The best selling video game of all time is Minecraft, a sandbox game released in 2011 by Mojang. It has sold over 300 million copies worldwide, making it the first video game to reach this remarkable milestone. Minecraft attracts around 140 million monthly active players who enjoy the freedom to build and explore innovative worlds, which contributes to its ongoing popularity across various platforms.
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Minecraft
mojang Studios (2011)
350M -
PUBG: Battlegrounds
Pubg Studios (2017)
75M -
GTA V
Rockstar Games (2013)
210M -
Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar Games (2018)
70M -
Wii Sports
Nintendo (2006)
82.9M -
The Sims
Maxis (2000)
70M -
Ark: Survival Evolved
Studio Wildcard (2017)
79M -
The Oregon Trail
D. Rawitsch, B. Heinemann, P. Dillenberger (1971)
65M -
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Nintendo (2014)
75M -
Terraria
Re-Logic (2011)
60.7M -
Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow
Game Freak (1996)
76.1M -
Super Mario Bros.
Nintendo (1985)
58M -
Human: Fall Flat
No Brakes Games (2016)
55M -
Bejeweled
PopCap Games (2000)
50M -
Overwatch
Blizzard Ent. (2016)
50M -
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD Projekt Red (2015)
50M -
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Nintendo (2020)
47.8M -
Wii Fit Plus
Nintendo (2007)
43.8M -
Call of Duty: Black ops 3
Treyarch (2015)
43M -
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Infinity Ward (2019)
41M -
Stardew Valley
ConcernedApe (2016)
41M -
World of Warcraft
Blizzard Ent. (2004)
40.6M -
Payday 2
Overkill Software (2013)
40M -
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic Team (1991)
40M -
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Bethesda (2011)
40M -
Mario Kar667K
Nintendo (2008)
37.4M
How to Sell Video Games
- Choose what to sell: Physical copies, digital downloads, or your own game.
- Select a platform: Choose where you’ll sell your games (e.g., Steam, Gameflip, Decluttr, itch.io).
- Create your listing: Add images, pricing, and descriptions.
- Fulfill orders: Ship physical copies or deliver digital codes instantly.
- Promote your product: Use social media, forums, and influencers to gain visibility.
What Makes a Game a Best Seller?
Behind these blockbuster sales are games that deeply connect with their audience. Successful titles often feature immersive worlds, innovative gameplay, and strong storytelling. Unlike ordinary games, best sellers often create a transcendent experience that turns players into passionate advocates. This dynamic can drive organic growth through word-of-mouth, social media buzz, and media coverage — effectively acting like a cheat code in marketing.
FAQs:
1. What is the best selling video game of all time?
The best selling video game of all time is Minecraft, with over 300 million copies sold worldwide since its 2011 launch.
2. Which games are the top sellers in 2025 so far?
In 2025, Monster Hunter: Wilds leads U.S. sales, followed by The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and MLB The Show 25 among others.
3. How does Minecraft maintain its popularity after so many years?
Minecraft’s enduring popularity is due to its open-ended sandbox gameplay, frequent updates, cross-platform availability, and broad appeal to all ages, bolstered recently by a film adaptation.
4. Are newer releases outselling classic games like GTA V?
Some newer titles have surged in sales, but classic best sellers like Grand Theft Auto V, released in 2013, still maintain strong sales and revenue, ranking in the top sellers for 2025.
5. What factors contribute to a video game becoming a best seller?
Key factors include immersive gameplay, strong storytelling, wide platform availability, active community engagement, critical acclaim, marketing, and continued content updates or expansions.
6. Are digital sales included in best selling games statistics?
Most current sales charts include both retail (physical) and digital sales, but some platform-specific digital sales (e.g., Nintendo Switch) may not be fully accounted for due to publisher data sharing policies.
7. How do the best selling games of 2025 compare to previous years?
2025’s best sellers show a mix of fresh releases like Monster Hunter: Wilds and remastered classics like Oblivion, alongside evergreen franchises such as Call of Duty and GTA, reflecting both innovation and long-term fan loyalty.
8. Which platforms dominate the best selling games list in 2025?
Games available on multiple platforms including PlayStation, Xbox, and PC dominate, with some titles also releasing on Nintendo Switch 2, which launched recently in 2025.