When it comes to popular games in India, some of the top titles are global favorites and others are steeped in local traditions. For example, PUBG Mobile is the country’s most popular mobile game—much as it is in other countries like South Korea, Japan, and the US. Other games, like kancha and kabbadi, are considered unique to India.
Still, considering India is home to 1.38 billion people, even the smallest gaming trends can take off and build a massive following. Today, the emphasis is on digital gaming, from PC titles to mobile apps. However, other games, from card games to board games, still qualify as entertainment-based competitions.
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India has more than a few unique games that have gained popularity in the last five years—but not all mirror the popular games gaining steam in other countries. Keep reading for the top new games that Indian competitors are diving into.
Card Games: Poker
Worldwide, poker is one of the most popular card games. The game is played at brick-and-mortar casinos, as well as through online platforms. Top tournaments are televised by major networks, while smaller regional competitions also garner huge attention. So, why is India just now jumping on the bandwagon?
Two words: teen patti. The card game has been a staple in India for decades. While teen patti also shares an origin in three-card brag, poker hand rankings and different variations tend to be a bit more involved. This has presented a barrier for some players but, with added coverage, poker is now seeing a surge in popularity.
Video Games: Raji: An Ancient Epic
Since its release in 2020, Raji: An Ancient Epic has put India on the video gaming map. Compared to other Asian countries like Indonesia and China, India has taken a back seat to major video game design and production in the last decade. However, Nodding Heads Games’ release of Raji puts Indian culture into the heart of its design and gameplay.
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The game is set in Pune and features plenty of inspiration from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, including appearances from major gods and goddesses in the Hindu pantheon. Though the game didn’t score the highest marks with Metacritic and other publications, it’s become a hit in India since the release of its Hindi dub.
Mobile Games: Battlegrounds Mobile India
The global success of PUBG Mobile has led to regional developments, including an India-specific Battlegrounds Mobile India. In other words, it’s the same PUBG format—but built specifically for players located in India. This July, the Google Play Store reported the game had over 100 million downloads since its release in 2021.
However, the game was shortly after removed from the Google Play and Apple App Store. The ban has been widely discussed, though there hasn’t been any official statement declaring why it took place. The ban mirrors the removal of the original PUBG Mobile game, which has led some to suspect an issue with the game’s developer, South Korea’s KRAFTON.
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Game Shows: The Indian Game Show
Bharti Singh is taking her hold on Indian television and transferring it to her YouTube channel to launch a new show: The Indian Game Show. The idea is simple: use Bharti’s celebrity connections to create a riveting new game show that will cater to her 1.5 million YouTube followers.
So, what is the premise and how has the show gained popularity? The show sees Bharti and Haarsh Limbachiyaa interview celebrities like Faizu and Priyank Sharma, who then go on to compete in hilarious competitions to win prizes. The show has gained popularity for both of these reasons: bringing on household names, then seeing how they fare in a series of mini-trials.
Whether running across a series of unstable platforms or sliding into a pit of balls, the show brings out the best in its celebrity guests. By not taking itself too seriously, it’s putting a new spin on non-fiction TV—and on the classic game show setup.
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