August 
Gaming’s greatest sellers — and the stories behind their success
Gaming’s greatest sellers — and the stories behind their success
A record-breaking industry
Video games have become one of the world’s most powerful entertainment industries, outpacing film and music combined.
With over three billion players worldwide, gaming now shapes culture, technology, and even storytelling. But among thousands of releases, only a handful have sold in staggering numbers.
About the list
To qualify as a best-selling game, total sales are based on verified copies sold — not free downloads or pre-installed versions. This means global hits like Snake on old Nokia phones don’t make the list, even though they reached hundreds of millions of players.
It’s important to note that this list is dynamic and may change over time. The data is current as of October 2025 and is based on Wikipedia’s list of best-selling video games.
This ranking focuses exclusively on stand-alone titles, highlighting the games that have officially broken global sales records.
10. Super Mario Bros. – 58 million copies
Released in 1985, Super Mario Bros. helped define the modern gaming era. Developed by Nintendo, it turned the mustached plumber and his quest to rescue Princess Peach into a cultural icon.
Its accessible gameplay and catchy soundtrack helped rebuild the video game industry after the 1983 crash.
9. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – 60 million copies
CD Projekt Red’s fantasy epic from 2015 proved that deep storytelling could achieve blockbuster success.
Based on Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels, The Witcher 3 combines open-world exploration with complex characters — and its success laid the foundation for Netflix’s hit adaptation.
8. Terraria – 64 million copies
An indie phenomenon from developer Re-Logic, Terraria became a cult classic after its 2011 release.
Its pixel-art world of crafting, mining, and survival inspired countless imitators and proved that independent developers could rival major studios in both creativity and profit.
7. The Oregon Trail – 65 million copies
Originally created in 1971 as an educational game, The Oregon Trail taught generations of students about 19th-century pioneer life — and the dangers of dysentery.
Despite its age, it remains one of the most played educational games ever, having appeared on school computers and mobile devices alike.
6. PUBG: Battlegrounds – 75 million copies
The battle royale genre exploded with PUBG in 2017. Its simple formula — 100 players, one survivor — reshaped multiplayer gaming and influenced hits like Fortnite and Apex Legends.
PUBG’s impact was so massive it turned its publisher, Krafton, into a billion-dollar company almost overnight.
5. Red Dead Redemption 2 – 77 million copies
Rockstar’s Western masterpiece from 2018 blends cinematic storytelling with breathtaking realism.
Known for its detailed open world and emotional depth, Red Dead Redemption 2 continues to sell millions each year — cementing Rockstar’s reputation for creating living, breathing worlds.
4. Mario Kart 8 / Deluxe – 77.3 million copies
Mario Kart 8 became one of Nintendo’s biggest hits across both the Wii U and Switch consoles. Its polished tracks, accessible gameplay,
and chaotic fun have made it a multigenerational favorite, selling nearly as many copies as the Nintendo Switch itself.
3. Wii Sports – 82.9 million copies
Bundled with most Wii consoles after its 2006 release, Wii Sports turned living rooms into gyms and made gaming mainstream for families.
Its motion-controlled tennis, bowling, and boxing mini-games helped the Wii console reach record-breaking success — and made grandparents into unexpected gamers.
2. Grand Theft Auto V – 215 million copies
Few games have dominated pop culture like GTA V. Released in 2013, Rockstar’s open-world crime saga remains one of the most profitable entertainment products ever made.
A decade later, it’s still popular thanks to constant updates to GTA Online and a vast player community.
1. Minecraft – 350 million copies
At the top of the list stands Minecraft, first released in 2011 by Mojang Studios. Its open-ended sandbox world lets players build, explore, and create virtually anything they can imagine.
Selling over 350 million copies, Minecraft’s influence spans education, creativity, and global gaming culture — making it the best-selling video game of all tim
This article is made and published by auk1, which may have used AI in the preparation
