List of best-selling video games explained

This is a list of fifty video games that have globally sold the highest number of software units. The best-selling video game to date is Minecraft, a 2011 sandbox game released by Mojang for multiple platforms, eventually selling more than 300 million copies in 2023. Grand Theft Auto V is the only other video game known to have sold over 100 million and 200 million copies. The best-selling single platform game is Wii Sports, with nearly 83 million sales solely for the Wii console.

Among these best-selling video games on this list, over half of them were developed or published by Nintendo; four Nintendo titles were published with their affiliate, The Pokémon Company. Other publishers with multiple entries on the list include Activision and Rockstar Games, each with four games; Blizzard Entertainment and CD Projekt, each with two games. Nintendo EAD is the developer with the most games on the list, with thirteen games, followed by Game Freak with six Pokémon games. The oldest game on this list is Duck Hunt, released in April 1984, while the most recent is Hogwarts Legacy, released in February 2023.

Title! scope="col"
SalesSeriesPlatform(s)Initial release date Developer(s)Publisher(s)
scope=rowMinecraft300,000,000MinecraftMulti-platformMojang StudiosMojang Studios / Xbox Game Studios[1] [2]
scope=rowGrand Theft Auto V205,000,000Grand Theft AutoMulti-platformRockstar NorthRockstar Games[3]
scope=rowWii Sports82,900,000WiiWiiNintendo EADNintendo[4]
scope=row75,000,000PUBG UniverseMulti-platformPUBG StudiosKrafton[5]
scope=rowMario Kart 8 / Deluxe72,730,000Mario KartWii U / SwitchNintendo EAD / Nintendo EPD (Deluxe)Nintendo
scope=rowRed Dead Redemption 267,000,000Red DeadMulti-platformRockstar GamesRockstar Games
scope=rowTerraria60,700,000NoneMulti-platformRe-LogicRe-Logic / 505 Games[6]
scope=rowSuper Mario Bros.58,000,000Super MarioMulti-platformNintendo R&D4Nintendo
scope=rowOverwatch50,000,000OverwatchMulti-platformBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment[7]
scope=rowNoneMulti-platformNo Brakes GamesCurve Digital[8]
scope=rowThe WitcherMulti-platformCD Projekt RedCD Projekt[9]
scope=rowPokémon Red / Green / Blue / Yellow47,520,000PokémonMulti-platformGame FreakNintendo
scope=row46,450,000Animal CrossingNintendo SwitchNintendo EPDNintendo
scope=rowWii Fit / Plus43,800,000WiiWiiNintendo EADNintendo
scope=row40,000,000TetrisGame BoyNintendo R&D1Nintendo<--The source cites that the original Tetris sold 125 million units but it speaks to the franchise as a whole across every port and platform, Tetris is a game series. Rather than counting the entire series as a single game, the series' highest selling entries are included on this list, separate from each other.-->[10]
scope=rowMario Kart Wii37,380,000Mario KartWiiNintendo EADNintendo
scope=rowSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate35,140,000Super Smash Bros.Nintendo SwitchBandai Namco Studios / Sora Ltd.Nintendo
scope=rowStardew Valley35,000,000NoneMulti-platformConcernedApeChucklefish / ConcernedApe[11]
scope=row33,990,000The Legend of ZeldaWii U / SwitchNintendo EPDNintendo
scope=rowWii Sports Resort33,140,000WiiWiiNintendo EADNintendo
scope=rowNew Super Mario Bros.30,800,000Super MarioNintendo DSNintendo EADNintendo[12]
scope=rowNew Super Mario Bros. Wii30,320,000Super MarioWiiNintendo EADNintendo
scope=rowHogwarts Legacy30,000,000Wizarding WorldMulti-platformAvalanche SoftwareWarner Bros. Games[13]
Call of Duty: Modern WarfareCall of DutyMulti-platformInfinity WardActivision[14]
scope=rowDiablo IIIDiabloMulti-platformBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment[15]
scope=rowCyberpunk 2077CyberpunkMulti-platformCD Projekt RedCD Projekt[16]
scope=rowPokémon Gold / Silver / Crystal29,490,000PokémonGame Boy ColorGame FreakNintendo
Super Mario Odyssey28,500,000Super MarioNintendo SwitchNintendo EPDNintendo
scope=rowDuck Hunt28,300,000NoneNESNintendo R&D1Nintendo[17]
scope=rowWii Play28,020,000WiiWiiNintendo EADNintendo
scope=rowThe Walking Dead28,000,000The Walking DeadMulti-platformTelltale GamesTelltale Games[18]
scope=rowBorderlands 2BorderlandsMulti-platformGearbox Software2K Games[19]
scope=row27,500,000Grand Theft AutoMulti-platformRockstar NorthRockstar Games[20]
scope=rowSuper Mario World26,662,500Super MarioMulti-platformNintendo EADNintendo
New Super Mario Bros. U / Luigi U / Deluxe26,660,000Super MarioWii U / SwitchNintendo EADNintendo
scope=row26,500,000Call of DutyMulti-platformInfinity Ward / SledgehammerActivision[21]
Pokémon Sword / Shield26,440,000PokémonNintendo SwitchGame FreakNintendo / The Pokémon Company
scope=rowFIFA 1826,400,000FIFAMulti-platformEA VancouverEA Sports
scope=row26,200,000Call of DutyMulti-platformTreyarchActivision
Pokémon Scarlet / Violet25,690,000PokémonNintendo SwitchGame FreakNintendo / The Pokémon Company
scope=rowGarry's Mod25,560,000NonePCNovember 29, 2006Facepunch StudiosValve[22]
scope=rowPokémon Sun / Moon / Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon25,540,000PokémonNintendo 3DSGame FreakNintendo / The Pokémon Company
scope=rowGrand Theft Auto IV25,000,000Grand Theft AutoMulti-platformRockstar NorthRockstar Games[23]
scope=rowMonster HunterMulti-platformCapcomCapcom[24]
scope=rowElden RingNoneMulti-platformFromSoftwareBandai Namco[25]
scope=rowPokémon Diamond / Pearl / Platinum24,730,000PokémonNintendo DSGame FreakNintendo / The Pokémon Company
scope=rowSuper Mario Bros. 324,430,000Super MarioMulti-platformNintendo EADNintendo
scope=row24,200,000Call of DutyMulti-platformTreyarchActivision
Kinect Adventures!24,000,000NoneXbox 360Good Science StudioXbox Game Studios[26]
scope=rowNintendogs23,960,000NintendogsNintendo DSNintendo EADNintendo

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Zachary Boddy . 2023-10-15 . Minecraft crosses 300 million copies sold as it prepares to celebrate its 15th anniversary . 2023-10-15 . Windows Central . en . October 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015182946/https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/minecraft/minecraft-crosses-300-million-copies-sold-as-it-prepares-to-celebrate-its-15th-anniversary . live .
  2. Web site: Ash . Parrish . Minecraft has sold over 300 million copies . . October 15, 2023 . October 16, 2023 . October 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015232557/https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/15/23916349/minecraft-mojang-sold-300-million-copies-live-2023 . live .
  3. Web site: Take-Two hits targets for September quarter with $1.47B in net bookings . Takahashi . Dean . Dean Takahashi . . November 6, 2024 . November 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241106220704/https://venturebeat.com/games/take-two-hits-targets-for-september-quarter-with-1-47b-in-net-bookings/ . November 6, 2024 . live .
  4. Web site: Sales Data – Top Selling Title Sales Units – Wii Software . . March 31, 2022 . May 10, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171219181140/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/wii.html . December 19, 2017 . live .
  5. Web site: Peters. Jay. 2021-12-09. The original PUBG is going free-to-play. 2022-02-01. The Verge. en. February 1, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220201120543/https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/9/22821220/pubg-playerunknowns-battlegrounds-free-to-play-release-date. live.
  6. Web site: Re-Logic's Terraria has sold 58.7 million copies in 13 years . Justin . Carter . July 12, 2024 . . October 11, 2024 .
  7. News: Activision's Overwatch 2 Is Redefining the Sequel. Cecilia. D'Anastasio. Bloomberg News. April 29, 2022. June 5, 2023. April 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220429215753/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2022-04-29/activision-blizzard-s-overwatch-2-game-is-a-lot-like-the-original-review. live.
  8. Web site: Human: Fall Flat surpassed 50 million units worldwide . 15 December 2023 . 16 January 2024 . . December 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231215214600/https://curvegames.com/news/human-fall-flat-sales-surpasses-50-million-worldwide-2/ . live .
  9. May 29, 2023. PC Gamer. Rick. Lane. The Witcher 3 has sold 50 million copies. October 11, 2024.
  10. Web site: After 25 years, Tetris has sold 125 million copies . Takahashi . Dean . . June 1, 2009 . June 21, 2023 . June 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230621144138/https://venturebeat.com/entrepreneur/after-25-years-tetris-has-sold-125-million-copies/ . live .
  11. News: SHERRY . BEN . Eric Barone Isn't Concerned . October 11, 2024 . . June 21, 2024 . en .
  12. Web site: Sales Data – Top Selling Title Sales Units – Nintendo DS Software . . March 31, 2022 . May 10, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170425225159/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/ds.html . April 25, 2017 . live .
  13. Web site: Yossman . Jennifer Maas,K J. . 2024-11-05 . 'Harry Potter' 2.0: How Warner Bros. Plans to Keep the Magic Alive With a New HBO Series, Video Games and Pricey Merch . 2024-11-05 . Variety . en-US.
  14. News: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Sells 30 Million Copies . ComicBook.com . September 2, 2020 . September 3, 2020 . September 2, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200902020221/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-sells-30-million-copies/ . live .
  15. Web site: Diablo 3 lifetime sales top 30 million units . Samit . Sarker . . August 4, 2015 . August 5, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150806163842/http://www.polygon.com/2015/8/4/9097497/diablo-3-sales-30-million-units . August 6, 2015 . live .
  16. Web site: 2024-11-26 . Total post-release sales of Cyberpunk 2077 topped 30 million copies . 2024-11-26 . CD Projekt . en . November 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241126172103/https://www.cdprojekt.com/en/media/news/cd-projekt-wraps-up-the-third-quarter-of-2024/ . live .
  17. Web site: 1984: Duck Hunt – The Best Selling Video Game Of Every Year Since 1977 . Welch . Hanuman . . April 23, 2013 . April 26, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170424174120/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/04/the-best-video-games-to-come-out-every-year-since-the-atari-2600/duck-hunt . April 24, 2017 . live .
  18. Web site: Telltale Games' Shut Down and 'Revival,' Explained . IGN . December 13, 2019 . August 14, 2022 . Matt . Kim . August 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220814061205/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/12/13/telltale-games-shut-down-and-revival-explained . live .
  19. Web site: February 8, 2024 . Q3 2024 Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Earnings Conference Call Investor Presentation - February 2024 . February 10, 2024 . Take 2 Games . February 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240209022651/https://ir.take2games.com/static-files/f3fdf5c5-663b-4ac2-8924-d63dc410c60a . live .
  20. Web site: From 1997–2013: How the Grand Theft Auto series has evolved . . September 13, 2013 . April 26, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150213204138/http://www.itv.com/news/2013-09-13/a-brief-history-of-the-grand-theft-auto-series/ . February 13, 2015 . live .
  21. Web site: Call of Duty: A Short History . . April 26, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172825/http://microsites.ign.com/call-of-duty-a-short-history/ . March 3, 2016 . live .
  22. Web site: Yin-Poole . Wesley . 2024-11-29 . Garry's Mod Has Sold an Incredible 25.4 Million Copies, Is the Best-Selling PC Exclusive of All-Time . 2024-11-30 . IGN . en.
  23. News: GTA 5 has already beaten GTA 4's lifetime sales . Vincent . James . . October 7, 2013 . April 26, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152753/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/gaming/gta-5-has-already-beaten-gta-4s-lifetime-sales-8863784.html . April 26, 2017 . live .
  24. Web site: Monster Hunter: World reaches 25m sales worldwide . Liv . Ngan . 2024-03-12 . 2024-03-13 . . March 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240312123634/https://www.eurogamer.net/monster-hunter-world-reaches-25m-sales-worldwide . live .
  25. Web site: Romano . Sal . 2024-06-12 . Elden Ring shipments and digital sales top 25 million . 2024-06-12 . GEMATSU . en . June 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240612170737/https://www.gematsu.com/2024/06/elden-ring-shipments-and-digital-sales-top-25-million . live .
  26. Web site: The downfall of Kinect: Why Microsoft gave up on its most promising product . Weinberger . Matt . . September 9, 2015 . April 26, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170513011308/http://www.businessinsider.com/why-microsoft-xbox-kinect-didnt-take-off-2015-9 . May 13, 2017 . live .

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