With the rise of the gaming industry, developers have more leeway than ever to create edgy and interesting titles, as the March 2018 games trends show. In the always-wise words of The Game, the popular rapper from the early 2000s, consumers might hate it or love it, but the dev is on top, and those creators will keep making fascinating games until consumer interest in the industry stops.
Naturally, smash-hit game franchises have still been leveraging their universal popularity. For example, 'Pac-Man Sonic Dash' combines the two SEGA heroes into a single mobile game, which is far from an indie title. That said, perhaps the most exciting area of the industry is out on the fringes, where games like 'David Lynch Teaches Typing' and 'Level 99 Axe Rage' are redefining video game concepts.
Top 80 Games Trends in March
80
Home Arcade Cabinets
Arcade1Up Machines Will Bring Cabinet Games to the Home Market
79
Gravity-Bending Retro Games
'Jelly Mario Bros' Breaks the Original In a Fun and Hilarious Way
78
Retail-Based eSports Games
Sports Direct Will Host Live eSports Games Across Many of its Stores
77
Pocket-Sized Gaming Devices
The 'PocketSprite tiny Game Boy' Brings Nostalgia in a Mini Package
76
Next-Gen Smartphone Gamepads
The 'GameSir G5' Turns Your Device into the Optimal Game Console
75
Professional eSports Athlete Keyboards
The Logitech G Pro Gaming Keyboard is Lightning Fast
74
Dungeon-Exploring Indie Games
'It Lurks Below' Blends Gameplay to Create a Unique Experience
73
Touch-Responsive Board Games
'Blinks' is a Lit-Up Social Board Game That is Fit for Any Age Group
72
Videogame-Inspired Snow Sculptures
A Final Fantasy Snow Sculpture is at the Sapporo Snow Festival
71
Virtual Subscription PCs
Blade 'Shadow Technology' Offers Access to Powerful Equipment
70
Business-Focused Video Games
The American Mall Game Focuses on the Death of Shopping Centers
69
Surreal Typing Games
'David Lynch Teaches Typing' is an Educational Game Based on the Director
68
Real-World Video Games
Moment Factory's Real-World Pong Brings Social Aspects Back to Gaming
67
Retro Game-Upgrading Consoles
The Hyperkin 'SupaRetroN HD' Console Plays Classic Cartridge Titles
66
Canine Cryptocurrency Concepts
CryptoDoggies is Yet Another Take on Crypto Tokens
65
Hallucination-Fighting Video Games
This Therapeutic Game Helps Soothe Schizophrenia Patients
64
Randomized Ruminant References
'Llama or Alpaca?' Asks a Simple Yet Difficult Question
63
Gaming-Centric Cryptocurrencies
Atari Token is the Latest Venture from the Iconic Game Publisher
62
Powerfully Compact Gaming PCs
The Compulab 'Airtop2 Inferno' Boasts a Silent Fanless Design
61
Fake News Video Games
'Bad News' Hopes to Stop Misinformation By Teaching People How It Works
60
Apocalyptic Battle Royale Games
Fear the Wolves Twists the Battle Royale Genre With a Unique World
59
Monster-Fighting Robot Games
'Into the Breach' Lets Players Fulfill Their Kaiju-Slaying Dreams
58
Anime-Inspired Video Games
'The World Next Door' is the First Title by Viz Media
57
Superhero AR Games
Hasbro's Hero Vision Iron Man AR Helmet Lets Players Become the Iconic Hero
56
Video Game Art Marketplaces
Fans Love You is an eCommerce Platform for Video Game Artwork
55
Fashion-Focused Style Assistants
The Amazon Echo Look Uses Machine Learning to Curate Fashion
54
2D Sidescrolling Action Games
Level 99 Axe Rage Draws Inspiration From B-Movies For Intense Fun
53
Detailed Fantasy Gaming Currency
Rare Elements Creates Coins and Tokens That Enhance Game Play
52
Fully Adjustable Gaming Chairs
The Corsair T2 Road Warrior is Comfortable for All Body Types
51
Brewery-Created Mobile Games
Learn What Its Like to Run a Brewery Through 'Brew Money Inc.'
50
Pre-Built Performance PCs
The Corsair One Gaming Pc Come in Two Flavors Both with Impressive Specs
49
Snack-Dispensing Arcade Machines
SNACKADE Offers a "Playable Food Delivery" Experience
48
Resurrected LAN Cafes
The Waypoint Cafe is Reinventing the LAN Cafe for the Modern Era
47
Real Life Video Games
Rocket League RC Cars are Set to Bring the Frantic Fun into the Real-world
46
Soda-Supported ESports
The e-COPA Coca-Cola Tournament Hopes to Discover the Next ESports Star
45
Nationwide eSports Leagues
The 'Japan Esports Union' is the First Cohesive eSports League in Japan
44
Mobile eSports Tournaments
The Arena of Valor World Cup is a Large-Scale Mobile eSports Event
43
Sneaker-Inspired Game Consoles
The Air Jordan-Inspired Xbox Consoles Celebrate Iconic Sneakers
42
Internet Interaction Video Games
'Dab on 'em Haterz' Helps Players Feel Better About Themselves
41
Video Game Viewing Promotions
Viewers can Earn Exclusive Overwatch League Tokens on Twitch
40
Soccer-Managing eSports
Bidstack's Football Manager Tournament Shows Real World Applications
39
eSports Apparel Partnerships
H4X.gg is the Offical eSports Apparel Sponsor for DreamHack and ESL
38
Meditative Art Games
Joy Exhibition Lets Players Show Off Art Skills to Alien Races
37
Free-Form Art Games
The Skuiggle Game Lacks Motivation But Offers Tons of Expression
36
Tongue-In-Cheek Horror Games
The SpookyCellar Horror Game Pokes Fun at Other Games in the Genre
35
Educational Video Game Updates
Assassins Creed Discovery Mode Teaches Players Egyptian History
34
Revived Rare Video Games
Donkey Kong 3: Daigyakushuu is Now Playable for Retro Game Fans
33
Digital eSports Trading Cards
Epics.gg Recently Received Funding to Launch eSports Memorabilia
32
eSport Cryptocurrency Initiatives
Unikrn Has Seen Progress in Its eSports Crpto Betting Goals
31
Immersive Dual-Functionality Headsets
The ASUS HC102 Windows Mixed Reality Headset is Powerful
30
ESports Communications Consultancies
The Story Mob Helps ESports Companies Build Better Brands
29
Australian ESports Events
Gfinity eSport Australia Has Formed a Partnership to Host Live Events
28
Classic Video Game Guides
Dark Horse's Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia Documents the Various Games
27
Fan Analytics Platforms
The FanAI Platform Helps Esports Teams to Harness Their Fanbases
26
ESports Racing Tournaments
NASCAR is Entering ESports With a Tournament Held on Race Weekends
25
Classic Video Game Tournaments
Warcraft III Has Been Revamped for Modern Competative eSports
24
Sci-Fi Exploration Games
'In Other Waters' Places Players on a Massive, Awe-Inspiring Alien World
23
Historically Driven Video Games
'A Case of Distrust' Embroils Players in a 1920's Mystery
22
Cubic AR Toys
PleIQ Combines Tangible Cube Toys with Augmented Reality Interactions
21
Chat-Driven Video Games
Indie Game STAY Has Players Chat with a Mysteriously Captured Man
20
Festive Video Game Updates
Overwatch's Lunar New Year Event Will Bring Several Themed Updates
19
Powerful Gaming Console Routers
The Linksys WRT32XB Router Reduces Ping Times by 65%
18
Gorgeous Low-Polygon Games
'The World Begins With You' Has Beautiful Aesthetics and Design
17
Collegiate eSports Tournaments
The Fiesta Bowl is Set to Become the Premier College eSports Event
16
Premium Console Game Apps
Mario Kart Tour will Bring the Classic Game to Smartphones in 2019
15
Island Survival Games
'Island Time VR' Challenges Players to Stay Alive After a Shipwreck
14
Conservation-Focused Games
The Polyventure Game Forces Players to Face an Uncomfortable World
13
Iconic Videogame Crossovers
Sonic the Hedgehog and Pac-Man Will Finally Crossover in Mobile Games
12
Heartwarming Indie Games
'All Our Asias' is a Beautiful Exploration on Cultural Identity
11
Romance-Driven RPGs
The Roguemance Game Combines Relationship Elements With Engaging Combat
10
Dynamic Video Game Replays
PUBG's Partnership with Minkonet Let Players Create 3D Replays
9
Live Game-Purchasing Services
Microsoft Mixer Lets Viewers Purchase Games They're Live-Streaming
8
Enamel Video Game Pins
These 'Fallout' Pins Feature Vault Boy from the Game's Perk Chart
7
European eSports Investments
Team Vitality Received Funding from Several Investment Firms
6
Noir Adventure Game Sets
Genesis Noir Takes Players on a Beautifully Illustrated and Surreal Quest
5
Family-Focused Indie Games
'Children of Morta' Blends Family Life With Monster Slaying Action
4
Folklore-Inspired Videogames
'Where the Water Tastes Like Wine' Whisks Players on a Wild Journey
3
Professional-Grade Streamer Microphones
The Razer Seiren Elite Boasts Plug-and-Play Operation
2
Arena-Sized Game Trailers
Sony's Projection-Mapping Trailer for God of War Debuted on an NBA Court
1
Martian Colony Games
Surviving Mars Tasks Players with Building and Sustaining an Off-World Colony
Related Ideas
Gaming-Themed Chocolate Partnerships
Kinder Joy and Nintendo Partnered on a Limited-Edition Range
Movie-Themed Kids Meals
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal Launches with Collectible Toys
Retro-Style Gaming Consoles
The PlayStation 5 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Marks a Milestone
Retro Gaming Experiences
My Arcade® is Showcasing the Gamestation Retro at CES 2025
Nostalgic Gamer Streetwear Collections
The New Era x PlayStation Range Has Hats, Hoodies and More
Multiplayer Mobile Game Updates
Subway Surfers is Getting a Competitive Multiplayer Mode
Retro Gaming Handhelds
Evercade Nexus Brings Physical Cartridges Back to Portable Gaming
Open-World Racing Games
Nintendo Announced 'Mario Kart World' With a New Format
High-Fashion Video Game Consoles
The Balenciaga Snake Game Marks the Lunar New Year
Shooter Game Console Releases
FragPunk Launches for Xbox and PlayStation on April 29
Retro Gaming Controllers
Hyperkin Partners with ModRetro for M64-Compatible Designs
Backward-Boost Gaming Systems
Nintendo’s Switch 2 Update Introduces a Handheld Boost Mode
Game-Based T-Shirt Capsules
UNIQLO's UT Launches an Archival 'Super Mario Series' Collection
Video Game Console Sneakers
The Nike AIR SNES Allows Fans to Actually Play Retro Games
Wig-Snatching Games
Exploding Kittens Teased a New Party Game Called 'Snatch Snatch Wig'
Video Game-Themed Chocolate Gifts
The Nintendo and Godiva Chocolates are Arriving in Japan
Nostalgic 90s-Inspired Gaming Consoles
Analogue 3D Funtastic Consoles Come in a Rainbow of Colors
Competitive Multiplayer Game Crossovers
Overwatch 2 Partnered with Persona 5 on New Event
Category-Defining Home Arcade Collections
Basic Fun! Debuts Its Inaugural Home Arcade Collection
Video Game-Inspired Summer Footwear
Wonic the Hedgehog and Crocs Launch a Shadow Classic Clog
Interactive Motorsport-Inspired Gaming Experiences
EB Games Boasts Mario Kart World in Montreal
Game-Honoring Energy Drink Branding
The Red Bull Tetris Can Celebrates the Game's 40th Anniversary
Branded Party-Game Characters
Netflix Adds Overcooked! All You Can Eat With Huntr/x Cast
Co-Branded Metaverse Games
Epic Games and Disney Launch 'Disneyland Game Rush' in Fortnite
AI-Driven Game Engines
Unity Announced a Natural Language Game-Building Tool for Developers
Nostalgic Gaming Devices
The Playdate Handheld Console Reimagines Retro Gameplay with Modernity
Interactive Toy Experiences
Spin Master Highlights Opportunities in the Toy Sector in 2026
Video Game-Themed Beverages
Candy Can and Bandai Namco Entertainment Partner on Exclusive Collab
Browser Game Platforms
RetroGames Lets Users Play Classic Console Games Online Instantly
Fandom Culture Retail Experiences
EB Games x Vibrant Marketing Launch an 'EB Trends' Store Concept
Action-Focused Spin-Off Series
Nippon Ichi Software Launches Disgaea Mayhem
Video Game-Inspired Makeup Ranges
The Pat McGrath Labs x Candy Crush Saga Range is Limited-Edition
Retro Pixelated Cafe Collections
Starbucks Introduces the Bearista Game Collection
Arcade Game-Inspired Tween Fashion
Justice Unveills a Limited-Edition PAC-MAN Collection
Face-to-Face Game Consoles
Board Merges the Best Features of Board Games and Video Games
Digital Staredown Games
Modern Human Habits Inspired TWIX's Second Screen Staredown
Game Icon Capsules
Timberland x Sonic the Hedgehog Boots and Tees Sprint into Limited Tokyo Drop
In-Car Gaming Experiences
Atari and AirConsole are Partnering to Bring Games to Volkswagens
Remastered Classic Arcade Games
Bandai Namco is Remaking Pac-Man World 2 with Enhancements
Gaming-Inspired Streetwear Ranges
The Kith x Marvel x Capcom Collection is Retro-Inspired
Digital Halloween Games
Google Celebrates Pac-Man’s 45th Anniversary with a Spooky Maze Doodle
Highly-Anticipated Extraction Shooters
'The Finals' Developers Released New 'Arc Raiders' Shooter
Gamer-Themed Soda Branding
Fanta and Xbox Partnered for Limited-Edition Pack Designs
Instant Gaming Platforms
Zeon Games & Studio Enables Instant Play Through Scroll-Based Gaming
Comprehensive Fast Food Reports
Yum! Brands, Inc. Explores Food Trends Influencing the Industry
Retro Plug-and-Play Games
Fizz Creations' Wireless Plug-and-Play Systems Appeal to Kidult Gamers
Cartoon Racing Party Games
Nintendo Announced 'Kirby Air Riders' for Switch 2 Devices
Cinematic Video Game Spots
Droga5’s ‘Wake Up’ Campaign for Xbox Shows an Escape from the Everyday
Stylized Fighting Game Launches
Riot Games is Releasing 2XKO On Consoles Worldwide on Jan 20th
Remastered Classic Rhythm Games
PlayStation's Patapon Game is Coming to Steam and Switch
Cartoon Summer Game Crossovers
Spongebob Crossovers Bring Bikini Bottom to Apple Arcade Games
Vibrant Retro Handheld Gaming
Retroid Designs the Pocket Classic Gaming Device
Gaming-Inspired Apparel
Uniqlo Celebrates Honor of Kings’ 10th Anniversary with Graphic Tee Drop
AI-Driven Full-Body Motion Games
HUUCH Expands Interactive Entertainment with New Tech
Celebratory Stacking Game Consoles
The Tetris Forever Handheld Video Game Console Marks 40 Years
Branded Button-Masher Games
Jägermeister's Ice Cold Justice Challenges Players to Defend Shots
Cinematic Horror Games
Supermassive Games Announced 'Directive 8020' for a 2026 Release
Casual Puzzle Games
Block Blast Games Offers Engaging Block-Matching Gameplay Online
Nostalgic Arcade Racing Apparel
The END. x Lacoste Collab Underscores Multigenerational Appeal
Spin-Off Adventure Games
Nintendo Announced 'Splatoon Raiders' as First In-World Spinoff
Impactful Gaming Experiences
Humanity Games Combines Retro Gameplay With Real-World Lessons
Roblox Popularity Trackers
Rotrends Shows What’s Popular on Roblox and Why
Mom-Focused Mobile Game Events
Avia Debuts a First-Of-Its-Kind Mom's Week in Solitaire Clash
Mobile Game Universe Expansions
King Expands Its Roster with Candy Crush Solitaire
Funded Mobile Development Studios
'Bigger Games' Raised $25M to Grow its Mobile Development
Mobile Retro-Inspired Consoles
The Atari Gamestation Go Plays Classics in a Portable Format
Sharable Digital Video Games
The Nintendo Switch Virtual Game Card Allows for Sharing
Psychological Horror Shooter Games
'Total Chaos' is a Doom-Inspired Indie Thriller Title
Casual Game Collections
PolyTrack Offers Access to Popular Games in One Platform
Collaborative Esports Tetris Tournaments
Red Bull and The Tetris Company Announce a Tournament
Streaming Service Brainteaser Games
Netflix Puzzled Will Feature Show-Themed Puzzles
Retro-Inspired Arcade Activations
Hotel X Toronto Revives Its Retro Arcade Installation
Social-Focused Childrens Games
Dragon Snacks Games' 'Solar Punk' Will Act as a Social Hub
Gaming Wearable Devices
Tetris Watch Combines Classic Gameplay with Smartwatch Features
Classic Snake Games
Snake Apple Game Explores History, Strategies, And Free Online Play Options
Digital Pet Video Games
Tamagotchi Plaza is Arriving on the Nintendo Switch
Online Gaming Portals
Best Website Games Offers Accessible Browser-Based Games Anytime
80s-Inspired Game Launches
Probablymonsters Debuts a New Title — Storm Lancers
Vibrant Game Console Covers
Sony's New 'Hyperpop' PS5 Covers are Bright and Stylish
Emerging Market Insights
Rising Trends Helps Discover Hidden Markets And Business Opportunities
Chef-Approved Video Games
Gordon Ramsay Finds His Zen Within the ‘Hay Day’ Ad
Indie Game Directories
Lovable Games Curates Unique Indie Games For Gamers And Developers
Cosmic Mobile Game Releases
Katamari Damacy is Receiving a New Iteration on Apple Arcade
Searchable Gaming Platforms
Search to Play Helps Users Discover, Track, And Share Video Games
Gaming-Inspired Food Partnerships
Nanak Foods and Nintendo of Canada Debut Their Collaboration
Best-Selling Console Sequels
Nintendo Dropped the Reveal Trailer for the 'Nintendo Switch 2'
Video Game-Inspired Donut Collections
Krispy Kreme and Bandai Launch a Limited Collection
Independent Rhythmic Puzzle Games
'Lumines Arise' is an Upcoming Indie Title from 'Enhance'
Interactive Game Advertisements
Samsung Ads GameBreaks Encourage Deeper Engagement
Retro-Inspired Platforming Games
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is Inspired by the NES Titles
Creator-Focused Game Launches
Ubisoft Launches a New Lineup of Siege X Co-Streamers
Futuristic Taxi Drifting Games
Current Games Drops 'Taxi Chaos 2'
Wild 3D Platforming Games
Donkey Kong is Back in 'Donkey Kong Bananza' On Nintendo Switch 2
Mascot Sumo Showdowns
Duolingo Launches Playful Event Featuring Gaming Icons and Cultural Mascots
Pachinko-Like Roguelike Games
Mister Morris Games Releases 'Pegs X Stickers'
Console-Collectible Toy Figurines
The PlayStation x BE@RBRICK 400% Celebrates Gaming Iconography
Interactive Word Games
Play And Share AI-Created Word Search Games Onchain With Prism
Retro Game Additions
Nintendo Adds Mario Clash, Mario’s Tennis and Mario Vs. Donkey Kong
Streaming Series Video Games
The 'Thronglets' Game is Inspired by a Black Mirror Episode
Nostalgic Gamer Donut Ranges
The Krispy Kreme x PAC-MAN Collection Celebrates the 45th Anniversary
Picture Book Platform Adventures
Nintendo Announces Yoshi and the Mysterious Book for Switch 2
Value-Minded Video Game Consoles
This Nintendo Switch MAR10 Day Bundle Celebrates the Console
Retro RPG Releases
The Original 1996 Diablo Game is Coming to PC Game Pass with Microsoft
Gothic Action Platformers
Crystal Dynamics Revives a Beloved Vampire Franchise with Two Releases
Arcade Leaderboard Initiatives
Dave & Buster's Introduces a Nationwide Leaderboard Initiative
Multi-Genre Multiplayer Games
'Shape of Dreams' Blends Popular MOBA and Roguelike Gameplay
Emoji Word Games
Quiz Blitz Turns Emoji Clues Into Addictive Word Challenges
Skill-Rewarding Action Games
Metroid Dread's Studio is Gearing Up to Release 'Blades of Fire'
Classic Board Game Remakes
Dungeons & Dragons Takes on a Celebratory Modernized Update
Horror Animated Games
The Scope Creep Turns Workplace Briefs into a Playable Horror Experience
Nostalgic Game Collections
The RIKI 8Bit GAME Collection Expands to Europe for the Nintendo Switch
Video Game-Centric Discovery Platforms
Criticdb Debuts a Video Game Review & Discovery Platform
Chaotic Cat-Themed Board Games
Exploding Kittens: The Board Game Reimagines a Viral Card Game
Rhythm-Based Game Collections
Nintendo Launches Rhythm Heaven Groove on Switch
Streaming Brand Trivia Games
The Roku Roklue Pop Culture Trivia Game Covers Movies and TV
Layered Online Content Reports
YouTube Defines Creative Maximalism as the Key Point After 20 Years
Narrative Retro Revivals
Truxton Extreme Adds Comic Storytelling to a Classic Arcade Game
Rhythm Game-Focused Studios
RedOctane Games Launched with a Specialty for Rhythm Games
Music-Driven Coming-Of-Age Games
Beethoven and Dinosaur’s Mixtape Releases This Upcoming May
Racing Strategy Games
Escape Road Combines Racing Thrills With Mental Challenge On Mobile
Engaging E-Soccer Video Games
Betby Announced Two New Soccer Titles for its Portfolio
Cultural Trivia Games
Culture King Turns Cultural Knowledge Into Fast-Paced Competition
Interactive Demo Platforms
Arcade Enables Fast Creation And Embedding Of Interactive Product Demos
Iconic Title Game Bundles
Humble Announced the 'Play the Legends' Bundle
Interactive Holiday Games
Easter Quest 2025 Creates Digital Scavenger Hunts For Families
Fake Video Gaming Essays
Super Eyepatch Wolf Explores Imaginary Gaming Worlds
Electronic Gaming Accessories Lineups
JSAUX Debuts Nintendo Console-Compatible Accessories
Archival Game-Honoring Books
Sony’s 30th Anniversary Book Uncovers Unseen Prototypes and Designs
Multiplayer Cartoon Soccer Games
Nintendo is Adding 'Super Mario Strikers' to NSO on Switch 2
Immersive Store Game Launches
Target Launches an In-Store Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Experience
Multiplayer Word Games
The New York Times Introduces Crossplay as a Multiplayer Word Game App
Gaming Platform Rebrands
Marblex Gaming Platform Rebrands with a Bold Focus on Fun and Community
Puzzle Game Apps
Ahhhh Weekly Crosswords Delivers Social Puzzle Games With Leaderboards
Immersive Genre-Bending Indie Games
Raiders of Blackveil Combines Multiple Gameplay Styles in One
Arcade Game Revivals
Snake Classic Revives The Arcade Game With Modern Features And Challenges
Timed Gameplay Trial Features
Google Play Introduced Game Trials for Sampling Game Titles
Word Game Apps
Describe The Word Uses AI Guessing To Power Fast-Paced Gameplay
Period-Spanning Game Worlds
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Revealed the Stranger Than Heaven Game
Shapeshifting Roguelike Mechanics
Ubisoft And Screen Juice Launch Morbid Metal On Early Access
Curated Surprise Game Seasons
Panic Announces Playdate Season Three for Episodic Game Releases