Stat: US Gen Alpha favour consoles over mobiles for game play

US – Despite assumptions that mobile gaming dominates among young people, a new US report reveals that Generation Alpha are leading the charge in console game play – signalling a surprising shift in platform preference.

According to The Entertainment Software Association’s Essential Facts report, children under 18 now represent 23% of the US gaming audience – some 46.4m players. Challenging the assumption that they favour smartphones, 69% of Gen Alpha game on consoles, more than Gen Z (65%) and Millennials (60%).

Notably, Gen Alpha also show the highest engagement with VR devices (14%) and the second-highest with mobiles (85%) – painting a picture of a fluid, cross-platform generation of gamers. In terms of genre, their preferences lean towards arcade games (67%), puzzles (66%) and action titles (62%), while Gen Z opt for shooters (58%).

Gaming has also become a shared family ritual, with 82% of US parents playing with their children and over half (52%) doing so weekly. Many see gaming as a more constructive alternative to social media, citing its benefits for problem-solving and creative thinking.

As highlighted in our recent report SXSW London 2025: Gaming and Brand Strategy, the global video games market is projected to exceed £226.4bn ($307bn, €261bn) by 2029, with over 3bn gamers worldwide. This continued rise, alongside the staying power of classic formats like consoles and PCs, reflects a moment of future nostalgia – where gaming’s next frontier evolves in parallel with its roots.