Given how immersive video games are, it's easy to see why some titles can blow up and become mega viral in no time. Players couldn't tear themselves away from these video games back when they came out.
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While open-world games are pretty straightforward in their design, these games did things that players were not expecting.
Even if these video games may not be all that popular anymore, the bulk of these experiences are still highly enjoyable to this day. Many people still fondly remember the times when these games took over the mainstream and became ridiculously popular.
Flappy Bird
A Mobile Game That Became So Viral Its Creator Had To Take It Down
Flappy Bird
- Released
- May 24, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Arcade
Flappy Bird is one of the most iconic video games of all time. From the moment this mobile game came out, fans couldn't get enough of timing their taps to get better scores.
The popularity of this game was so immense that the creator delisted this game because of how overwhelming things became. As one would expect, several Flappy Bird clones populated the market in no time, but none of them could capture lightning in a bottle much like the original.
Among Us
Blew Up During The Pandemic
Among Us
- Released
- June 5, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Mild Blood, Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Party Game
Among Us had been out for a while, but the pandemic helped open the floodgates when it came to this title's popularity. Fans loved the social detective game where players had to uncover the alien impostors who were hiding among the crew.
Fans couldn't get enough of this title as they engaged in multiple games with their friends and tried to uncover the impostors along the way. While Among Us may not be as popular as it used to be, it has already attracted a massive fanbase and made it viable to make an VR version of this amazing title.
Pokemon GO
An AR Game That Took Over The World By Storm
Pokémon GO
- Released
- July 6, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Augmented Reality, RPG
An augmented reality game that became one of pop culture's biggest phenomena, fans couldn't believe just how popular Pokemon GO had become when it launched. Real-life gyms turned into social hotspots that fans flocked to in droves.
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Capturing Pokemon in real-world locations let everyone channel the fantasy of being a Pokemon Master, as brief as this moment was. That being said, Pokemon GO is still being updated with content, making it clear that this amazing title won't be going away anytime soon.
World Of Warcraft
Was The Most Popular MMORPG Around For The Longest Time
World of Warcraft
- Released
- November 23, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence (online interactions not rated)
- Genre(s)
- MMORPG
World of Warcraft was the de facto MMORPG on the tips of everyone's tongues when this title was at the very height of its popularity. The launch of popular expansions like Cataclysm further cemented World of Warcraft as one of the most popular MMOs around, where players could get lost.
Over time, the popularity of this MMORPG waned somewhat, with heavy hitters like Final Fantasy 14 taking over this crown instead. However, that should take nothing away from the incredible legacy of World of Warcraft, which is still going strong to this day.
Overwatch
This Hero Shooter Broke New Ground When It Came Out
Overwatch
- Released
- May 24, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Use of Tobacco, Violence (online interactions not rated)
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
Words cannot express just how much of a major hit Overwatch was back when it launched. Blizzard spearheaded the launch of the first hero shooter that sparked a trend and opened the floodgates for both new and old FPS franchises to try their hand at this new genre.
Unfortunately, post-launch support was lacking, culminating in the disastrous launch of Overwatch 2 that has tanked the franchise's goodwill for good. Hopefully, Blizzard won't give up on an FPS series that has one of the most active communities around, since it would be such a wasted opportunity after the work put in by the first Overwatch to help stand out.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The Pandemic Ensured That This Animal Crossing Game Would Enjoy The Most Successful Launch In The Series
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Released
- March 20, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone / Comic Mischief, Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
While Animal Crossing games had always enjoyed successful launches, no one expected New Horizons to sell like hotcakes at release. The pandemic had a huge role to play in this and turned the latest Animal Crossing game into one of the most popular video games of all time.
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Players loved the idea of socializing in a cozy, virtual world, especially during a time when people were stuck at home. While post-launch support for this title has been lacking and eventually led to many players leaving this title, the heights it reached are something that no other Animal Crossing game will reach in quite some time.
Destiny 2
Recent Developments Shouldn't Take Away From How Engaging This Looter Shooter FPS Was
Destiny 2
- Released
- August 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For TEEN for Blood, Language, and Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
While Destiny had its issues, Bungie learned from its mistakes and helped develop one of the greatest live-service FPS games of all time with Destiny 2. The satisfying gunplay, excellent worldbuilding, and a wealth of content ensured that Destiny 2 wouldn't lose its relevance in the video game industry for quite some time.
It helped that Destiny 2's expansions were excellent and gave players an excuse to return to this title over and over again. The same can't be said for the current state of Destiny 2, with layoffs at Bungie making it clear that this amazing title would never reach the same heights it once did ever again.
Angry Birds
One Of The First Mobile Games To Blow Up In Popularity
Angry Birds
- Released
- December 11, 2009
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Shooter
Angry Birds is one of the most popular video game franchises of all time. Controlling various kinds of birds to take out the villainous pigs in every level made for a great and simple time.
It capitalized on the mobile gaming trend and became one of the first heavy-hitters on this platform. The arcade feel of its gameplay, coupled with the brainpower players had to use to take out tricky pigs, ensured that Angry Birds would be a game that players could enjoy over and over again.
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