The 16 best-selling games of all time

Gamers have a wide variety of tastes, which means that the list of best-selling games won’t be dominated by some titles that you’d expect.

For example, when researching the top 15 best-selling games, we were shocked to discover that Call of Duty or Tetris didn’t appear on the list! Both franchises are among the most popular and iconic, but they were both beaten out.

So then, what does make the list of the best-selling video games of all time? There are some familiar names from Nintendo and Rockstar Games, but you’ll have to keep reading to discover more.

Minecraft

Chances are you know someone who’s played Minecraft. That’s what happens when you sell over 400 million copies.

The popular open-world crafting game was a smash hit in the 2010s and is showing no signs of slowing down. What once began as a sandbox that lets gamers craft anything their imaginations can think of has shifted to being a hub of seemingly endless content, enjoyed by fans of all ages.

I can’t tell you how often I see younger kids playing Minecraft on an iPad in public. It’s a phenomenon that shows no signs of slowing down.

Grand Theft Auto V

While we still (im)patiently wait for the next entry in the Grand Theft Auto franchise, Rockstar Games can rest on their laurels since GTA V has sold over 230 million copies.

Grand Theft Auto V was radically ahead of its time in 2013, offering an impressive open world, a gripping story, and iconic characters. Some argue that Red Dead Redemption 2 is the superior game, but we’ll talk more about that in a bit.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Time for another Rockstar Games classic, and one that slowly but surely rises the ranks of the best-selling games of all time list.

With Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar has perfected the open world formula. The gameplay remains second to none, but the story is where Red Dead truly shines. Everything, from the writing to the characters to the performances, captivates in a way that transcends the medium, standing toe-to-toe with some of the best narratives in entertainment. That’s helped it sell over 87 million copies.

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Wii Sports

Everyone’s parents bought a Nintendo Wii in the 2000s to experience Wii Sports. Nintendo’s motion controls broke into the mainstream in a big way, selling nearly 83 million copies, thanks to an accessible, fun control scheme that reached a new audience of people who had never picked up a traditional video game controller.

While motion controls were ultimately a fad, I’m sitting here fondly looking back on our former nightly routine of booting up a game of Wii Tennis or Wii Bowling.

Mario Kart 8: Deluxe

The most impressive aspect of Mario Kart 8: Deluxe‘s success in selling over 75 million copies is that the game is a port of the Nintendo Wii U title Mario Kart 8.

It’s true. Mario Kart 8: Deluxe is a Nintendo Switch launch title that offers enhanced graphics and DLC add-ons over its predecessor. This is a testament to the failures of the Wii U as a console and the success of the Nintendo Switch.

Is it better than Mario Kart World? Honestly…yes.

PUBG: Battlegrounds

Battle Royales ruled the gaming world for a while in the late 2010s.

The genre features multiplayer shooters in which everyone enters the battlefield on an equal playing field, searching for upgrades while trying to be the last person standing. While others, such as Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone, may have surpassed PUBG in popularity, it’s only fair we pay respects to the original and its 75 million copies sold.

Terraria

Minecraft isn’t the only crafting game on our list of best-selling games. You may not have heard of this one, but it’s earned its spot on the list of best-selling games, having sold over 70 million copies since its launch in 2011.

Terraria trades in the 3D open world environment for a sprite-based 2D world. Its visuals are reminiscent of the old-school Super Nintendo days, and nostalgia no doubt plays a big part in its success.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Another game that sold over 50 million copies, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the best RPGS ever made.

The Witcher 3 works so well because everything has a purpose. Its pacing is excellent, the writing is in a league of its own, and there’s never an aspect of the gameplay that feels tiresome.

If you haven’t experienced the series yet, then now’s the perfect time to jump in before the release of The Witcher 4.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

If you thought the wait for Grand Theft Auto VI has been rough, then Elder Scrolls fans would like a word.

The good news is that, at the time of writing, Bethesda is hard at work on the next installment in the iconic RPG franchise. To say that expectations are high, albeit a little tempered, is putting it lightly. One reason is the breakout success of Skyrim, which has sold over 65 million copies since its release.

Super Mario Bros.

I was surprised that the original Super Mario Bros. for the NES sold only 58 million copies.

There have been a lot of jokes already that seemingly everyone who’s ever played a video game has tried Minecraft or Wii Sports. Yet, with Super Mario, I know for a fact that everyone has either played it once or seen someone else play it.

It’s on the gaming Mount Rushmore for a reason.

Human: Fall Flat

Sometimes, the key to success for a video game is finding ways to keep gamers entertained.

That’s exactly what Human: Fall Flat does. Despite mixed reviews from critics, Human: Fall Flat‘s gameplay succeeds enough, thanks to the fact that the game is surprisingly funny to watch. You can argue that it’s better to watch someone else playing Human: Fall Flat than actually playing it.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The newest entry in the Animal Crossing series launched right as COVID-19 lockdowns began. In many ways, it was perfect timing; we could still interact with our friends by visiting their towns from the comfort and safety of our homes.

While many argued that New Horizons was a step back in the Animal Crossing series, it was still enjoyable during its heyday and helped the game sell over 50 million copies.

The Sims

It’s only fitting that The Sims and Animal Crossing: New Horizons are right next to each other in the list of best-selling games, with both having sold roughly 50 million copies.

Since its release in 2000, The Sims have arguably become the more iconic franchise from Maxis compared to SimCity. The life simulator has resonated with millions upon millions of fans across the world.

Stardew Valley

You know what, let’s talk about one more cozy sim game that has sold 50 milion copies.

Stardew Valley is one of the most successful indie games of all time. Players have been taking care of their farm for a decade now, growing crops, fishing, and building relationships. There’s even a multiplayer option available as well.

Overwatch

Blizzard took a big risk by launching a brand new IP in 2016, but it paid off in spades.

Overwatch, on the back of its 50 million copies sold, reinvigorated the hero shooter genre, opening the door for countless imitators to follow suit. Few games have been able to capture the magic of Overwatch, which, sadly, includes Overwatch 2 in its original form. It has since rebounded quite well, but man, there’s just something about original Overwatch that was incredible.

No wonder it’s one of the best-selling video games.

Pokemon Red/Blue/Green/Yellow

Pokémon Red and Blue | Outrun Gaming — Image Credit: Nintendo.

The Pokemon games that started it all.

The first generation (known here as Red/Blue, released in Japan as Red/Green) kickstarted the Pokemon craze on the back of addicting JRPG-like gameplay. The concept of catching all 150 Pokemon remains enticing today, no matter how old a gamer you are.

Combined with the Pokemon Yellow spin-off, these games sold over 47 million copies.