How popular isNintendo?
In September 2026, people searched for Nintendo by name about 4.1 million times worldwide, a 22.1% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 62.3% of all global game publisher searches, placing Nintendo first out of eight publishers. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about game publishers, Nintendo appeared in all answers and was the most recommended of the eight.
Nintendo is the most searched of 8 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.
NintendoShare of searches 62.3%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
The Legend of ZeldaShare of searches 25.5%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
CapcomShare of searches 4.6%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
Square EnixShare of searches 3.3%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
Take-TwoShare of searches 2.2%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
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Top game publishers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Nintendo appeared in all five answers. Nintendo is the most recommended of the eight.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Nintendo1st
- Capcom2nd
Ubisoft3rd- The Legend of Zelda4th
- Square Enix5th
Activision Blizzard6th- Take-Two7th
EA Sports FC8th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Nintendo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Capcom3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- The Legend of Zelda2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Ubisoft2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Square Enix1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Take-Two1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- EA Sports FC1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Activision Blizzard1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about game publishers
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which game publisher should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best game publisher brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best game publisher for family gaming?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“game publishers”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“video game publishers”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Which game publishers compete with Nintendo?
Share of searches by month for Nintendo, The Legend of Zelda, Capcom, Square Enix, Take-Two. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Nintendo | The Legend of Zelda | Capcom | Square Enix | Take-Two | EA Sports FC | Ubisoft | Activision Blizzard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 69.1% | 18% | 3.4% | 3.7% | 2% | 1.6% | 1% | 1% |
| Nov 2025 | 71.2% | 17% | 2.3% | 3.8% | 3% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.47% |
| Dec 2025 | 72.4% | 15.5% | 2.9% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 1.9% | 0.48% |
| Jan 2026 | 65.1% | 18.9% | 3.2% | 4.2% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 3.9% | 0.53% |
| Feb 2026 | 66.7% | 16.9% | 4.9% | 5.2% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 0.99% | 0.54% |
| Mar 2026 | 64.1% | 18.6% | 8.6% | 4.2% | 1.9% | 1.2% | 0.95% | 0.42% |
| Apr 2026 | 63.3% | 19.7% | 8.5% | 3.5% | 2.2% | 1.5% | 0.94% | 0.42% |
| May 2026 | 64.8% | 18.8% | 4.8% | 4.2% | 4.1% | 1.8% | 0.96% | 0.43% |
| Jun 2026 | 64.4% | 18.7% | 4.7% | 4.3% | 4.1% | 2.2% | 1.2% | 0.43% |
| Jul 2026 | 67.6% | 18.5% | 4.1% | 3.6% | 2% | 2.9% | 1% | 0.37% |
| Aug 2026 | 64.4% | 18.7% | 3.9% | 3.5% | 6.1% | 2.2% | 0.78% | 0.43% |
| Sep 2026 | 62.3% | 25.5% | 4.6% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 1% | 0.62% | 0.41% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 62.3% | 4.1M | +22.1% | -2.1 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 25.5% | 1.7M | +71.8% | +6.8 points | |
| 3, moved from 4th to 3rd | 4.6% | 301K | +49.8% | +0.7 pointsmoved from 4th to 3rd | |
| 4, moved from 5th to 4th | 3.3% | 219K | +19.7% | -0.2 pointsmoved from 5th to 4th | |
| 5, moved from 3rd to 5th | 2.2% | 145K | -54.1% | -3.9 pointsmoved from 3rd to 5th | |
| 6, held 6th | 1% | 65.9K | -42.9% | -1.2 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 0.62% | 40.5K | 0% | -0.2 points | |
| 8, held 8th | 0.41% | 27.1K | +22.1% | 0 points |
1.
Nintendo62.3%
Held 1st. 4.1M estimated branded searches, +22.1% vs prior month. Share -2.1 points.
25.5%
Held 2nd. 1.7M estimated branded searches, +71.8% vs prior month. Share +6.8 points.
3.
Capcom4.6%
Moved from 4th to 3rd. 301K estimated branded searches, +49.8% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.
3.3%
Moved from 5th to 4th. 219K estimated branded searches, +19.7% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
5.
Take-Two2.2%
Moved from 3rd to 5th. 145K estimated branded searches, -54.1% vs prior month. Share -3.9 points.
1%
Held 6th. 65.9K estimated branded searches, -42.9% vs prior month. Share -1.2 points.
7.
Ubisoft0.62%
Held 7th. 40.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
0.41%
Held 8th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, +22.1% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
Compare popularity between Nintendo and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Nintendo
7 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Nintendo changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Nintendo worldwide rose from 3.4M to 4.1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nintendo’s share of searches among game publishers worldwide decreased from 69.1% to 62.3%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nintendo’s share of searches among game publishers worldwide peaked at 72.4% in December 2025 and was lowest at 62.3% in September 2026.
How did search popularity change for game publishers worldwide in September 2026?
6 changes
In September 2026, Capcom overtook Take-Two to rank 3rd among game publishers worldwide, with 4.6% of the searches.
In September 2026, The Legend of Zelda gained share of searches among game publishers worldwide, from 18.7% to 25.5%.
In September 2026, Take-Two lost share of searches among game publishers worldwide, from 6.1% to 2.2%.
In September 2026, Nintendo lost share of searches among game publishers worldwide, from 64.4% to 62.3%.
In September 2026, EA Sports FC lost share of searches among game publishers worldwide, from 2.2% to 1%.
Square Enix’s share of searches among game publishers worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 4.3% to 3.3% in September 2026.
How are Nintendo’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Nintendo’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- nintendo
Who owns Nintendo?
Nintendo is owned by Nintendo. Brandwave also tracks The Legend of Zelda, Mario Kart and Nintendo Switch, owned by the same company, worldwide.
Do you work for Nintendo? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Is Nintendo your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.