In a world where a new video game releases every second day, it can be a bit tricky to sort out the best from the rest. Not to mention, developers and publishers, across genres, have been pushing the bar regarding gameplay dynamics, storytelling, art direction, music and graphics. Studios are also rolling out new franchises (like Starfield more recently) in an effort to lure audiences across all age groups. Hence, in a vastly expanding universe of freshly baked video games to explore, maybe not all of them are worth your time and money, even if they seem exciting at first glance.
What you can rely on, however, are best-selling games. After all, there’s a reason why so many people decided to buy a copy when these games first hit stores. For instance, in 2023, Minecraft became the first video game in history to cross 300 million sales, thereby becoming the best-selling video game of all time. Given Minecraft’s popularity, it’s safe to say that the list of best-selling games covers some truly incredible (and immersive) titles.
As it happens, we have taken upon the responsibility of introducing you to these best-selling games that warrant your time and money. These video games have stood the test of time and still find loyalty among gamers who are either nostalgic or want an immersive gameplay experience. Our list includes legendary titles like Tetris, Minecraft, Super Mario Bros. and Wii Sports (remember that?) Surprisingly, we also have some new-age AAA titles like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 sitting high on the list. So, without further ado, let’s have a look at some of the best-selling video games of all time.
These are the 15 best-selling video games of all time
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Copies Sold: 300 million
The world loves Minecraft and its jaw-dropping, record-breaking sales are a testament to that fact. This sandbox game was developed by Mojang Studios, a company which is now owned by Microsoft, and has been a smash hit among gamers and creators alike. Based on a world inspired by Lego blocks, Minecraft lets players explore, build, fight and survive in an infinitely procedural generated world. The various game modes also allow players to do almost anything they can imagine. Over the years, the release of several expansion plans and graphical updates have made Minecraft a lucrative source of entertainment and education.
(Image Credits: Courtesy Microsoft)
Copies Sold: 185 million
GTA 5 has been around for over a decade and despite its age, it’s still attracting players, both old and new. Despite the rumours of a Grand Theft Auto 6 being on the horizon, GTA 5 continues to attract hordes of gamers and, as a result, remains a cash cow for Rockstar Games.
While the standard game has an engrossing storyline and lots of exciting missions and secrets to explore, GTA 5’s main draw is, without question, Grand Theft Auto Online. Over the last 11 years, Rockstar Games has continued adding new content packs and features to keep it fresh for loyal players. If you are getting into gaming, consider GTA 5 as a must-have title for your PC or console.
(Image Credits: Courtesy Rockstar Games)
Copies Sold: 100 million
Tetris is a game that needs no introduction. The simple puzzle game has been around for decades on PCs and around the turn of the millennium, Electronic Arts acquired the rights to distribute it on mobile platforms. Tetris became an instant hit on small mobile devices and once the large smartphones came in, EA sold millions of copies and earned top bucks. However, EA’s licence expired in 2020 and the game was pulled from app stores.
You can still play other versions of Tetris on current-generation mobile platforms and online.
(Image Credits: Courtesy EA)
Copies Sold: 82.9 million
Released in 2006 for the Nintendo Wii, Wii Sports, developed by Nintendo, takes the fourth spot on our list of best-selling video games. The game was essentially a collection of five sports games designed to flaunt the motion-sensing capabilities of the Wii Remote. The games included tennis, baseball, bowling, golf and boxing. The game had simple rules and was easy to play, making it a popular choice for children and families.
(Image Credits: Courtesy Nintendo)
Copied Sold: 75 million
PUBG: Battlegrounds takes the fifth spot on our list of the best-selling video games of all time.
Released in 2017 as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, the game quickly became popular for its new battle royale concept. The gameplay simply dropped you, alongside 100 other players, on a deserted island that’s populated with weapons and health aids. Your mission? To survive until you are the last man standing.
The game was initially available at a price but publisher Krafton made it free to play in 2022. Its mobile version, dubbed PUBG Mobile, also became an instant hit.
(Image Credits: Courtesy Krafton)
Copies Sold: 63.93 million
The Mario Kart franchise got a major boost in 2014 with Mario Kart 8. As the idea of putting iconic Mario characters in racing karts around unique race tracks with power-ups was already a tried-and-tested (and successful!) formula, this new instalment, unsurprisingly, broke records for Nintendo. Both paid and free DLC packs were also made available soon after the game’s original release.
Nintendo repurposed the game for the Nintendo Switch in 2017 as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, offering all DLCs, a revised battle mode and slight improvements.
(Image Credits: Courtesy Nintendo)
Copies Sold: 58 million
Released in 1985, Super Mario Bros. is one of the most iconic video games in history. It was released for the NES and was later adapted to the other systems. As the player, you get to control Mario and his brother Luigi (in multiplayer mode), going through the obstacle-laden Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser. The side-scrolling stages were full of unique hazards and enemies, while the power-ups of Super Mushroom, Fire Flower and Starman made for action-filled gameplay.
(Image Credits: Courtesy Nintendo)
Copies Sold: 55 million
It’s not surprising to see Red Dead Redemption 2 on this list. Released in 2018, Red Dead Redemption 2 has impressed fans and critics alike with immaculate attention to detail, beautiful storyline and action-packed gameplay that takes you back to the Wild West. The game was originally released on PS4 and Xbox One but was later given an upgrade for the PC, Xbox Series X|S and Sony PS5.
(Image Credits: Courtesy Rockstar Games)
Copies Sold: 50 million
Released in 2016, Overwatch is essentially a team-based multiplayer online shooter in first-person POV. Developed by Blizzard Entertainment, the game is available on the PS4, PC, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. The game supports cross-play between all the platforms. This ‘hero shooter’ assigns two teams of six players to fight against each other while completing map-specific objectives. Players could also choose from a team of heroes with unique abilities to gain leverage over their opponents.
(Image Credits: Courtesy Blizzard Entertainment)
Copies Sold: 50 million
Other than Cyberpunk 2077, one of CD Projekt RED’s most popular titles is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Released in 2015 for the PC and consoles, this action role-playing game is the third title in the series and is set in an open-world setting. The third-person shooter puts you in the shoes of Geralt of Rivia, also known as the Witcher, while he is searching for his adopted daughter who is on the run from the Wild Hunt. The game has received widespread acclaim for its storyline, fantasy-based gameplay and three different endings. The game was later updated with new textures and better graphics for the PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles.
(Image Credits: Courtesy CD Projekt Red)
Copies Sold: 48 million
Other than EA’s Tetris, the Nintendo Gameboy also got its own version of Tetris in 1989. Presented as a pre-bundled game with the console, Tetris was a smash hit and drew everybody to handheld gaming. The puzzle game took advantage of the Gameboy’s monotone LCD display and was later adapted into a coloured version for the Gameboy Color in 1998. It also offered multiplayer for two players with the Gameboy’s Game Link cable accessory.
(Image Credits: Courtesy Nik via Unsplash)
Copies Sold: 47.52 million
Pokémon Red, Blue, Green and Yellow were the first games to introduce the concept of Pocket Monsters aka Pokémon. With an overhead camera perspective and a unique gameplay concept, these games were advanced for their time and also promoted the idea of multiplayer gaming. As a Pokémon trainer, your goal was to win badges from the eight Gym Leaders, defeat the Elite Four to become the Pokémon League champion and complete the Pokédex.
Such was the success of the video games that a billion-dollar franchise was created, one that would include a popular animated series, trading cards and of course, successive Pokémon games.
(Image Credits: Courtesy Pokemon.com)
Copies Sold: 44.5 million
Terraria is a fine example of a retro-style game done right. Released as a side-scrolling 2D action-adventure game by Re-Logic, Terraria allows players to explore, craft, build, paint and even combat various creatures. It’s similar to Minecraft but done in a rather simpler style. Even though it was only released on Microsoft Windows, Terraria became an instant hit and has, so far, clocked in 44 million downloads.
(Image Credits: Courtesy ReLogic)
Copies Sold: 43.8 million
Inspired by Wii Sports, Wii Plus offered another novel way to make gamers and their families exercise together. It relied solely on the Wii Balance Board accessory to allow players to engage in various activities like yoga, strength training, aerobics and mini-games. If you’re looking for a game that’ll be a hit at house parties and also help you stay in shape, this is it.
(Image Credits: Courtesy Nintendo)
Copies Sold: 42.79 million
This is a social simulation game from Nintendo that was released during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Coming in as the fifth entry in the Animal Crossing series, the game lets you take charge of a character who moves to a deserted island and has to accomplish various tasks. As you go about these tasks, you also start developing the island. The graphics are cartoonish but the simple gameplay allows players to gather, craft and customise things. As a result, this is a great game to play with friends and family on the Nintendo Switch.
(Image Credits: Courtesy Nintendo)
(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Rockstar Games)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which is the best-selling video game of all time?
Minecraft is the best-selling videogame of all time.
– Which is the most played video game?
Minecraft is the most-played video game of all time.
– Which is the best-selling video game in 2023?
Hogwarts Legacy is the best-selling video game in 2023.
