Netflix’s move into the gaming world has been relatively low-key compared to its success in streaming entertainment. However, the company’s ever-expanding collection of nearly 100 games, featuring a mix of well-received indie titles and big-name franchises, is gradually making its presence felt. Subscribers get access to this varied catalog as part of their existing membership, offering a great deal.
Download Milestones: Over 200 Million and Counting
According to data from app analytics firm AppMagic, as reported by Mobilegamer.biz, Netflix has reached a major milestone: over 210 million total downloads across all its games. This number shows a growing interest in mobile gaming among Netflix subscribers and proves the company’s smart move into this area.
Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto
Not surprisingly, the famous Grand Theft Auto series holds a top spot among Netflix’s most downloaded games. GTA: San Andreas leads the way with an impressive 25.2 million installs, showing the lasting popularity of this classic title. Vice City and GTA III also have strong numbers, with 7.7 million and 3.6 million downloads, respectively.
Netflix’s Latest Puzzle Hit
Storyteller, a creative puzzle game where you build stories by arranging panels like a comic book, has quickly become a popular download on Netflix. Developed by Daniel Benmergui and initially released by Annapurna Interactive, the game has been downloaded over 15 million times since joining Netflix’s game library in September 2023. Players are drawn to its innovative approach, which blends puzzle-solving with interactive storytelling, allowing them to craft and experience unique narratives in a fresh and engaging way.
Top 10: A Diverse Mix of Game Types and Franchises
The top 10 most downloaded Netflix games show a wide variety of game types and popular series, appealing to a large audience:
| Rank | Game Title | Downloads (Millions) |
| 1 | GTA: San Andreas | 25.2 |
| 2 | Storyteller | 15 |
| 3 | SpongeBob: Get Cooking | 10.7 |
| 4 | Bloons TD 6 | 10 |
| 5 | THTH: Love is a Game | 8.9 |
| 6 | Football Manager 2024 Mobile | 8.9 |
| 7 | Asphalt Extreme | 6.2 |
| 8 | Stranger Things: 1984 | 5.9 |
| 9 | Farming Simulator 23 Mobile | 5.8 |
| 10 | Into the Breach | 1.19 |
More Popular Games: Other Success Stories
Aside from the top 10, several other titles have achieved great download numbers, further demonstrating the wide range of Netflix’s gaming catalog. Sonic Prime Dash, a fast-paced runner featuring the famous blue hedgehog, has passed 3.2 million installs. Twelve Minutes, an interactive thriller with a time-looping story, boasts 3.1 million downloads.
Other games with over 2 million downloads include TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, Sonic Mania Plus, Into the Dead 2, Hello Kitty Happiness Parade, and Oxenfree.
Oxenfree: A Case Study in Netflix’s Acquisition Strategy
The case of Oxenfree offers an interesting glimpse into Netflix’s approach to expanding its gaming library. Developed by Night School Studio, Oxenfree garnered critical acclaim for its supernatural mystery narrative and unique dialogue system. Recently, Night School Studio announced the removal of Oxenfree from the itch.io platform, stating that users could only continue playing from downloaded files.
While the studio hasn’t officially explained the reason behind this removal, it’s likely connected to Netflix’s acquisition of Night School Studio in 2021. This acquisition was part of Netflix’s broader strategy to bring established and promising game developers under its wing. The company has also actively pursued partnerships with various third-party developers and publishers to bolster its gaming offerings.
Performance of Acquired and Partnered Titles
Netflix’s strategy of acquiring studios and partnering with developers has yielded positive results, adding a number of popular titles to its library. Here’s a look at the download performance of some of these games on the Netflix platform:
- Dead Cells: This acclaimed rogue-lite action platformer has accumulated 1.82 million downloads.
- Terra Nil: This eco-conscious city builder, focused on environmental restoration, boasts 1.47 million downloads.
- Valiant Hearts: Coming Home: This poignant puzzle adventure, set during World War I, has achieved 1.67 million downloads.
- Reigns: Three Kingdoms: This kingdom management game, with a unique card-swiping mechanic, has garnered 1.22 million downloads.
- Into the Breach: This turn-based strategy game, known for its challenging gameplay, has reached 1.19 million downloads.
- Hades: This award-winning rogue-like dungeon crawler, developed by Supergiant Games, has achieved 1.17 million downloads.
- Death’s Door: This charming action-adventure game, with a unique isometric perspective, has surpassed 1 million downloads.
