Nintendo vs Square Enix:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Nintendo had more branded searches than Square Enix among game publishers worldwide. Nintendo had about 4.1 million branded searches, while Square Enix had 219,000. Nintendo made up 62.3% of all game publisher searches we track, and Square Enix accounted for 3.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about game publishers, Nintendo appeared in all five answers and Square Enix in one. Nintendo was mentioned before Square Enix in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Nintendo, about 19 searches for every 1 for Square Enix
Who does AI mention more?
Nintendo, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Nintendo, named ahead of Square Enix in every answer
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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. Square Enix was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Nintendo was listed before Square Enix in every answer.
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.
Is Nintendo or Square Enix more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Nintendo and Square Enix by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight game publishers we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Nintendo, Square Enix. 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% |
How has the Nintendo and Square Enix comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Nintendo was ahead of Square Enix in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nintendo’s share of searches among game publishers worldwide moved from 69.1% to 62.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.4M to 4.1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Square Enix’s share of searches among game publishers worldwide moved from 3.7% to 3.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 180K to 219K.
How did search popularity change for game publishers worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Nintendo lost share of searches among game publishers worldwide, from 64.4% to 62.3%.
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 branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Nintendo’s and Square Enix’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Nintendo
1 branded search term
- nintendo
Square Enix
2 branded search terms
- square enix
- square enix games
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