Since the first video game hit our screens (Tennis for Two in 1958, in case you were wondering), players and audiences have been obsessed with the stats. From lap times to kill streaks, hours played to rounds completed, the statistics behind games have kept us curious since the very beginning.
But what about the games themselves? Have you ever wondered how your favorite titles stack up against one another, or how well the individual titles perform?
In this piece, we’ll give you a rundown of the true chart-toppers in video game sales, exploring the titles that have dominated the rankings and kept gamers across generations glued to their screens.
Join us as we take a closer look at the record-breakers of video game history and explore what makes them so popular.
*Note: The games on this list are ranked by the number of software units sold worldwide.
10. Super Mario Bros.
First on our list is the much-loved Super Mario Bros. First released by Nintendo in 1985 for the NES, this classic game has become synonymous with childhood nostalgia for gamers across the globe. The first non-arcade Mario game, Super Mario Bros. was initially released in Japan for the family computer.
Often heralded as “one of the greats”, Super Mario Bros. has sold over 58 million copies worldwide since its release on September 13th, 1985. The game is also recognized as one of the major players responsible for reviving the video game industry after the infamous “crash” in 1983.
If you close your eyes, you can almost hear the iconic theme tune by Koji Kondo. Takes you back, right? Now, Mario has grown into a vast, multimedia brand, with films, merch, and even food — earning it a worthy spot on our list, even four decades on.
Stay tuned for more Mario later on the list.
9. Terraria
Next, we have Re-Logic’s Terraria, an impressive action-adventure sandbox game that allows players to explore, craft, and battle to their heart’s content.
Selling an impressive 60.7 million copies at the time of writing, Terraria was released on May 16th, 2011, by 505 Games and Re-Logic, receiving immediate praise for its unique style and classic take on creativity.
Despite its initial release for Windows, Terraria was quickly ported to PC and console platforms for more players to enjoy. Aside from its nostalgic 2D retro pixel design and unique procedurally generated world, the success behind Terraria has largely been attributed to its constant updates. Multiple, large-scale updates (along with an active and ever-growing mod community) have helped Terraria feel fresh, new, and exciting for years after its release.
8. The Oregon Trail
We’ll have to dust off our consoles for this one because, in 8th place, we’re travelling all the way back to 1971 with another retro game.
If you’ve played a recent version of The Oregon Trail — say, the American Settler version in 2011 — you might be surprised to know that this game started out as an interactive educational piece, designed by teachers to teach their students about pioneer life in the 1800s!
Turn back the clock, and The Oregon Trail was a text-based game that operated via a teletype machine (yes, this computer game is technically pre-computer). Playing as a wagon leader, students had to avoid historically-accurate threats and survive while leading a group of settlers towards Oregon.
So, how did the game grow from student homework to gaming legend? Like Terraria, The Oregon Trail has survived and succeeded for so many decades on account of its multiple graphics transformations and adaptations for different consoles.
Originally released by MECC on December 3, 1971, the game quickly became a cult classic and has now sold over 65 million copies in various forms. So, the next time you complain about your teachers being uncool, think of Don Rawitsch, Bill Heinemann, and Paul Dillenberger — the OG cool-guy video game developers.
7. Red Dead Redemption 2
Adding a first-person shooting game to the list, Red Dead Redemption 2 was released by Rockstar Games on October 26, 2018, and has been loved by gamers ever since.
Sticking with the nineteenth-century Western theme, Red Dead Redemption 2 allows players to step into the boots of outlaw Arthur Morgan, navigating survival in an open world teeming with enemies, threats, and immersive interactions.
Expanding significantly on the first game, RDR2 has been critically acclaimed for breathtaking visuals, a surprising depth of emotion (yes, cowboys have feelings too), and impressive attention to detail.
Since its release, Red Dead Redemption 2 has sold over 70 million copies (and counting). With a development time of more than eight years, it also stands as one of the most expensive video games ever made — so it’s a good thing it sold so many!
6. PUBG: Battlegrounds
PUBG: Battlegrounds was released on October 16, 2018, by Krafton and has since sold over 75 million copies. Inspired by the 2000 Japanese film Battle Royale, PUBG: Battlegrounds drops players onto an island where they must quickly gather materials and eliminate opponents, all while staying within a rapidly shrinking “safe area” on the map.
Under the creative direction of Brendan “PlayerUnknown” Greene, who had previously developed similar mods in other games, PUBG: Battlegrounds was met with immediate praise from both players and critics. Admittedly, the game had its technical flaws; however, beyond that, it rose to immense fame, becoming a fan favorite and later being credited with popularizing the battle royale genre.
In addition to its record-breaking sales, the game set seven Guinness World Records and earned numerous Game of the Year nominations. As it stands, PUBG remains the best-selling game on PC.
5. Mario Kart 8 / Deluxe
We told you Mario would make another appearance — this time on wheels! Find someone who’s never played or at least heard of Mario Kart. We’ll wait (great grandparents not included).
Mario Kart has been immensely popular since its debut on the SNES in 1992. Now practically a household name, siblings have been squabbling over who gets to play Mario for decades. But Mario Kart 8 brought the races between the plumbers, toads, and friends into a new era for gamers with its polished finish and rich content.
Released on May 29, 2014, for the Wii U (with the Deluxe version arriving on the Switch in 2017), Mario Kart 8 introduced anti-gravity sections, an expanded track list, and a character roster that ballooned to 42 options. No surprise it became a hit with both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Combined, the two versions have sold around 75.8 million copies globally, making Mario Kart 8 one of the highest-selling titles of all time.
4. Ark: Survival Evolved
Next up is Studio Wildcard’s Ark: Survival Evolved. Released on August 29, 2017, Ark has sold over 76 million copies to date and — despite some critical dispute — stands as one of the most popular video games of all time.
Release-wise, Ark started out as a PC game, with its early access title being rolled out in mid-2015. After hiring Instinct Games, Efecto Studios, and Virtual Basement to assist with the game’s development, Studio Wildcard released the official game in 2017 for Linux, macOS, PS4, Windows, and Xbox One.
Interestingly, the initial critical reception of Ark was not overwhelmingly positive (though its sales would suggest otherwise). The game was described as being too harsh and punishing, with overly difficult activities and a few performance issues (especially on the 2018 Nintendo Switch version). However, players loved its open-world survival gameplay, particularly the dinosaur taming, so Ark thrived – and continues to do so nearly a decade later.
3. Wii Sports
Did you automatically start humming the theme tune like we did? This sports simulation game had people accidentally throwing remotes at their TV screens left, right, and centre in the early 2000s — and we loved it for that.
The Nintendo Wii itself was a huge success as a console, only elevated by the fun interactivity and “get-fit” ethos that Wii Sports brought to the table. From tennis, baseball, and golf to bowling and boxing, Wii Sports is fun for all the family – and adds a healthy dose of competition too.
Becoming the best-selling Nintendo game ever (yes, really!), Wii Sports has since expanded into an even more popular sequel, Wii Sports Resort (2009), and has also rolled out on the Wii U and Nintendo Switch in 2014 and 2022 respectively. There are even dedicated esports tournaments for the games held on the Wii.
The simulation sports game that won’t stop giving, since its release on November 19, 2006, Wii Sports has amassed over 82.9 million sales, proudly earning its place on the podium of all-time best-sellers.
2. Grand Theft Auto V
Taking the coveted second place, Rockstar Games’ GTA V breaks records with an impressive 210 million sales to date. Released on September 17, 2013, Grand Theft Auto V was not only widely anticipated but also marketed extensively to an already-loyal fanbase of the GTA franchise.
Earning $800 million on its first day, GTA V became the fastest-selling entertainment product in history. Just three days after release, it had already earned $1 billion — setting unprecedented new standards for the video game industry. That figure has since soared to $8.5 billion.
Critics praised the game’s multiple-protagonist structure and immersive gameplay, though it also faced controversy over its depictions of violence and treatment of women.
In terms of accolades, GTA V is an overachiever, winning numerous awards including the VGX Award for Best Soundtrack and the 2014 Game Award for Best Remaster.
1. Minecraft
In first place: Minecraft! Are you at all surprised? Bricks and creepers have been everywhere in recent years — from classrooms to shirts.
Released on November 18th, 2011, by Mojang Studio, Minecraft has taken the world by storm, evolving into more of a cultural phenomenon than a game. Now available on smartphones, almost all consoles, PCs, and tablets, Minecraft is ubiquitous and shows no signs of losing momentum anytime soon.
As the best-selling video game of all time, Minecraft has sold over 300 million copies and enjoys nearly 170 million active monthly players. That’s quite the retention rate, if you ask us.
Winning its fair share of awards, Minecraft is arguably the most influential video game of all time. It’s been popularized not only by advertising but also through social media, merchandise, the yearly Minecon, and even the Minecraft Movie (scheduled for release in 2025).
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And, in the meantime, keep up to date with the latest from the gaming world over on the Displate blog.
