Minecraft is the the world's best-selling video game, with more than 300 million copies across all platforms.
Behind it, we find GTA V, Wii Sports and major franchises such as Call of Duty Where Pokémon. Here is the list of albums that have made sales history.
Minecraft, with over 300 million copies sold
Minecraft is being developed by the Swedish studio Mojangreleased in 2011. The concept: build, explore, and survive in a randomly generated block-based world. This sandbox game with no set objectives has captivated players of all ages.
It's available on almost every platform: computer, mobile, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch. This accessibility largely explains its more than 300 million copies sold around the world. It is the the best-selling single-player game in history, on all platforms.
GTA V, approximately 200 million copies sold
GTA V (Where Grand Theft Auto V) was released in 2013, developped by Rockstar Games. It takes place in the fictional city of Los Santos and offers a vast open world that combines story-driven missions with complete freedom of action.
With approximately 200 million copies sold, that's the The second best-selling game in history counting only unique titles.
Its sales continue to rise thanks to reissues on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series, and the enduring popularity of GTA Online. Red Dead Redemption 2, another title from Rockstar, for its part, exceeds the 65 million copies sold.
Tetris, 520 million copies sold
Released in 1984, Tetris remains one of the best-selling games in the history of video games. The concept is simple: you stack pieces called tetriminos to form complete lines that disappear. This addictive gameplay has captivated players of all ages.
The game owes much of its success to the Game Boy of Nintendo, and then to mobile versions for smartphones. In total, Tetris totals approximately 520 million copies all versions combined, including:
- about 425 million mobile downloads
- about 70 million physical copies
This figure combines paid sales and paid mobile downloads, which creates some ambiguity in the rankings. Depending on the counting method used, Tetris is competing for the No. 1 in the world with Minecraft.
If you're looking for the complete opposite in terms of accessibility, check out the the hardest game never conceived.
Wii Sports and Wii Fit, the heavyweights of the bundle Nintendo
Wii Sports was released in 2006 next to the console Nintendo Wii. It features five simulated sports (tennis, bowling, baseball, golf, and boxing) that anyone can play using the Wii's motion-sensing controller. The game was included in most console bundles, which significantly boosted its sales.
Result: approximately 83 million copies sold worldwide, making it one of the best-selling games in the history of Nintendo. Wii Fitreleased in 2007 with his scale Wii Balance Board, has also exceeded the 22 million copies sold. These two titles illustrate how an add-on or bundle can transform a game's sales figures.
Pokémon, the franchise Nintendo 440 million copies
The saga Pokémon is launched in 1996 on Game Boy with Pokémon Rouge and Pokémon Bleu. These first two episodes lasted more than 31 million copies on their own. The formula (capture, train, fight) has remained virtually unchanged ever since.
Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the franchise now has more than 440 million copies sold across all generations.
The most recent titles, such as Pokémon Écarlate and Pokémon Violet on Nintendo Switch, each exceeded the 20 million copies sold in just a few months. The franchise remains one of the most profitable in the world.
Super Mario, the hit series from Nintendo
Series Super Mario accompanies Nintendo since 1985. The first episode, Super Mario Bros on NES, is one of the best-selling games in history for a title of its generation. For years, it even remained among the best-selling games in the world.
The secret to its longevity lies in its regular releases on each new generation of consoles. After the mode 2D from the beginning, Nintendo has made the switch to 3D with Super Mario 64, then Super Mario Galaxy. Each version has managed to attract new players without losing its longtime fans.
The franchise isn't limited to platform games. It also includes Mario Kart, Mario Party and numerous spin-off sports games. On Nintendo Switch, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe exceeds on its own 70 million copies sold, which makes it the The 6th best-selling game of all time.
When added together, the sales of all securities Mario reach several hundred million copies. No single-player game in the series can dethrone Minecraft, but the collection as a whole remains an essential benchmark in the global rankings.
PUBG, 75 million copies sold
PUBG : Battlegrounds (Where PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds) was released in 2017 for PC, developed by the Korean studio KRAFTON. It popularized the “battle royale” genre worldwide, before being joined by Fortnite and other competitors.
The game has surpassed the 75 million copies sold on PC and consoles, making it one of the best-selling games in history. It has since switched to a free-to-play model, but its sales prior to this change remain a record for a game of this genre.
The Witcher 3 : Wild Hunt, with over 50 million copies sold
The Witcher 3 : Wild Hunt was released in 2015, developed by the Polish studio CD Projekt Red. This open-world role-playing game follows the adventures of the monster hunter Geralt de Riv and is recognized as one of the best video games ever created.
He surpassed the 50 million copies sold around the world, particularly thanks to its availability on Nintendo Switch and subsequent reprints. The series The Witcher in a broad sense, goes beyond the 75 million copies sold.
Terraria, with over 44 million copies sold
Terraria was released in 2011, developped by Re-Logic. This 2D survival and building game is often compared to Minecraft, even though its gameplay is more focused on exploration and combat.
With over 44 million copies sold Available on PC, consoles, and mobile devices, it ranks among the best-selling indie games in history. Its low price and regular free updates have greatly contributed to its sales.
Call of Duty, with over 400 million copies sold
The Franchise Call of Duty (often abbreviated as COD) totals more than 400 million copies sold, across all episodes. This figure refers to the the entire saga, not a single game. No single episode on its own reaches the level of Minecraft or of GTA V.
The first Call of Duty comes out in 2003 for PC, developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision. This first-person shooter first immerses the player in the World War II, before the saga took a decisive turn toward modernity.
This is Call of Duty 4 : Modern Warfarereleased in 2007, which really boosts sales by establishing the competitive online multiplayer as a benchmark in the genre. Since then, a new title has been released almost every year. Each installment adds several million sales to the franchise's total.
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