TL;DR
The best-selling games of all time include Minecraft (300M+, Microsoft), GTA V (210M+, Take-Two), Tetris (EA Mobile 100M+, multi-platform counts are complex), Wii Sports (82.9M+), PUBG (75M+ console/PC), and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (70M+). Every figure is approximate, and methodologies (physical vs digital vs free-to-play) vary by source.
Sales ranking (approx., varying methodologies)
| Rank | Game | Sales | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minecraft | 300M+ | Microsoft disclosure, 2023 |
| 2 | GTA V | 210M+ | Take-Two, 2025 |
| 3 | Tetris (EA Mobile) | 100M+ | 2014 disclosure |
| 4 | Wii Sports | 82.9M+ | Nintendo official |
| 5 | PUBG | 75M+ | Console/PC, 2022 basis |
| 6 | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | 70M+ | Nintendo, 2025 |
| 7 | Red Dead Redemption 2 | 70M+ | Take-Two, 2025 |
| 8 | Pokémon Red/Green/Blue | ~31.6M | Nintendo official cumulative |
Takeaways
- Long-tail operations and multi-platform reach drive records: GTA V has sold for 10+ years on the strength of GTA Online;
- Separate free downloads from paid sales: PUBG Mobile's free downloads dwarf console/PC sales;
- Cross-game comparisons need the same publisher methodology.
FAQ
Why is Minecraft the best-selling game ever?
Full platform coverage (PC/console/mobile), creative sandbox play across age groups, education use, and continuous updates pushed sales past 300M by 2023.
Why does GTA V still sell?
Released in 2013, GTA Online and repeated re-releases/remasters have kept it selling for over a decade, passing 210M — one of the highest single-title commercial totals.
Why do sales numbers differ between sources?
Physical vs digital vs free downloads vs bundles use different counting rules; always cite the source and disclosure date.
Sources
- Wikipedia: List of best-selling video games (cumulative), accessed 2026-08-04
- Microsoft (Minecraft), Take-Two, and Nintendo earnings disclosures, accessed 2026-08-04