In the gaming world, numbers have always been a big deal. Back in the ’90s, the Sega vs. Nintendo rivalry was a defining moment for a whole generation. Fast forward to today, and we have the ongoing console wars and regular Circana reports that put sales figures in the spotlight. With new ways to make money from games, like monthly active users and in-game revenue, the industry is changing. But amidst all this, a burning question remains: What are the top-selling video games ever made?
To find the answer, we made a thorough list by contacting publishers and examining financial reports, news articles, interviews, and other sources. Here is the list of the top ten video games that have sold the most copies.
Some notes up front:
Included in the sales figures are the games that were part of console bundles. This means that the number of games sold also accounts for those that were bundled with the gaming system.
Getting free downloads doesn’t count as sales. This means that super popular games like Fortnite and League of Legends won’t make it onto a list like this.
Unfortunately, because we didn’t have access to all the sales data, there are some games missing from our list. We tried to get the latest sales figures from Activision-Blizzard for games like Diablo 3 (which had sold 30 million units by June 2015) and the Call of Duty series, but we didn’t receive the updated information in time to add them to our list.
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1. Tetris – 520 million
One of the most classic video games ever made is Tetris. It holds the title for being one of the top-selling games of all time, with a whopping 520 million copies sold, as reported by The Tetris Company. These sales cover all platforms, and most of them are from mobile devices, with about 425 million paid downloads on mobile up to 2014, according to Henk Rogers, the managing director of The Tetris Company.
When Tetris first came out, it was created for the Elektronika 60 computer in the Soviet Union. Since then, this classic puzzle game has been adapted for more than 50 different devices. Interestingly, it played a key role in making the Game Boy a hit, with over 35 million copies sold on Nintendo’s portable gaming system.
New versions of the old classic game are still coming out. For example, Tetris Effect: Connected brought the puzzle game to the latest gaming consoles with a more emotional touch. Also, in 2020, SEGA launched Puyo Puyo Tetris 2.
Release Date: June 6, 1984 (Elektronika 60, USSR)
Platforms: Most
IGN’s Review Score: 9
2. Minecraft – 300 million
As of October 2023, Minecraft has reached a milestone by selling over 300 million copies, as reported by Mojang at this year’s Minecraft Live event. This number includes sales from various platforms where Minecraft is available. Minecraft’s influence has expanded beyond just being a game, with successful ventures in film, Netflix, education, toys, and other ongoing projects. It has truly gone beyond the norms of traditional gaming and made a mark in diverse fields.
Release Date: May 17, 2009 (Classic Version)
Platforms: Xbox 360, Xbox one, PS4, PS3, PS Vita, Switch, Wii U, 3DS, PC, VR, Mobile, Others
IGN’s Review Score: 9
3. Grand Theft Auto V – 200 million
Grand Theft Auto 5 holds the record for being the top-selling game exclusively for consoles and PCs, with mobile versions excluded. Sales for this expansive open-world game from Rockstar have soared to a whopping 200 million units by March 2024. This impressive figure accounts for the game’s sales across three generations of consoles and PC.
Did you know that GTA 5 made history by becoming the fastest entertainment release across all platforms to hit $1 billion in sales? Since then, Rockstar and Take-Two have raked in billions more, making it the most profitable entertainment launch to date, at least up until 2018. The total number of units sold for the franchise now stands at a whopping 425 million.
Rockstar is currently working on GTA 6, set to be released in the fall of 2025.
Release Date: September 17, 2013 Platforms: PS5, PS4, PS3, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC
IGN’s Review Score: 10
4. Wii Sports – 82.9 million
Nintendo’s top-selling game of all time is Wii Sports, according to the official sales data. Unlike other top entries, Wii Sports was commonly packaged with the Wii console when it launched in almost all regions. With close to 83 million copies sold, it holds the record for the highest number of sales for a single-platform exclusive game.
Initial Release Date: November 19, 2006
Platform: Wii
IGN’s Review Score: 7.5
5. PUBG – 75 million
PUBG has been a huge hit in the world of battle royale games, with 75 million copies sold as of December 2021, according to Krafton creative director Dave Curd. The game is now free to play since January 2022, marking a significant milestone in its success story.
It’s interesting to know that PUBG Mobile reached over 1 billion downloads by March 2021, and these free downloads don’t affect their sales count.
Release Date: March 23, 2017 (Early Access)
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Stadia
IGN’s Review Score: 9.5
6. Mario Kart 8 + Deluxe – 70.43 million
As of March 31, 2024, Nintendo stated that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the top-selling game for the Switch, with almost 62 million copies sold. If you include the sales from the original Wii U version, the total goes over 70 million, making it the sixth best-selling game ever.
Release Date: May 29, 2014
Platforms: Switch, Wii U
IGN’s Review Score: 9.3 (Deluxe)
7. Red Dead Redemption 2 – 64 million
Red Dead Redemption 2, the latest game making waves, has secured a place in the top ten list. This western adventure from Rockstar has sold close to 64 million copies by March 2024, as per the recent financial report from publisher Take-Two. Altogether, the series has sold over 89 million units, indicating that the original Red Dead game accounts for roughly 25 million of those sales.
Release Date: October 26, 2018
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
IGN’s Review Score: 10
8. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – 60 million
In June 2023, after keeping quiet for years about the sales figures of Skyrim, Todd Howard from Bethesda finally disclosed that the RPG has sold more than 60 million units since its launch in 2011. Speaking to IGN, Howard expressed amazement saying, “Here we are, 12 years after Skyrim was released. We’re talking about a game that has crossed the 60 million mark in sales, and with all these players still actively engaged in it.”
Release Date: November 11, 2011
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Xbox 360, PS3, PC
IGN’s Review Score: 9.5
9. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – 50 million
In May 2023, CD Projekt Red shared that The Witcher 3 made it to the list by selling more than 50 million copies. Altogether, The Witcher series has sold over 75 million copies.
The developer is currently busy creating multiple new games within The Witcher series. These include The Witcher 4 and a remake of the original Witcher 1 game.
Release Date: May 18, 2015
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
IGN’s Review Score: 9.3
10. Overwatch – 50 million
In April 2022, a report by Bloomberg revealed that Blizzard’s popular game Overwatch had sold an impressive 50 million copies. Overwatch made a mark in the hero shooter category by offering top-notch game design, unique heroes, and ongoing support for esports. Later in October 2022, Overwatch was succeeded by its free-to-play follow-up, Overwatch 2.
Release Date: May 24, 2016
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
IGN’s Review Score: 10
