The top 10 best-selling video games of all time

WE all have our personal favourite games, but that doesn’t mean they are always the most popular with everyone.

Despite this it’s always interesting to see which games are widely adored by people from all walks of life.


The top 10 best-selling video games of all time
Adventure through the Wild West in Red Dead Redemption 2.

The games listed below have proven themselves to have such broad appeal that they have sold millions of copies all around the world.

Check out our list below and see if one of your favourites made the list of the top ten best-selling games of all time.

10. Red Dead Redemption 2

The newest entry on the list, it usually takes a game at least a decade to become one of the all time best sellers.

However, Red Dead Redemption 2 has broken the mould by making the top ten despite being only four years old.

One of the most technically ambitious games of all time, we follow the cowboy Arthur Morgan as he journeys across a vast Wild West.

This sequel alone has sold more than 44 million copies worldwide despite its youth and the fact it has only been released once.

9. Terraria

While Minecraft is best known amongst block building sandboxes, Terraria did it first.

Set in a 2D world, you have to build and battle your way out of a number of tricky situations.

Created and supported by a small team of developers, Terraria is still receiving updates even 11 years after it was first released.

Selling 44.5 million copies, it just edges ahead of Red Dead Redemption 2 on our list of best sellers.

8. Pokémon Red/Blue

Almost everyone had a copy of Pokémon as a kid, and many even had two or three across the four versions of the first generation.

Ports to Nintendo’s 3DS virtual console has meant that these Pokémon games continue to sell 27 years after the first games were released.

The series has exploded in popularity with dozens of spin-off games, and merchandise for its cast of over one thousand beasts.

While having four versions of the same game may seem like cheating, these games have sold more than 47.5 million copies between them.

7. Mario Kart 8

Speaking of games with several versions, Mario Kart 8 and its upgraded version for Nintendo Switch are some of the best selling games of all time.

By choosing to update the game with new courses, instead of developing a new game in the series, it has continued to sell well.

Last year Nintendo announced that it intends to double the number of tracks in the eight year old kart racer, meaning sales should remain strong.

To date Mario Kart 8 has sold almost 54 million copies across the Switch and WiiU.

6. Super Mario Bros.

When people think about video games, Super Mario Bros is often one of the first series to pop into their head.

The Mario franchise is one of the most popular in all of gaming, and the first successful game in the series was Super Mario Bros. for the NES.

The cartridge came bundled in with many consoles sold in the West alongside Duck Hunt, boosting its sales.

One of the oldest games on the list, released in 1985, Mario has stood the test of time selling 58 million copies.

5. PUBG: Battlegrounds

Before it became free-to-play this year, PUBG: Battlegrounds was one of the best-selling games of all time.

One of the first games to come out in the battle royale genre, it is often thought of as one of the games which sparked its popularity.

Over the years it has been ported and released on almost every platform imaginable, from mobile to PS5.

This variety has led to sales of over 75 million copies worldwide.

4. Wii Sports

Mario gained popularity after it was packaged in with the NES, and Wii Sports’ inclusion with sales of the Wii helped the console become a best-seller for Nintendo.

Aimed at everyone, gameplay was enjoyable for both news gamers and long-time fans.

People enjoyed designing their own characters and teaming up against both family and friends.

Selling almost 83 million copies worldwide, it is Nintendo’s best-selling game ever.

3. Tetris

Not only the oldest game on the list, but also developed by just one person, Tetris is the third best-selling game of all time.

There are several different versions available, released for a whole host of different consoles, with EA’s version selling the best.

Tetris is a classic game. Almost everyone has had a go at lining up the falling puzzle blocks.

EA’s game sold over 100 million copies, and the next most popular version from Nintendo sold over 43 million for an impressive sales record.

2. Grand Theft Auto 5

Those who were around when Grand Theft Auto 5 came out will remember just how excited people were at launch.

Released in 2013, five years after the series’ fourth entry, fans were hungry for more from Rockstar’s car stealing games.

The studio has extended its life over three generations of console, and has introduced a popular live service version keeping it relevant.

To date GTA V has sold over 165 million copies, and continues to be updated with even more content.

1. Minecraft

Not only a game that continues to be updated in big ways, but also one which was developed by one person.

The basic art style and gameplay of Minecraft, combined with endless possibilities for building, makes it popular with all kinds of people.

Another game that’s available on almost all platforms, Minecraft boasts an impressive 140 million monthly active users.

It has also sold almost 240 million copies, meaning that not only did it sell well, but the majority of those who purchased it continue to play. 


The top 10 best-selling video games of all time
The animals in the world of Minecraft

Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.