Lockdown has seen a surge in online searches for retro games, with millions Googling old-school favourites, a new report shows.
The report, conducted by Uswitch, found that 90’s classic “Theme Hospital” was one of the most searched for games in the UK as of March, with 235% more searches in March than its monthly average.
Other popular searches included “The Sims” and “Rollercoaster Tycoon”.
Nick Baker, broadband expert at Uswitch, said: “It’s hardly surprising that people are looking for games to play at home during lockdown. However, what is surprising is that people aren’t searching for new games to play, instead they are seeking entertainment and solace in nostalgia.
“Before lockdown, the average casual gamer spent 6 hours per week gaming. Now that many of us have more time than ever to spend at home, we can once again get lost in our favourite virtual gaming worlds of the past.”
Searches for “online board games with friends” also increased by 14,171% since February, suggesting many people have taken to games to keep up their social interactions.
Mr Baker added: “Social distancing can be a lonely time for many people, especially those that live alone. Therefore, connecting with friends online to play classic board games is a great way to switch off and have some much needed fun.
“The great thing about board games is that they usually always require at least one other person to play, unlike many single-player video games. Making an effort to interact with loved ones via a virtual board game could help many feel less isolated.”
You can check out the full report here, at: https://www.uswitch.com/broadband/isolation-play-station.
Retro gaming makes lockdown comeback
