Top 14 Best-Selling Video Games by Verified Units Sold
| Rank | Game Title | Units Sold (Millions) | Primary Platform(s) | Release Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tetris | 520+ | Multi-platform | 1984 |
| 2 | Minecraft | 300 | Multi-platform | 2011 |
| 3 | Grand Theft Auto V | 195 | Console/PC | 2013 |
| 4 | Wii Sports | 82.9 | Wii | 2006 |
| 5 | PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds | 70 | Multi-platform | 2017 |
| 6 | Red Dead Redemption 2 | 67 | Console/PC | 2018 |
| 7 | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | 60 | Multi-platform | 2011 |
| 8 | Pokémon Red/Blue/Green | 47.52 | Game Boy | 1996 |
| 9 | Wii Fit | 43.8 | Wii | 2007 |
| 10 | Animal Crossing: New Horizons | 42 | Nintendo Switch | 2020 |
| 11 | Super Mario Bros. | 40 | NES | 1985 |
| 12 | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 | 35 | Console/PC | 2011 |
| 13 | Super Mario Odyssey | 27 | Nintendo Switch | 2017 |
| 14 | Super Mario World | 20 | SNES | 1990 |
These verified sales figures represent the definitive ranking of best selling video games all time. Tetris maintains its #1 position with over 520 million units sold across all platforms 1. Minecraft follows with 300 million units sold across 12+ platforms 2. Grand Theft Auto V is the highest-selling console-exclusive title with 195 million units sold 3.
Important note: Fortnite is excluded from this unit sales ranking as it operates on a free-to-play model with no direct purchase requirement. While it generated $22 billion in revenue through microtransactions 4, its business model differs fundamentally from traditional paid games. This list focuses exclusively on verified unit sales of purchased titles.
Why These Games Dominated Sales Charts
Three key factors explain the enduring sales success of these titles:
- Hardware Bundling: Wii Sports (82.9M) and Wii Fit (43.8M) achieved massive sales through inclusion with Nintendo Wii consoles 5
- Cross-Platform Availability: Top 5 titles average 8 platform releases, with Minecraft available on 12+ systems 2
- Timeless Gameplay: Tetris (1984) and Super Mario Bros. (1985) prove simple, accessible mechanics drive multi-generational appeal
Common Questions About All-Time Best Sellers
- What is the #1 best-selling video game of all time?
- Tetris holds the #1 position with over 520 million verified units sold across all platforms as of September 2026, confirmed by The Tetris Company 1.
- Why isn’t Fortnite on the unit sales list?
- Fortnite operates as a free-to-play title with no purchase requirement, so it doesn’t generate traditional unit sales. While it earned $22 billion through microtransactions 4, this ranking measures actual game purchases.
- How did Wii Sports sell 82 million copies?
- Wii Sports was bundled with every Nintendo Wii console in most regions, accounting for its high sales volume. Only 2.5 million standalone copies were sold 5.
- What’s the highest-selling mobile game?
- Tetris is the highest-selling game overall, including mobile versions. For dedicated paid mobile games, Tetris Mobile has sold over 10 million units, but Candy Crush and other free-to-play titles are excluded from unit sales rankings.
Conclusion: The Enduring Formula for Record-Breaking Sales
This verified ranking confirms that the best selling video games all time share three critical elements: universal accessibility (Tetris’ simple mechanics), strategic platform distribution (Minecraft’s 12+ platform releases), and cultural relevance across generations. While revenue models continue evolving, unit sales remain the definitive metric for comparing historical performance. All 14 titles on this list achieved sales milestones through direct consumer purchases – with Tetris’ 520 million units standing as the ultimate benchmark for commercial success in gaming history. As new platforms emerge, these timeless titles demonstrate that exceptional gameplay remains the foundation of enduring popularity.
