The World's Top Video Game Hotspots To Visit From Canada
With over 61% of Canadian adults playing video games, one of the highest participation rates globally, it’s no surprise that fans are increasingly seeking out travel experiences inspired by the virtual worlds they love.
From ancient ruins in Egypt explored in Assassin’s Creed Origins, to the historic, mountainous region of Romania brought to life in Resident Evil Village, these sought-after destinations offer gamers the chance to step directly into the settings of their go-to titles.
One of the most in-demand destinations for Canadians this fall is Japan, which coincidentally aligns with the release of two major 2025 game titles - Assassin's Creed: Shadows and Ghost of Yōtei, both set in the country’s feudal era.
But which destination tops the list for video game tourism?
To find out which locations stand out the most, experts at Spin Casino looked at 20 popular video games that are based on or feature real-life locations across the world.
Research compared their Reddit gaming group submentions, flight availability from Canadian airports, rating on nearby Airbnb and Booking.com accommodation, the average cost of a meal and taxi, as well as the number of ‘scenic’ mentions on Tripadvisor, to create the final ranking with a weighted index score, identifying the best places for Canadian video game enthusiasts to visit across the world.
Claiming the top spot was Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, winner of the Game Awards 2018 Best Action/Adventure, for its expansive interpretation of Ancient Greece. The game which features the country’s capital, Athens, has been favored for its vast amount of nearby accommodation and low-cost dining options, where tourists can indulge in Greek specialties such as gyros and Tzatziki dip. While the game focuses on the Ancient Greece narrative, popular locations such as the Acropolis of Athens can still be visited today.
Following closely behind in second place is the soon-to-be-released Pokémon Legends ZA, where the region of Kalos has been greatly inspired by Paris, France, with its own replication of the Eiffel Tower taking centre stage in the middle of the map. Paris is also home to many iconic landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum, where the famous Mona Lisa painting resides.
Coming in at third place is Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, taking place in the Big Apple (New York City), where players will reminisce about shooting webs from skyscrapers while looking across the picturesque skyline. New York is one of the easier destinations to visit from Canadian airports, with one of the highest numbers of direct flights compared to the other locations.
Despite not being set to release until May 2026, the highly anticipated GTA VI rose the ranks and landed fourth with its setting of Miami being hugely popular for its beaches and cultural hotspots. Miami Beach itself was heavily featured in both of the trailers, which could drive interest from gamers wanting to step into the scenery ahead of the launch.
The trio of Japanese locations: Kyoto (Assassin's Creed Shadows), Tsushima Island (Ghost of Tsushima), and Mt Yotei (Ghost of Yotei), placed on the second half of the list despite Japan being an increasingly popular destination for Canadian travelers. However, Kyoto in particular scored very highly in the “scenic” category, likely due to its abundance of temples and shrines, which attracts over 70 million tourists a year.
Just making the list at 20th place is the Amalfi Coast, Italy, featured in “The Italian Job” mission from Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 4: A Thief's End. While the location in the game doesn’t explicitly state it’s based on the coast, its architecture and visually striking scenery bear a close resemblance to the European favorite.
By combining popularity, accessibility, affordability, and scenic appeal, the ranking highlights the destinations where gamers can most easily bring their cherished games to life in the real world.
Whether you're seeking the experience of a new holiday destination or enjoying the thrill of online gaming, Spin Casino offers a rewarding experience to fuel your passion. Play responsibly and discover your next win.
Methodology
Spin Casino analyzed data from seven factors to determine the criteria of the video game locations: Reddit mentions on the game’s subreddit of each location give an indication of how much excitement and interest gamers have in the destination, direct flights from Canada using Skyscanner, Airbnb/Booking.com accommodation rated four and five star in the area under £1,000 for a week to reflect how easy it is to actually visit and stay there, the cost of meals/taxis to give a sense of affordability, and Tripadvisor's ‘scenic’ mentions on the selective area’s top five recommended places highlights how picturesque the destination is for visitors.
The location with the highest rating across all factors was revealed as the top video game destination to visit.
The games included in the list were released within the last 10 years, or are soon to be released, and are widely recognized titles that feature or are inspired by real-world locations.
Data correct as of September 2025.
