The Unrivaled Giants: Exploring the Top 10 Best-Selling Video Games of All Time
At Gaming News, we delve deep into the digital landscapes that have captivated millions, and today, we embark on a comprehensive exploration of the titans of the video game industry. While the allure of free-to-play behemoths like Fortnite, CS: GO, and PUBG, which boast staggering player counts and astronomical engagement hours, is undeniable, our focus here is on a different metric: paid sales figures. We are meticulously examining the games that have not only achieved critical acclaim but have also translated that success into unparalleled commercial triumph. This curated list represents the pinnacle of video game sales, meticulously compiled from the latest publicly available data, and it excludes the free-to-play market to ensure a clear comparison of premium gaming experiences.
It is crucial to acknowledge a significant factor that inflates the sales numbers of certain iconic titles: pack-in sales for hardware bundles. Games like Wii Sports and the original Super Mario Bros. owe a substantial portion of their incredible sales figures to their inclusion with popular gaming consoles. This practice, while boosting accessibility and introducing millions to the joy of gaming, is an important distinction to make when comparing these sales achievements. With these essential caveats in place, prepare to be amazed as we journey through the digital annals to unveil the top 10 best-selling video games of all time.
A Deep Dive into Gaming’s Commercial Champions
The video game industry is a dynamic and ever-evolving ecosystem, where innovation, creative storytelling, and engaging gameplay converge to create experiences that resonate across generations. The games featured on this list have not only achieved commercial success but have also left an indelible mark on popular culture, shaping the way we play and interact with digital entertainment. We’ve meticulously researched and compiled the latest sales data, aiming to provide the most accurate and up-to-date ranking of the industry’s undisputed sales champions.
10. Super Mario Bros. – A Phenomenal 50 Million Units Sold
Emerging from the golden era of 8-bit gaming, Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), released in 1985, stands as a monumental achievement in video game history, boasting an impressive 50 million copies sold, a figure that includes its status as a crucial pack-in game for the NES console. While this was not Mario’s inaugural appearance in a video game, Super Mario Bros. solidified his iconic status and propelled the beloved franchise into stratospheric levels of popularity. The game’s meticulously crafted levels, its instantly recognizable chiptune music, and its memorable roster of enemies have cemented its place in the pantheon of gaming’s most influential titles. The legacy of Super Mario Bros. continues to inspire, with numerous sequels and spin-offs gracing countless platforms. The most recent installment, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, released in October 2023 for the Nintendo Switch, demonstrates the enduring appeal of this legendary character and his consistently innovative adventures.
9. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – A Masterpiece Achieving 60 Million Sales
From the acclaimed studios of CD Projekt Red, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt represents a profound evolution for the franchise, captivating players with its rich narrative, expansive open world, and deeply engaging gameplay. As of its latest sales reports, this critically lauded title has achieved a staggering 60 million copies sold across all available platforms. Launched in 2015, The Witcher 3 was an immediate critical and commercial success, a momentum that has only amplified over the years. The game’s accessibility has been further enhanced by frequent sales and discounts, yet this has done little to diminish the magnitude of its sales figures. A significant catalyst for its continued success was the highly anticipated premiere of the Netflix television series, The Witcher, in 2020. This cultural phenomenon led to an extraordinary 500% surge in The Witcher 3’s sales, introducing a new wave of fans to Geralt of Rivia’s captivating world. CD Projekt Red has since focused on another ambitious project, Cyberpunk 2077. While its initial launch faced a challenging reception, subsequent updates and patches have transformed the player experience, leading to a remarkably positive turnaround. The future of the Witcher saga is bright, with The Witcher 4 currently in active development, powered by the cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5, promising an even more immersive and visually stunning experience for fans.
8. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – The Enduring Legacy of 60 Million Copies Sold
Released in 2011, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim from Bethesda Game Studios has transcended its initial release to become a cultural touchstone in the gaming landscape. Its launch was met with widespread acclaim, and its sales performance has remained remarkably robust in the ensuing years. The game’s ubiquity has become a popular internet meme, a testament to its enduring appeal and its widespread availability. Game director Todd Howard famously quipped in 2018, “If you want us to stop releasing it, stop buying it,” referencing the game’s seemingly endless stream of ports to virtually every conceivable platform. This sentiment was echoed in a 2023 interview where Howard revealed that Skyrim had surpassed an astonishing 60 million copies sold, firmly cementing its position among the top-selling video games of all time. Bethesda Game Studios, under Howard’s leadership, is now focusing on new ventures, including the highly anticipated RPG Starfield. However, the studio’s long-term vision includes the eagerly awaited The Elder Scrolls 6 and the next installment in the Fallout series, Fallout 5, promising more epic adventures for dedicated fans.
7. PUBG: Battlegrounds – A Precursor to the Battle Royale Boom with 75 Million Units
Before the widespread adoption of the free-to-play model, PUBG: Battlegrounds, originally known as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, achieved remarkable commercial success, selling an impressive 75 million copies across PC and console platforms. Released in 2017 and drawing inspiration from a popular Arma mod, PUBG rapidly established itself as a pioneer in the battle royale genre, setting the stage for a global phenomenon. Its innovative gameplay loop and intense survival mechanics captured the attention of millions, making it a leading title in the burgeoning battle royale market. The game’s reach has since expanded significantly with the release of a dedicated mobile version, further broadening its player base. While initial plans for a connected universe, including the horror-themed game The Callisto Protocol, have seen some scaling back, PUBG’s foundational impact on the genre remains undeniable. Though now free-to-play, its historical sales figures underscore its pivotal role in shaping modern gaming.
6. Red Dead Redemption II – Rockstar’s Western Epic Sells 77 Million
Rockstar Games, renowned for its genre-defining open-world experiences, proudly features two entries on this esteemed list, with Red Dead Redemption II claiming the sixth spot. This critically acclaimed Western epic, released in 2018, has sold an astounding 77 million copies. Serving as a prequel to the beloved 2010 title, Red Dead Redemption, players were treated to a meticulously crafted narrative that delves into the events leading up to the original game. Set against the backdrop of a sprawling and breathtakingly realized American West in 1899, the game immerses players in a world brimming with detail, danger, and poignant storytelling. While its accompanying online mode, Red Dead Online, did not achieve the same cultural ubiquity as GTA Online, the core game’s exceptional quality and expansive content have driven its monumental sales success. The intricate gameplay, compelling characters, and unparalleled world-building have solidified its status as a modern classic.
5. Mario Kart 8 + Deluxe – The Definitive Racing Experience with 77.32 Million Sales
The Mario Kart series is an undisputed juggernaut in the gaming world, and Mario Kart 8, along with its enhanced version Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, stands as the best-selling installment to date. The game’s initial launch on the Wii U in 2012 saw robust sales of 8.46 million copies, a significant achievement considering the console’s relatively modest sales of 13.5 million units. However, the true sales explosion occurred with the release of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch. This definitive version has captivated an even wider audience, selling an astonishing 68.86 million copies and bringing the combined total to an incredible 77.32 million. The game’s consistent presence in Nintendo’s annual Black Friday bundles has undoubtedly contributed to its boosted sales figures, leveraging its pack-in status to reach even more households. Nintendo’s commitment to extending the life of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is evident through the Booster Course Pass, which has introduced dozens of new DLC tracks, offering players endless racing possibilities. The latest entry in the series, Mario Kart Tour, has also seen considerable success, with over 5.63 million downloads, further cementing the franchise’s enduring popularity.
4. Wii Sports – The Motion Control Revolution Sells 82.9 Million
The Nintendo Wii, with its revolutionary motion controls, ushered in a new era of interactive entertainment, and its pack-in title, Wii Sports, was instrumental in its widespread adoption. Selling a staggering 82.9 million copies, as per Nintendo’s latest official figures, Wii Sports was more than just a game; it was an experience that appealed to a broad demographic. Its inclusion with the Wii console was a masterstroke, introducing millions of players, many of whom were new to gaming, to the intuitive and engaging gameplay facilitated by the Wii Remote. The sheer joy of mimicking real-life athletic motions, whether swinging a tennis racket or bowling a virtual ball, resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. The success of Wii Sports paved the way for its sequel, Wii Sports Resort, released in 2009, which expanded the gameplay with new sports like frisbee and basketball. More recently, Nintendo has brought its motion-controlled sports revival to the Switch with the aptly named Nintendo Switch Sports, continuing the legacy of accessible and fun athletic simulations.
3. Grand Theft Auto V – The Unstoppable Force with Over 215 Million Sales
It was an inevitability that Grand Theft Auto V would feature prominently on this list, and its position here speaks volumes about its enduring appeal and monumental commercial success. Rockstar’s magnum opus, this celebrated open-world action game, first released in 2013, has continued to sell millions of copies quarter after quarter, accumulating a breathtaking total of over 215 million units sold and counting. Initially launching on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, GTA V has since graced subsequent generations of consoles, including the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC, with enhanced graphics and features tailored for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Beyond its extraordinary unit sales, GTA V generates substantial revenue through its phenomenally popular multiplayer component, GTA Online. This enduring online world continues to attract millions of players, further contributing to the game’s financial dominance. The 215 million figure does not even account for players who may have experienced GTA V through subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. In terms of sheer financial impact, Grand Theft Auto V has been declared the most successful entertainment product of all time, a title that underscores its unparalleled cultural and economic significance. Naturally, Rockstar Games is heavily invested in the future of the franchise, with GTA 6 currently in development and slated for a May 2026 release, promising to push the boundaries of open-world gaming even further.
2. Minecraft – The Global Phenomenon with an Astonishing 300 Million Sales
The inclusion of Minecraft on this list is, perhaps, the least surprising, yet its achievement is no less remarkable. As of 2023, this sandbox creation phenomenon has surpassed an astounding 300 million copies sold, according to franchise owner Microsoft. The game’s reach is truly global, with reports indicating that a copy of Minecraft has been purchased in virtually every country and territory on Earth, including even the remote reaches of Antarctica and the Vatican City. Created by Markus “Notch” Persson, the game’s immense success led to its acquisition by Microsoft in 2014 for a colossal $2.5 billion. While Microsoft has opted against releasing a direct sequel, they have diligently expanded the Minecraft universe with a range of successful spin-off titles, including Minecraft Dungeons and Minecraft Legends, each offering unique gameplay experiences within the beloved blocky aesthetic. The cultural impact of Minecraft extends beyond gaming, with a major motion picture currently in development, starring prominent actors like Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Kate McKinnon, and Jennifer Coolidge, further solidifying its status as a worldwide cultural icon.
1. Tetris – The Timeless Puzzle Masterpiece Exceeding 520 Million Sales
Topping our list, and indeed the annals of video game history, is the enduring and universally recognized puzzle game, Tetris. According to the official Tetris website, this iconic title has achieved a staggering lifetime sales figure of over 520 million units, with billions of online sessions played annually. This remarkable number undoubtedly encompasses the combined sales of its myriad versions released across countless platforms and generations. Tetris is not merely a video game; it is a cultural phenomenon, instantly recognizable to individuals of nearly any age. Its influence has even permeated everyday language, with the phrase “playing Tetris” commonly used to describe the act of fitting many items into a confined space. Created by Alexey Pajitnov, a Soviet Russian engineer, Tetris truly gained momentum when game designer and entrepreneur Henk Rogers discovered it at a Las Vegas trade show in 1988. Rogers secured the licensing rights from Pajitnov and famously partnered with Nintendo, leading to Tetris’s release as a pack-in title for the revolutionary Nintendo Game Boy. This strategic move alone resulted in 35 million copies sold for the Game Boy alone, a testament to the game’s addictive nature and broad appeal. Since then, Tetris has been released on virtually every platform imaginable, consistently captivating new generations of players. The captivating origin story of Tetris was recently brought to the screen in a 2023 film starring Taron Egerton, further illuminating the incredible journey of this timeless classic.
This comprehensive overview showcases the sheer scale of success achieved by these iconic titles. While the gaming landscape continues to evolve with new technologies and evolving player preferences, the enduring legacy of these best-selling games serves as a powerful testament to the universal appeal of exceptional game design and captivating interactive experiences. At Gaming News, we will continue to track these sales figures and explore the narratives behind the games that shape our digital world.