In modern times, video games are the best way to spend your leisure time but have you wondered what the most selling video games of all time are?
There is no surprise that the video gaming industry is one of the most lucrative industries in the world. There is enormous competition among video game manufacturers, and many different games hit the market every year.
Similarly, advancing technology has revolutionized the video gaming system. Gamers can now experience more hyper-realistic stimulation thanks to the advancements.
No wonder there are millions of units of video games being sold every year. And it is not only the new video games that are the best sellers. Many classic video games still are continuously being sold.
Regardless of the advancement, these simple classic video games are beloved by gamers worldwide. Their popularity remains, and they are some of the most selling video games.
To answer the question we asked at the very top, here we have compiled a list of fifteen of the most selling video games of all time. Now without any delay, let us get straight into the list!
15 Most Selling Video Games of All Time
We have compiled the list with the help of Wikipedia as our primary reference. But before we get into the list’s details, let us look at the overall ranking in the table below.
Video Game | Units Sold |
15. Animal Crossing: New Horizons | 38,640,000 |
14. The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone – Blood & Wine (Fantasy RPG) | 40,000,000 |
13. Pac-Man | 42,071,635 |
12. Tetris (1989) | 43,000,000 |
11. Wii Fit / Plus | 43,800,000 |
10. Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR) | 44,000,000 |
9. Terraria | 44,500,000 |
8. Pokemon Red / Green / Blue / Yellow | 47,520,000 |
7. Mario Kart 8 / Deluxe (MK8) | 53,790,000 |
6. Super Mario Bros. | 58,000,000 |
5. PUBG: Battlegrounds | 75,000,000 |
4. Wii Sports | 82,900,000 |
3. Tetris (EA) | 100,000,000 |
2. Grand Theft Auto V (GTA5) | 165,000,000 |
1. Minecraft sales | 238,000,000 |
15. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the fifth main entry in the Animal Crossing series. It is a social simulation game that was initially released on March 20, 2020.
Nintendo is the developer and the publisher of the game. It was developed for the Nintendo Switch. In the game, the players can control different characters who can move to a deserted island after purchasing a getaway package from Tom Nook (a fictional character).
The players can then accomplish various assigned tasks and gather and craft items. Likewise, they can customize the island they choose and develop it into a community of anthropomorphic animals.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons was critically acclaimed for its gameplay and customization options. It became the best-selling video game of the Animal Crossing series.
The game has managed to hook new players while successfully retaining their core concepts for previous series game players. It has also inspired various trading websites, talk shows, and merchandise.
In today’s time, a gaming console has become a basic necessity in almost all homes. One can imagine how many units of video gaming consoles are being sold on a worldwide level. Read more!>>>
14. The Witcher 3 | Hearts of Stone | Blood and Wine
Our 14th most selling video game of all time is The Witcher 3 / Hearts of Stone / Blood and Wine. The game was first released on a multi-platform in 2015.
Developed and published by CD Projekt, Hearts of stone is the first expansion pack for the 2015 video game, while Blood and Wine are the second. The action role-playing adventure game comes with a single-player mode.
The Heart of Stone is an adaptation of the Polish folktale of Pan Twardowski. Meanwhile, the Blood and Wine follows Geralt of Rivia’s adventure as he travels to Toussaint.
The fantasy RPG’s gameplay does not differ much from its previous predecessor. However, the story and the quests vastly differ, and it also has new weapons and items added.
Both the expansions were critically acclaimed. Furthermore, Blood and Wine even won several awards. Together The Witcher 3 / Hearts of Stone / Blood became one of The Witcher franchise’s most sold video games.
13. Pac-Man
Pac-Man is part of many of our childhoods, so it is no surprise that it is one of the most selling video games. Namco is the developer and publisher of the game initially made for arcades.
Its initial name was Puck-Man in Japan. This 1980 maze action game video game was released in North America by Midway Manufacturing with licensing agreement with Namco America.
The concept of a pizza with a slice removed image was an inspiration behind the game design. The characters of the game were designed to be cute, colorful, and appealing to the younger players, which was a huge success.
The players must eat all the dots inside an enclosed maze while avoiding four colored ghosts. If the players can eat large flashing dots called “Power Pellets” that cause the ghosts to turn blue, Pac-Man can eat them for bonus points.
The Pac-Man franchise remains one of the highest-grossing and best-selling video games. As of 2016, the game has generated more than $14 billion in revenue. It is one of the most commercially successful video games.
12. Tetris (1989)
On number 12, we have a puzzle video game, Tetris. Nintendo developed and published the game in 1989, which is a portable version of Alexey Pajitnov’s 1984 original Tetris.
Tetris was the first game compatible with the Game Link Cable, which allowed two Game Boy consoles to link for multiplayer. Later a colorized remake of the game dubbed Tetrix DS was released on the Game Boy Color.
The game consists of a pseudorandom sequence of tetromino shapes composed of four square blocks. The players must manipulate the tetrominoes by moving each sideways and rotating them to create a horizontal line of blocks.
When the lines are created without gaps, they disappear. And as the game progresses, the tetrominoes start falling faster. The game is one of the classics game of Game Boy.
The game topped both Japanese and US sales charts when it was released in 1989. Tetris 1898 was fifth on the “100 Best Nintendo Games” list in the Official Nintendo Magazine.
11. Wii Fit / Plus
Wii Fit / Plus is our 11th most selling video game. Nintendo developed and published this exergaming video game for the Wii console and released it in Japan on October 1, 2009.
Wii Fit / Plus is a modern and enhanced version of its predecessor ‘Wii Fit’. It provides all of the initial activities of the original version and has fifteen other balance/aerobic games and six yoga and strength-training exercises.
Since the original game was a huge commercial success, the developer came up with a follow-up. It corrected the issues in the previous version and made accessing activities quick and easy.
Similarly, the game’s interface was also recreated and adjusted multiple times. The most significant change is the Stroop effect, which requires players to coordinate their minds and bodies.
The changes worked, and Wii Fit / Plus was a huge success. It received 80.83% and 80% scores on GameRankings and Metacritic, respectively.
10. Red Dead Redemption 2
On number 10, we have Red Dead Redemption 2. Rockstar Games, which is famous for its fascinating and engaging game designs, created this masterpiece. The RDR 2 is the third entry in the Red Dead series and a prequel of the Red Dead Redemption released in 2010.
The game has an interactive open world set in 1899 where the players can roam freely. The story follows the adventure of outlaw Arthur Morgan, a Van der Linde gang member.
The players presented the game through first- and third-person perspectives in a fictionalized Western, Midwestern, and Southern United States. The main protagonist must deal with the decline of the Wild West while trying to survive.
Similarly, the players can interact with non-player characters, including shootouts, heists, hunting, and horseback riding. The Red Dead Redemption 2 also has a bounty system similar to the Grand Theft Auto franchise’s wanted system.
Red Dead Redemption 2 was widely anticipated and marketed before release. Thus, it broke several records and had the second-biggest launch in entertainment history.
9. Terraria
With sales of over 44 million units, we have Terraria on number 9 of the most selling video games. It is an action-adventure sandbox game initially released for Microsoft Windows on May 16, 2011.
Re-Logic is the developer of the game, while 505 is the publisher. Terraria game features a 2D world where the players can explore, craft, build, paint, and combat various creatures.
The game has both single-player and multiplayer modes. The players can interact and modify the game made up of several layers of tiles. Similarly, the players can also customize the characters and obtain vanity items.
It has a 2D sprite tile-based graphical style reminiscent of the 16-bit sprites on the Super NES. Terraria’s classic exploration-adventure gameplay style made it one of the most popular video games among gamers.
Additionally, for skilled players, the game has “Expert” and “Master” modes to increase the challenge. The thrilling-adventure game garnished favorable reviews from critics and was sold across all platforms.
8. Pokemon Red / Green / Blue / Yellow
Pokemon is a popular video game developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. The Pokemon Red, Green, and Blue are the first installments of the Pokemon video game series, while Yellow is their enhanced version.
The series are role-playing video games. The Red, Green, and the special edition Blue was released first in Japan in 1996. Meanwhile, the Yellow edition was released first in Japan in 1998.
The Pokemon Red / Green / Blue are the first installments of the Pokemon video games series, followed by Yellow. The gamers play in a third-person view, overhead perspective, and consist of three basic screens.
The game’s main objective is to battle other Pokemon using their Pokemon. Players will encounter wild Pokemons, or other trainers will challenge them. Similarly, there are multiplayer options, especially for trading purposes.
Overall the games were well received by critics and gamers alike. The series’ release helped build a multi-billion franchise and became one of the greatest games ever.
7. Mario Kart 8 / Deluxe
The 7th most selling video game of all time goes to Mario Kart 8 / Deluxe. Nintendo is the developer and publisher of this kart racing game, first released in 2014 for the Wii U.
The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an enhanced version of the Nintendo Switch released in April 2017. The game has all the game mechanics and characters of the previous Mario Kart series.
The players control the characters of their choosing in kart racing and collect various items from hindering their opponents or gaining an advantage in the race. It has both single-player and multiplayer modes.
Mario Kart 8 / Deluxe also introduces a new element: the anti-gravity driving on walls or ceilings. It allows players to bump into one another for a short boost.
The new additions, tracks, graphics, and gameplay received praise from critics and gamers. Therefore, it was a commercial success and became one of the best-selling Switch games.
6. Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. is the successor to the 1989 arcade game Mario Bros and the first game in the Super Mario series. Nintendo developed and published this platform game for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
The 2d/3D platform game was first released in Japan in 1985 at Famicom. Later in early 1986, the game was ported to international arcades for the Nintendo Vs. System.
The players control Mario or his brother Luigi in multiplayer mode. The players travel through the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Toadstool from King Koopa (renamed Bowser).
Similarly, the players will have to pass through the enemies and pits, and Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Starman aid as the power-ups. The game consists of eight worlds with four sub-levels.
Super Mario Bros. is one of the greatest video games of all time. It helps build a multimedia franchise that includes other game series, animated TV series, and live-action feature films.
5. PUBG: Battlegrounds
Next, we have a battle royale game, PUBG: Battlegrounds. PUBG Studios developed and published the game with Krafton as a subsidiary, and it was released on December 20, 2017.
The game is based on previous mods created by Brendan “PlayerUnknown” Greene for other games. The 2000 Japanese film Battle Royale was the inspiration behind the game.
PUBG: Battlegrounds can be played by up to one hundred players. The payers parachute onto an island where they scavenge for weapons and equipment to eliminate other players while trying to survive.
Similarly, as the game progresses, safe areas decrease in size as surviving players face off in tighter areas. The last player who manages to survive is the winner.
The game became the best-selling video game on PC and Xbox One. The PUBG Mobile global version also became more successful with more than 1 billion downloads and earned over $8.42 billion on mobile devices.
4. Wii Sports
Released in 2006, we have Wii Sports on number 4 of the most selling video games of all time. Nintendo developed and published this sports simulation video game for the Wii video game console.
The sports simulation game comes packed with five sports simulation features designed to demonstrate the motion-sensing capabilities of the Wii Remote. The players have to mimic the actions performed in real-life using the remote.
The five sports included in the collection are tennis, baseball, bowling, golf, and boxing. To make the game accessible to beginners, the rules of each game are simplified.
Similarly, the game also features training and fitness modes that monitor the players’ progress. A training mode allows players to practice three challenges for each sport.
Wii Sports soon became popular for social gatherings and competitions among players. As a result, the game became the best-selling single-platform game of all time.
3. Tetris (EA)
We have reached the top three best-selling video games of all time. On number 3, we have a puzzle video game, Tetris (EA), with 100 million units sold worldwide.
EA Mobile is the game’s developer, and Electronic Arts are the publisher. The game has featured gameplay nearly identical to Tetris but with a new soundtrack. Further, the players can create their soundtrack using the music library.
Tetris (EA) has two modes of play which is a “Marathon” mode and “Magic” mode. The Marathon mode is more of a classic version of Tetris. Meanwhile, the Magic mode is an enhanced version of the gameplay.
The Marathon mode has 15 levels, and the Magic mode has 15 levels of difficulty. After finishing Marathon mode, the players can unlock the Endless features. The notable feature of Magic mode is the addition of helper objects.
Unlike the older version of Tetris, the new version of Tetris (EA) features online compatibility, knockout, and battle royale mode. As of 2010, the game is one of the best-selling paid mobile games of all time.
2. Grand Theft Auto V
Who doesn’t know Grand Theft Auto? So it is no surprise that our second most selling video game of all time is Grand Theft Auto V. The action-adventure game is the seventh main entry in the Grand Theft Auto series.
Rockstar North is the developer, and Rockstar Games is the game’s publisher. It was released on September 17, 2013, and the gameplay is set within the fictional state of San Andreas.
The game features single-player and multiplayer modes. Similarly, the players can play the game from a third-person or first-person perspective. The players are free to navigate the world on foot and by vehicle.
The main story of the game revolves around the heist sequences. There are various missions that players have to get through that involve shooting and driving.
Grand Theft Auto V was widely anticipated and extensively marketed. As a result, it became the fastest-selling entertainment product in history, earning $800 million on its first day.
1. Minecraft
With a total sales of 238 million units worldwide, Minecraft is the number 1 best-selling video game of all time. It is a sandbox video game created by Markus “Notch” Persson in the Java programming language.
Mojang is the developer and publisher of the video game. The game was first made public in 2009 but was fully released in 2011. Players can play the game freely, and there are no particular missions.
This notable feature is one of the reasons Minecraft is popular among gamers. Similarly, the blocky, procedurally generated 3D world adds to the game’s uniqueness.
In 2019, The Guardian named Minecraft the best video game of the 21st century. The play won several awards and received critical acclaim. The game’s popularity further soared thanks to social media, parodies, adaptations, etc.
Moreover, Minecraft has also been used in educational environments to teach computer-aided design, computer science, and chemistry. As of 2021, the game has nearly 140 million monthly active users.
Conclusion
Video games have advanced so much from what they used to be. The redefining game designs, the hyper-realistic simulation, and augmented and virtual reality further adds to the appeal of video gaming.
Therefore, there is no surprise that video games sell millions of units every year. Do you love video games? So, which game among these masterpieces is your favorite? Let us know!!