Nintendo DS is gamers' top choice for a updated comeback, finds fibre broadband provider.
December 1, 2021
[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Game Developer and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press]
Author: Hyperoptic
A new study by Hyperoptic delves into gaming nostalgia, revealing the retro consoles gamers most want to see make a comeback
Almost two-thirds (61%) of gamers want the Nintendo DS to return, making it the most sought-after console, followed by the PlayStation 1 (60.6%) and 2 (57.9%)
The study also taps into the most in-demand retro games, with the 1991 version of Sonic the Hedgehog taking the top spot (38%)
The gaming world is booming, and the number of UK gamers is expected to grow from 44.32 million in 2021 to 51.88 million in 2025!1 Over the last year or two we’ve seen new consoles and games launch such as the Nintendo Switch OLED, PS5, and Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. But with search interest2 for ‘retro gaming’ on the up, it seems many of us are currently looking for a hit of gaming nostalgia.
With console gaming being the second-most popular type of gaming in the UK and over a quarter (26%) of us using consoles to play3, hyperfast broadband provider, Hyperoptic has delved into the world of gaming nostalgia4, to uncover the most sought-after consoles and games that players would most like to see make a comeback, or be modernised. Not only that, but the study also unveils just how much money players would spend to get their hands on the consoles.
Based on the percentage of gamers that most want the console to make a comeback or be modernised, the top 10 desired consoles and how much gamers would be willing to pay are:
Console | % of gamers that want the console to make a comeback/be modernised | The average price gamers are willing to pay |
|---|---|---|
Nintendo DS | 61.0% | £150.82 |
PlayStation 1 | 60.6% | £159.16 |
PlayStation 2 | 57.9% | £167.53 |
SEGA mega drive | 57.0% | £146.45 |
Nintendo Game Boy | 56.8% | £141.15 |
The Commodore 64 Games System | 53.5% | £162.80 |
Nintendo 64 | 53.0% | £153.92 |
Nintendo Game Boy Colour | 52.3% | £154.64 |
Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) | 51.8% | £160.62 |
Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP | 51.2% | £162.60 |
Nintendo consoles are leading the way, with six consoles making up the top 10. Taking the top spot is the DS. Released globally between 2004 and 2005, gamers would be willing to spend over £150.00 to purchase the handheld console. But you can still grab the original, second-hand addition for as little as £15.00 today.
The PlayStation 1 and 2 make up the top three, with gamers willing to spend 5% more on the PS2 which was first launched back in 2000.
However, considering the consoles that didn’t make the top 10 most desired list, it seems gamers would be willing to spend the most money, overall, on the Xbox One console - £201.24 to be precise. Over two-fifths (44%) chose this as one of the consoles they’d want to see make a comeback/be modernised, making it the 20th most desired console.
Now we know the most sought-after consoles, looking at the nostalgic games gamers would most love to see make a comeback or be modernised, without further ado, the top 10 gems are:
Game | % of gamers that would love to see the game make a comeback/be modernised |
|---|---|
Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) | 38.0% |
Super Mario Kart 64 (1997) | 33.4% |
Space Invaders (1978) | 28.3% |
Tetris (1984) | 25.8% |
Super Mario Bros (1985) | 25.3% |
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) | 24.3% |
Donkey Kong (1981) | 21.4% |
Crash Bandicoot (1996) | 20.3% |
Tekken (1990) | 13.0% |
The Legend of Zelda (1986) | 12.8% |
1991’s Sonic the Hedgehog claims the top spot, with almost two-fifths (38%) of gamers opting for the game. Other classics on the list include Taito’s 1978 Space Invaders, and Tetris, a game focused on finding the best way to arrange coloured blocks – who would’ve thought this would still be as popular today? Nintendo’s 1981 arcade hit, Donkey Kong, is also another classic game that over one in five (21%) players want to see modernised. We can only dream…
Commenting on the study, Charles Davies, MD ISP, at Hyperoptic, says: “One in six (17%)5 gamers spend six to 10 hours, per week, gaming, whilst a tenth (10%) play games between 11 to 15 hours. Therefore, players need to have hyperfast speeds when it comes to their connection to ensure they have a fun, and immersive gaming experience.
“At Hyperoptic we have ultrafast broadband for gamers to ensure players can download games and updates quicker, shoot first and stay in the game for longer, without the hiccups that can often occur due to poor connection.”
For more information on the top consoles and games, head across to: https://hyperoptic.com/blog/the-most-sought-after-nostalgic-consoles-and-games-revealed/
-ENDS-
For further information please contact: [email protected]
Notes to editors:
Reference taken from the following report, released in June 2021, and published September 2021: https://www.statista.com/statistics/461253/digital-games-users-digital-market-outlook-uk/
Search interest taken from Google Search Trends 10/11/21. Increase in searches as stated is from 6th November.
Reference taken from the following report, released April 2021, and published August 2021: https://www.statista.com/statistics/300491/console-gaming-in-the-united-kingdom/
Study of 1,000 UK gamers (that do/have played video games) undertaken in November 2021 by TLF.
Reference taken from the following report, released and published in August 2021:https://www.statista.com/forecasts/997802/hours-spent-on-playing-video-games-per-week-in-the-uk
About Hyperoptic
Hyperoptic was founded in 2011 to shake up the UK broadband market with its “full” fibre optic technology. It offers consumers and businesses gigabit-capable broadband with average speeds of up to 900Mbps, which is over 11x faster than the UK average.
It works with property owners, developers and professionals, designing and installing dedicated fibre infrastructure to new buildings and existing developments. It focuses exclusively on high density urban areas.
The company has been awarded the ‘Best Superfast Broadband’ provider by the Internet Service Providers’ Association for six years running. It has also been listed in the Sunday Times Sage Tech Track 100 for four years in a row. In the last year it’s been recognised as the ‘Fastest Ultrafast Provider (downloading)’ and ‘Fastest Ultrafast Provider (uploading)’ by the Broadband Genie awards and won both ‘The Service Award’ and ‘The Innovation Award’ at the inaugural Compare the Market Simples Awards.
For more information, please see: https://hyperoptic.com/
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