A study analyzing Google search results in 161 countries determined that Sony's PlayStation 5 console is the most popular toy in the world, with video game consoles taking four out of the top five spots overall.

The research, published by The Toy Zone, found that the PS5 gets an average of 15 million searches per month, while the only non-console toy to break into the worldwide top five was LEGO with six million searches. "As much as the world loves dolls, board games, and building blocks, it seems we can't resist the siren call of shiny tech," the study reads. "Our analysis reveals that four of the top five most searched-for toys online are video game consoles, with the PS5 taking the ultimate top spot." The XBOX Series X|S, meanwhile, claimed some of the bigger markets like the USA, Canada, South Africa, Brazil and Australia.

RELATED: PlayStation 5 Appears to Have Been Jailbroken, a Potential Nightmare Development for Sony

Despite the PS5's overall popularity, the study found that the Nintendo Switch was "the most uniquely popular toy" in most countries with 69 top spots. The article proposed several explanations for this, including the popularity of Animal Crossing: New Horizons during the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown. It also pointed out that the Switch is not only cheaper than the PS5 but much easier to purchase, due to the global shortage of PS5s. Sony recently announced its intention to address the shortage of PS5s in the coming months, so the console may overtake the aging Nintendo Switch on 2023's list.

The study also looked at a broad category of other toys for each country, determining which dolls, board games, classic toys, 90s toys, building and construction toys, TV toys and "uniquely popular toys" are favored in 161 countries around the world. The Toy Zone determined that Mattel's Barbie doll is the most uniquely popular in 32 countries, but is also popular on every continent. In particular, Barbie is extremely popular in Africa with 17 countries searching for the doll on Google "more than any other toy." In the USA, however, the enduring Lincoln Logs beat Barbie, while in Europe, building and construction toys are "the most uniquely popular category."

RELATED: Disney+ Debuts New, 4K HDR Sony PlayStation 5 App

Some of the more interesting categories in the study included what classic toys and '90s toys are still being searched for around the world. "Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots" was the most popular classic in the USA, and the "Etch a Sketch" won in Canada. Meanwhile, icons like the yo-yo and the Rubik's Cube proved their longevity in much of Southeast Asia and Africa. Among the '90s toys, Nintendo once again grabbed the honors, with its classic Game Boy handheld leading in 24 countries.

Source: The Toy Zone