The video game industry has transformed from a niche pastime into the largest entertainment market in the world, generating more revenue than the global film and music industries combined. Over the past four decades, thousands of games have been released across PCs, consoles, handheld devices, and mobile platforms, but only a select few have achieved extraordinary commercial success.
Some titles became instant global sensations, while others built their audience over many years through continuous updates, downloadable content, multiplayer experiences, or thriving modding communities. Together, these games have sold hundreds of millions of copies and influenced how modern games are developed, marketed, and enjoyed.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 highest-grossing (best-selling) video games of all time, ranked by official lifetime copies sold across every supported platform.
10. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) – Over 65 Million Copies Sold
Released by Bethesda Game Studios in 2011, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim remains one of the most successful role-playing games ever created. More than a decade after launch, it continues attracting new players through multiple re-releases on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and modern consoles.
Players step into the role of the Dragonborn, a legendary hero destined to stop Alduin, an ancient dragon prophesied to destroy the world. Skyrim’s massive open world encourages exploration, allowing players to forge their own path instead of following a strict storyline.
Its enormous map, countless side quests, memorable characters, and nearly endless freedom helped redefine the modern RPG genre. The game’s legendary modding community has also played a major role in its longevity, constantly introducing new quests, visual improvements, gameplay mechanics, and complete story expansions.
Microsoft and Bethesda have confirmed that Skyrim has surpassed 65 million copies sold, making it one of the best-selling RPGs in gaming history.
9. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015) – Over 65 Million Copies Sold
Developed by CD Projekt Red, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt elevated the Witcher franchise from a respected RPG series into one of gaming’s biggest global successes.
Players control Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster hunter searching for his adopted daughter, Ciri, while navigating a world filled with political conflict, mythical creatures, and morally complex decisions.
Unlike many RPGs, even optional side quests in The Witcher 3 feature deep storytelling, emotional character development, and meaningful choices. Combined with stunning environments, cinematic presentation, and award-winning expansions like Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, the game earned widespread praise from critics and players alike.
Today, The Witcher 3 has sold over 65 million copies worldwide, proving that outstanding storytelling can remain commercially successful for years after release.
8. Terraria (2011) – Over 70 Million Copies Sold
Although it features simple 2D pixel graphics, Terraria offers one of the deepest sandbox experiences ever created.
Developed by Re-Logic, Terraria lets players explore procedurally generated worlds filled with caves, hidden treasures, dangerous enemies, powerful bosses, and countless crafting opportunities. Players gather resources, construct homes, create equipment, and gradually unlock stronger weapons and abilities.
One of Terraria’s greatest strengths is its continuous support. Since its release in 2011, developers have delivered numerous free content updates that introduced new biomes, enemies, bosses, mechanics, and quality-of-life improvements.
According to Re-Logic, Terraria has now exceeded 70 million copies sold, including nearly 40 million on PC alone. Its remarkable longevity continues to attract both veteran players and newcomers.
7. PUBG: Battlegrounds (2017) – 75 Million Copies Sold
Before battle royale games dominated the gaming industry, PUBG: Battlegrounds popularized the genre worldwide.
Its gameplay is straightforward yet incredibly addictive. Up to 100 players parachute onto a large map, gather weapons and supplies, and battle until only one player or team remains alive.
Every match delivers unique situations, unpredictable encounters, and intense survival moments. PUBG’s realistic gunplay and tactical gameplay created a competitive experience unlike anything available at the time.
Although PUBG later transitioned to a free-to-play model, it had already sold approximately 75 million copies before making that change.
Its influence is undeniable, inspiring countless battle royale titles that followed, including many of today’s biggest multiplayer games.
6. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2014/2017) – Over 79.5 Million Copies Sold
Nintendo has always excelled at creating games that appeal to players of every age, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe perfectly demonstrates that philosophy.
Originally released for the Wii U before receiving an enhanced version on Nintendo Switch, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features beloved Nintendo characters racing across imaginative tracks filled with shortcuts, hazards, and iconic power-ups.
The game’s accessible controls make it easy for beginners to enjoy, while advanced mechanics provide plenty of depth for competitive players.
The combined sales of both versions have now exceeded 79.5 million copies, making Mario Kart 8 Deluxe the best-selling Mario game ever released.
Regular downloadable content featuring new courses and characters has helped maintain its popularity nearly a decade after launch.
5. Wii Sports (2006) – 82.9 Million Copies Sold
Few games have introduced as many people to video gaming as Wii Sports.
Bundled with the Nintendo Wii console in many countries, Wii Sports showcased the console’s revolutionary motion controls through five easy-to-play sports:
- Bowling
- Tennis
- Baseball
- Golf
- Boxing
Unlike traditional games that required complicated controllers, Wii Sports encouraged players to physically swing, punch, and move using the Wii Remote.
Its intuitive gameplay made it popular among children, parents, grandparents, schools, retirement communities, and casual gamers worldwide.
Although many sales came from hardware bundles, Wii Sports officially reached 82.9 million copies sold, making it one of Nintendo’s greatest commercial successes.
4. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) – Over 85 Million Copies Sold
Rockstar Games delivered one of gaming’s most cinematic experiences with Red Dead Redemption 2.
Set during the final years of the American frontier, players follow outlaw Arthur Morgan, whose personal journey explores loyalty, survival, friendship, and redemption as the Van der Linde gang slowly falls apart.
The game’s extraordinary attention to detail impressed players worldwide. Wildlife behaves naturally, NPCs follow daily routines, weather systems change dynamically, and virtually every location feels alive.
Its emotional storytelling, stunning visuals, realistic animations, and expansive open world earned widespread critical acclaim.
Publisher Take-Two Interactive has confirmed more than 85 million copies sold, making Red Dead Redemption 2 one of the fastest-selling premium games ever released.
3. Grand Theft Auto V (2013) – Over 230 Million Copies Sold
Very few games have enjoyed the extraordinary longevity of Grand Theft Auto V.
Originally launched on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, the game has since been released across three generations of consoles along with PC, continuing to sell millions of copies every year.
Players control three protagonists—Michael, Franklin, and Trevor—as they complete daring heists throughout the sprawling city of Los Santos.
While the single-player campaign remains one of Rockstar’s finest achievements, GTA Online dramatically extended the game’s lifespan through continuous updates featuring new businesses, vehicles, missions, multiplayer events, and online activities.
Today, Grand Theft Auto V has surpassed 230 million copies sold, making it one of the most profitable entertainment products in history.
Its incredible commercial success has set extraordinarily high expectations for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI.
2. Minecraft (2011) – Over 400 Million Copies Sold
Few games have influenced creativity and gaming culture as profoundly as Minecraft.
Developed by Mojang Studios, Minecraft places players inside an infinite block-based world where imagination becomes the only real limitation.
Players can:
- Build entire cities
- Design functioning machines using Redstone
- Explore endless landscapes
- Mine valuable resources
- Battle monsters
- Create multiplayer servers
- Reproduce famous landmarks
- Develop educational projects
Minecraft’s appeal stretches across every age group, from young children discovering creativity to architects using it for conceptual designs and educators teaching programming and engineering concepts.
Constant updates, educational editions, marketplace content, cross-platform play, and an enormous creator community have helped Minecraft remain one of gaming’s most successful titles.
The game has now surpassed 400 million copies sold, making it the highest-selling individual video game ever released.
1. Tetris (1984) – Over 520 Million Copies Sold
At the top of the list sits one of the simplest—and most timeless—games ever created: Tetris.
Designed by Soviet software engineer Alexey Pajitnov, Tetris challenges players to rotate and arrange falling geometric blocks into complete horizontal lines before the screen fills up.
Despite its straightforward gameplay, Tetris offers endless replayability and increasing difficulty that has captivated players for over four decades.
The game has appeared on nearly every gaming platform imaginable, including:
- Game Boy
- PC
- Arcade machines
- Mobile phones
- Modern consoles
- Smart TVs
Across all official versions and licensed ports, Tetris has sold more than 520 million copies worldwide, making it the highest-selling video game franchise by total unit sales.
Its enduring popularity proves that exceptional gameplay never becomes outdated.
Why These Games Continue to Sell Millions
Although these games span multiple genres—from sandbox adventures and RPGs to racing, shooters, puzzle games, and open-world action—they all share several characteristics that contribute to their lasting success.
Most have remained relevant through ongoing updates, downloadable content, online multiplayer, remastered editions, active creator communities, or timeless gameplay that continues to appeal to new generations of players. Titles like Minecraft encourage limitless creativity, Grand Theft Auto V thrives because of GTA Online, Skyrim benefits from one of gaming’s largest modding communities, while Tetris proves that simple game design can remain engaging for decades.
These record-breaking sales also demonstrate how the gaming industry has evolved into the world’s largest entertainment business. Modern games are no longer single-release products—they are long-term platforms that continue generating value through regular content updates, expanding player communities, and evolving gameplay experiences.
With blockbuster releases such as Grand Theft Auto VI on the horizon and live-service gaming continuing to grow, these rankings may eventually change. For now, however, these ten titles represent the greatest commercial achievements in video game history and have left a lasting impact on players and the gaming industry worldwide.
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