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The Top 6 Best-Selling Video Games in History

Nov 19, 2024 at 7:30 AM

The first video games in history hold a unique place. They didn't make it to the best-seller rankings initially as they lacked commercial use; they were meant for academic institutions or sporadic events. As time passed and the industry evolved, the relationship between popularity and sales became more complex. Now, let's dive into the list of the best-selling video games.

Uncover the Gaming Titans with Record-Breaking Sales

Tetris - The Sales Champion

With an astonishing 500 million plus copies sold, Tetris stands tall as the game with the highest sales volume. Born in 1984 in the USSR by computer engineer Alekséi Pázhitnov, it got its name from "tetra" (Greek for four) and "tennis" (his favorite sport). After settling in the US, Pázhitnov founded The Tetris Company in 1996. The distinctive feature of this game is the seven different tetrominoes formed by four squares. These tetrominoes are part of the larger set of polyominoes. Tetris' availability on various consoles, computer operating systems, and other devices like mobile phones and PDAs has made it incredibly popular. Its popularity soared when it became a staple on the Game Boy in 1989. Over the years, numerous variants have emerged, all linked to mathematics and able to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers.

Minecraft - The Open-World Construction Marvel

Launched on 17 May 2009, coinciding with Internet Day, Minecraft has sold over 300 million copies. Developed by Markus Persson at Mojang Studios (acquired by Microsoft in 2014), it had its first stable version on 18 November 2011. Based on "gathering resources," "surviving the night," and "creating fantastic objects," each game is unique with "unforgettable adventures around the corner." It's an "open world" construction game that allows players to express their creativity.

GTA V - The Action-Adventure Sensation

Released in September 2014, GTA V is an open-world action-adventure game that has sold over 200 million units. Belonging to the Grand Theft Auto saga that started in 1997, it is the best-selling video game for computer and console. With a budget of 260 million dollars, it is one of the most expensive games. Set in the fictional city of Los Santos, it is rated 18+ according to the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) system.

Wii Sports - The Single-Platform Sales Leader

Released in November 2006, Wii Sports has sold 83 million copies and is the best-selling video game exclusive to a single platform. Developed by Nintendo for the Wii console, it features five sports disciplines - baseball, bowling, boxing, golf, and tennis. Up to four players can play simultaneously using the Wii Remote for a natural and intuitive gaming experience.

PUBG: Battlegrounds - The Online Multiplayer Battle Royale Hit

With more than 75 million units sold and remaining relatively stable since becoming free-to-play in 2022, PUBG: Battlegrounds belongs to the online multiplayer battle royale genre. Launched in 2017, its mobile version reached 1 billion downloads in 2021. In the game, up to a hundred players parachute onto an island in a battle royale where the goal is to be the last one alive. It is recommended for ages 16 and over according to the PEGI system.

Mario Kart 8 - The Racing Legacy

One of the great historical sagas in the video game industry is Super Mario Kart. Mario Kart 8, an installment of the popular Mario and Luigi series, has sold over 70 million games. The character's and the saga's enormous popularity, starting with the Super Mario Bros launched by Nintendo in the 80s and reaching almost 900 million copies overall, has made it a top-selling game. Released in 2014, it is part of the Mario Kart series, with the first one, Super Mario Kart, coming out in 1992.