10 Best Selling Video Games of All Time

Ever wondered which are the best selling video games? Those that fly off the shelves on launch day? Those that cause server crashes when they launch online? It’s the whole concept that brought about pre-orders. So, you can be assured that you’ll get your copy on launch day. And not have to suffer through spoilers. 

Over the years, there’ve been lots of video games that have recorded sales you won’t believe. And today, we’re looking at the best selling video games of all time.

10. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt/The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim/Terraria – Over 60 million sales

We have a tie for tenth place. Though The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is likely to surpass The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Terraria because of its ongoing Netflix TV show. Not to mention that it’s the final season, set to premiere in late 2026, that will bring the wild hunt for Ciri down to a, hopefully, showstopping climax and ending. 

Skyrim, meanwhile, has been around since 2011, and its old age is frankly showing in its outdated graphics and combat. Not that the action RPG doesn’t still hold the revered status of among the best masterpieces ever. 

And then there’s Terraria, which, also released in 2011. Yet, its digging and building-crafting sandbox mechanics are stupidly addictive and satisfying. Some even claim it’s getting better with age.

9. The Oregon Trail – Over 65 million sales

The interesting, easy-to-miss detail with The Oregon Trail is that the original version actually launched in 1971. Since then, this text-based game has evolved to include beautiful environments with vibrant colors and better controls. It’s moved from mainframe computers to Apple and PC devices. And thus, opened up to a wider audience.

Even with its age, the foundation remains exciting for students to learn the history and geography of traveling west across the United States. And the modern version is much better, with fun mechanics like cooking, managing inventory, and characters with quirky personalities. 

8. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Over 69 million sales

Mario Kart 8 + Deluxe, on the other hand, launched in 2017. But it’s been a nearly perfect kart racing game, too good to pass up, and ranking in eighth place among the best selling video games of all time. The content here is massive and a definitive version that gives great value for money. You have 90+ tracks, 40+ characters, local multiplayer, online tournaments, revamped game modes, and so much more

7. Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) – Over 75 million sales

Today, you’ll find too many battle royale games that aren’t always worth it. But the game that started it all, PUBG: Battlegrounds, is the OG, not just as a trailblazer, but as a pretty accessible, military realistic, and fun game. In 2017, at the time of release, it would rack up millions of concurrent players on Steam. And to date, millions of monthly active users still log in.

6. Ark: Survival Evolved – Over 76 million sales

I doubt there’s anyone who hasn’t watched Jurassic Park. And Ark: Survival Evolved hitched a ride on that hype, creating a survival game around dinosaurs that took gaming by storm. This wasn’t a rushed, relatively first dinosaur adaptation, but one that let you do lots of cool stuff, from taming dinosaurs to breeding new dinosaur species. You explore dangerous biomes, deep-sea dive for loot, and even engage other players in intense PvP combat.

5. Red Dead Redemption 2 – Over 79 million sales

It remains fascinating to me how Red Dead Redemption 2 beats the original game by a long shot. Piggy-back riding on Grand Theft Auto’s success, Rockstar Games went on to create yet another living, breathing world set in the Old Wild West. And the story, oh the story, will have you on a rollercoaster ride, welling tears by the end. 

4. Wii Sports – Nearly 83 million sales

If you owned a Nintendo Wii console, then you must have absolutely gotten yourself Wii Sports. It cracked the code of selling copies like candy, appealing to both gamers and non-gamers alike. You didn’t need to be a pro to enjoy the motion-controlled sports games of throwing a bowling ball or playing tennis. And even better, kids all the way to grandparents could enjoy games together, without anyone feeling left out.

3. Grand Theft Auto V – Over 220 million sales

I doubt there’s any gamer who hasn’t owned a copy of GTA. It was so game-changing when it released, introducing massive, open-worlds you could just run and drive around, doing whatever you wanted. But Grand Theft Auto V is the best the series has been, especially with the addition of GTA Online. 

You couldn’t possibly run out of things to do, orchestrating heists, hanging out in social spaces, and making millions. GTA 6 winning the most anticipated game of the year, twice in a row, is also a factor, as gamers await stepping into the next era of the biggest open-world, action-adventure gaming.

2. Minecraft – Over 300 million sales

Minecraft ranking among the best selling video games of all time probably doesn’t need any explanation. Anyone with a computer will have had this one installed. The infinite, blocky universe is definitely the biggest selling point, with its freedom of sandbox creativity. But also, since its launch in 2009, it has had massive content updates and mods, keeping the building-crafting universe alive all these years. 

1. Tetris – Over 500 million sales

And finally, we have Tetris. Even today, I doubt there’s any puzzle game that beats Tetris’ simple but addictive gameplay. Everyone worldwide was playing this game, whether decades ago or today. The mechanics are just timeless and transcend age or any differences between gamers. If anything, it’s the one thing gamers share in common, whether kids or the smartest people. 

It’ll instantly click and stay with you, probably even for many more decades to come. From the first PC port to the Game Boy and now practically any modern platform, Tetris is the one game I doubt anyone won’t want to have in their catalog.