GAMIVO, a platform specialized in selling discounted digital products, particularly video games, has just published its research. The analysis of video game sales in 2025 highlights a strong consumer preference for contemporary titles. A substantial 60% of purchases comprised games released in 2021 or later. Older, yet still relatively recent, releases also accounted for a significant portion. 28% originating from the 2016-2020 period and 10% from 2011-2015. Conversely, games launched 15 years ago or earlier accounted for only 2% of sales. Industry experts note that these distribution patterns are consistent with market trends.
New releases boost the market
Pawel Zemka, CRO at GAMIVO, states, “While most classic titles are available digitally, games released in the past five years are overwhelmingly dominant. This is because gamers want to stay up-to-date, and the latest releases, particularly new entries in popular franchises, boost the entire industry. The amount of buzz caused by every piece of information about GTA VI proves this tendency.”
The numbers generated by the 2025 bestsellers prove that gamers love new releases and don’t want to wait too long after the premiere. For instance, Capcom revealed that Monster Hunter Wilds sold 10 million copies during its first month on the market. A staggering 80% of those purchases were made in only the first three days of the release.
“Unlike movieholics, gamers don’t have the time pressure and don’t have to be afraid that they won’t be able to buy the game a few weeks after the release. Nonetheless, they don’t want to wait. On GAMIVO.com, this tendency is particularly visible, since the platform offers the latest titles below the official price, which makes it a go-to place when the games’ prices are the highest,” indicates Pawel Zemka.
Gamers love retro
GAMIVO’s research reveals that while some people enjoy playing old games, nostalgia for retro titles often manifests in other ways. For some, it’s about collecting sealed copies of classic games or vintage consoles. However, many gamers prefer indulging their love for retro gaming through themed merchandise featuring their favorite characters. Businesses have picked up on this trend, offering a wide range of products, from clothing to collectibles. A few years ago, most console manufacturers released mini versions of their classic systems. Even Lego hopped on this bandwagon, offering sets designed to recreate iconic consoles, including Game Boy, Atari 2600, Pac-Man Arcade, and NES.
A marginal popularity of old classics also stems from the possible technical issues. Players are afraid that games released in the 2000s or earlier won’t run smoothly on their systems. Some iconic titles have never received patches optimized for modern PCs. Fortunately, in most cases, the community provides fixes; however, many gamers would rather buy a different title than risk spending hours forcing a classic release to work properly. And this is where nostalgia enters the stage.
A GAMIVO representative notes that nostalgia's most pronounced effect on gaming is observable in the recent lineup of game premieres.
“People don’t have to buy old releases to experience the most beloved adventures because we live in the golden age of remasters, remakes, and reboots. Every month, new old games gain new life and, thanks to visual and gameplay enhancements, appeal to old fans and younger players,” explains Pawel Zemka.
In 2025, numerous classic titles like Oblivion, System Shock 2, Neverwinter Nights 2, Heretic, Gears of War, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4, and Tomb Raider IV–VI were re-released or remastered. Beyond these direct revivals, many contemporary games intentionally echo the aesthetics and mechanics of bygone decades. Prime examples include the burgeoning categories of "boomer shooters" and pixel-art Metroidvanias, which demonstrate a strong nostalgic appeal.
“It shows that when it comes to gaming, nostalgia can go hand in hand with the desire for development and playing new games,” concludes Pawel Zemka.
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Company Name: Gamivo.com Limited
Contact Person: Andrzej Bazylczuk
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Country: Malta
Website: https://www.gamivo.com
