Top-Selling Games in 24 Hours
Over the past decade, the gaming industry has experienced immense growth and popularity, leading to blockbuster game releases that sell millions of copies in just 24 hours. The games featured in this article have set new standards in the industry and have contributed to the overwhelming popularity of video games. Let’s take a look at some of the best-selling games within the first 24 hours of their release.
Halo 2
The iconic Halo franchise has always been synonymous with success, and the release of Halo 2 in 2004 was no exception. The game sold an impressive 2.4 million copies within the first 24 hours, generating over $125 million in revenue for Microsoft, surpassing their initial projected estimates.
Grand Theft Auto IV
Rockstar Games struck gold with the release of Grand Theft Auto IV, the first in the series for Xbox 360 and PS3, leveraging the success of these consoles to achieve over 300 million copies sold and $125 million in revenue within the first 24 hours.
Pokémon X & Y
The Pokémon franchise has consistently been a powerhouse, and the release of Pokémon X & Y was no exception. The game achieved an impressive 15 million pre-orders in Japan alone and sold over four million copies worldwide within the first 24 hours, solidifying its status as the fastest-selling game for the 3DS.
Halo 3
Building on the success of its predecessor, Halo 3 delivered outstanding results, selling over 1 million copies and earning the company approximately $170 million within the first 24 hours of its release, despite being exclusively available on the Xbox 360.
Diablo 3
Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo 3 soared to new heights, selling nearly 3.5 million units and claiming the title of the best-selling PC game of all time. Despite initial challenges, the game’s success paved the way for the release of Diablo 4 and continues to attract new players.
Related: 10 Best Dungeon Crawlers like Diablo 4
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3
The Call of Duty series, particularly the Black Ops line, has consistently captivated gamers, with Black Ops 3 selling approximately 5.6 million copies and generating $310 million in sales within the first 24 hours, defying industry trends at the time.
Skyrim
Skyrim, released in 2011, made a monumental impact, selling a staggering 350 million copies within the first 24 hours of its release. The game’s enduring popularity has continued over a decade later, cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon in the gaming world.
Destiny
As Bungie’s first non-Halo release, Destiny achieved remarkable success, selling approximately ten million copies and generating nearly $500 million in sales. Despite initial criticisms, Destiny 2 addressed these concerns and emerged as a superior sequel.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Modern Warfare 3 continued the legacy of the Call of Duty franchise, selling 6.5 million copies and earning around $400 million in sales within the first 24 hours. The game’s resounding success showcased the enduring appeal of the franchise.
Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V set new records for the industry, selling 11 million copies and generating $800 million in revenue within the first 24 hours. These numbers continued to climb, ultimately reaching 29 million units sold and surpassing $1 billion in sales within six weeks of its release.