10 Best-Selling Video Games of All Time

Image via Rockstar Games Published Jul 30, 2026, 5:19 PM EDT Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck is a writer for Collider. He grew up creating lists, stories, and worlds, which led to his love of anime and video games. He attended Sheridan College where he earned an Honours Bachelor of Game Design. Lucas and his group won 1st place for technical innovation at LevelUp Toronto 2023, and he was also an intern for the Oakville Film Festival of Arts. Sign in to your Collider account Video games are the most popular form of media right now, with billions of players worldwide enjoying franchises such as The Legend of Zelda or stand-alone titles like Elden Ring. As the biggest medium right now, sales are through the roof, and they only keep rising every year. However, can the best of the best ever be topped? That is what this list will explore. This list highlights the ten best-selling video games of all time based on copies sold, according to Wikipedia, since there is no definitive ranking. Not everything will be 100% accurate, but this is the best gauge based on a handful of resources, including company statistics. Note that this list includes separate versions in one, such as ports. Games that just missed out were Super Mario Bros. and Human Fall Flat. 65+ Million Copies Sold Image Via Bethesda Softworks Bethesda has released some of the greatest and most influential video games of all time, and their magnum opus, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, just cracked into the top 10 best-selling titles. After barely surviving their execution, players set out on an adventure through the province to defeat Alduin, The World Eater, a dragon prophesied to destroy the world. Some dispute whether the 65 million copies sold is the actual sales figure, mainly because Todd Howard has been known to embellish the sales of his games. Still, the head of Xbox just announced that this milestone was recently hit, meaning Skyrim is officially a top ten best-selling game. As one of the most popular 3D action-adventure titles that popularized the format, this is absolutely deserved. 9 'The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt' (2015) 65+ Million Copies Sold Image via CD Projekt Off the heels of one open-world fantasy is another, also having roughly the same amount of sales. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt follows Geralt of Rivia, who puts aside his usual monster-hunting gig in order to find his lost daughter, Ciri. Hunted by the titular group of spectral warriors for her powers, Ciri herself is on a perilous adventure. Recently confirmed in a tweet by CD Projekt Red when they announced the new expansion for The Witcher 3, this influential title has sold 65 million copies. Renowned for having some of the best worldbuilding in video games, this fantasy adventure became so popular because of its innate storytelling that is felt in every aspect of the world, design, side quests, and environment. 8 'Terraria' (2011) 70+ Million Copies Sold Image via 505 Games Taking a break from the usual AAA fantasy titles, this next game adheres to a different audience, one that prefers a more relaxing vibe. Terraria places players in a sandbox world where they are free to explore. From fighting enemies, collecting resources, crafting equipment, to defeating bosses, this game is an endless experience of pure wonder. On a Steam post from the official developers celebrating the 15th anniversary, they confirmed Terraria has achieved over 70 million copies sold, with the majority coming from PC, with 39.6 million, 19.7 million from mobile, and 10.7 million from consoles. This impressive feat highlights the casual nature of the game and how easy it is to pick up and spend hundreds of hours in. 7 'PUBG: Battlegrounds' (2017) 75 Million Copies Sold Image via Krafton Shooter games are some of the most popular, and one of the biggest recent crazes is Battle Royales. There are plenty of these games that do well since they are free, but the biggest paid title is PUBG: Battlegrounds. Hundreds of players join in the same area with one goal: winning that chicken dinner, and to do that, they must be the last one standing by any means necessary. Fortnite is the most popular Battle Royale with over 650 million users, but it is free to play. PUBG: Battlegrounds, on the other hand, gathered a massive and dedicated fanbase even with its price tag, proving how incredible the game is. However, the game has since moved to the free-to-play route, meaning its sales are capped at an impressive 75 million. 6 'Mario Kart 8/Deluxe' (2014/2017) 79.54+ Million Copies Sold Image via Nintendo Nintendo houses some of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, and their biggest title is Mario Kart 8. Players can select from a handful of their favorite Mario characters and customize their ride to their liking before setting out on antigravity racing courses where they drive against opponents with the sole purpose of winning the cup. Nintendo is one of the few companies to release official sales figures available to the public every fiscal period, meaning fans always get an up-to-date view of the numbers, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is as impressive as ever. This figure does represent the combined sales of the original Wii U version of the Switch port, but regardless, it is still an incredible feat proving how timeless and polished this racing masterpiece is. 5 'Wii Sports' (2006) 82.9 Million Copies Sold The Wii boasts some of the best video games of all time, but everyone played its launch title, Wii Sports. This packaged game with the Wii offered five different sports for gamers to play, including bowling, baseball, boxing, tennis, and golf. With intuitive motion controls and endless replayability, Wii Sports became a staple gaming title. Now that this list has entered the top five, controversy follows because while Wii Sports is the fifth best-selling video game ever, that is because a copy was sold with the console. Wii Sports' sales just reflect the Wii itself, but it technically counts since they are still copies being sold. Having it sold with the console was a genius move because Wii Sports is one of the best multiplayer experiences and greatest video games of the century. 4 'Red Dead Redemption 2' (2018) 85+ Million Copies Sold Image via Rockstar Games Rockstar Games is one of the most prolific gaming studios ever, and that is proven by their two games on this list, starting with Red Dead Redemption 2. This open-world Western is set in 1899 during the dying era of the Wild West. Arthur Morgan learns of his fatal illness and uses his remaining time on Earth to travel across the country and redeem himself for his past mistakes. Announced at Take-Two Interactive investor presentation, they revealed that Red Dead Redemption 2 has sold around 85 million copies. As one of the greatest immersive video games with a fantastic world and narrative weight, it deserves every penny. It is still quite new as well, meaning it might have a chance to place even higher in the future. 3 'Grand Theft Auto V' (2013) 230+ Million Copies Sold Image via Rockstar Games Following Red Dead Redemption 2 is another Rockstar classic, with Grand Theft Auto V being their best-selling game. This game follows three protagonists, including Michael, a retired bank robber, Franklin, a common street hustler, and Trevor, an unhinged arms dealer. When fate forces them together, they need to work together in order to pull off a series of dangerous heists around Los Santos. There is a massive gap between Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA V, with a difference of over 150 million. This was also confirmed at the investor presentation, highlighting the worldwide acclaim of the franchise. It is a visually impressive video game with emergent gameplay and in-depth content that can last fans a decade, but with GTA VI soon approaching, it might lose its crown. 2 'Minecraft' (2011) 400+ Million Copies Sold Image via Mojang Now that this list has reached the top two, things are even more controversial, but that shouldn't take anything away from either of these games. Minecraft is a worldwide sensation where players can explore a sandbox world made of blocks. Whether they want to craft, build, mine, explore, or travel to the End and defeat the Ender Dragon, players can do almost anything in this game. Technically, Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time since it is one singular title and not a collection. This global phenomenon defined childhoods and remains relevant in multiple generations, proving its timelessness. The freedom and sheer possibility of this game is astounding, and the reason why it has over 400 million copies sold, and many more still on the way. 1 'Tetris' (1984) 520+ Million Copies Sold Image via Nintendo There are some older games that have sold incredibly well, but none have stood the test of time as well as Tetris. Blocks slowly fall down from the top of the screen, with players needing to arrange them in a way that is organized to maximize room. If the blocks reach the top, the game is over. If there are no blocks remaining and the player still has room at the top, then they win. Tetris may have sold over 520 million copies overall, but that is spread throughout many different versions and ports on different consoles. It may be a bit unfair, but it is technically the best-selling video game of all time, and nothing can take away that legacy. The addictive gameplay and simplicity cemented it as a fan-favorite that is easy and engaging to play, making it one of the best video games ever. Collider Exclusive · Universe Personality Quiz Which Iconic Universe Do You Belong in the Most? Star Wars · Lord of the Rings · Harry Potter · Game of Thrones · Star Trek Five legendary universes. Five completely different visions of what the world could be — or already was. One of them is the world your instincts, your values, and your particular way of existing were built for. Eight questions will tell you which one. 🚀Star Wars 💍Lord of the Rings 🧙Harry Potter 👑Game of Thrones 🖖Star Trek FIND YOUR UNIVERSE → 01 What gives your life its deepest sense of meaning? Every universe is built around a different answer to this question. ABeing part of something larger than myself — a cause, a rebellion, a fight for freedom that outlasts me. BThe journey itself — the places I'll go, the companions beside me, the world I'll discover on the way. CLearning — unlocking what I'm capable of, understanding the world's hidden mechanics, growing into something more. DLegacy — the name I leave behind, the power I build, the mark I make before the world moves on without me. EUnderstanding — exploring what exists beyond the horizon and asking what it means to be alive in a universe this vast. NEXT QUESTION → 02 Which kind of world do you most want to inhabit? The environment shapes who you become. Choose carefully. AA galaxy of planets, each with its own culture — connected by conflict, trade, and the Force. BAncient lands of breathtaking beauty, deep history, and a creeping darkness at the edges. CA world hidden inside our own — full of wonder, community, and magic waiting to be learned. DA brutal, beautiful continent where power is everything and every alliance is a calculation. EA future where humanity has reached the stars — and must decide what kind of species it wants to be. NEXT QUESTION → 03 How do you prefer your conflicts resolved? The shape of a world's conflicts tells you everything about its soul. AThrough sacrifice and courage — someone has to make the impossible choice so others don't have to. BThrough fellowship — the impossible becomes possible when the right people walk the same road. CThrough growth — confronting what you fear, understanding what you lack, and becoming equal to the challenge. DThrough strategy — outthinking, outmaneuvering, positioning yourself so the outcome was never in doubt. EThrough dialogue — finding the third option, the peaceful resolution, the answer that doesn't require a body count. NEXT QUESTION → 04 Who do you want beside you when things get difficult? Your ideal companions reveal the world you were made for. AA small crew — a pilot, a rogue, a warrior — each broken in their own way, unbeatable together. BA fellowship of different kinds of people, bound by purpose and deepened by the long road. CFriends who grew up alongside me — who knew me before I knew myself, and stayed anyway. DAllies whose loyalty I've earned — and tested — and whose ambitions align with mine, for now. EA crew of brilliant, curious, principled people from every corner of known space. NEXT QUESTION → 05 What is your relationship with power? How you seek, wield, or resist power is the map of who you are. AI want to use it to protect — and I'm terrified of what I might become if I'm not careful. BI distrust it. The most important power in this story is the courage to give it up. CI want to earn it — through knowledge, through effort, through becoming someone worthy of it. DI want to wield it. Preferably before someone else decides to wield it against me. EI want to understand it — its structures, its limits, its ethical dimensions. Power without accountability is the real threat. NEXT QUESTION → 06 How does your universe treat good and evil? A world's moral architecture tells you more about it than any map. AThere is a dark side and a light side — and the choice between them is always present, always personal. BEvil is real and ancient and patient — and goodness, however small, is the only thing that can undo it. CGood and evil are real, but they live inside people — and people are complicated, always capable of both. DGood and evil are mostly a matter of perspective and proximity. Power is the only honest currency. EEvil is usually the result of ignorance, fear, or broken systems — and understanding it is the first step to solving it. NEXT QUESTION → 07 What role would you naturally fall into? Every universe has archetypes. Which one fits you without trying? AThe reluctant hero — ordinary origins, extraordinary moment, changed forever by the choice to act. BThe unlikely carrier — the one nobody expected to matter most, quietly bearing the weight of everything. CThe student — not yet who I'll become, learning through every mistake, growing into something the world needs. DThe player — sharp enough to see the game for what it is, ambitious enough to try to win it. EThe explorer — drawn to the unknown, driven by curiosity, most alive when standing somewhere no one has stood before. NEXT QUESTION → 08 What do you ultimately believe about the future? The answer to this is the clearest window into which universe already lives inside you. AThat hope is real — that even in the darkest galaxy, a new hope is always possible. CThat even the smallest person can change the course of the future, if they have the courage to try. CThat love and friendship and doing what's right will matter in the end, even when everything says otherwise. DThat the wheel keeps turning — that power shifts, winters end, and what endures is those willing to fight for it. EThat humanity — or whatever we become — is capable of extraordinary things, if we choose to be. REVEAL MY UNIVERSE → Your Universe Has Been Chosen You Belong In…Your answers point to the iconic universe your values, your instincts, and your particular way of seeing the world were built for. This is where you would find your people — and your purpose. Star WarsYou believe in the cause — in the idea that freedom is worth fighting for even when the odds are impossible and the empire is vast. You are drawn to the moral clarity of a universe where hope itself is a form of resistance. You'd find your people in the Rebellion — a ragtag coalition of true believers held together by conviction more than resources. Star Wars is fundamentally a story about ordinary people choosing to matter in an extraordinary conflict — and that is exactly your kind of story. The Force may or may not be with you. But the will to use it for something larger than yourself certainly is. Lord of the RingsYou understand, in the deepest part of yourself, that the journey matters as much as the destination — and that the world's beauty is worth protecting even at great cost. Middle-earth is a world of ancient wonder, deep friendship, and a darkness that only retreats when enough small acts of courage accumulate. You would thrive here because you value the fellowship more than the glory — the road more than the arrival. Tolkien's universe rewards patience, loyalty, and the willingness to carry something heavy across a very long distance. Those are not burdens to you. They are simply how you move through the world. Harry PotterYou believe that love, loyalty, and doing what's right are not naive sentiments — they are the most powerful forces in any world, magical or otherwise. The Wizarding World is a place of wonder hidden in plain sight, where learning is transformative and the bonds you form at school follow you into every battle. You would flourish here because you take both the magic and the friendships seriously — and you understand that one without the other is incomplete. Harry Potter's universe ultimately rewards those who choose to stand for something even when standing is terrifying. That choice — made quietly, without guarantee — is something you understand completely. Game of ThronesYou see the world clearly — its power structures, its hypocrisies, its brutal arithmetic — and you are not paralysed by that clarity. You use it. Westeros is a world that rewards intelligence, adaptability, and the willingness to understand that every alliance is also a negotiation. You would survive here — possibly thrive here — because you don't confuse the world as it is with the world as you'd like it to be. Game of Thrones is a story about what happens when the idealists and the realists collide. You are sharp enough to know which one lasts longer. Winter always comes. You are already prepared. Star TrekYou believe the future is worth building — that curiosity, cooperation, and the expansion of understanding are not just ideals but the most practical path forward for any civilisation. Star Trek is a universe where the questions matter as much as the answers, and where encountering something utterly alien is cause for wonder rather than fear. You would belong here because you are fundamentally optimistic about what intelligence and decency can achieve — while being honest about how hard that achievement is. The Federation is the universe's most ambitious thought experiment: what if we actually got better? You don't just hope that's possible. You think it's the only thing worth working toward. ↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ