The ten best-selling games of all time

In the early days of the video game industry, knowing exactly how many games had been sold was nearly impossible. In the 1980s and 1990s, numbers were kept secret by companies and only released vaguely in interviews or appeared in difficult-to-access annual executive reports. Fans often relied on specialized magazines, which published estimates or rankings without much certainty and, most importantly, might not’ve been the most updated. Today, the reality is quite different.

With the size of the gaming industry, financial reports are public (to influence stock market movements), official announcements come directly from executives at events like the Game Awards or Blizzard Cons, and the specialized press closely follows every announcement.

And the numbers are impressive: we're talking hundreds of millions of copies sold, something that would’ve been unthinkable back when cartridges were distributed in small print runs in physical stores. So, we'll tell you which games are the best-selling of all time (so far) and the incredible numbers they've achieved. If you have any questions, leave a comment. And if you want to know the best-selling games for each console, we have an article about that too right here.

When we talk about "best-selling games of all time," many people think of giant franchises, such as more modern titles like Fortnite, Counter-Strike, or League of Legends. But these are free despite in-game purchases, so they don't make the list. We're only talking about copies sold, whether physical or digital.

Another important detail is that some games come in bundles, as happened with Wii Sports, and this causes their sales to skyrocket. There are also cases where different versions are combined, such as Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Switch.

Minecraft — 2011, multi-platform

There's no other way to start. Minecraft is by far the best-selling game in history. It's so successful that it's become part of pop culture, used in schools, creative projects, and even by companies that want to teach programming to children.

According to Mojang, in an official statement published on Microsoft's blog in 2023, the game had surpassed 300 million copies sold. Shortly thereafter, in executive interviews at GDC 2024, this number was updated to over 350 million units. This figure was also reported by Bloomberg and IGN, confirming Minecraft's absolute leadership in the global rankings.

Most impressively, there's no specific console driving sales: Minecraft is available on virtually everything—PC, consoles, mobile, and even virtual reality editions. Mojang's strategy was clear: make the game accessible everywhere. The result is a never-ending sales cycle. Even today, thirteen years after its full release, the title continues to appear in monthly best-seller reports.

Grand Theft Auto V — 2013, multi-platform

Second, there's a game that has become synonymous with commercial longevity. GTA V was released in 2013, but to this day it continues to sell like a novelty. Part of this is due to the massive success of GTA Online, which transformed the game into a living platform.

According to Take-Two Interactive's May 2025 financial report, GTA V has sold over 215 million copies worldwide. This figure was widely reported by outlets such as GameSpot and The Verge, which covered the official announcement.

GTA V's strength lies in its ability to reinvent itself. The game has spanned three generations of consoles—PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Microsoft's equivalents—and has found an audience on each. This long sales cycle is rare, but in the case of GTA, it has become the norm. And with the announcement of GTA VI, the fifth title's numbers are expected to receive even more momentum, as new players rush to revisit the series.

Wii Sports — 2006, Wii (exclusive)

Wii Sports is a curious case. Technically, it was the best-selling game in Nintendo's history and remains one of the best-selling worldwide. But much of this is due to the fact that it was included as a standard game on Wii consoles.

According to Nintendo's 2018 sales reports, Wii Sports sold approximately 82.9 million copies. This includes both units sold separately and those bundled with the console. This figure was confirmed by outlets such as Kotaku and Eurogamer, which analyzed the company's reports.

Even though it was a relatively simple game, Wii Sports was fundamental to the Wii's success. It showcased the concept of motion controls in an immediate, accessible, and fun way. For many, it was the title that transformed the Wii into a sales phenomenon in the 2000s.

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — 2014 (Wii U) / 2017 (Switch)

Mario Kart 8, originally released on the Wii U, sold well, but it was the Deluxe version on the Switch that took off. The game has become practically a must-have for anyone who buys Nintendo's console.

In Nintendo's financial report released in May 2025, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe reached 61.97 million copies sold on the Switch alone. Adding the 8.5 million units of the Wii U version, the total reaches over 70 million copies. This data was widely reported by Nintendo itself and reported by outlets such as Polygon and IGN.

It's a clear example of how the platform influences. The Switch became a global success, and with it, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe became one of the main sales drivers, driven by its appeal in both local and online multiplayer.

Red Dead Redemption 2 — 2018, multi-platform

Rockstar appears on this list again, this time with Red Dead Redemption 2. The game took years of development and arrived with an impressive level of detail. Critics acclaimed it, and players responded with millions of copies sold.

According to Take-Two's February 2025 fiscal report, RDR2 has sold 77 million copies worldwide. This figure was highlighted in analyses by Bloomberg and GamesIndustry.biz, which closely monitor the market.

The success shows that audiences aren't just interested in urban worlds like those in GTA. RDR2's Wild West captivated players with its deep narrative and graphical realism. It's one of the biggest hits of the last generation and continues to sell thanks to digital promotions and re-releases.

PUBG: Battlegrounds — 2017, PC / consoles

Before Fortnite became the free-to-play juggernaut we know today, PUBG had already paved the way for the battle royale genre. The difference is that PUBG was sold as a paid game on PC and consoles, and these copies are counted in this ranking.

According to Krafton, in a 2021 statement that was reiterated in subsequent financial statements, PUBG reached 75 million copies sold. This figure was reported by Reuters and also reported by The Verge.

The game's initial popularity was immense, especially on PC, where it became a phenomenon on Steam. Later, console versions helped consolidate sales. Today, even with the free-to-play model on some platforms, paid copies continue to drive this impressive number.

The Oregon Trail — 1971, educational multi-platatrm

The Oregon Trail is a name that surprises many when it appears on these lists. Originally created as educational software, it has been re-released in various versions over the decades.

According to The Learning Company, which maintained the franchise for many years, The Oregon Trail has sold over 65 million copies across all versions. This figure was highlighted in reports from the New York Times and also by TIME magazine in retrospectives on the game's cultural impact.

Despite being a very different product from the others on this list, The Oregon Trail's historical significance is enormous. It influenced generations of students in the United States and became one of the most well-known educational software programs in history.

Terraria — 2011, multi-platform

Terraria is a perfect example of how an indie game can reach massive numbers. Launched in 2011 by a small studio, it has grown steadily thanks to free updates and community support.

According to Re-Logic, in a 2022 statement, the game had surpassed 44.5 million copies sold. In 2023, this number was updated to over 60 million, information reported by outlets such as PC Gamer and GameSpot. By 2025, the estimate had already surpassed 64 million copies.

The secret lies in its longevity. Terraria continues to receive new content to this day, and its affordable price makes it a recurring purchase in digital promotions. This combination of factors explains its long-term success.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — 2015, multi-platform

Released in 2015, The Witcher 3 transformed CD Projekt into one of the most recognized companies in the industry. The game brought the universe of Geralt of Rivia to a much wider audience and became one of the most acclaimed RPGs of all time.

As CD Projekt mentioned in its 2024 investor statement, The Witcher 3 had already sold over 60 million copies. This information was confirmed in articles by GamesIndustry.biz and IGN.

The game's cultural impact also contributed to sales. The Netflix series based on The Witcher prompted many new players to seek out the title years after its release. Additionally, ports to Switch and next-gen versions have helped maintain high interest.

Super Mario Bros. — 1985, NES (and re-releases)

Rounding out the list is an absolute classic. Super Mario Bros. was released in 1985 and quickly became one of the most important games in history, defining the platforming genre and boosting NES sales.

According to historical data released by Nintendo in 2009 sales reports and republished by Game Informer, Super Mario Bros. sold over 40 million copies on the NES alone. Adding re-releases on Virtual Console, Game Boy Advance, and other platforms, the number reaches approximately 58 million copies.

This number demonstrates how a game can span generations. Even decades later, Super Mario Bros. continues to be played in official re-releases and collections, keeping the importance of the original title alive.

Looking at this list, you can see some clear patterns. Multiplatform games tend to sell more because they reach different audiences on consoles, PC, and mobile. It's also notable how bundles (like Wii Sports) can legitimately inflate sales figures, since copies are actually being distributed.

Another point is the importance of longevity. Minecraft, GTA V, and Terraria continue to sell strongly many years after their releases. This shows that the lifespan of a game today can easily exceed a decade.

Finally, it's interesting to see that there's room for both AAA and indie titles, and even educational titles like The Oregon Trail. This diversity proves that the history of video games isn't just about impressive graphics, but also about ideas that find the right audience.

So, how many of the games on this list have you played? Which ones have you bought? Leave a comment and share your impressions of these games.