Top 10 Best-Selling Video Games of All Time (2025 Updated)
The gaming industry has exploded into a multi-billion dollar entertainment powerhouse, with some titles achieving sales figures that would have been unimaginable just decades ago. As we move through 2025, the landscape of best-selling video games tells a fascinating story of evolution, innovation, and cultural impact that spans generations of players worldwide.
From simple puzzle games that captured hearts in the 1980s to massive open-world adventures that define modern gaming, the top-selling titles represent more than just commercial success—they're cultural phenomena that have shaped how we play, connect, and experience interactive entertainment. This comprehensive list examines the most successful video games of all time based on verified sales data, exploring what made each title a global sensation.
The Top 10 Best-Selling Video Games of All Time (2025)
1. Tetris - 520+ Million Copies
Developer: Alexey Pajitnov
Release Year: 1984
Platforms: Virtually every gaming platform ever created
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Tetris stands as the undisputed champion of video game sales, with over 520 million copies sold across countless platforms since its debut in 1984. This deceptively simple puzzle game, where players arrange falling geometric blocks called "tetrominoes," has transcended cultural and generational boundaries to become a universal gaming experience.
The game's success stems from its perfect balance of simplicity and complexity. Anyone can learn the basic mechanics within minutes, yet mastering the game requires years of practice. The psychological satisfaction of clearing lines and the mounting tension as blocks pile higher creates an addictive gameplay loop that has remained compelling for over four decades.
Tetris has appeared on everything from the original Game Boy to modern smartphones, with each platform introducing new audiences to its timeless appeal. The game's influence extends beyond entertainment, with scientific studies showing it can help reduce PTSD symptoms and improve spatial reasoning skills.
2. Minecraft - 300+ Million Copies
Developer: Mojang Studios (Microsoft)
Release Year: 2011
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, VR
Minecraft represents the pinnacle of sandbox gaming, with over 300 million copies sold making it the best-selling premium video game of all time. Created by Markus "Notch" Persson and later acquired by Microsoft for $2.5 billion, Minecraft has become more than a game—it's a creative platform, educational tool, and virtual universe.
The game's blocky, pixelated aesthetic initially drew skepticism, but its infinite creative possibilities quickly won over players. From simple houses to elaborate replicas of real-world landmarks, players have built everything imaginable within Minecraft's procedurally generated worlds. The game's survival mode adds tension and purpose, while creative mode offers unlimited resources for pure artistic expression.
Minecraft's impact on education has been particularly significant, with schools worldwide using Minecraft: Education Edition to teach subjects ranging from history to computer programming. The game's continued success in 2025 demonstrates the enduring appeal of player-driven creativity and exploration.
3. Grand Theft Auto V - 185+ Million Copies
Developer: Rockstar Games
Release Year: 2013
Platforms: PC, Xbox (360, One, Series X/S), PlayStation (3, 4, 5)
Grand Theft Auto V has achieved remarkable longevity, continuing to sell millions of copies more than a decade after its initial release. With over 185 million copies sold, it stands as one of the most profitable entertainment products ever created, generating over $8 billion in revenue for Take-Two Interactive.
Set in the fictional city of Los Santos, GTA V offers an unprecedented level of freedom in an open-world environment. Players can switch between three protagonists, each with unique storylines that interweave throughout the campaign. The game's satirical take on American culture, combined with its technical achievements in world-building and character development, created a new standard for open-world games.
The addition of Grand Theft Auto Online transformed the game from a single-player experience into a persistent multiplayer world. Regular content updates, including heists, races, and business ventures, have kept players engaged for years. The game's success across three console generations demonstrates Rockstar's mastery of the open-world formula.
4. Wii Sports - 82.9+ Million Copies
Developer: Nintendo
Release Year: 2006
Platforms: Nintendo Wii
Wii Sports revolutionized gaming by making it accessible to everyone, regardless of age or gaming experience. Bundled with the Nintendo Wii console, this collection of sports mini-games showcased the potential of motion controls and brought families together around the television in ways traditional games never could.
The game included tennis, bowling, baseball, golf, and boxing, each designed to demonstrate the Wii Remote's motion-sensing capabilities. Suddenly, grandparents were competing with grandchildren, and nursing homes were hosting bowling tournaments. Wii Sports proved that innovative control schemes could be more important than cutting-edge graphics.
The social aspect of Wii Sports cannot be overstated. The game created shared experiences that transcended traditional gaming demographics, introducing millions of non-gamers to interactive entertainment. Its influence can still be seen in modern motion-controlled games and the continued popularity of party games that emphasize accessibility over complexity.
5. PUBG: Battlegrounds - 75+ Million Copies
Developer: PUBG Corporation
Release Year: 2017
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Mobile
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) didn't invent the battle royale genre, but it certainly popularized it. With over 75 million copies sold, PUBG introduced mainstream audiences to the thrill of 100-player matches where only one player or team can emerge victorious.
The game's realistic military simulation approach, combined with the tension of an ever-shrinking play area, created a unique gaming experience that spawned countless imitators. PUBG's success demonstrated the appeal of high-stakes, winner-takes-all gameplay that rewards both skill and strategy.
Despite facing intense competition from games like Fortnite and Apex Legends, PUBG has maintained its position through consistent updates, new maps, and refined gameplay mechanics. The game's influence on the industry is immeasurable, inspiring a new genre that continues to dominate gaming culture in 2025.
6. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - 70+ Million Copies
Developer: Nintendo
Release Year: 2017
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe represents the pinnacle of arcade racing games, combining tight controls, imaginative track design, and the chaotic fun that has made the Mario Kart series a staple of gaming culture. With over 70 million copies sold, it stands as the best-selling racing game of all time and one of the Nintendo Switch's most successful titles.
The game's success lies in its perfect balance of skill and luck. While experienced players have clear advantages, the series' famous rubber-band AI and devastating power-ups ensure that anyone can win on any given race. This accessibility, combined with the game's gorgeous visuals and memorable soundtrack, creates an experience that appeals to players of all skill levels.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's continued popularity in 2025 demonstrates the enduring appeal of local multiplayer gaming. In an era dominated by online experiences, the game's split-screen racing remains one of the best ways to bring friends and family together for competitive fun.
7. Red Dead Redemption 2 - 65+ Million Copies
Developer: Rockstar Games
Release Year: 2018
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Google Stadia
Red Dead Redemption 2 represents the peak of narrative-driven open-world game design. With over 65 million copies sold, this western epic showcases Rockstar Games' unparalleled attention to detail and storytelling prowess, creating one of the most immersive gaming experiences ever crafted.
Set in 1899 during the decline of the Wild West era, the game follows Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang as they struggle to survive in a changing world. The game's emotional depth, character development, and moral complexity elevated video game storytelling to new heights, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards.
Beyond its compelling narrative, Red Dead Redemption 2 impressed players with its incredible attention to detail. From realistic horse behavior to dynamic weather systems, every aspect of the game world feels authentic and alive. The game's technical achievements continue to influence open-world game design in 2025.
8. Super Mario Bros. - 58+ Million Copies
Developer: Nintendo
Release Year: 1985
Platforms: Nintendo Entertainment System, various re-releases
Super Mario Bros. holds a special place in gaming history as the title that single-handedly revived the video game industry following the crash of 1983. With over 58 million copies sold, this side-scrolling platformer established many conventions that remain standard in gaming today.
The game's tight controls, memorable music, and perfectly balanced difficulty curve created a template for platformer design that developers still follow. Mario's journey through the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Peach became one of gaming's most iconic adventures, spawning a franchise that continues to thrive nearly four decades later.
Super Mario Bros.' cultural impact extends far beyond gaming. The character of Mario became Nintendo's mascot and one of the most recognizable figures in popular culture. The game's influence on level design, power-up mechanics, and character progression can be seen in countless games released in the decades since its debut.
9. Overwatch - 50+ Million Copies
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Release Year: 2016
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
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Overwatch revolutionized the team-based shooter genre with its diverse cast of heroes, each offering unique abilities and playstyles. With over 50 million copies sold, the game created a new standard for character-based multiplayer shooters and established itself as a major force in esports.
The game's success stems from its emphasis on teamwork over individual skill, though both are necessary for victory. Each of the game's heroes fills specific roles—damage dealers, tanks, and support characters—requiring players to work together to achieve objectives. This team-focused approach made the game accessible to players who might struggle in traditional twitch-based shooters.
Overwatch's impact on gaming culture extends beyond its gameplay mechanics. The game's diverse cast of characters and Pixar-like art style attracted players who might not typically enjoy shooter games. Blizzard's commitment to representation and storytelling through animated shorts created a rich universe that resonated with players worldwide.
10. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - 50+ Million Copies
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Release Year: 2015
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt represents the gold standard for modern RPGs, with over 50 million copies sold across multiple platforms. This open-world fantasy epic showcases how traditional RPG elements can be successfully integrated into a modern gaming experience without sacrificing depth or complexity.
Following Geralt of Rivia's search for his adopted daughter Ciri, The Witcher 3 offers players meaningful choices that impact both the immediate story and the game's ultimate conclusion. The game's side quests rival many games' main storylines in terms of writing quality and emotional impact, creating a world that feels truly alive and reactive to player decisions.
The game's success helped establish CD Projekt Red as one of the industry's premier developers and demonstrated that mid-sized studios could compete with major publishers when armed with passion, creativity, and attention to detail. The Witcher 3's influence on RPG design continues to be felt throughout the industry in 2025.
Sales Comparison Table
| Rank | Game Title | Sales (Millions) | Release Year | Developer/Publisher | Primary Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tetris | 520+ | 1984 | Alexey Pajitnov | Multi-platform |
| 2 | Minecraft | 300+ | 2011 | Mojang/Microsoft | Multi-platform |
| 3 | Grand Theft Auto V | 185+ | 2013 | Rockstar Games | Multi-platform |
| 4 | Wii Sports | 82.9+ | 2006 | Nintendo | Nintendo Wii |
| 5 | PUBG: Battlegrounds | 75+ | 2017 | PUBG Corporation | Multi-platform |
| 6 | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | 70+ | 2017 | Nintendo | Nintendo Switch |
| 7 | Red Dead Redemption 2 | 65+ | 2018 | Rockstar Games | Multi-platform |
| 8 | Super Mario Bros. | 58+ | 1985 | Nintendo | NES |
| 9 | Overwatch | 50+ | 2016 | Blizzard Entertainment | Multi-platform |
| 10 | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 50+ | 2015 | CD Projekt Red | Multi-platform |
2025's Biggest New Releases and Their Sales Impact
As we progress through 2025, several major releases are already making significant impacts on the gaming landscape and showing potential to join the all-time best-sellers list in the coming years.
Battlefield 6
EA DICE's return to modern warfare has been met with enthusiasm from fans who felt the previous entries strayed too far from the series' roots. Early sales figures suggest strong performance, with over 15 million copies sold in its first quarter. The game's focus on large-scale multiplayer battles and destructible environments has resonated with both longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Capcom's latest entry in the Monster Hunter series has built upon the success of Monster Hunter: World, introducing new mechanics and creatures while maintaining the addictive gameplay loop that has made the series so popular. With over 12 million copies sold since its early 2025 release, Monster Hunter Wilds is on track to become one of Capcom's best-selling games.
NBA 2K26
The annual basketball simulation continues to dominate the sports gaming market, with NBA 2K26 selling over 8 million copies in its first month. The game's MyCareer mode and updated roster have kept fans engaged, while new gameplay mechanics have improved the on-court experience significantly.
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Understanding Video Game Sales: Digital vs. Physical and Industry Tracking
The landscape of video game sales tracking has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Traditional physical sales, once the primary metric for success, now represent only a portion of total game sales. Digital distribution platforms like Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Live, and mobile app stores have fundamentally changed how games reach consumers.
Digital sales often account for 80-90% of total sales for many modern titles, particularly on PC platforms. This shift has made accurate sales tracking more challenging, as digital platform holders are often reluctant to share detailed sales figures. Many of the numbers in our top 10 list represent conservative estimates based on official announcements, financial reports, and industry analysis.
Mobile gaming has introduced additional complexity to sales tracking. Free-to-play games with microtransactions can generate more revenue than traditional premium games while technically having zero "sales" in the traditional sense. This is why games like Fortnite, despite generating billions in revenue, don't appear on traditional best-selling games lists.
The Evolution of Gaming Platforms and Their Impact on Sales
The success of the games on this list reflects the evolution of gaming platforms over the past four decades. Early successes like Tetris and Super Mario Bros. benefited from being bundled with hardware or being available on widely adopted platforms. Modern successes like Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto V have achieved their sales figures through availability across multiple platforms and sustained sales over many years.
The rise of digital distribution has enabled games to have much longer sales tails than in the physical-only era. Games like The Witcher 3 continue to find new audiences years after release through digital sales, regular price reductions, and availability on new platforms like the Nintendo Switch.
Subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus have introduced new models for game distribution that may impact future sales figures. While these services provide developers with upfront payments and broader audience reach, they also mean that fewer players purchase games outright.
Key Takeaways
- Tetris leads with 520+ million copies - The 1984 puzzle classic remains the best-selling game ever
- Minecraft dominates modern gaming - Over 300 million copies sold, the best-selling premium game
- GTA V spans three console generations - 185+ million copies and $8 billion+ in revenue
- Nintendo dominates the top 10 - Wii Sports, Mario Kart 8, and Super Mario Bros all in the list
- Battle royale changed gaming - PUBG's 75+ million sales pioneered the genre
- Digital sales extend game lifecycles - Games continue selling for years post-launch
Frequently Asked Questions
How are video game sales figures tracked and verified?
Video game sales figures come from multiple sources including official publisher announcements, financial reports to shareholders, and third-party tracking organizations like NPD Group (North America), GfK (Europe), and Famitsu (Japan). Digital sales are often harder to track as platform holders like Steam don't publicly release sales data. Many figures represent "sold-in" numbers (shipped to retailers) rather than "sold-through" (purchased by consumers).
Why don't free-to-play games like Fortnite appear on best-selling lists?
Traditional best-selling game lists focus on premium game sales where consumers pay upfront for the complete game. Free-to-play games like Fortnite, League of Legends, and Genshin Impact generate revenue through microtransactions, battle passes, and cosmetic items rather than game sales. While these games may generate more revenue than premium games, they have zero traditional "sales."
Do bundled games like Wii Sports count as legitimate sales?
There's ongoing debate about whether bundled games should be counted in sales figures. Wii Sports was included with most Wii console purchases, making it difficult to separate game sales from console sales. However, since consumers paid for the complete package and the game was a major selling point for the console, most tracking organizations include bundled games in their sales figures.
How has digital distribution changed game sales patterns?
Digital distribution has extended game sales lifecycles significantly. Physical games traditionally saw most sales in their first few months, but digital games can continue selling strongly for years through sales events, platform promotions, and word-of-mouth marketing. Games like Among Us and Fall Guys became massive hits months or even years after their initial release due to digital distribution and social media virality.
What role do mobile platforms play in modern game sales?
Mobile platforms have become increasingly important for game sales, particularly for puzzle games, casual titles, and games with broad demographic appeal. Minecraft Pocket Edition and mobile versions of PUBG have contributed significantly to their respective games' total sales figures. However, mobile games often use different business models (free-to-play with microtransactions) that don't translate directly to traditional sales metrics.
How do remastered and re-released games factor into sales figures?
Most publishers count remastered and re-released games as separate sales from the original versions. For example, Grand Theft Auto V sales include the original PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions, the enhanced PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions, and the expanded PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions. This practice can inflate total sales figures but reflects genuine consumer purchases across different platforms and generations.
Why do some regions show different sales figures for the same games?
Regional differences in sales figures often result from different tracking methodologies, release dates, and market preferences. Some regions may only track physical sales while others include digital, or tracking organizations may have different relationships with publishers and platform holders. Additionally, some games may not release in all regions simultaneously or at all, affecting global sales totals.
How accurate are the sales figures for older games like Tetris?
Sales figures for older games, particularly those released across dozens of platforms over multiple decades, are often estimates based on available data from different time periods and regions. Tetris sales figures include everything from Game Boy cartridges to modern smartphone downloads, making precise tracking nearly impossible. Most figures represent the best available estimates from industry analysts and official sources.
What impact do sales and promotional events have on these rankings?
Major sales events like Steam Summer Sales, Black Friday promotions, and platform-specific sales can significantly boost a game's sales figures, particularly for older titles. Many games on this list continue to benefit from regular promotional pricing that introduces them to new audiences. The Witcher 3, for example, has seen multiple sales spikes following Netflix's Witcher series releases and during major gaming sales events.
How do subscription services like Game Pass affect traditional game sales?
Subscription services create complex scenarios for sales tracking. When a game appears on Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus, it may see reduced direct sales but reach a much larger audience. Publishers typically receive upfront payments from platform holders for subscription inclusion, but these don't count as traditional sales. However, subscription exposure often leads to increased sales of DLC, sequels, and related merchandise.
Conclusion and Future Predictions
The landscape of best-selling video games reflects the industry's incredible evolution from simple arcade experiences to complex, narrative-driven worlds that rival traditional entertainment media. These ten titles represent more than just commercial success—they're cultural touchstones that have defined gaming for multiple generations of players.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025 and beyond, several trends are likely to influence future best-selling games. The continued growth of mobile gaming, the expansion of cloud gaming services, and the increasing popularity of cross-platform play suggest that future best-sellers will need to be accessible across multiple devices and play styles.
The success of games like Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto V, which continue selling strongly years after release, demonstrates the importance of ongoing content updates and community support. Future best-sellers will likely need to evolve continuously rather than relying solely on initial launch success.
As we move forward, the definition of "best-selling" may need to evolve to account for new business models, subscription services, and the increasing importance of player engagement metrics over simple unit sales. However, the fundamental appeal of well-crafted, innovative games that provide lasting entertainment value will remain the key to achieving the kind of success represented by these ten remarkable titles.
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Whether you're a casual mobile gamer or a dedicated enthusiast with multiple gaming platforms, these best-selling games represent the pinnacle of interactive entertainment achievement. Each title on this list has earned its place not just through marketing and distribution, but by providing experiences that resonate with millions of players worldwide, creating memories and communities that extend far beyond the games themselves.