Playing games online, whether it’s on a desktop, mobile device or game console, is a popular pastime for many people in the UK. But why is it that the same games dominate the top of the download lists every year?
Are Brits not interested in anything new? It’s not that. UK residents love the familiar; nostalgia is also a massive part of UK culture, and games fit into that. For a society that’s known for being busy and having long daily commutes, easy access to entertainment is vital.
Here are the real reasons games like Candy Crush will never go out of fashion in the UK.
Why UK Players Gravitate to Recognisable Formats
Playing games is the way many UK folks choose to relax and switch off. Games that are too complicated, with days-long tutorials and numerous keystrokes required for effective gameplay, are pushed aside. Instead, players want games they can pick up and play with virtually no learning curve.
This assumption is confirmed by recent download figures. The statistics speak for themselves:
- Block Blast (Tetris clone) topped UK downloads in 2025 with 4.6 million installs. It’s a straightforward block puzzle that can be picked up in seconds and played confidently in minutes.
- Candy Crush Saga celebrated its 13th birthday in 2025, and in the UK, it still sits in the top 3 in casual games. The familiar match-3 format with seemingly endless levels remains a firm favourite as it’s so easy to play.
- Subway Surfers also celebrated its 13th birthday in 2025. This endless runner game, which requires zero learning, remains among the top-most downloaded games year on year.
Narrative-heavy games, popular with younger generations, that require players to remember complex storylines and controls are the polar opposite of arcade-style formats, which allow complete flexibility. Story-driven games feel like they penalise players for taking breaks (for example, return after a week and you’ve forgotten the plot, lost your strategy or need to replay tutorials). But with Block Blast or Candy Crush, each session stands alone.
However, it’s not just their ease of use that appeals to UK players. In a country built on tradition and heritage, nostalgia plays a key part.
Nostalgia and Cultural Touchpoints
Anyone who was around in the UK in the 1980s would have visited or at least heard of game arcades. Whether it was a mum taking her kids or high-school sweethearts on their first date, game arcades hold a significant place in people’s hearts from that era.
It felt at the time that arcades were found on every street corner and in most shopping malls, cinemas and bowling alleys. Seasidetowns were major draws for weekend and holiday visitors, and locations like Blackpool, Skegness, Brighton and Great Yarmouth were famous for their arcade culture.
Many of the arcade games of those days have been transformed into modern-day versions, and UK players with nostalgia in their hearts download them in droves. Classic games like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and Space Invaders are now playable on mobile, browser and consoles and have been modernised to fit these devices. They’re so popular that providers like Antstream Arcade have over 1,300 licensed retro titles.
These arcades also had low-stakes gaming machines with flashing lights and spinning reels, which set the scene for today’s popular online gaming platforms. According to the UK Gambling Commission, 42% of 45-54 year olds and 42% of 55-64 year olds gamble online. It’s no coincidence that these are the same people who may have visited those seaside arcades decades ago, playing penny falls and claw machines.
Mobile Gaming and British Daily Routines
The same arcade-style games that dominated the 1980s fit perfectly into modern British routines. Many people in the UK play games to stave off the boredom of a long commute, so they may play the same game for a specific time every day and leave it again until the following day. The majority of these titles are played on mobile devices.
The ideal games for these players are the ‘pick up where you left off’ ones. These games require no ‘story catch-up’ or complex mission tracking that wastes time for players figuring out where they left off. The beauty of these games is that they can play one round or twenty, and there’s no penalty for stopping.
Commute time provides an ideal opportunity to search for games to play when they’re settled and more focused. With a world of options out there, it’s not easy to know where to get advice. Games forums are popular places to start for traditional games, while those looking for some reel-spinning action can compare online casinos available in the UK on Casinos.com.
Mobile games for a quick fix have a ‘one more go’ concept. These games are addictive without being complex, as they contain quick feedback loops letting you know immediately if you’ve succeeded or failed. They’re also designed to have short rounds requiring low commitment per attempt, allowing for better and more immersive gameplay.
The Future of Digital Gaming in the UK
In the future, will new titles gain popularity? Yes, they will, but primarily with Gen Z and Gen Alpha. They don’t have any nostalgic memories of spending time in seaside arcades. These younger generations were brought up with phones and tablets as part of their daily lives. They’re the ones who seek out something bigger, better and more challenging than what they played yesterday.
However, 40% of the UK population are Gen X or Baby Boomers, and they’re the ones who’ll continue to ensure that Candy Crush, Block Blast and Subway Surfers remain at the top of the download list for years to come.
This demographic reality means game developers and platforms will continue prioritising familiar, accessible formats over complex innovations when targeting the UK market. The arcade-style game isn’t just surviving in the UK—it’s thriving, supported by millions who remember where it all began.
