5 Famous Games You Didn't Know Are from Australia

Australia's gaming sector is punching well above its weight. From small independent squads to well-established studios, Aussies have created industry-shaping successes that you likely played without realising where they were made. Here are five surprisingly familiar games that originated in Australia, along with their creation stories and the reasons why the country is represented on the global gaming map.

From the swipe-ideal minimalism of the phone-frenzy phenomenon to enormous indie Metroidvanias, Australian game makers have a knack for taking small, clever ideas and transforming them into international phenomena. These studios also benefit from a larger system, ranging from government subsidies to homegrown talent pipelines, which sustains creative projects while keeping them export-ready.

How Australian creativity shows up in unexpected corners

Australian studios continue to demonstrate that the same creativity behind hit video games also shapes other aspects of digital entertainment. The ingredients are familiar – smooth controls, flashy visuals, and player-first design – and you can spot them outside gaming too.

A clear example is online casino Australia, where sites fine-tune everything from the interface to the mix of slots and table games. Just like indie developers test out new mechanics to keep players engaged, casino platforms adapt global formats to provide Aussie users with the perfect blend of comfort and novelty.

Five Aussie-made hits you (probably) played

Before jumping into the list, however, it is worth noting that Australia's gaming industry has steadily established a reputation for punching well above its weight. Despite challenges such as distance from major markets and limited funding compared to larger hubs, Australian studios have produced games that rank among the most downloaded, most awarded, and most talked about worldwide.

These hits span mobile, indie PC, and console platforms, showing that creativity and clever design can outweigh big budgets. What follows are five standout games that not only entertained millions but also firmly established Australian game developers on the global map.

1. Fruit Ninja – Halfbrick (Brisbane)

One of the earliest mobile phenomena, Fruit Ninja turned a one-swipe mechanic into a cultural touchstone. Created by Brisbane-based Halfbrick and published in 2010, it went viral on smartphones and has been downloaded hundreds of millions of times. Fruit Ninja made it clear that small studios can produce mass-market casual games.

2. Hollow Knight – Team Cherry (Adelaide)

Independent Adelaide developer Team Cherry created Hollow Knight – a hand-drawn metroidvania that has been widely praised for its atmosphere, level design and soundtrack. Crowdfunded and launched in 2017, the game has become a modern classic, proving that small Australian studios can conceive rich, artistic experiences.

3. Untitled Goose Game – House House (Melbourne)

A cheeky, viral hit: Untitled Goose Game lets players take on the role of an unapologetically naughty goose in an idyllic village. Produced by Melbourne's House House and released in 2019, it became a cultural spectacle due to its belly-laughing trailer and favourable press coverage. It is a testament to the potency of originality and tone, matched with a budget.

4. Crossy Road – Hipster Whale (Melbourne)

Based on the old-school arcade concepts, Crossy Road brought back straightforward, pick-up-and-play fun to mobile devices. Developed by Australian company Hipster Whale, it was launched in 2014 and became an overnight success in mobile casual gaming due to its collectable characters and endless runner loop.

5. Armello – League of Geeks (Melbourne)

Armello amalgamates board-game strategy with RPG gameplay into a polished digital product. From its starting point in Melbourne, where League of Geeks created it, the project was crowdfunded and supported by Australian screen funding agencies, demonstrating how public financing can help local studios reach international markets.

Why this matters

Australia's gaming industry may seem small in comparison to global giants like the U.S., Japan, or China, but its impact is far greater than it appears. Over the past decade, Australian game development companies proved that imagination and drive can make small budgets sell big on a global scale. With government support and grassroots growth, the country has carved out a niche for itself in the international games market. There are several reasons why this matters:

• Government and industry aid. Institutions such as Screen Australia and state government initiatives are essential in sustaining the local industry. Screen Australia alone has invested over AUD $2 million in games, supporting both established studios and new indie creators.
• Small teams, global reach. Many of Australia’s most famous games – from Hollow Knight by the three-person Team Cherry, to Untitled Goose Game by the four-person House House – began with just a handful of developers. Yet these games went on to sell millions of copies, earn awards at The Game Awards and BAFTAs, and inspire thriving fan communities worldwide.
• Diverse platforms and strong exports. Australian studios have demonstrated flexibility across various platforms, including mobile, PC, and console. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the local games industry generated over AUD $226 million in revenue in 2021-22, with more than 80% of earnings coming from exports. That means most Australian-made games aren’t just played at home – they’re entertaining millions of players abroad. From quick mobile swipes in Fruit Ninja to deep exploration in Hollow Knight, Aussie creativity has found its way into households worldwide.

Conclusion

Australia’s games industry has quietly seeded some of the most memorable games of the last decade. Whether it’s the quick satisfaction of Fruit Ninja, the dark corridors of Hollow Knight, or the honks of Untitled Goose Game, Aussie teams continually remind the world that great ideas, not just big budgets, make games memorable.