Video games have evolved from a niche hobby into the world’s largest entertainment industry, generating more revenue than movies and music combined. From timeless arcade classics to sprawling open-world adventures, certain games have transcended generations, selling tens or even hundreds of millions of copies worldwide. While new releases regularly dominate headlines, only a handful of titles have managed to achieve legendary commercial success and secure a place among the highest-selling games ever created.
Here’s a look at the Top 10 highest-grossing (best-selling) video games of all time, ranked by copies sold across all platforms.
10. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) – Over 65 Million Copies
Few games have enjoyed the longevity of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Released by Bethesda in 2011, the fantasy RPG has remained relevant for well over a decade thanks to multiple re-releases, modding support, and a passionate fan community.
Players take on the role of the Dragonborn, a legendary warrior destined to defeat Alduin, an ancient dragon prophesied to destroy the world. The game’s massive open world, freedom of choice, and countless side quests helped redefine modern RPGs.
Despite debates over its exact sales numbers, Microsoft and Bethesda have confirmed that Skyrim has crossed the 65 million copies sold milestone, making it one of gaming’s biggest commercial triumphs.
Credits: PCMag
9. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015) – Over 65 Million Copies
CD Projekt Red’s masterpiece transformed The Witcher from a respected RPG franchise into a global phenomenon.
Players step into the boots of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter searching for his adopted daughter, Ciri, while battling terrifying creatures and navigating morally complex political conflicts.
What truly set The Witcher 3 apart was its storytelling. Even optional side quests featured emotional depth rarely seen in video games. Combined with breathtaking visuals, memorable characters, and award-winning expansions, the game has sold more than 65 million copies, cementing its place among gaming’s all-time greats.
Credits: TheWitcher.com
8. Terraria (2011) – Over 70 Million Copies
At first glance, Terraria looks like a simple 2D sandbox game. In reality, it offers one of the deepest crafting and exploration experiences ever created.
Players gather resources, build homes, fight hundreds of unique enemies, discover hidden biomes, and battle increasingly difficult bosses—all within a procedurally generated world.
The game’s constant free updates have kept it alive for over a decade. According to developer Re-Logic, Terraria has surpassed 70 million copies sold, with nearly 40 million on PC alone.
Its endless replayability continues to attract both newcomers and longtime fans.
Credits: Nintendo
7. PUBG: Battlegrounds (2017) – 75 Million Copies
Before battle royale games became mainstream, PUBG: Battlegrounds changed multiplayer gaming forever.
The game’s simple concept—100 players parachuting onto an island to fight until only one survives—sparked a global gaming revolution. Every match offered unpredictable encounters, intense firefights, and thrilling last-man-standing moments.
Although PUBG eventually became free-to-play, it had already sold approximately 75 million copies before dropping its price tag.
Its influence can still be seen in nearly every multiplayer shooter released today.
Credits: USA Today
6. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2014/2017) – Over 79.5 Million Copies
Nintendo has always excelled at creating games anyone can enjoy, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is perhaps the perfect example.
Featuring iconic Nintendo characters, imaginative race tracks, anti-gravity mechanics, and chaotic item-based gameplay, the racing title remains one of the company’s most successful releases.
The combined sales of the Wii U version and Nintendo Switch’s Deluxe edition have now exceeded 79.5 million copies, making it the best-selling Mario game ever.
Nearly a decade after launch, it continues to receive updates and remains one of the Switch’s biggest attractions.
Credits: PCMag
5. Wii Sports (2006) – 82.9 Million Copies
Very few games have introduced as many people to gaming as Wii Sports.
Bundled with the Nintendo Wii console in many regions, the game showcased the system’s revolutionary motion controls through five easy-to-play sports: bowling, tennis, baseball, golf, and boxing.
Its accessibility appealed to children, parents, grandparents, and even retirement communities, making it one of the most universally loved games ever released.
Although many of its sales came through console bundles, Wii Sports still officially stands at 82.9 million copies sold, proving how important it was to Nintendo’s success.
Credits: IMDb
4. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) – Over 85 Million Copies
Rockstar Games delivered one of the most cinematic gaming experiences ever with Red Dead Redemption 2.
Set during the decline of the American Wild West, players follow outlaw Arthur Morgan as he struggles with loyalty, redemption, and survival while his gang slowly falls apart.
The game’s incredibly detailed world, realistic NPC behavior, emotional storytelling, and stunning visuals earned widespread critical acclaim.
Take-Two Interactive has confirmed that the game has sold more than 85 million copies, making it one of the fastest-selling premium games in history.
Even years after launch, many players consider it one of the greatest open-world games ever made.
Credits: PlayStation
3. Grand Theft Auto V (2013) – Over 230 Million Copies
No modern game has matched the incredible longevity of Grand Theft Auto V.
Released originally on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, GTA V has since appeared across three console generations while continuing to dominate sales charts.
Players switch between three protagonists—Michael, Franklin, and Trevor—as they complete elaborate heists throughout the fictional city of Los Santos.
The success of GTA Online significantly extended the game’s lifespan, adding regular updates, multiplayer content, businesses, and new missions for over a decade.
With more than 230 million copies sold, GTA V remains one of the most profitable entertainment products ever created and one of Rockstar’s greatest achievements.
Credits: Rockstar Games
2. Minecraft (2011) – Over 400 Million Copies
Few games have had a cultural impact comparable to Minecraft.
Developed by Mojang, Minecraft gives players complete creative freedom inside a procedurally generated world made entirely of blocks. Players can build cities, recreate famous landmarks, automate farms using Redstone, survive against monsters, or simply explore endless landscapes.
Its appeal spans every age group, from school classrooms to professional architects using the game for design concepts.
Thanks to constant updates, educational editions, and cross-platform support, Minecraft has now surpassed 400 million copies sold, making it the highest-selling single video game ever released.
Its influence on gaming and creativity remains unmatched.
Credits: XBOX
1. Tetris (1984) – Over 520 Million Copies
At the very top sits one of the simplest—and most addictive—games ever designed.
Created by Soviet software engineer Alexey Pajitnov, Tetris asks players to arrange falling geometric blocks into complete horizontal lines before the screen fills up.
Its easy-to-learn but difficult-to-master gameplay has made it one of the most enduring games in history.
Over the past four decades, Tetris has appeared on nearly every gaming platform imaginable, from the original Game Boy to smartphones and modern consoles.
Across all official versions and ports, Tetris has sold more than 520 million copies, making it the highest-selling video game franchise by total unit sales.
Its timeless gameplay proves that great game design never goes out of style.
Credits: The Independent
Why These Games Continue to Dominate
What connects these record-breaking titles isn’t just impressive sales numbers—it’s longevity. Most of these games have remained relevant for years through updates, remastered editions, online multiplayer, community-created content, or simply outstanding gameplay.
Whether it’s Minecraft encouraging creativity, GTA V constantly evolving through online content, Skyrim’s massive modding community, or Tetris’ timeless simplicity, these games continue attracting new generations of players long after their original release.
With blockbuster releases like Grand Theft Auto VI on the horizon, the rankings could shift in the coming years. But for now, these ten titles represent the greatest commercial successes in video game history and stand as milestones that have shaped the modern gaming industry.
