Video games will always be an everlasting art form. Throughout time, we've been gifted the opportunity to experience billions upon billions of different types of video games. And, with the advanced technology that we have today, newer games will only get better and better. With how much there is to explore, creators have made games for just about anyone to enjoy.
Within video game communities, we all bond over sharing our most beloved games. However, the size of this bond is truly showcased when we look at the sales of the games themselves. More specifically, in the past few years, most of these video games have continued to be some of the best-selling games of all time.
12 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild (28 Million Copies)
For how successful The Legend of Zelda franchise is, it's no surprise that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is still so wildly popular to this day. As one of the launch games for the Nintendo Switch, Breath of the Wild skyrocketed in sales upon its release.
Selling about 28 million copies thus far, this game continues to make sales through its memorability. Not to mention the announcement of the sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, encouraging fans to go and experience the first game for themselves.
11 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Nearly 30 Million Copies)
Beginning as a highly anticipated game, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is one of the most successful games in the entire franchise. Selling nearly 30 million copies worldwide, this game still makes its way off the shelves.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has so much gameplay to offer its players, including a unique (and ever-growing) cast of playable characters. Besides being one of the best-grossing Nintendo Switch games, this game is the most profitable fighting video game. Overall, it's clear that Nintendo put their heart and soul into bringing hardcore fans the perfect version of Super Smash Bros. out there.
10 Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare (30 Million Copies)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is utterly iconic on its own. However, with 30 million copies sold within the first three days of its release, this 2019 game is one of the all-time highest-selling Call of Duty games.
The release of Modern Warfare sold so many copies that it dethroned Call of Duty: Black Ops as the best-selling in the series. Black Ops held the title for nearly a decade, so Modern Warfare taking its place was significant. Ultimately, Modern Warfare is a memorable addition to the franchise that many players go back to from time to time.
9 Terraria (Nearly 45 Million Copies)
Being known as a more adventurous version of Minecraft, Terraria is a fascinating 2D sandbox exploration game. Even though Minecraft and Terraria share some similarities, Terraria is unique and stands out. Riding off the success of building sandboxes, Terraria became critically acclaimed.
Within the first week of release, Terraria sold over a thousand copies. The game then sold twice as many at the end of the month. By March 2021, Terraria had achieved nearly 35 million sales. Because of how timeless this game is, sales have continued to rise higher and higher.
8 Red Dead Redemption 2 (46 Million Copies)
Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of Rockstar Game's greatest accomplishments, being a generation-defining video game. Featuring an open world with all sorts of western adventures and characters, Red Dead Redemption 2 fantastically built upon the first game.
The game broke multiple records and became the second-biggest launch in entertainment history during its first weekend. Selling 46 million copies, this number surpassed the lifetime sales of Red Dead Redemption. It gained this much positive reception due to how highly anticipated it was for so long. Right as it hit the shelves, everyone ran to get themselves a copy.
7 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (48 Million Copies)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is considered one of this generation's greatest racing games. Fans of Mario Kart had high hopes for the Nintendo Switch's contribution to the iconic series. Luckily, Nintendo had more than delivered a thrilling adventure for fans and made it a game that anyone could enjoy — avid gamer or not.
Selling over 48 million copies, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe earned a rightful title in being the best-selling Nintendo Switch game of all time. Nostalgia and innovative racing tracks are what truly drove fans to this game's mighty success.
6 Overwatch (50 Million Copies)
While its sequel, Overwatch 2, is free-to-play, the first game had a price tag. Interestingly, despite the cost, the sales for Blizzard's beloved FPS went through the roof. Even before its release, Overwatch already had thousands of eyes on it and gained media attention.
The first Overwatch was widely praised for how much time was spent creating its quirky set of heroes. Both critics and fans found the friendly online shooter to have fantastic potential, mainly through its well-designed maps and ability to make room for casual FPS players. According to Bloomberg, before the release of its sequel, Overwatch had sold a notable amount of 50 million copies.
5 PUBG: Battlegrounds (75 Million Copies)
PUBG: Battlegrounds is the ultimate battle royale video game. Despite being categorized among many other beloved battle royale games, PUBG: Battlegrounds had popularized the battle royale formula in video games. This game was built from the ground up. Coming from a smaller development team, it's magnificent to see how far it went.
Intensive and realistic, the elements of Battlegrounds alone made it the top-grossing video game on the PC and Xbox One. With 75 million copies sold, there's no doubt that PUBG: Battlegrounds will go down in history as a memorable battle royale for years to come.
4 Wii Sports (83 Million Copies)
It's no surprise that a remarkable game that was bundled with Wii consoles would be one of the top-grossing video games of all time. Playing Wii Sports alone evokes so much nostalgia that you can't help but be lost in everything that it has to offer.
Because of the skyrocketing success of the Wii console, Wii Sports sold up to 83 million copies. This especially goes with retro gaming collectors who have gone out to purchase the Wii, striving to combine this collectible console with such a sought-after video game.
3 Grand Theft Auto V (170 Million Copies)
Rockstar Game's Grand Theft Auto V forever changed the Grand Theft Auto series. The fifth addition to the franchise is unforgettable, showcasing innovative design and storytelling. Since it's been nearly a decade since its release with no new game out yet, Grand Theft Auto V sales have consistently risen.
In just the first 24 hours of the game's release, it already accomplished multiple million copies sold. And, within nine years, the number of copies has grown nearly fifteen times larger to 170 million. Thanks to this, Grand Theft Auto V has now been rewarded with an impeccable legacy.
2 Minecraft (238 Million Copies)
Seeing how much Minecraft has grown into a true masterpiece is beautiful. It's gained the attention of many, alongside a great amount of magical content created by players. From creating music videos to sharing ideas of what to create, Minecraft has been the foundation for many creative minds coming together.
Of course, because of how nearly everyone worldwide knows about this beloved 3D sandbox, it’s no surprise that Minecraft reigns supreme. This game is cemented as the second top-grossing video game of all time with 238 million units sold as of April 2021. And, based on the constant sales of the franchise, it seems that it won't lose this title anytime soon.
1 Tetris (520 Million Copies)
Since its release in the late 1980s, various versions of Tetris have combined up to 520 million copies being sold. This has made Tetris have a legendary place as the most reputable and top-grossing video game for multiple decades.
Tetris is instantly recognizable, and even someone who doesn't play video games would easily be familiar with this timeless puzzle game. Not to mention how Tetris has shown to be helpful to those with anxiety, making it beneficial to play as well. While there are many best-grossing games, Tetris will always be the ultimate champion.