20 of the Best-Selling Video Games of All Time

Critically successful games don’t always see that same success translate to their commercial performance, but most of the incredibly successful titles throughout the history of video games happen to check both of those boxes. Looking at the top 20 best-selling games shows that they surprisingly share one key similarity — each has made a unique contribution to the industry, ultimately changing it forever. From blockbuster first-person shooter franchises to beloved RPGs, sports games, and more, these are the best-selling video games of all time.

• Release Date — October 25, 2019
• Developer — Infinity Ward
• Publisher — Activision
• Genre — FPS
• Review Aggregate Score — 81% (Generally Favorable)
• Total Sales — 41,000,000 units

Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) is the official kick-off of the 2020s era of the franchise. The reboot offered a new engine with better visuals and audio, multiplayer has been entirely overhauled — featuring cross-platform play and seamless progression — and there are new game modes, including Realism, 2v2 Gunfight, and the Battlefield-esque Ground War. Tying the whole experience together is Modern Warfare‘s campaign, drawing from real-world conflicts and presenting morally complex scenarios. Both single and multiplayer modes proved to be enough of a hit to land this Call of Duty alongside the other best-selling game in the franchise.

• Release Date — November 6, 2015
• Developer — Treyarch
• Publisher — Activision
• Genre — FPS
• Review Aggregate Score — 81% (Generally Favorable)
• Total Sales — 43,000,000 units

Treyarch’s Black Ops III pushed the franchise well beyond “modern warfare” and into futuristic territory akin to Infinite Warfare. And, taking a cue from Titanfall 2, it even introduced momentum-based thruster pack movement, wall running, sliding, and other new traversal abilities. One of the most significant changes came about in Black Ops III‘s multiplayer, allowing players to choose a specialist to play as, each with their unique abilities and weapons. The reception for Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 was mostly favorable from critics, but by 2015, the franchise had established itself as an unstoppable sales juggernaut, regardless of its critical reception.

• Release Date — December 1, 2007
• Developer — Nintendo EAD
• Publisher — Nintendo EPD
• Genre — Movement, Sports
• Review Aggregate Score — 80% (Generally Favorable)
• Total Sales — 43,800,000 units

Wii Fit and its expansion, Wii Fit Plus, took the world by storm with Nintendo’s novel balance board peripheral. The game successfully targeted a particular niche of individuals seeking an interactive fitness experience, helping them gamify their weight loss and health. The game provides just that, with over 40 activities players can experience guided by a virtual trainer. It was marketed as a way to get families moving together, and Wii Fit was well received for making exercise fun; however, it did receive criticism for how often the game interrupted play with unnecessary menus.

• Release Date — March 20, 2020
• Developer — Nintendo EPD
• Publisher — Nintendo
• Genre — Simulation
• Review Aggregate Score — 90% (Universal Acclaim)
• Total Sales — 48,190,000 units

The success of Animal Crossing: New Horizons stemmed from a combination of its quality and its release window, arriving just as many players around the globe were entering lockdowns because of the COVID-19 pandemic. New Horizons is a cozy life sim where players can terraform their island, enjoying creative freedom and social connection. Unsurprisingly, critics also considered the title a masterpiece, mainly because it encouraged connection at a time when the world needed it most. The cultural imprint left behind was profound—islands hosted celebrations such as graduations, birthday parties, and even protests. The fan base used Animal Crossing to turn isolation into community, helping, in turn, to make Animal Crossing a major success.

• Release Date — May 24, 2016
• Developer — Blizzard Entertainment
• Publisher — Blizzard Entertainment
• Genre — FPS, Hero Shooter
• Review Aggregate Score — 91% (Universal Acclaim)
• Total Sales — 50,000,000 units

Overwatch‘s launch was a moment in time you just had to be there to fully grasp, practically taking the gaming world by storm. While it is technically a first-person shooter, it helped define the modern “hero shooter” genre, blending elements of competitive FPS games and multiplayer online battle arenas, or MOBAs. Competitive, casual, and bright, Overwatch was also a breath of fresh air from the other shooters that were dominating the genre. While it’s had a bit of a fall from grace in the wake of Overwatch 2, the original Overwatch is a masterclass in making a casual game competitive and inclusive. That it would go on to win Game of the Year at the Game Awards in 2016 (along with Best Multiplayer, Game Direction, and Esports Game of the Year) is well-deserved.

• Release Date — 2000
• Developer — PopCap Games
• Publisher — PopCap Games
• Genre — Puzzle
• Review Aggregate Score — N/A
• Total Sales — 50,000,000 units

Bejeweled originally launched in 2000 as Diamond Mine for web browsers, but after its name change and boost in popularity, it would go on to pioneer the match-three mechanic and help establish a new era of casual gaming. Bejeweled is simple yet addictive, and most gamers have either played it or know someone who has. It was also compatible with most devices, making it accessible regardless of your preferred platform. While many traditional reviewers found the game too simple, it still managed to resonate with its core audience, with Computer Gaming World naming it the Best Puzzle Game of 2001.

• Release Date — July 22, 2016
• Developer — No Brakes Games
• Publisher — Curve Digital
• Genre — Puzzle-Platformer
• Review Aggregate Score — 70% (Mixed or Average)
• Total Sales — 55,000,000 units

As niche as it is, the physics-driven puzzle platformer has consistently thrived in the spaces that appreciate it. Human: Fall Flat is no exception. Players control a customizable noodle-limbed character named Bob who grabs, climbs, and pushes his way through surreal level design. The controls are intentionally clumsy, which gives the game a certain charm that’ll either resonate with you or turn you off completely. For those who love comedic games that also happen to be cooperative (allowing you to experience the madness with a friend), Human: Fall Flat is one of the better and more hilarious titles you can play.

• Release Date — September 13, 1985
• Developer — Nintendo R&D4
• Publisher — Nintendo
• Genre — Platformer
• Review Aggregate Score — N/A
• Total Sales — 58,000,000 units

Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. redefined the platformer, and you could argue that it redefined video games as a whole. The title was designed by game design luminaries Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, with even its iconic music scored by the legendary Koji Kondo. The game set a benchmark for the future of console gaming as a masterclass in precision controls, colorful visuals, and a memorable soundtrack. Super Mario Bros wasn’t just a hit; it helped revive the gaming industry in North America after its crash in 1983.

• Release Date — September 13, 1985
• Developer — CD Projekt Red
• Publisher — CD Projekt
• Genre — Action RPG
• Review Aggregate Score — 92% (Universal Acclaim)
• Total Sales — 60,000,000 units

Before Baldur’s Gate 3 was redefining the open-world RPG, the crown went to CD Projekt RED’s The Witcher 3. The title had it all — beautiful landscapes, layered and entertaining side quests, and surprisingly complex combat that only got better the more you played. Every once in a while, a benchmark for a game’s genre is released, and The Witcher 3 is that game for open-world RPGs. The game was so successful that it rocketed CD Projekt RED into the spotlight and helped the studio become a household name.

• Release Date — May 16, 2011
• Developer — Re-Logic
• Publisher — Re-Logic/505 Games
• Genre — Survival, Crafting
• Review Aggregate Score — 81% (Generally Favorable)
• Total Sales — 64,000,000 units

At first glance, Terraria appears to be a simple 2D sandbox. But the more time you spend with it, the more the game’s complex layers unravel, and it has evolved into one of gaming’s most beloved indie titles. Terraria is seemingly endless, which is only helped by its strong modding community, and it will likely remain a space for creative game design for years to come. While it initially became successful thanks to comparisons to Minecraft, Terraria has proven that it’s its own thing entirely.

• Release Date — December 3, 1971
• Developer — Don Rawitsch, Bill Heinemann, and Paul Dillenberger
• Publisher — MECC
• Genre — Strategy, Simulation
• Review Aggregate Score — N/A
• Total Sales — 65,000,000 units

For a lot of gamers of a certain age, The Oregon Trail might have been the first-ever school-approved video game we played. However, the success of The Oregon Trail isn’t just tied to computer labs; it was a hit in its own right among early PC adopters, enough for parts of it to become ingrained in the cultural zeitgeist. Managing supplies, fending off disease, and battling the elements while guiding settlers to the west was a unique look at the hardships faced by America’s Western settlers, and it also happened to be a ton of fun.

• Release Date — February 4, 2000
• Developer — Maxis
• Publisher — Electronic Arts
• Genre — Simulation
• Review Aggregate Score — 92% (Universal Acclaim)
• Total Sales — 70,000,000 units

It’s almost hard to believe that it’s been 25 years since The Sims was originally released. Created by Sim City‘s Will Wright, the original Sims introduced the world to a true-to-life sandbox where, instead of managing buildings, you managed people. As it turns out, the emergent storytelling and unpredictability of the Simulons proved to be an even bigger hit than Sim City ever was. And a quarter century and four mainline entries (and hundreds of DLC) later, a lot of its success is owed to The Sims‘ phenomenal community and modding scene.

• Release Date — December 20, 2017
• Developer — PUBG Studios
• Publisher — Krafton
• Genre — Battle Royale
• Review Aggregate Score — 86% (Generally Favorable)
• Total Sales — 75,000,000 units

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, also known as PUBG, transformed gaming as we know it by pioneering the battle royale genre. Players drop into a massive map with 99 other players and scavenge for weapons to survive as the last man standing. It’s the basis for the world’s most popular game, Fortnite, but PUBG beat Epic Games’ pillar to the punch by several months. PUBG was and still is a gaming phenomenon, even breaking a Guinness World Record for explosive growth.

• Release Date — February 27, 1996
• Developer — Game Freak
• Publisher — Nintendo
• Genre — JRPG
• Review Aggregate Score — 88% (Generally Favorable)
• Total Sales — 76,140,000 units

Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow are arguably the definitive handheld RPGs. Each of the first games in the now-legendary Pokémon series combines a relatively simplistic RPG with addictive creature collection, and it ended up being a formula that resonated strongly with players around the globe. Pokémon is now the most popular and successful multimedia franchise of all time, and it all started with the original trio of games on Game Boy.

• Release Date — October 26, 2018
• Developer — Rockstar Games
• Publisher — Rockstar Games
• Genre — Action-Adventure
• Review Aggregate Score — 97% (Universal Acclaim)
• Total Sales — 77,000,000 units

Rockstar has been dominating the open-world action-adventure space for decades, and Red Dead Redemption 2 is perhaps the pinnacle of their unique brand of cinematic open-world storytelling. Almost no other game offers the same depth and detail as what’s on offer in Red Dead Redemption 2. Arthur Morgan’s gritty struggle for survival and redemption is one of gaming’s great sagas. Every element of the game is of the highest quality: narrative, characters, world-building, side activities, etc. It makes sense that the game has sold as well as it has, only outpaced by Rockstar’s other major open-world franchise.

• Release Date — May 29, 2014
• Developer — Nintendo EPD
• Publisher — Nintendo
• Genre — Driving/Racing
• Review Aggregate Score — 92% (Universal Acclaim)
• Total Sales — 77,320,000 units

Even in a post-Mario Kart World environment, Mario Kart 8 remains many players’ favorite entry in the long-running series, and it’s easy to see why. This comprehensive entry would end up spanning two whole console generations and getting plenty of DLC to extend the experience, adding more racers and incredible tracks to an already impressive package. You know a game is a certified sales success when it’s the best-selling game on a Nintendo console for more than 10 years and on two different pieces of hardware.

• Release Date — August 29, 2017
• Developer — Studio Wildcard
• Publisher — Studio Wildcard
• Genre — Survival, Crafting
• Review Aggregate Score — 70% (Mixed or Average)
• Total Sales — 79,045,000 units

Ark: Survival Evolved threw its players into a lush, prehistoric open world where crafting, survival, and dinosaur taming create long-lasting experiences shaped by everyone on the server. And while the game didn’t receive a positive reception from critics, Ark would end up thriving thanks to its fanbase. Even in 2025, almost a decade after the game’s launch, Ark continues to draw in new players interested in the survival genre. It’s not for everyone, but with its 76 million copies sold, it’s clearly resonated with quite a few gamers.

• Release Date — November 19, 2006
• Developer — Nintendo EAD
• Publisher — Nintendo
• Genre — Sports
• Review Aggregate Score — 76% (Generally Favorable)
• Total Sales — 82,900,000 units

One of the best system pack-ins of all time (and a major selling point that helped it become a massive success), Wii Sports is one of the best-selling games of all time. Nintendo of America’s then-president, Reggie Fils-Aime, had to fight for the game to be bundled with its platform, but that decision might have been one of Nintendo’s smartest plays. Wii Sports helped bring family members, casual enjoyers, and hardcore gamers together in a way that honestly hasn’t been seen since.

• Release Date — September 17, 2013
• Developer — Rockstar North
• Publisher — Rockstar Games
• Genre — Action-Adventure
• Review Aggregate Score — 97% (Universal Acclaim)
• Total Sales — 215,000,000 units

While Red Dead Redemption 2 may be the peak of Rockstar’s open-world design, Grand Theft Auto 5 was an important stepping stone that laid down the groundwork for Red Dead to be as great as it is. No franchise satirizes life as well as Grand Theft Auto, and that sense of humor has helped the game continue to resonate with one generation of gamers after another. Even with GTA 6 on the horizon, GTA 5 continues to evolve thanks to its revolutionary online mode, which helped it easily eclipse every other game in the series as the best-selling title in Rockstar’s catalog.

• Release Date — November 18, 2011
• Developer — Mojang Studios
• Publisher — Mojang Studios
• Genre — Survival, Crafting
• Review Aggregate Score — 93% (Universal Acclaim)
• Total Sales — 350,000,000 units

As of writing, Minecraft is the best-selling game of all time, with over 350 million copies sold and 140 million active players. Minecraft isn’t just a game — it’s a sandbox that has harnessed endless creativity in a way that no other game has. No other game is on the same scale as Minecraft, and it’s one of the few titles that has helped launch the careers of several successful content creators. Along with being the best-selling game ever made, there’s a strong case for Minecraft being one of the best and most important games in the history of the medium.