---
title: "Video game franchises in New Zealand: Which brands are most popular in search?"
description: "Compare the video game franchises New Zealand players search for, buy and follow. Share of Search among Grand Theft Auto, Fortnite, Call of Duty, Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, Mario Kart and EA Sports FC, the video game franchises Brandwave compares in New Zealand, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time."
canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-video-game-franchises"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# Video game franchises in New Zealand: Which brands are most popular in search?

Compare the video game franchises New Zealand players search for, buy and follow. Share of Search among Grand Theft Auto, Fortnite, Call of Duty, Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, Mario Kart and EA Sports FC, the video game franchises Brandwave compares in New Zealand, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.

## Key facts

- **Competitive set**: Video game franchises
- **Market**: New Zealand
- **Brands compared**: 7
- **Month measured**: Aug 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: Grand Theft Auto, 52.6%

## Which brand is most popular in search among video game franchises in New Zealand?

- In August 2026, Grand Theft Auto was the most searched among video game franchises in New Zealand, with an estimated 84K branded searches and 52.6% estimated Share of Search within this set.
- Fortnite is in 2nd place, 28 percentage points behind at 24.6% Share of Search.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Grand Theft Auto’s estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand increased from 24.6% to 52.6%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Fortnite’s estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand decreased from 41.1% to 24.6%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Call of Duty’s estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand decreased from 14.1% to 9.8%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Pokémon’s estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand decreased from 10.5% to 6.9%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, The Legend of Zelda’s estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand decreased from 5.3% to 3.3%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Mario Kart’s estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand decreased from 3.1% to 2.2%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, EA Sports FC’s estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand decreased from 1.3% to 0.6%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Grand Theft Auto’s estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand peaked at 64.1% in June 2026 and was lowest at 24.6% in October 2025.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Fortnite’s estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand peaked at 41.1% in October 2025 and was lowest at 14.9% in June 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Call of Duty’s estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand peaked at 14.1% in October 2025 and was lowest at 9.8% in February 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Pokémon’s estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand peaked at 13.7% in March 2026 and was lowest at 6.4% in June 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, The Legend of Zelda’s estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand peaked at 6.4% in January 2026 and was lowest at 2.3% in June 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Mario Kart’s estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand peaked at 4.6% in December 2025 and was lowest at 1.5% in June 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Grand Theft Auto rose from 2nd to 1st among video game franchises in New Zealand.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Fortnite fell from 1st to 2nd among video game franchises in New Zealand.

## Compare search popularity between leading brands

- [Grand Theft Auto vs Fortnite: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/fortnite-vs-grand-theft-auto): 52.6% against 24.6% Share of Search.
- [Grand Theft Auto vs Call of Duty: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/call-of-duty-vs-grand-theft-auto): 52.6% against 9.8% Share of Search.
- [Grand Theft Auto vs Pokémon: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/grand-theft-auto-vs-pokemon): 52.6% against 6.9% Share of Search.
- [Grand Theft Auto vs The Legend of Zelda: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/grand-theft-auto-vs-the-legend-of-zelda): 52.6% against 3.3% Share of Search.
- [Fortnite vs Call of Duty: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/call-of-duty-vs-fortnite): 24.6% against 9.8% Share of Search.
- [Fortnite vs Pokémon: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/fortnite-vs-pokemon): 24.6% against 6.9% Share of Search.
- [Fortnite vs The Legend of Zelda: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/fortnite-vs-the-legend-of-zelda): 24.6% against 3.3% Share of Search.
- [Call of Duty vs Pokémon: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/call-of-duty-vs-pokemon): 9.8% against 6.9% Share of Search.
- [Call of Duty vs The Legend of Zelda: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/call-of-duty-vs-the-legend-of-zelda): 9.8% against 3.3% Share of Search.
- [Pokémon vs The Legend of Zelda: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/pokemon-vs-the-legend-of-zelda): 6.9% against 3.3% Share of Search.

## How did search popularity change for New Zealand video game franchises in August 2026?

- In August 2026, Grand Theft Auto gained estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand, from 44.1% to 52.6%.
- In August 2026, Call of Duty lost estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand, from 13% to 9.8%.
- In August 2026, Pokémon lost estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand, from 9.9% to 6.9%.
- In August 2026, Mario Kart lost estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand, from 3% to 2.2%.
- In August 2026, The Legend of Zelda lost estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand, from 3.9% to 3.3%.
- In August 2026, EA Sports FC lost estimated Share of Search among video game franchises in New Zealand, from 1.3% to 0.6%.

## Share of Search ranking

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Grand Theft Auto | 52.6% | 84K | +47.6% | Rockstar Games |
| 2 | Fortnite | 24.6% | 39.2K | +22.5% | Epic Games |
| 3 | Call of Duty | 9.8% | 15.6K | -7.0% | Call of Duty |
| 4 | Pokémon | 6.9% | 11K | -13.3% | The Pokémon Company |
| 5 | The Legend of Zelda | 3.3% | 5.2K | +2.4% | Nintendo |
| 6 | Mario Kart | 2.2% | 3.6K | -7.5% | Nintendo |
| 7 | EA Sports FC | 0.6% | 950 | -42.1% | Electronic Arts |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 2025 | Fortnite | 41.3K | 41.1% | 1 |
| Oct 2025 | Grand Theft Auto | 24.7K | 24.6% | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | Call of Duty | 14.1K | 14.1% | 3 |
| Oct 2025 | Pokémon | 10.5K | 10.5% | 4 |
| Oct 2025 | The Legend of Zelda | 5.4K | 5.3% | 5 |
| Oct 2025 | Mario Kart | 3.1K | 3.1% | 6 |
| Oct 2025 | EA Sports FC | 1.3K | 1.3% | 7 |
| Nov 2025 | Fortnite | 48K | 40.1% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | Grand Theft Auto | 38.3K | 32% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | Call of Duty | 13.4K | 11.2% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | Pokémon | 8.4K | 7% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | The Legend of Zelda | 7.4K | 6.2% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | Mario Kart | 3.3K | 2.8% | 6 |
| Nov 2025 | EA Sports FC | 900 | 0.75% | 7 |
| Dec 2025 | Fortnite | 39.5K | 39.7% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | Grand Theft Auto | 27.8K | 27.8% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | Call of Duty | 13.8K | 13.8% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | Pokémon | 7.9K | 8% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | The Legend of Zelda | 5.4K | 5.4% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | Mario Kart | 4.6K | 4.6% | 6 |
| Dec 2025 | EA Sports FC | 750 | 0.75% | 7 |
| Jan 2026 | Grand Theft Auto | 29.2K | 33.9% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | Fortnite | 27.3K | 31.7% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | Call of Duty | 10.8K | 12.5% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | Pokémon | 8.8K | 10.2% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | The Legend of Zelda | 5.5K | 6.4% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | Mario Kart | 3.9K | 4.6% | 6 |
| Jan 2026 | EA Sports FC | 650 | 0.75% | 7 |
| Feb 2026 | Fortnite | 35.3K | 36.7% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | Grand Theft Auto | 32K | 33.3% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | Pokémon | 10.6K | 11% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | Call of Duty | 9.4K | 9.8% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | The Legend of Zelda | 5.3K | 5.5% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | Mario Kart | 3K | 3.1% | 6 |
| Feb 2026 | EA Sports FC | 570 | 0.59% | 7 |
| Mar 2026 | Fortnite | 41.7K | 40.3% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | Grand Theft Auto | 26.2K | 25.3% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | Pokémon | 14.1K | 13.7% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | Call of Duty | 11.7K | 11.3% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | The Legend of Zelda | 5.6K | 5.4% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | Mario Kart | 3.6K | 3.5% | 6 |
| Mar 2026 | EA Sports FC | 640 | 0.62% | 7 |
| Apr 2026 | Fortnite | 31.7K | 33.6% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | Grand Theft Auto | 30.1K | 31.9% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | Pokémon | 11.3K | 12% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | Call of Duty | 11.1K | 11.8% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | The Legend of Zelda | 5.6K | 6% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | Mario Kart | 3.8K | 4% | 6 |
| Apr 2026 | EA Sports FC | 810 | 0.86% | 7 |
| May 2026 | Grand Theft Auto | 60.3K | 47.2% | 1 |
| May 2026 | Fortnite | 30.7K | 24.1% | 2 |
| May 2026 | Call of Duty | 14.3K | 11.2% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Pokémon | 13.5K | 10.5% | 4 |
| May 2026 | The Legend of Zelda | 4.8K | 3.8% | 5 |
| May 2026 | Mario Kart | 3.3K | 2.6% | 6 |
| May 2026 | EA Sports FC | 890 | 0.7% | 7 |
| Jun 2026 | Grand Theft Auto | 137K | 64.1% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | Fortnite | 31.8K | 14.9% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | Call of Duty | 21.6K | 10.1% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | Pokémon | 13.7K | 6.4% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | The Legend of Zelda | 4.9K | 2.3% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | Mario Kart | 3.2K | 1.5% | 6 |
| Jun 2026 | EA Sports FC | 1.4K | 0.67% | 7 |
| Jul 2026 | Grand Theft Auto | 56.9K | 44.1% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | Fortnite | 32K | 24.8% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | Call of Duty | 16.8K | 13% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | Pokémon | 12.7K | 9.9% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | The Legend of Zelda | 5.1K | 3.9% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | Mario Kart | 3.9K | 3% | 6 |
| Jul 2026 | EA Sports FC | 1.6K | 1.3% | 7 |
| Aug 2026 | Grand Theft Auto | 84K | 52.6% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | Fortnite | 39.2K | 24.6% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | Call of Duty | 15.6K | 9.8% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | Pokémon | 11K | 6.9% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | The Legend of Zelda | 5.2K | 3.3% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | Mario Kart | 3.6K | 2.2% | 6 |
| Aug 2026 | EA Sports FC | 950 | 0.6% | 7 |
| Sep 2026 | Call of Duty | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | EA Sports FC | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Fortnite | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Grand Theft Auto | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Mario Kart | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Pokémon | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | The Legend of Zelda | — | — | — |

## What is being compared

- **Call of Duty**: Measured on the search terms “call of duty”, “call of duty 8”, “call of duty black ops”, “call of duty black ops 2”, “call of duty black ops 6”, “call of duty game”, “call of duty ghost”, “call of duty mobile”, “call of duty modern warfare”, “call of duty modern warfare 2”, “call of duty modern warfare two”, “call of duty mw4”, “call of duty near me”, “call of duty new zealand”, “call of duty nz”, “call of duty online”, “call of duty ps5”, “call of duty vanguard”, “call of duty video game”, “call of duty warzone”, “call of duty waw”, “call of duty ww2”, “call of duty zombies”, “callofduty”, “callofduty com”, “callofduty game” and “callofduty ps5”, summed into one figure.
- **EA Sports FC**: Measured on the search terms “ea com”, “ea fc”, “ea sports fc”, “ea sports fc 24”, “ea sports fc 25”, “ea sports fc game”, “ea sports fc online”, “ea sports fc ps5”, “ea sports fc video game”, “easportsfc” and “fc 25”, summed into one figure.
- **Fortnite**: Measured on the search terms “cloud gaming fortnite”, “fishstick fortnite”, “fortnite”, “fortnite cloud gaming”, “fortnite com”, “fortnite competitive”, “fortnite crew”, “fortnite for mobile”, “fortnite game”, “fortnite geoguessr”, “fortnite near me”, “fortnite nz”, “fortnite online”, “fortnite online game”, “fortnite ps4”, “fortnite ps5”, “fortnite save the world”, “fortnite v bucks”, “fortnite vbucks”, “fortnite video game” and “playing fortnite”, summed into one figure.
- **Grand Theft Auto**: Measured on the search terms “grand theft auto”, “grand theft auto 4”, “grand theft auto game”, “grand theft auto near me”, “grand theft auto nz”, “grand theft auto online”, “grand theft auto ps5”, “grand theft auto video game”, “grandtheftauto”, “grandtheftauto game”, “gta”, “gta 5”, “gta 6”, “gta 6 pre order”, “gta san andreas”, “gta v”, “gta vi” and “rockstargames com”, summed into one figure.
- **Mario Kart**: Measured on the search terms “mario kart”, “mario kart 8 deluxe”, “mario kart ds”, “mario kart game”, “mario kart near me”, “mario kart new zealand”, “mario kart nz”, “mario kart online”, “mario kart ps5”, “mario kart snes”, “mario kart switch”, “mario kart video game”, “mario kart wii”, “mariokart”, “mariokart 8”, “mariokart game”, “mariokart ps5” and “mariokart video game”, summed into one figure.
- **Pokémon**: Measured on the search terms “best pokemon game”, “best pokemon game for switch”, “first pokemon game”, “latest pokemon game”, “new pokemon game”, “next pokemon game”, “pokemon board game”, “pokemon card game”, “pokemon card game online”, “pokemon fusion game”, “pokemon game”, “pokemon ps5”, “pokemon scarlet”, “pokemon scarlet & violet”, “pokemon scarlet and violet”, “pokemon scarlet switch”, “pokemon scarlet violet”, “pokemon switch”, “pokemon switch games”, “pokemon trading card game”, “pokemon trading card game live” and “pokemon video game”, summed into one figure.
- **The Legend of Zelda**: Measured on the search terms “the legend of zelda game”, “the legend of zelda near me”, “the legend of zelda new zealand”, “the legend of zelda online”, “the legend of zelda ps5”, “the legend of zelda video game”, “the zelda”, “thelegendofzelda”, “zelda”, “zelda breath of the”, “zelda tear of the kingdom” and “zelda the legend of zelda”, summed into one figure.

- [Call of Duty](/demand/nz/brands/call-of-duty)
- [EA Sports FC](/demand/nz/brands/ea-sports-fc)
- [Fortnite](/demand/nz/brands/fortnite)
- [Grand Theft Auto](/demand/nz/brands/grand-theft-auto)
- [Mario Kart](/demand/nz/brands/mario-kart)
- [Pokémon](/demand/nz/brands/pokemon)
- [The Legend of Zelda](/demand/nz/brands/the-legend-of-zelda)

## Methodology

- [How is branded search demand measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which brand is most popular in search among video game franchises in New Zealand?

In August 2026, Grand Theft Auto was the most searched among video game franchises in New Zealand, with an estimated 84K branded searches and 52.6% estimated Share of Search within this set.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "Video game franchises in New Zealand: Which brands are most popular in search?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-video-game-franchises

This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-video-game-franchises. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.