For decades, a select group of titles has dominated the industry, selling hundreds of millions of copies across multiple generations of players. While trends come and go, these games have remained cultural icons, breaking records that many experts once believed would never be surpassed.
These video games represent the highest selling titles in history. Ranked by lifetime copies sold, they reveal which franchises captured the largest audiences and why they continue to influence gaming years or even decades after their original release.
1. The King of All Video Games
No title has sold more copies than Minecraft. Since its debut in 2011, Mojang’s sandbox phenomenon has surpassed 300 million copies sold, thanks to its endless creativity, cross platform availability, and appeal to players of every age. Among all video games, none has reached a larger audience.
2. A Crime Epic That Never Stopped Selling
Released in 2013, Grand Theft Auto V has sold more than 215 million copies, making it one of the most successful entertainment products ever created. Regular updates to GTA Online and multiple console generations have kept Rockstar’s blockbuster at the top for more than a decade.
3. The Bundle That Changed Gaming Forever
Unlike most video games, Wii Sports came bundled with the Nintendo Wii in many regions, helping it reach over 82 million copies sold. Bowling, tennis, baseball, boxing, and golf introduced millions of new players to motion controls and made the Wii a global sensation.
4. The Battle Royale That Started a Revolution
Long before battle royale became gaming’s biggest trend, PUBG: Battlegrounds captured the world’s attention. Since launching in 2017, it has sold more than 75 million copies on PC and consoles while attracting hundreds of millions of additional players through its free to play versions.
5. Nintendo’s Ultimate Racing Champion
Few video games have enjoyed such remarkable longevity. Originally released on Wii U before receiving an enhanced Switch edition, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has sold more than 68 million copies, becoming the best selling Nintendo Switch game by a comfortable margin.
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6. Video Games Rarely Stay Popular This Long
Rockstar’s western masterpiece has sold more than 74 million copies since its 2018 release. Between its cinematic storytelling, massive open world, and enduring popularity, Red Dead Redemption 2 continues to attract new players years after launch.
7. An RPG That Refuses to Fade Away
Released in 2011, Skyrim has surpassed more than 60 million copies sold, thanks to countless re releases across nearly every major platform. Few video games have remained relevant for as long, with an active modding community keeping the adventure alive.
8. A Fantasy Adventure That Grew Every Year
Although it launched in 2015, The Witcher 3 continued gaining momentum through awards, expansions, next generation updates, and Netflix’s adaptation of the franchise. It has now sold more than 60 million copies, making it one of the most successful RPGs ever created.
9. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Released during the global pandemic in 2020, Animal Crossing: New Horizons became an instant cultural phenomenon. It has sold more than 48 million copies, placing it among the most successful Video Games Nintendo has ever produced.
10. The Classic That Built Nintendo’s Empire
Originally released for the NES in 1985, Super Mario Bros. has sold more than 58 million copies across its original release and numerous re releases. More importantly, it established Mario as gaming’s biggest icon and helped revive the home console industry after the video game crash of the early 1980s.
11. The Switch Launch That Changed Open World Games
Nintendo reinvented one of its oldest franchises with Breath of the Wild. Released alongside the Nintendo Switch in 2017, it has sold more than 33 million copies, becoming the best selling game in The Legend of Zelda series and setting a new standard for open world adventure games.
12. The RPG That Started a Global Phenomenon
Long before Pokémon became the world’s highest grossing media franchise, the original Game Boy titles introduced players to collecting, battling, and trading creatures. Together, these versions have sold more than 47 million copies, creating a formula that continues to define Nintendo’s biggest franchise decades later.
13. An Indie Hit That Stood Beside Gaming Giants
Released in 2011, Terraria has quietly become one of history’s biggest success stories, selling more than 60 million copies across PC, consoles, and mobile devices. Despite being developed by a much smaller team than most blockbuster releases, it earned its place among the best selling games ever through constant updates, creative freedom, and one of the most dedicated communities in gaming.
