
I still remember the first time I booted up a game that would later go on to sell over 100 million copies. There’s something magical about being part of that massive community—knowing I’m one of tens of millions who fell in love with the same digital world. As a gamer who’s spent countless hours across consoles and PC, I’ve always been fascinated by the numbers behind the biggest hits. These aren’t just games; they’re cultural phenomena that have shaped entire generations. And with 2026 well underway, a few of these giants have crept even higher on the sales charts.
So, let me walk you through the current top 10 best-selling video games of all time. I’ve based these on the most up-to-date reports and confirmed figures we have, though I’ll be honest—the top couple of games are still moving copies every single day, so the exact numbers are a moving target. Still, the hierarchy remains incredibly impressive. Grab a coffee and let’s dive in from 10th to 1st!
| Rank | Game | Estimated Sales (Millions) | Year First Released |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Terraria | 45+ | 2011 |
| 9 | Red Dead Redemption 2 | 50+ | 2018 |
| 8 | Pokémon Red/Blue/Green | 53+ | 1996 |
| 7 | Mario Kart 8 / Deluxe | 60+ | 2014 |
| 6 | Super Mario Bros. | 58+ | 1985 |
| 5 | PUBG: Battlegrounds | 75+ | 2017 |
| 4 | Wii Sports | 82.9 | 2006 |
| 3 | Grand Theft Auto V | 195+ | 2013 |
| 2 | Minecraft | 300+ | 2011 |
| 1 | Tetris | 520+ | 1984 |
10. Terraria – The Underground Adventure That Just Won’t Quit
I have to admit, when Terraria first dropped in 2011, I dismissed it as a 2D Minecraft clone. Boy, was I wrong. This game takes the mining and building loop and injects it with a huge dose of combat, exploration, and absolutely crazy boss fights. All in a side-scrolling, pixel-art world. Over the years, the developers at Re-Logic have poured insane amounts of free content updates into it, keeping the community alive and thriving. By 2026, Terraria has surpassed 45 million copies sold—an incredible feat for a game that started as a humble indie project. I still fire it up whenever a new update drops; there’s something undeniably satisfying about digging until you find that shimmering vein of ore.
9. Red Dead Redemption 2 – A Masterpiece of Storytelling
Rockstar doesn’t just make games; they craft living, breathing worlds. Red Dead Redemption 2 is the perfect example. I remember riding through the Heartlands at dawn, the light filtering through the trees, and just stopping to soak it all in. That level of detail extends to the narrative, the side missions, and even the—let’s call them unique—horse mechanics. Sure, the hyper-realistic horse anatomy meme took off, but behind that joke is a game that truly respects immersion. As of 2026, it has galloped past 50 million units sold, and while we’re all hungry for GTA VI, this cowboy epic continues to draw new players into its gang.
8. Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green – The Pocket Monsters That Started It All
I can still feel the weight of my old Game Boy Color and the click of the link cable. Pokémon Red and Blue weren’t just games; they were a social movement. Trading, battling, and chasing that elusive Mew under the truck near the S.S. Anne—those moments built a generation of lifelong fans. The original Japanese release even had Pokémon Green, which never made it to the West but remains a collector’s holy grail. By 2026, combined sales of these Game Boy classics sit comfortably over 53 million. Without these 8-bit adventures, we wouldn’t have the $100 billion franchise that Pokémon is today. It all started with 151 monsters and a dream.
7. Mario Kart 8 / Deluxe – Racing Into Immortality
I’ve played almost every Mario Kart game, but Mario Kart 8 just refuses to let go. First released on the Wii U, it found a second life on the Nintendo Switch as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. And then it kept selling… and selling. At over 60 million copies across both versions in 2026, it’s the best-selling racing game ever. I’ve lost count of the couch multiplayer sessions where friendships were tested by a well-timed blue shell. The ongoing Booster Course Pass DLC has only added fuel to this kart’s engine, making us wonder if we’ll ever see a proper Mario Kart 9. At this point, I’m not sure Nintendo even needs to rush.
6. Super Mario Bros. – The Savior of an Industry
If you’ve ever jumped on a Goomba, you owe a debt to Super Mario Bros. When the video game market crashed in the early ’80s, this NES classic practically resurrected the whole medium. Released in 1985, its tight controls, hidden secrets, and iconic soundtrack set the standard for platformers. I played it years after its release on a retro console, and even then, it felt timeless. The game has moved over 58 million units across multiple re-releases, and while it won’t climb much higher, its legacy is set in stone. Mario’s first big adventure remains a masterclass in design that every developer studies.
5. PUBG: Battlegrounds – The Battle Royale That Paved the Way
Before Fortnite became a cultural juggernaut, PUBG was the king of the hill. I spent countless tense moments crawling through the grass in Erangel, heart pounding as the circle closed in. The concept of dropping 100 players onto an island and letting them fight it out wasn’t entirely new, but PUBG popularized the genre on a global scale. Even in 2026, the game still sees regular updates and maintains a loyal player base. With over 75 million copies sold across PC and consoles, it’s a testament to the power of a simple, adrenaline-fueled loop. Not bad for a game that started as a mod.
4. Wii Sports – Everyone’s First Motion-Controlled Experience
I have a vivid memory of my grandparents swinging a Wii remote to bowl a strike. That was the magic of Wii Sports—it turned video games into a family living room activity. Sure, it was bundled with almost every Wii console, which absolutely boosted its numbers to 82.9 million. But the game’s impact can’t be downplayed. It introduced motion controls to the masses and created countless memories. I still think the tennis backhand is one of the most satisfying gestures in gaming. Even today, Wii Sports remains a go-to at family gatherings when someone dusts off the old console.
3. Grand Theft Auto V – The Entertainment Juggernaut
It’s honestly staggering to think that Grand Theft Auto V, a strictly adult-targeted title, has sold nearly 200 million copies by 2026. That number jumps even higher if you factor in the revenue from GTA Online, making it the most profitable piece of media ever. I’ve bought this game on three different console generations myself, partly because Rockstar kept improving it and partly because the online world was always evolving. Los Santos never felt static. The fact that we’ve been waiting for GTA VI for so long says a lot about how thoroughly this game captured our imagination. When the sequel finally arrives, it’ll have impossible shoes to fill.
2. Minecraft – The Infinite Sandbox
I’ve sunk thousands of hours into Minecraft, and I’m nowhere near done. The beauty of this game is that it means something different to everyone—a creative outlet, a survival challenge, an engineering sandbox, or a social hub. By 2026, Minecraft has crossed 300 million copies sold, making it the best-selling single game that isn’t Tetris. I still remember my first dirt house and the terror of my first night. Now I watch kids build entire functioning cities and redstone computers. Mojang keeps releasing updates like the Trails & Tales and the buzzy farming additions, ensuring that even after all these years, the Overworld never gets old.
1. Tetris – The Unbeatable Classic
There’s a reason Tetris sits at the top, and honestly, I don’t think it’ll ever be dethroned. The original Alexey Pajitnov creation has sold a mind-melting 520 million copies across just about every platform imaginable. Those numbers include the legendary mobile phone version that turned millions of commuters into block-stacking addicts. I’ve played Tetris on my phone, my Game Boy, and even in a browser tab. It’s pure, unadulterated design perfection—easy to learn, impossible to master. Watching those four-block pieces slide into place and clear a line still triggers a little dopamine rush. At nearly 40 years old, Tetris remains the definitive video game.
At the end of the day, sales figures only tell part of the story. What these games really measure is joy, shared experiences, and the countless hours we’ve invested in their worlds. I can’t wait to see which titles crack this list next—maybe a certain GTA 6 will make a run. But for now, these ten are the undisputed champions of our favorite pastime.