Most Played & Best Selling Games Of All Time

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

1. Minecraft – 238,000,000 Copies Sold
2. Grand Theft Auto V – 180,000,000 Copies Sold
3. Tetris (EA) – 100,000,000 Copies Sold
4. Wii Sports – 82,900,000 Copies Sold
5. PUBG: Battlegrounds – 75,000,000 Copies Sold
6. Mario Kart 8 / Deluxe – 62,250,000 Copies Sold
7. Super Mario Bros. – 58,000,000 Copies Sold
8. Red Dead Redemption 2 – 53,000,000 Copies Sold
9. Overwatch – 50,000,000 Copies Sold
10. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – 50,000,000 Copies Sold
11. Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Yellow – 47,520,000 Copies Sold
12. Terraria – 44,500,000 Copies Sold
13. Wii Fit / Plus – 43,800,000 Copies Sold
14. Tetris (1989) – 43,000,000 Copies Sold
15. Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 42,210,000 Copies Sold
16. Pac-Man – 42,071,635 Copies Sold
17. Human: Fall Flat – 40,000,000 Copies Sold
18. Mario Kart Wii – 37,380,000 Copies Sold
19. Ark: Survival Evolved – 33,300,000 Copies Sold
20. Wii Sports Resort – 33,140,000 Copies Sold
21. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 31,510,000 Copies Sold
22. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – 31,090,000 Copies Sold
23. New Super Mario Bros. – 30,800,000 Copies Sold
24. New Super Mario Bros. Wii – 30,320,000 Copies Sold
25. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare – 30,000,000 Copies Sold
26. Diablo III / Reaper of Souls – 30,000,000 Copies Sold
27. Pokémon Gold / Silver / Crystal – 29,490,000 Copies Sold
28. Duck Hunt – 28,300,000 Copies Sold
29. Wii Play – 28,020,000 Copies Sold
30. The Walking Dead – 28,000,000 Copies Sold
31. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – 27,500,000 Copies Sold
32. Borderlands 2 – 27,000,000 Copies Sold
33. Super Mario World – 26,662,500 Copies Sold
34. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – 26,500,000 Copies Sold
35. FIFA 18 – 26,400,000 Copies Sold
36. Call of Duty: Black Ops – 26,200,000 Copies Sold
37. Pokémon Sword / Shield – 25,820,000 Copies Sold
38. Super Mario Odyssey – 25,760,000 Copies Sold
39. Pokémon Sun / Moon / Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon – 25,450,000 Copies Sold
40. Grand Theft Auto IV – 25,000,000 Copies Sold
41. Pokémon Diamond / Pearl / Platinum – 24,730,000 Copies Sold
42. Super Mario Bros. 3 – 24,430,000 Copies Sold
43. New Super Mario Bros. U / Luigi U / Deluxe – 24,300,000 Copies Sold
44. Call of Duty: Black Ops II – 24,200,000 Copies Sold
45. Kinect Adventures! – 24,000,000 Copies Sold
46. Nintendogs – 23,960,000 Copies Sold
47. Mario Kart DS – 23,600,000 Copies Sold
48. Pokemon Ruby / Sapphire / Emerald – 23,280,000 Copies Sold
49. God Of War – 23,000,000 Copies Sold
50. Red Dead Redemption – 23,000,000 Copies Sold

10 Most Played Games In 2023

1. Minecraft
2. Fortnite
3. Call Of Duty
4. Grand Theft Auto
5. PUBG
6. Pokemon
7. Apex Legends
8. Terraria
9. Wii Games
10. 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.