Best-Selling Video Games Of All Time (Top 50)

Video games are a well-renowned form of entertainment around the world that people from any stage of life enjoy. The most popular video games have sold the most copies or generated the most revenue. As a result, they frequently substantially impact the gaming industry and popular culture.

The success of a video game is frequently contingent on several factors, such as its gameplay mechanics, narrative, graphics, and marketing. Moreover, some games are popular due to their multiplayer modes or esports scenes, which enable players to compete in organized tournaments.

Here are the top 15 best-selling video games of all time:

1. Minecraft

• Minecraft is the video game that has sold the most units ever.
• The game was made by Markus “Notch” Persson and Mojang Studios, a Swedish company that makes video games.
• With over 238 million copies sold, the game has become one of the best-selling video games ever since its debut in 2011.
• Dragon Eggs are the rarest item in Minecraft.
• A day in Minecraft equates to 20 minutes in the actual world.
• The game Minecraft is taught in schools.

Minecraft is a popular sandbox video game. In Minecraft, players discover a blocky 3D world, gathering resources and building structures. The game is open-ended, allowing players to set goals and play them in their way. There are four different playable game modes in Minecraft: Creative, Survival, Hardcore, and Adventure.

In survival mode, players must collect supplies and food while avoiding monsters that appear in the world. In creative mode, players can use any materials they want and make anything they want. Lastly, adventure mode is made for players or the community to make their own maps. 

Minecraft has a large and busy community of players and modders, and you can download and play a huge number of mods and custom maps made by these people. The game has also been used in schools to teach history, art, and code.

2. Grand Theft Auto V

• Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) combines action and adventure.
• Rockstar North developed, and Rockstar Games published the game.
• The game was published in 2013 for PlayStation 3, 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC, among other platforms.
• The game has sold over 175 million copies worldwide.
• The initial development of GTA 5 cost $137 million and generated over $6 billion in revenue.
• The script for GTA 5 was nearly 3,500 pages long.

The imagined city of Los Santos, where GTA V takes place, is based in Los Angeles. The game follows the stories of three player characters, Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, and Trevor Philips, who rob banks and do other illegal things in the criminal underworld of Los Santos.

There are single-player and team modes in the game. In the single-player mode, players switch between the three characters to complete tasks and move the story along. In the Grand Theft Auto Online multiplayer game, players make their characters and do things like racing, robbing banks, and fighting.

GTA V is known for its open-world gameplay, which lets players go wherever they want in Los Santos and talk to those who live there. Critics have praised the game for its images, story, gameplay, and attention to detail in making a world that feels alive and moves.

But the game has also caused a lot of trouble because it shows violence, drug use, and sexual material. As a result, violence in video games and how it affects players has been the subject of many debates and talks.

3. Tetris (EA)

• Alexey Pajitnov made the puzzle video game Tetris for the first time in 1985. 
• The Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition reports that Tetris is one of the most-bought video games ever.
• Over 100 million copies of the game were sold all over the world.
• According to the 2014 Gamer’s Edition of the Guinness World Records, Tetris was the first video game to reach orbit.
• Many different companies, including Electronic Arts (EA), have since adapted and published the game.
• Many popular TV shows, like “The Big Bang Theory,” “Revenge,” and “The Office,” have talked about Tetris.

In the EA version of Tetris, players must line up Tetriminos, blocks of different shapes, to make lines. When a complete line is made, it goes away, and the person gets a point. As the Tetriminos fall faster and faster, the game gets harder and harder.

The EA version of Tetris can be played alone or with other people. In single-player mode, players can compete against their high scores. In multiplayer mode, they can compete against people from all over the world.

The game also lets you change things like the background and music, and there are different ways to play, like the Marathon mode and the Sprint mode. In Marathon mode, you play Tetris like you always have, but in Sprint mode, you must clear 40 lines as quickly as possible.

The EA version of Tetris has gotten good reviews because of how fun it is to play, how colourful the pictures are, and how fun it is to play with other people. It is also praised for being fun for both new and old fans of the original Tetris game.

4. Wii Sports

• Nintendo developed and published the video game Wii Sports for the Wii console. 
• As a launch title for the Wii, the game was released in 2006 and soon became one of the console’s most popular titles.
• The game has sold over 82.9 million copies worldwide.
• Wii Sports is a compilation of five sports games that utilize the motion-sensing capabilities of the Wii Remote controller.
• Wii Sports contains tennis, baseball, bowling, golf, and boxing games. Each game is designed to be essential and intuitive, with controls that mimic the movements of actual sports.

In tennis, players swing their virtual racquet with the Wii Remote while competing against computer-controlled opponents or other players. In baseball, the Wii Remote is used to pitch, bat and field, while in bowling, it is used to roll a virtual ball down a lane and knock down pins.

In golf, participants swing their virtual club with the Wii Remote and play a round of golf on a virtual course. In boxing, players utilize the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers to hurl punches and avoid their opponent’s attacks.

Wii Sports was lauded for its innovative use of motion controls and ability to appeal to both casual and expert gamers. It also contributed to popularising the Wii console and introducing a new generation of video games.

5. PUBG: Battlegrounds

• PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, or PUBG: Battlegrounds, is a famous battle royale video game made and sold by PUBG Studios, a division of the South Korean video game company Bluehole. 
• The game has sold over 75 million copies worldwide.
• Erangel is one of the most popular game layouts. It is arguably PUBG Mobile’s most popular map.
• Winner Winner Chicken Dinner is the most well-known term in PUBG Mobile. It appears after a player wins a match and comes from a casino culture.
• In PUBG Mobile, you can use more than 15 guns. The game has almost every kind of gun, like a shotgun, sniper rifle, assault rifle, and submachine gun.
• The royal pass, one of the most popular parts of the game, was added in season 2.
• The Japanese film Battle Royale is believed to influence the game significantly.
• Windows, Android, iOS, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5 are the supported platforms.

In PUBG, up to 100 players jump off a plane and land on an island, looking for guns and gear to be the last person or team standing. The game has a shrinking playing area that pushes players into smaller and smaller areas. This makes it harder to avoid running into other players. It can be played by one person, two people, or a group of up to four people.

PUBG is known for its high stakes, intense gaming, and realistic graphics. Players must carefully handle their resources and make strategic decisions to stay alive and get rid of their opponents. There are also different vehicles and weapons in the game, each with its strengths and flaws.

People have said that PUBG is fun to play, has a tense environment, and has realistic graphics. But it has also been criticized for having bugs and other technical problems, showing violence, and using guns. Despite these complaints, PUBG is still a viral game with many players and streamers who play and talk about it.

6. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a kart racing video game for the Nintendo Switch that was made and sold by Nintendo.
• It was published in 2017 as an improved version of the original Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U console, released in 2014.
• The game has sold over 60,5 million copies worldwide.
• Platforms: Wii U, Nintendo Switch.

In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, players select a character from the Mario series and compete against other players on various tracks, using power-ups and weapons to obtain an advantage and attempting to reach the finish line initially. In addition to the original game’s content, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe includes new characters, courses, and vehicles. There are 48 tracks in the game, 24 of which are new to the series.

Additionally, the game features new gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to hold two objects at once and enhanced graphics and sound compared to the original game. The game is playable with various controllers, including the Joy-Con controllers, the Switch Pro Controller, and the handheld mode of the Nintendo Switch.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has received widespread acclaim for its entertaining and approachable gameplay, vibrant visuals, and multiplayer modes. In addition, it has been praised for its ability to appeal to casual and serious gamers and its high replayability. In addition to being a commercial triumph, the game has sold millions of copies worldwide.

7. Super Mario Bros.

• Super Mario Bros. is a Nintendo-developed and -published platform video game. 
• Since its 1985 release on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) console, the game has become one of history’s most iconic and influential video games.
• The game has sold over 58 million copies worldwide.
• It made its first appearance in Donkey Kong.
• Mario has held 12 occupations.
• Mario was named after a Washington real estate developer.
• The first video game to have a movie was Mario.
• Platforms: Nintendo Entertainment System, arcade.

In Super Mario Bros., players guide Mario through the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Toadstool from the villainous Bowser. The game comprises eight worlds with four levels and diverse foes, power-ups, and obstacles.

Mario can jump on foes to defeat them, collect coins to obtain extra lives, and collect power-ups like mushrooms and fire flowers to acquire new abilities. Additionally, the game includes hidden secrets and warp zones that enable players to bypass later levels.

Super Mario Bros. was lauded for its innovative gameplay, vibrant visuals, and catchy audio. It is also credited with reviving the video game industry after the 1983 collapse and establishing the platformer genre as a dominant force in video games.

Super Mario Bros. has since spawned a plethora of sequels, spin-offs, and merchandise, as well as media adaptations. As a result, Mario has become one of the most recognizable and cherished icons in popular culture, and the game has influenced generations of gamers.

8. Red Dead Redemption 2

• Red Dead Redemption 2 is a developed and published action-adventure video game by Rockstar Games. 
• The game was published in 2018 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC and is a prequel to the 2010 release of the original Red Dead Redemption.
• The game sold over fifty million copies worldwide.
• There are half a million lines of dialogue in the game.
• There are 300,000 individual animations.

The game takes place in 1899 and tells the tale of Arthur Morgan, a law-evading Van der Linde gang member. The game takes place in an open-world environment, and players can explore the game’s vast and detailed universe, interacting with non-playable characters and completing story-advancing missions.

The gameplay mechanics of Red Dead Redemption 2 include gunfights, equestrian riding, hunting, and fishing. 

In addition, the game features a morality system that impacts how other characters interact with the player, as well as multiple endings based on the player’s choices.

The game received widespread praise for its immersive world, intricate characters, and cinematic narrative. It was lauded for its attention to detail, realistic imagery, and complex gameplay mechanics. Additionally, the game won numerous awards for its music, voice acting, and general design.

Red Dead Redemption 2 was a commercial triumph, with millions of copies sold worldwide. Red Dead Online, its popular online multiplayer mode, enables players to explore the game’s world and complete missions with other players.

9. Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Yellow

• Pokémon is a franchise of Japanese video games created by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures.
• Since Pokémon Red and Green came out for the Game Boy in Japan in 1996, the series has become one of the most popular and well-known in video game history.
• The game has sold over 47,500,000 copies worldwide.
• Pikachu was not the original symbol of Pokémon.
• Rhydon is the 1st Pokémon ever created.
• In 2021, Pokémon was recognized by Guinness World Records as the best-selling RPG video game series due to its tremendous global popularity.

In Pokémon video games, the user assumes the role of a trainer who captures and trains “Pokémon” creatures for battle against other trainers. The gameplay focuses on exploration, actions, and Pokémon collection, aiming to become the Pokémon League champion.

The franchise has expanded to include trading card games, animated television shows, films, and numerous merchandise in addition to video games. Currently, the Pokémon franchise features over 800 distinct Pokémon species, each with its abilities and characteristics.

The Pokémon video games have been praised for their addictive gameplay, original world design, and memorable characters. Each new instalment in the series has introduced new features and gameplay mechanics over the years.

The franchise has also become a worldwide cultural phenomenon, with admirers of all ages and ethnicities. Pokémon Let Us Go is a remake of the original Pokémon titles for Nintendo Switch.

10. Terraria

• Terraria is an adventure game in 2D that Re-Logic made. 
• It debuted in 2011 and has since become a renowned independent video game title.
• The game has sold over 44.5 million copies worldwide.
• Platforms: Windows

In Terraria, players explore a procedurally generated world, gather resources, and create weapons, armour, and tools. The game features a variety of enemies and creatures, and players must battle their way through various biomes and dungeons to progress.

The emphasis on exploration and originality distinguishes Terraria. The game allows players to construct structures, create their own world, and customize their characters’ appearance and equipment.

Terraria has been praised for its addictive gameplay, endearing visuals, and complex production and exploration systems. Since its initial release, the game has received numerous updates and expansions that have added new content and gameplay mechanics.

It has been compared to well-known sandbox games like Minecraft, but its 2D perspective and emphasis on combat and exploration set it apart. As a result, Terraria has sold millions of copies on PC and consoles, and The game has become an iconic title among fans of independent video games on mobile devices.

11. Wii Fit Plus

• Nintendo developed and published the fitness game Wii Fit Plus for the Wii console. 
• The expansion to the original Wii Fit game, published in 2007, was released in 2009.
• The Wii Balance Board accessory included with the game enables players to engage in various exercises and activities, including yoga, strength training, and balance challenges. 
• Additionally, the game includes a variety of fitness routines and challenges, as well as the ability to monitor progress and establish fitness objectives.
• The game sold over 43.8 million copies around the world.

One of its distinguishing characteristics is Wii Fit Plus’s use of the Wii Remote and Balance Board to monitor a player’s movements and progress. In addition to various customizable workout routines, players can create their fitness plans based on their objectives and fitness level.

Wii Fit Plus was lauded for its innovative use of motion controls and its ability to make fitness enjoyable and accessible to a large number of participants. It was also credited with assisting to popularise the term “exergaming,” which refers to the use of video games as a form of exercise.

The game was a commercial success, selling millions of copies around the globe, and has since become a staple of the Wii console’s game library. In addition, it is a popular option for gamers who wish to incorporate exercise into their gaming routines.

12. Tetris

• Tetris is a classic puzzle game created by the Russian game designer Alexey Pajitnov in 1984. 
• Since then, the game has become one of the most popular and well-renowned video games ever, with numerous adaptations and variations released for multiple platforms.
• The game sold over 43 million copies around the world.

In Tetris, players must align descending blocks to form complete lines, which are then eliminated from the playing field. The game becomes increasingly difficult as the blocks fall faster and in increasingly intricate patterns.

Tetris’s simplicity, with its easy-to-learn gameplay that rapidly becomes addictive, is one of the reasons for its immense popularity. The game’s visuals are also recognizable, with its distinctive block shapes and “Tetris theme” audio.

Tetris has been released on various platforms, including the original PC version, consoles, portable devices, and mobile phones. New gameplay features and modes have been added, but the core gameplay remains unchanged.

Tetris has been praised for its addictive gameplay, straightforward yet challenging mechanics, and ability to appeal to players of all ages. Decades after its initial release, it is a popular game, with new adaptations and variations being released regularly.

13. Pac-Man

• It is a classic arcade game that was first released by Namco in 1980.
• The game quickly became a cultural hit and is still one of the most famous and well-known games ever.
• The game sold over 42 million copies around the world. 

In Pac-Man, the player controls a character named Pac-Man, who must move through a maze and eat all the dots while dodging enemies called ghosts. Whenever Pac-Man runs into a ghost, he loses a life. The four ghosts in the game each act and think in their way, which adds to the difficulty and strategy of the game.

The game’s success comes from the fact that it is easy to play but still fun, and its characters and music are easy to remember. As a result, Pac-Man has been made available on many different devices over the years, such as arcade machines, home computers, and mobile phones.

Pac-Man has also been turned into sequels, spin-offs, and products, among other things. As a result, the figure has become an essential part of the culture, showing up in TV shows, films, and other forms of media.

People have said that the game’s gameplay is timeless and that people of all ages and backgrounds can play it. Fans of video games still love it, and it is often mentioned as one of the most significant games ever made.

14. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a life simulation game for the Nintendo Switch that was made and sold by Nintendo. 
• It was released in March 2020 and became one of the most popular titles for the platform almost immediately.
• The game sold over 41.6 million copies around the world.

In the game, players make their characters and move to a deserted island, where they must build and grow their community. Players can collect materials, make things, and decorate their islands however they want. The game is played in real-time, and the surroundings and events change depending on the day or year.

One thing that makes Animal Crossing: New Horizons stand out is that it puts a lot of focus on social interaction. Players can go to each other’s islands and trade items. There are also online multiplayer modes that let players connect with friends and strangers worldwide.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been praised for its cute images, casual gameplay, and ability to help people feel better when stressed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have also said that the game helped build a feeling of community and connection.

Millions of game copies have been sold worldwide, and the developers are still adding updates and new material. In addition, it has become a cultural phenomenon, with its figures and style showing up in many different kinds of media and products.

15. Human: Fall Flat

• Human: Fall Flat is a crazy, entertaining puzzle game with a distinct, engaging gameplay experience.
• It is a physics-based puzzle game designed and published by No Brakes Games and Curve Digital.
• The game was published in 2016 for multiple platforms, including Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. 
• The game sold more than 40 million copies worldwide.

In Human: Fall Flat, players take control of Bob, who uses physics-based gameplay to solve puzzles and traverse levels. The game’s levels can be approached in various methods, allowing for creative solutions and experimentation.

The humorous animations of Bob and the other characters, combined with the physics-based gameplay mechanics, create an amusing and entertaining experience. In the game’s multiplayer modes, players can collaborate to solve puzzles or compete against one another in various challenges.

Human: Fall Flat’s innovative gameplay features have earned it a lot of praise, humour, and an open-ended puzzle-solving approach. The game has received updates and additional content, including new levels and character customization options.

In conclusion, The video game business has grown a lot over the years, and many new games come out every year. The most popular video games have been a mix of old favourites, new ideas, and games that have caught the attention of players worldwide. Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto V, and Tetris have all been games that have sold many copies. These games have been famous because they are fun to play, have exciting stories, and can bring people worldwide together. As technology improves, thinking about what new games will emerge and win over players everywhere is exciting. 

Here is a list of best-selling video games in the world:

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