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 didn’t appear on the list!
So then, what does? 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 300 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 210 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.
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 the accessible and fun control scheme reaching a new audience of people who have 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.
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Ark: Survival Evolved
While Ark may not be as mainstream as some of the other best-selling video games on our list, with 76 million copies sold, its popularity cannot be denied.
When you think about it, its concept is a winning formula: an open world crafting survival experience packed with dinosaurs.
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.
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.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Time for another Rockstar Games classic.
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 70 million copies.
The Oregon Trail
Everyone remembers playing Oregon Trail as a kid! Yes, we all laughed at the “you have died of dysentary” jokes, but the game works due to its impressive mechanics.
The survival adventure presents players with many vital choices, which can be the difference between life and death. It also serves as an educational exercise for kids as they learn about the Oregon Trail and the struggles people experienced as they moved West.
You can even play the 1990 version of the game online through the Visit Oregon travel website.
Terraria
Minecraft isn’t the only crafting game on our list of best-selling games.
Terraria, which has sold over 60 million copies, 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.
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
Curve Games.
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.
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.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD PROJEKT RED.
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.
Pokemon Red/Blue/Green/Yellow
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 of a gamer you are.
Combined with the Pokemon Yellow spin-off, these games sold over 47 million copies.
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 47 million copies.
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