In the video game industry, 2021 saw the release of many new titles. The numerous delays in software and hardware releases due to the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic heavily impacted development schedules, leading to several games being delayed into 2022 or even postponed indefinitely. Additionally, computer and console hardware were impacted by the combined effects of a semiconductor shortage (partially from post-COVID-19 effects) and a rising growth of bitcoin mining that strained the supply of critical components.
Financial performance According to market research firm Newzoo, the global video game market reached total revenues of , a 1.4% growth from 2020. Of this, 52% of the revenue was attributed to the mobile game market and the larger growth over the prior year, 28% to the console games market (including hardware and software), and 20% to the personal computer market.
Largest markets According to market research firm Newzoo, the following countries were the largest video game markets in 2021.
RankCountryRevenuePlayers1China$46,010,000,000685,480,0002United States$40,540,000,000191,120,0003Japan$22,090,000,00075,620,0004South Korea$7,550,000,00033,010,0005Germany$5,870,000,00046,120,0006United Kingdom$5,310,000,00037,660,0007France$4,130,000,00038,080,0008Canada$3,690,000,00020,980,0009Italy$3,290,000,00036,550,00010Spain$2,330,000,00029,730,000
Highest-grossing mobile games The following titles are the top ten highest-grossing mobile games of 2021.
RankGameRevenuePublisher(s)Genre(s)1PUBG Mobile / Game for Peace$2,900,000,000Tencent / KraftonBattle royale2Honor of Kings / Arena of Valor$2,800,000,000TencentMOBA3Genshin Impact$1,900,000,000miHoYoAction RPG4Roblox Mobile$1,400,000,000Roblox CorporationGCS, MMO5Coin Master$1,400,000,000Moon ActiveCasual, Casino6Pokémon Go$1,300,000,000NianticAR7Candy Crush Saga$1,300,000,000King Puzzle8Garena Free Fire$1,200,000,000GarenaBattle royale9Uma Musume Pretty Derby$990,000,000CygamesSimulation, Sports10Three Kingdoms Tactics$931,000,000Alibaba Group / Koei Tecmo4X
Highest-grossing games in China The following titles were 2021's top six highest-grossing video games in China.
Rank Game Revenue Genre Platform(s) Publisher1Honor of Kings$2,600,000,000MOBAMobileTencent2PUBG Mobile / Peacekeeper Elite$1,700,000,000Battle royale3League of Legends$1,100,000,000MOBAPC4Dungeon Fighter Online$876,000,000Beat 'em up5Crossfire$795,000,000FPS6Fantasy Westward Journey$713,000,000MMORPGMobileNetEase
Best-selling premium games by region The following titles were 2021's top ten best-selling premium games by region (excluding microtransactions and free-to-play titles) on PC and console platforms, for Japan, the United States, and Europe.
RankJapanUnited StatesEurope1Monster Hunter RiseCall of Duty: VanguardFIFA 222Pokémon Brilliant Diamond / Shining PearlCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold WarGrand Theft Auto V3Momotaro Dentetsu: Showa, Heisei, Reiwa Mo Teiban!Madden NFL 22FIFA 214Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's FuryPokémon Brilliant Diamond / Shining PearlCall of Duty: Vanguard5Ring Fit AdventureBattlefield 2042Mario Kart 8 Deluxe6Mario Kart 8 DeluxeSpider-Man: Miles MoralesRed Dead Redemption 27Minecraft: Nintendo Switch EditionMario Kart 8 DeluxeSuper Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury8Animal Crossing: New HorizonsResident Evil VillageCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War9Mario Party SuperstarsMLB The Show 21Assassin's Creed Valhalla10Super Smash Bros. UltimateSuper Mario 3D World + Bowser's FurySpider-Man: Miles Morales
Top-rated games Critically acclaimed games Metacritic is an aggregator of video game journalism reviews. It generally considers expansions and re-releases as separate entities.
+Releases scoring 90/100 or higher on Metacritic in 2021 Title Developer(s) Publisher(s) Release Platform(s) Average score Disco Elysium: The Final Cut ZA/UM October 15, 2021 WIN 97 The House in Fata Morgana - Dreams of the Revenants Edition Novectacle Limited Run Games April 9, 2021 NS 96 Tetris Effect: Connected Monstars, Resonair, Stage Games Enhance Games October 8, 2021 WIN 94 Hades Supergiant Games August 13, 2021 PS5, XSX/S 93 Forza Horizon 5 Playground Games Xbox Game Studios November 5, 2021 XSX/S 92 Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker Square Enix Creative Business Unit III Square Enix December 7, 2021 WIN 92 Forza Horizon 5 Playground Games Xbox Game Studios November 9, 2021 WIN 91 Psychonauts 2 Double Fine Xbox Game Studios August 25, 2021 XBO 91 Microsoft Flight Simulator Asobo Studio Xbox Game Studios July 27, 2021 XSX/S 90 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 Vicarious Visions Activision September 4, 2021 PS5 90 Chicory: A Colorful Tale Greg Lobarov Finji June 10, 2021 WIN 90 Mass Effect Legendary Edition BioWare Electronic Arts May 14, 2021 XBO 90 Chicory: A Colorful Tale Greg Lobarov Finji December 15, 2021 NS 90 Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker Square Enix December 7, 2021 PS5 90
Major awards Category/Organization 39th Golden Joystick Awards The Game Awards 2021 25th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards 22nd Game Developers Choice Awards 18th British Academy Games Awards Game of the Year Resident Evil Village It Takes Two Inscryption Returnal Independent / Debut Indie Death's Door Kena: Bridge of Spirits Unpacking Valheim Toem Debut Kena: Bridge of Spirits Mobile League of Legends: Wild Rift Genshin Impact Pokémon Unite colspan="3" rowspan="2" VR/AR Resident Evil 4 VR Lone Echo II Artistic Achievement Animation Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Deathloop Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Art Direction Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart The Artful Escape Audio Music Resident Evil Village Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139... Returnal Unpacking Returnal Sound Design Forza Horizon 5 Returnal Returnal Character or Performance Leading Role Maggie Robertson as Lady DimitrescuResident Evil Village Lady Dimitrescu Resident Evil Village colspan="2" rowspan="2" Jane Perry as SeleneReturnal Supporting Role Kimberly Brooks as Hollis ForsythePsychonauts 2 Game Direction or Design Game Design rowspan="2" Deathloop It Takes Two It Takes Two Inscryption Game Direction Deathloop Narrative Life Is Strange: True Colors Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Psychonauts 2 Unpacking Technical Achievement colspan="2" Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Multiplayer/Online It Takes Two Halo Infinite colspan="2" It Takes Two Action Returnal Halo Infinite rowspan="2" colspan="3" Adventure Metroid Dread Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Family It Takes Two Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart colspan="2" Chicory: A Colorful Tale Fighting Guilty Gear Strive rowspan="5" colspan="3" Role-Playing Tales of Arise Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker Sports/Racing Sports rowspan="2" Forza Horizon 5 Mario Golf: Super Rush Racing Forza Horizon 5 Strategy/Simulation Age of Empires IV Social Impact Life Is Strange: True Colors colspan="2" Boyfriend Dungeon Before Your Eyes Special Award Ultimate Game of All Time rowspan="2" Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Ambassador Award Lifetime Achievement BAFTA Fellowship Dark Souls Ed Boon Phil Spencer Steven Spohn Yuji Horii
Major events