The landscape of video gaming has transformed considerably since the days of Pong and Space Invaders. It has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry with some video games outpacing the sales of blockbuster movies and music albums. Let’s dive into this universe and explore the list of games by the most sold, highlighting the top 100 entrants in this ever-competitive realm.
The Best Selling Games Of All Time
While countless games have stolen our hearts and claimed our time, only a few have ascended to the elite echelon of highest-selling games. At the top of this list stands Minecraft, a sandbox game released in 2009. With its blocky aesthetics and limitless freedom, Minecraft has sold over 238 million copies across multiple platforms including PC, mobile, and consoles.
Not far behind, Grand Theft Auto V and EA’s Tetris join the exclusive club of games that have sold over 100 million copies. Grand Theft Auto V, with its immense open-world environment and engaging storyline, continues to enthrall gamers, while the classic block-dropping Tetris proves that addictive gameplay transcends generations.
Special mention goes to Wii Sports, recognized as the best-selling game on a single platform. With nearly 83 million sales for the Wii console, it brought interactive gaming into our living rooms, promoting fun, family-friendly physical activity.
The Biggest PC Games
When it comes to personal computer games, the sales dynamics alter somewhat. The popular battle royale game PUBG: Battlegrounds takes the top spot with 42 million copies sold. Following closely is Minecraft, which enjoyed 33 million sales on PC platforms.
The action-adventure game Terraria, the renowned Diablo III, and the sandbox game Garry’s Mod, each with sales figures ranging from 20 to 23 million, solidify their positions in the top five.
Further down the list, we find classics like World of Warcraft, the massive multiplayer online role-playing game, and Half-Life 2, the first-person shooter, both of which are still celebrated by gamers worldwide.
The Power of Franchises
When discussing best-selling games, one cannot overlook the impact of entire franchises. Leading the fray here is the Mario franchise, which boasts a staggering 826.38 million total sales. From platform games to racing, sports, party, puzzle, and role-playing games, the mustachioed plumber and his companions have captured the hearts of gamers since 1981.
Also worth noting is the Tetris franchise, which has sold an impressive 495 million copies, thanks in large part to its easily accessible mobile versions. Tetris’s enduring popularity is a testament to the universal appeal of its deceptively simple gameplay.
50 Top Selling Games In 2023
- Minecraft – 238,000,000 Copies Sold
- Grand Theft Auto V – 180,000,000 Copies Sold
- Tetris (EA) – 100,000,000 Copies Sold
- Wii Sports – 82,900,000 Copies Sold
- PUBG: Battlegrounds – 75,000,000 Copies Sold
- Mario Kart 8 / Deluxe – 62,250,000 Copies Sold
- Super Mario Bros. – 58,000,000 Copies Sold
- Red Dead Redemption 2 – 53,000,000 Copies Sold
- Overwatch – 50,000,000 Copies Sold
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – 50,000,000 Copies Sold
- Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Yellow – 47,520,000 Copies Sold
- Terraria – 44,500,000 Copies Sold
- Wii Fit / Plus – 43,800,000 Copies Sold
- Tetris (1989) – 43,000,000 Copies Sold
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 42,210,000 Copies Sold
- Pac-Man – 42,071,635 Copies Sold
- Human: Fall Flat – 40,000,000 Copies Sold
- Mario Kart Wii – 37,380,000 Copies Sold
- Ark: Survival Evolved – 33,300,000 Copies Sold
- Wii Sports Resort – 33,140,000 Copies Sold
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 31,510,000 Copies Sold
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – 31,090,000 Copies Sold
- New Super Mario Bros. – 30,800,000 Copies Sold
- New Super Mario Bros. Wii – 30,320,000 Copies Sold
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare – 30,000,000 Copies Sold
- Diablo III / Reaper of Souls – 30,000,000 Copies Sold
- Pokémon Gold / Silver / Crystal – 29,490,000 Copies Sold
- Duck Hunt – 28,300,000 Copies Sold
- Wii Play – 28,020,000 Copies Sold
- The Walking Dead – 28,000,000 Copies Sold
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – 27,500,000 Copies Sold
- Borderlands 2 – 27,000,000 Copies Sold
- Super Mario World – 26,662,500 Copies Sold
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – 26,500,000 Copies Sold
- FIFA 18 – 26,400,000 Copies Sold
- Call of Duty: Black Ops – 26,200,000 Copies Sold
- Pokémon Sword / Shield – 25,820,000 Copies Sold
- Super Mario Odyssey – 25,760,000 Copies Sold
- Pokémon Sun / Moon / Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon – 25,450,000 Copies Sold
- Grand Theft Auto IV – 25,000,000 Copies Sold
- Pokémon Diamond / Pearl / Platinum – 24,730,000 Copies Sold
- Super Mario Bros. 3 – 24,430,000 Copies Sold
- New Super Mario Bros. U / Luigi U / Deluxe – 24,300,000 Copies Sold
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II – 24,200,000 Copies Sold
- Kinect Adventures! – 24,000,000 Copies Sold
- Nintendogs – 23,960,000 Copies Sold
- Mario Kart DS – 23,600,000 Copies Sold
- Pokemon Ruby / Sapphire / Emerald – 23,280,000 Copies Sold
- God Of War – 23,000,000 Copies Sold
- Red Dead Redemption – 23,000,000 Copies Sold
10 Most Played Games In 2023
- Minecraft
- Fortnite
- Call Of Duty
- Grand Theft Auto
- PUBG
- Pokemon
- Apex Legends
- Terraria
- Wii Games
- The Elder Scrolls
Wrapping Up
From sandbox games that unleash our creativity, action-packed shooters that test our reflexes, to immersive role-playing games that whisk us away into other worlds, the landscape of video games is wonderfully diverse. The sales figures of these top games not only reflect their quality and appeal but also give us a glimpse into the evolving tastes and preferences of the gaming community.
It’s important to remember that while sales figures are an important metric of success, they are only part of the story. Games that didn’t make the top 50 list have also created memorable experiences and fostered tight-knit communities. In the end, the value of a game is measured not just in millions of copies sold, but in the millions of fun, engaging, and inspiring moments they provide to players all over the world.
