher RTPs. They also come in large variety of themes and are easily accessible via mobile devices, which helps greatly for their popularity.
Age of the Gods, Starburst, Beach Life, and Thunderstuck 11 are just a few examples of world-famous slot games played in New Zealand. In fact, the best slot sites in New Zealand provide thousands of games on their platforms. Here is a rated list of the top NZ pokie sites to check for yourself.
6—Online Poker
Poker is New Zealand’s favorite card game. There’s a perfect explanation. Compared to baccarat and blackjack, poker requires skills to win consistently. This means anyone can become a professional poker player.
All you need is a will and determination to learn what it takes to win. Of course, experience also comes in handy. The game comes in several types, from Texas Hold’em to Omaha.
Texas Hold’em is the most played variant of the game in NZ. It’s a five-stage game. You receive two pocket cards at the first round. Then you receive three more cards in the second round. After that, you get one card in the fourth round and a final card in the game’s final stage.
To win, you need to know when to bluff and when to fold your cards. Also, learn about different poker hands. The best hand wins.
