In search of your next esports game? This page has all the data you need to make an informed decision. You can see the top games in every genre, and view important info related to prize pool, viewership, tournaments, and more!
What Are Esports Games?
Esports games are video games played in organized, competitive tournaments by professional or amateur players. Players can compete individually or in teams depending on the type of video game.
The biggest esports games are associated with tournaments where players can win substantial prize money. Popular genres include Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas (MOBA), fighting, shooting, simulation, strategy, role-playing, and puzzle games.
List of Esports Games By Genre
Below, we’ve provided comprehensive lists of every available genre, along with the best options in each. Our entries range from popular esports games to lesser-known titles. Feel free to sort and filter the tables’ data however you like.
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) Games
These are games where two teams, usually five players each, control unique heroes with special abilities to fight on a map, aiming to destroy the enemy’s base. The focus is on teamwork, character progression (leveling, items), and objective-based combat.
Popular MOBA games like League of Legends, Dota 2, Honor of Kings, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, dominate the esports industry in terms of viewership and price money. In fact, League of Legends World Championship and Dota 2’s The International are the most viewed esports tournaments in the world.
| NAME | PLATFORM | PRIZE POOL | TOURNAMENTS | MONTHLY ACTIVE PLAYERS | PEAK VIEWERS | BIGGEST TOURNAMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League of Legends | PC | $14,700,000 | 134 | 18,600,000 | 6,800,000 | LoL World Championship (Worlds) |
| Dota 2 | PC/Console | $22,400,000 | 116 | 18,400,000 | 1,800,000 | The International |
| Smite | PC/Console | $400,000 | 4 | 20,000+ | 134,000 | Smite World Championship |
| Arena of Valor | Mobile | $2,400,000 | 24 | 11,000,000 | 1,043,000 | Arena of Valor International Championship |
| Honor of Kings | Mobile | $20,400,000 | 52 | 260,000,000 | 696,000 | Honor of Kings International Championship |
| Pokémon Unite | Mobile/Console | $2,000,000 | 52 | 7,600,000 | 92,000 | Pokémon UNITE World Championships |
| Mobile Legends: Bang Bang | Mobile | $6,823,000 | 121 | 32,400,000 | 5,680,000 | M7 World Championship |
| League of Legends: Wild Rift | Mobile | $8,000 | 3 | 6,000,000 | 478 | Wild Rift League (WRL) Asia |
| Eternal Return | PC | $30,000 | 14+ | 20,000 | 27,931 | Eternal Return Season Finals |
Fighting Games
These video games feature two or more characters engaging in close-quarters combat, typically in the form of 1v1 matches. For any player, the goal is to deplete their opponent’s health bar using timed button presses and directional inputs to execute attacks, blocks, and special moves.
Unlike other types of esports games, the competitive scene of fighting games is typically offline. Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Tekken and other titles in the genre heavily feature in-person tournaments that last for days. The Evolution Championship Series (Evo), one of the largest annual esports events in the world, and focuses exclusively on fighting games.
| NAME | PLATFORM | PRIZE POOL | TOURNAMENTS | MONTHLY ACTIVE PLAYERS | PEAK VIEWERS | BIGGEST TOURNAMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street Fighter 6 | PC/Console | $3,155,000 | 77 | 18,800 | 442,000 | Capcom Cup |
| Tekken 8 | PC/Console | $1,329,000 | 48 | 5,300 | 276,000 | Tekken World Tour |
| Super Smash Bros | Console | $258,000 | 52 | 1500+ | 110,000 | Supernova |
| Mortal Kombat 1 | PC/Console/Mobile | $42,000 | 3 | 1421 | 65,400 | Final Kombat |
| Guilty Gear | PC/Console | $177, 000 | 9 | 1,375 | 131,000 | ARC World Tour |
| Dragon Ball FighterZ | PC/Console | $9,000 | 3 | 1200 | 13,000 | DBFZ World Tour |
| The King of Fighters XV | PC/Console | $1,072,400 | 13 | 12,000 | 30,000 | SNK World Championship |
| BlazBlue: Central Fiction | PC/Console/Mobile | $3,355 | 5 | 270 | 1525 | ARC World Tour |
| Granblue Fantasy Versus | PC/Console | $64,600 | 5 | 460 | 37,800 | ARC World Tour |
| Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage | PC/Console | $60,200 | 34 | 398 | 15,000+ | VIRTUA FIGHTER Open Championship |
| Samurai Shodown | Console | $512,350 | 3 | 3000 | 10,600 | SNK World Championship |
| Skullgirls | Console/Mobile | $20,000 | 3 | 500+ | 3,600 | Skullgirls World Championship |
| Killer Instinct | PC/Console | $3000 | 5 | 300+ | 6,600 | KI Ultra Tour |
| Brawlhalla | Console/Mobile | $55,600 | 7 | 9,563 | 35,000+ | Brawlhalla World Championship (BCX) |
| Rivals of Aether | PC/Console | $20,000 | 1 | 498 | 30,000 | Rivals Championship Series (RCS) |
| Dead or Alive 6 | Console | $5,000 | 2 | 300+ | 1,844 | TNS Dead or Alive 6 Tournament |
| Under Night In-Birth | PC/Console | $36,700 | 3 | 200+ | 18,200 | ARC World Tour (AWT) |
| 2XKO (Project L) | PC/Console | $98,000 | 7 | 2,087 | 40,700 | 2XKO Competitive Series |
| Street Fighter IV | PC/Console | $3,155,00 | 77 | 19,257 | 354,000 | The Capcom Cup |
| Marvel vs. Capcom 3 | PC/Console | $30,000 | 1 | 180+ | 63,500 | Evo (Evolution Championship Series) |
Shooting Game
A shooting game, or shooter, is a type of action game where the main gameplay focuses on aiming and firing weapons to defeat enemies or targets. Players rely on reflexes, accuracy, positioning, and sometimes strategy. There are two main subgenres of shooting games in esports:
- First-person shooter (FPS): The player’s view is from the character’s eyes. Examples are Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Call of Duty, and Halo.
- Third-person shooter: The player’s view is from behind the character. Examples are Fortnite, Garena Free Fire, and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG).
Competitive shooting games are extremely popular. And offer some of the highest paying esports tournaments.
| NAME | SUBGENRE | PLATFORM | PRIZE POOL | TOURNAMENTS | MONTHLY ACTIVE PLAYERS | PEAK VIEWERS | BIGGEST TOURNAMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counter-Strike | FPS | PC | $31,017,000 | 538 | 1,092,570 | 1,789,000 | Counter-Strike Major Championships |
| Valorant | FPS | PC | $10,441,600 | 251 | 28,512,418 | 1,473,600 | Valorant Champions |
| Call of Duty | FPS | PC/Console | $5,967,800 | 30 | 31,909 | 353,500 | Call of Duty League (CDL) Championship |
| Call of Duty: Warzone | FPS | PC/Console | $3,320,300 | 56 | 31,909 | 333,100 | World Series of Warzone (WSOW) |
| Call of Duty: Mobile | FPS | Mobile | $1,654,800 | 19 | 6,300,000 | 26,600 | Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship |
| Overwatch | FPS | PC/Console | $2,851,500 | 46 | 14,782,656 | 177,000 | Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS) |
| Rainbow Six Siege | FPS | PC/Console | $9,045,400 | 132 | 75,210 | 379,400 | The Six Invitational |
| Halo | FPS | PC/Console/Mobile | $2,019,000 | 13 | 1558 | 118,500 | Halo Championship Series (HCS) |
| Apex Legends | FPS | PC/Console | $6,121,100 | 28 | 112,822 | 540,400 | Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) Championship |
| Quake Champions | FPS | PC | $3,000 | 4 | 205 | 350 | 250FPS Quake Live League |
| Team Fortress 2 | FPS | PC/Console | $5000 | 1 | 49,369 | 600 | Physgun Fireside Denver |
| CrossFire | FPS | PC | $6,264,000 | 24 | 1542 | 29,800 | CrossFire Stars (CFS) |
| Point Blank | FPS | PC/Mobile | $100,000 | 3 | 150,00+ | 17,300 | Point Blank International Championship (PBIC) |
| Fortnite | TPS | Console | $10,998,000 | 191 | 1,000,000+ | 947,700 | Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS) |
| PUBG: Battlegrounds | TPS | PC/Console | $7,922,000 | 116 | 337,770 | 817,800 | PUBG Global Championship (PGC) |
| PUBG Mobile | TPS | Mobile | $12,865,700 | 178 | 69,600,000 | 1,389,000 | PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC) |
| Marvel Rivals | TPS | PC/Console | $4,470,870 | 39 | 65,664 | 175,960 | Ignite Grand Finals |
| Splatoon 3 | TPS | Console | $3,000+ | 5 | 1,000,000+ | 20,000+ | Splatoon 3 North American League |
| Free Fire | TPS | Mobile | $4,883,700 | 149 | 99,600,000 | 775,100 | Free Fire World Series (FFWS) |
Simulation Games
These titles let players mimic real-life activities or fantastical scenarios. They focus on realistic or exaggerated systems, allowing for learning and creative expression through interactive gameplay. Activities performed range from driving to building. Although there are several subgenres of simulation games, these are the most common ones in the competitive space:
- Sports: You get to play as real or fictional athletes. E.g., EA FC, NBA, and Rocket League.
- Racing: You compete in races by controlling a vehicle. E.g., Formula 1 and Gran Turismo Sport.
| NAME | SUBGENRE | PLATFORM | PRIZE POOL | TOURNAMENTS | MONTHLY ACTIVE PLAYERS | PEAK VIEWERS | BIGGEST TOURNAMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EA Sports FC | Sports | PC/Console | $2,883,000 | 24 | 41,143+ | 273,650 | FC Pro World Championship |
| EA Sports FC Online | Sports | PC | $849,600 | 2 | 114,000+ | 114,050 | FC Pro Champions Cup |
| NBA 2K | Sports | PC/Console | $1,205,000 | 7 | 20,118 | 28,330 | NBA 2K League |
| Rocket League | Sports | PC | $8,243,500 | 103 | 21,084 | 624,3100 | Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) |
| Madden NFL | Sports | PC/Console | $1,900,000 | 6 | 8,157 | 49,450 | Ultimate Madden Bowl |
| NHL 26 | Sports | PC/Console | $103,00 | 6 | 15,272+ | 20,400 | eHockey World Cup |
| eFootball | Sports | PC/Console/Mobile | $300,000 | 7 | 5,500,000 | 251,500 | eFootball™ Championship |
| MLB The Show | Sports | Console | $228,000 | 9 | 200,000+ | 33,822 | MLBTS Championship Series |
| iRacing | Racing | PC | $816 500 | 4 | 15,000+ | 17,500 | eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series |
| F1 (Formula 1) | Racing | PC/Console | $750,000 | 2 | 6,226 | 194,050 | F1 Sim Racing World Championship |
| Assetto Corsa Competizione | Racing | PC/Console | $1,359 | 4 | 2235 | 60,000+ | Ferrari HP Esports Series |
| Trackmania | Racing | PC/Console | $95,100 | 8 | 1,544 | 59290 | Esports World Cup (EWC) |
| rFactor 2 | Racing | PC | $386,000 | 11 | 700+ | 147,000+ | Le Mans Virtual Series |
| MotoGP | Racing | PC/Console | $0 | 1 | 352+ | 44,382 | MotoGP™ eSport Championship |
| RaceRoom Racing Experience | Racing | PC | $24,000 | 6 | 1,723+ | 1747 | DTM Esports Championship |
Strategy Games
With these games the focus is on planning, decision-making, and tactical thinking rather than reflexes or action speed. Success depends on how well players manage resources, anticipate opponents, and adapt their plans. They are not the most exciting games to watch, but they have developed a loyal fanbase. Examples of strategy games are Warcraft, StarCraft, Among Us, and Age of Empire. Card games (e.g Hearthstone, Magic: The Gathering, and Shadowverse) can be considered a subgenre, especially when they involve deck-building. Many people consider MOBAs to be a subgenre of strategy games.
| NAME | PLATFORM | PRIZE POOL | TOURNAMENTS | MONTHLY ACTIVE PLAYERS | PEAK VIEWERS | BIGGEST TOURNAMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| StarCraft II | PC | $1,103,284 | 331 | 150,00+ | 80,000 | Blizzard Classic Cup |
| StarCraft | PC | $37,640 | 8 | 20,000+ | 5,780 | Blizzard Classic Cup |
| Warcraft | PC | $362,150 | 168 | 100,000+ | 84,770 | Blizzard Classic Cup |
| Age of Empires | PC/Console/Mobile | $387,410 | 47 | 150,000+ | 52,490 | Red Bull Wololo: Londinium |
| Company of Heroes | PC/Console/Mobile | $2,000+ | 4 | 4,000+ | 1000+ | MetaPlays Company of Heroes |
| Total War: Warhammer III | PC | $15,000 | 6 | 32,000+ | 2000+ | Total Tavern Grand Championship |
| Hearthstone Battlegrounds | PC/Mobile | $656,000 | 4 | 2,800,000+ | 37,630 | Hearthstone World Championship |
| Teamfight Tactics | PC/Console/Mobile | $4,202,560 | 64 | 15,000,000+ | 227,040 | TFT Vegas Open |
| Clash Royale | Mobile | $814,370 | 10 | 12,000,000+ | 698,430 | Clash Royale League (CRL) World Finals |
| Clash of Clans | Mobile | $932,500 | 9 | 60,000,000+ | 74,310 | Clash of Clans World Championship |
| Supreme Commander | PC/Console | $6,000+ | 10+ | 13,500+ | 1,800+ | Legend of the Stars (LotS) |
| Command & Conquer | PC/Console/Mobile | 25,000+ | 2+ | 1500+ | 5,000+ | World Series 2026 |
| Beyond All Reason | PC | 1,00+ | 4 | 2000+ | 4000+ | The Dream Cup |
| Wargroove | PC/Console | $1000 | 4+ | 200+ | 400+ | Groove of War |
| SpellForce 3 | PC/Console | $5750 | 18 | 500+ | 2800+ | Rising Star League (RSL) |
| Heroes of Might and Magic III | PC/Mobile | $15,000+ | 20 | 2,481+ | 20,206 | Grandpa Tournament |
| StarCraft: Brood War | PC | $3,211,000 | 531 | 220,000+ | 150,000 | AfreecaTV StarCraft League (ASL) |
Role-Playing Games (RPG)
An RPG is a game where players take on the role of a character and progress through a story by completing quests, making choices, and developing abilities. Most RPGs rely on story-driven gameplay and world exploration, which hardly translates to competitive gaming. However, multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) sometimes have turn-based or real-time combat systems that are perfect for esports. Examples are Final Fantasy XIV and World of Warcraft.
| NAME | PLATFORM | PRIZE POOL | TOURNAMENTS | MONTHLY ACTIVE PLAYERS | PEAK VIEWERS | BIGGEST TOURNAMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World of Warcraft (Arena & MDI) | PC | $700,000 | 12 | 6,800,000 | 157,370 | BlizzCon Esports Finals |
| Path of Exile | PC/Console | $0 | 4 | 76,000 | 448,922 | ExileCon Race Finals |
| Black Desert Online | PC/Console/Mobile | $0 | 6+ | 21,597 | 54,000 | NA vs EU ShowdownNA vs EU Showdown |
| Albion Online | PC/Console/Mobile | $0 | 3 | 7,441 | 78,000+ | Crucible II |
| MapleStory | PC | $200,000+ | 8 | 65,176 | 80,945 | Maple Mayhem (Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling)Maple ConGlobal Stream Clash |
| Ragnarok Online | PC | $4,000 | 12+ | 2,000+ | 15,800 | Ragnarok Stars (ROS) |
| Dofus | PC | $13,000+ | 8+ | 1,000+ | 8,000+ | Dofus World Cup |
| Genshin Impact | PC/Console/Mobile | $40,000 | 5 | 17,150,000 | 11,000+ | Astra Carnival: The Prince Cup |
| Eternal Return | PC | $22,800+ | 6 | 7,935 | 5,000,+ | Eternal Return Masters (ERM) |
Puzzle Games
These titles challenge players to solve problems using logic, pattern recognition, and critical thinking rather than fast reflexes. Some of the games in this genre have been existing for decades. Tetris is a perfect example. Although its latest release was in 2024, the game has been around since 1988.
| NAME | PLATFORM | PRIZE POOL | TOURNAMENTS | MONTHLY ACTIVE PLAYERS | PEAK VIEWERS | BIGGEST TOURNAMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tetris (Classic Tetris World Championship) | PC/Console/Mobile/Arcade | $109,000 | 233 | 2,000,000+ | 76,000 | Classic Tetris World Championship |
| Tetris Effect | PC/Console/Mobile | $902 | 4 | 300+ | 14,000+ | WPL Championship |
| Puyo Puyo Champions | PC/Console | $6,361+ | 3+ | 200+ | 22,668 | Puyo Puyo Grand Prix Final |
| Tetris 99 | Console | $0 | 4+ | 400,000 | 4,000+ | The Maximus Cup (The Grand Prix in Europe) |
| Minesweeper championships | PC | $5,000 | 9 | 80,000+ | 3,000+ | World Championship (IMESA)Minesweeper World Championship (IMESA) |
| Sokoban variants | PC/Console/Mobile | $0 | 5+ | 1,000+ | 200+ | MF8 Sokoban Competition |
FAQs
What Are Esports Games?
Esports games are video games played competitively. Players compete in tournaments for prizes, rankings, or recognition. These games often have large global audiences.
What Is the Most Popular Esports Game?
The most popular esports game is League of Legends. Its tournaments regularly features millions in viewership and prize money. Last year, the LoL World Championship had a peak viewership of over 6 million views.
What Are the Main Genres in Esports Games?
Common genres include:
- First-person shooters (FPS)
- Multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA)
- Battle royale
- Fighting games
- Sports simulation
How do I Start Playing Esports Games?
Start your esports gamer journey by choosing a game you enjoy. Practice regularly and learn the basics. You can also watch tutorials and follow pro players to improve.
