There is no denying that video games are a huge part of the culture in New Zealand – the latest data from the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) showed that in 2022 there was $608 million spent on video games, up 12% from 2021.

When it comes to what games are popular, the trends tend to follow the rest of the world, especially when we are looking at the latest console and PC charts. Of course, these don’t consider the voracious appetite of the Kiwi for online casino games – pokies and poker, blackjack, and roulette. The best online casinos offer special offers and rewards for new players, so it has never been a better time to get involved in online casino gaming.

With that in mind, let’s look at what people like you in New Zealand are playing on their consoles and PCs – the list below are the top selling titles for Xbox, PlayStation and on PC.

Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

This action-adventure game franchise was created by Japanese game designers Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuki and published by gaming giant Nintendo.

The first edition of the Zelda game was first released back in 1986, and since then there have been 19 games as well as many spin-offs, TV shows and countless merchandise items.

Tears of the Kingdom was released in May 2023 as a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild that came out in 2017.

One of the main reasons that this is such a popular game is not only because it is part of the franchise, but also because the expanded open-world gameplay is captivating.

Essentially, the story mode of the game is that you are controlling Link, who is searching for Princess Zelda to prevent the Demon King from destroying the world.

Hogwarts Legacy

The popularity of the Wizarding World and ‘the boy who lived’ hasn’t waned since the books were first released – and this game has been eagerly awaited by all those who have patiently waited to receive their letters to go to Hogwarts.

Another action game, but this one is a role-playing adventure, where you control a student enrolled in Hogwarts about a century before the time of Harry Potter. Players learn to wield magic objects and use magic spells, all while trying to unearth an ancient secret concealed in the wizarding world.

The game was developed by Avalanche Software and not surprisingly published by Warner Bros. subsidiary Portkey Games.

Players have waited patiently for this game, and so far, it hasn’t disappointed those who eagerly took a Sorting Hat quiz to find out what their Hogwarts house is.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Another new game on the list, and one that ties into another cult classic.

Developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by the renowned Electronic Arts, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a direct sequel to Star Wars Jed: Fallen Order which came out back in 2019. In the game, you control Jedi Knight Cal Kestis as he continues to survive the tyranny of the Galactic Empire.

Being able to use Force abilities, having epic lightsabre fights, and the opportunity to explore expansive maps and interact with numerous NPCs provides the biggest Star Wars fan with the opportunity to pretend they are fighting alongside the Jedi.

The critics love this game, and, so do the Star Wars fans – and that is why it remains so popular even now.

Grand Theft Auto V

It might surprise people to learn that a game which was released a decade ago is still on a bestseller list now – but they obviously haven’t played a Rockstar game before.

Developed and published by Rockstar Games, the Grand Theft Auto games are deep, dark storylines involving gangsters, driving, gunfights and criminality that appeals to so many people.

GTA:V follows three main characters – street gangster Franklin Clinton, Michael De Santa (a retired bank robber) and the hilarious Trevor Phillips, who is a gun running drug dealer. Alongside the main story, there is a huge open world that can be explored – for good, or for bad.

This game broke all sorts of records, becoming the fastest selling entertainment product in history. The game earned $800 million on the very first day and hit $1 billion in sales in just three days. Critics loved it, players loved it – but some people complained about the way certain things were portrayed, specifically women and violence.

NBA 2K23

Released in 2022 and developed by Visual Concepts, this is the 24^th instalment of the NBA franchise published by 2K.

Like most 2K games, NBA 2K offers players the opportunity to become world-class basketball players, starting a new career and going all the way to the top. You can create your own character, set up dream matches, and complete different challenges.

The career mode is great fun, and you can complete the Jordan challenge for extra kudos.

While it has received mostly favourable reviews from critics, players seem to enjoy it, although microtransactions can make it expensive.