Most Surprising Popular Games On Twitch

Summary

Smaller games can find success on Twitch through word of mouth, leading to massive popularity.
Dune: Awakening immerses players in a survival challenge set in the iconic Dune universe.
Simple, unique game designs can attract broad audiences on Twitch, fueling streamer reactions.

Mentioning Twitch is almost inevitable when discussing the realm of gaming, given its significant impact on online interaction within video games. Livestreaming has emerged as a crucial component, offering a wide range of experiences to gamers. From witnessing high-stakes competitions with fellow enthusiasts numbering in millions, to observing popular streamers collaboratively play cooperative games with their friends, there’s always an engaging option for everyone.

There are numerous instances where games surprised everyone by attracting a larger audience than predicted, even amidst stiff competition from established industry giants. Smaller games often achieve great success due to positive word of mouth and a prominent streamer endorsing them, which can propel them to unprecedented heights.

8. Dune: Awakening

Open World Survival In An Iconic Universe

Peak Monthly Hours Watched: 17.7 million (June 2025)
Peak Viewers: 190,931 (June 2025)

Dune: Awakening” immerses players directly into the scorching deserts of Arrakis, offering only their indomitable spirit as a means to endure. It’s no secret that survival games are highly sought after, but for a fresh addition to stand out so boldly is truly remarkable.

In this game I’m playing, it may look barren at first glance, but there’s a wealth of content hidden within. I’ve got to juggle survival basics like keeping myself hydrated and fed, all while dealing with extra hurdles – like those terrifying Sandworms that burrow beneath the sand dunes. It’s an exhilarating ride for anyone who loves this genre, and it’s been a real treat watching streamers tackle these challenges too!

7. Only Up!

Rage After Rage Until The End

Peak Monthly Hours Watched: 32 million (June 2023)
Peak Viewers: 279,239 (June 2023)

As a gamer, I’d say “Only Up!” falls into an unique group of games known as ‘rage games,’ designed to incite maximum anger and frustration among the players. The objective is deceptively simple: ascend to the top of the map. However, this straightforward goal becomes an arduous task due to one misstep potentially undoing hours of progress and countless failed attempts.

The reason the game became highly popular on Twitch upon release was due to an ideal mix of engaging streamer reactions and straightforward game design. This simplicity allowed anyone to easily grasp the game’s events, while any instance where the streamer failed to make a jump triggered amusement with their ensuing frustration, providing plenty of laughter for viewers.

6. Chess

The Classic Game For A Modern Audience

Peak Monthly Hours Watched: 22 million (Feb 2021)
Peak Viewers: 370,111 (Feb 2021)

Chess predates video games and has managed to remain relevant, experiencing a modern revival through livestreaming. Initially, small streamers demonstrated their abilities and hosted tournaments for top-tier players, but this soon escalated into a worldwide sensation, attracting even well-known figures in the chess world.

In the 2020s, this category has experienced rapid growth, drawing millions of viewers monthly and hosting numerous competitions for both seasoned players and beginners. It’s now among the most globally recognized games, yet its success surpasses even the expectations set by the giants of the gaming industry.

5. Phasmophobia

Ghost Hunting Is Better Together

Peak Monthly Hours Watched: 48.5 million (Oct 2020)
Peak Viewers: 253,155 (Oct 2020)

Phasmophobia is an excellent cooperative game where players team up in the eeriest settings imaginable, acting as ghost hunters who explore haunted houses and deserted cabins. Their mission is to gather evidence about the spectral entities that inhabit these locations, armed only with some cameras and rudimentary equipment for assistance.

Experiencing a mix of horror and cooperative play creates an outstanding streaming event. Even now, many years since its initial release, the game consistently attracts tens of thousands of spectators each month, proving yet again that straightforward ideas can sometimes yield the greatest success.

4. Peak

Cooperative Climbing With Plenty Of Comedy

Peak Monthly Hours Watched: 3.4 million (June 2025)
Peak Viewers: 151,362 (June 2025)

The game titled “Peak” offers a delightful cooperative journey where players traverse multiple diverse landscapes with the ultimate goal of reaching the peak above. What sets it apart is its incorporation of innovative elements like proximity chat, which infuses extra layers of enjoyment and humor into an already amusing adventure.

Playing the game in teams of four offers an enjoyable experience as everyone collaborates to achieve a common objective. It’s just as entertaining to watch this teamwork unfold. Each advance made represents a tiny stride towards the ultimate destination, motivating players to cooperate whenever possible, as every step contributes to the overall progress.

3. Grand Theft Auto 5

Roleplay On Another Level

Peak Monthly Hours Watched: 253 million (May 2021)
Peak Viewers: 1.1 million (May 2021)

GTA5, a widely acclaimed video game, has maintained its global popularity not only due to the game itself but also because of its unique streaming appeal. This appeal stems from more than just playing together; it provides an avenue for roleplay servers where participants assume diverse personas, such as taxi drivers or mob bosses, and consistently maintain their in-game characters during live streams.

This resulted in numerous streamers joining enormous servers teeming with unique characters and endless humor. With GTA6’s release imminent, it’s clear that its sequel will enjoy equal success and an equally massive fanbase, both within the game and among viewers.

2. Fortnite

From A Slow Start Into A Cultural Icon

Peak Monthly Hours Watched: 151 million (Jul 2018)
Peak Viewers: 2.7 million (Dec 2023)

In a short span of time, Fortnite ascended to become a dominant force within the gaming industry, with only a handful of games managing to challenge its peak viewership numbers. With its appealing cartoonish style and an intuitive battle royale shooter gameplay that caters to players of all ages, it seamlessly combined accessibility and entertainment, making it an ideal choice for streaming success.

Over time, numerous streaming titans have profited substantially from the game’s remarkable viewership, gaining millions of new subscribers and constructing entire careers around a single title. To this day, the game continues to thrive on Twitch and remains among the top ten most-watched games, maintaining its popularity for years following its debut.

1. Among Us

Simple Yet Perfect Timing

Peak Monthly Hours Watched: 147 million (Sep 2020)
Peak Viewers: 774,280 (Nov 2020)

The game known as Among Us initially saw some moderate achievement, but due to the impact of the pandemic and the growing demand for shared streaming content, its original launch was swiftly eclipsed by an unending tide of popularity which it has maintained ever since.

Utilizing ideas from popular party games like Mafia and incorporating a simple yet familiar design, the game gained immense popularity within a short span, capturing far more attention than most other games on the platform for several months. Although its initial surge has subsided significantly, it continues to hold a prominent position on Twitch’s front page today.

2025-07-26 06:05