List of Best-selling Games Every Console Generation From 1998

Console Games, Guides

The Evolution of Video Game Best-Sellers

The video game landscape has transformed dramatically from the early days of gaming with Atari and Nintendo. With each new console generation, there has been a corresponding evolution in the games that have captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. Today, we delve into the top-selling games for every major console generation, highlighting the titles that have left an enduring legacy on the gaming industry.

Best-Selling Games by Console Generation

Over the years, the video game industry has seen a surge in growth, leading to the introduction of innovative titles with each new console generation. Let’s take a closer look at the best-selling games from each major console era.

2020–present: Ninth Generation

The current ninth generation of video game consoles kicked off with the launch of the Xbox Series X/S and the PlayStation 5 in November 2020. Some of the top-selling games from this ongoing console era include:

  • Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – 11 million copies sold
  • Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – 3.97 million copies sold
  • Elden Ring – 3.64 million copies sold
  • Final Fantasy XVI – 3 million copies sold
  • Demon’s Souls – 1.4 million copies sold
  • EA Sports FC 24 – 1.04 million copies sold
  • Stellar Blade – 1 million copies sold
  • Returnal – 560,000 copies sold

Microsoft’s decision to withhold Xbox game sales figures has made it challenging to compile accurate data on the best-selling games for the Xbox Series X/S.

Sony’s PlayStation exclusives like “God of War: Ragnarok” and “Horizon: Forbidden West” have achieved impressive sales figures, though specifics for the PS5 versions remain undisclosed.

2012–present: Eighth Generation

The eighth generation of video game consoles (2012–present) welcomed consoles like the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Wii U, and Xbox One. The Nintendo Switch emerged as the top-selling console of this era, thanks to its unique hybrid design that resonated well with gamers.

The Wii U, while not as successful as its competitors, contributed to Nintendo’s exclusive lineup. The PlayStation 4 garnered a strong following with its exclusive titles, while the Xbox One faced initial challenges following its 2013 reveal.

Best Selling Xbox One Games

  • PUBG: Battlegrounds – 9 million copies sold
  • Halo 5: Guardians – 5 million copies sold
  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – 4.3 million copies sold
  • Dead Rising 3 – 3.10 million copies sold
  • Cuphead – 3.00 million copies sold
  • Cyberpunk 2077 – 2.33 million copies sold
  • Forza Motorsport 5 – 2 million copies sold
  • Monster Hunter World – 1.78 million copies sold
  • Ark: Survival Evolved – 1.5 million copies sold
  • Ryse: Son of Rome – 1.28 million copies sold
  • Forza Motorsport 6 – 1 million copies sold
  • Rise of the Tomb Raider – 1 million copies sold

Best Selling Wii U Games

  • Mario Kart 8 – 8.46 million copies sold
  • Super Mario 3D World – 5.89 million copies sold
  • New Super Mario Bros. U – 5.82 million copies sold
  • Super Smash Bros. for Wii U – 5.38 million copies sold
  • Nintendo Land – 5.21 million copies sold
  • Splatoon – 4.95 million copies sold
  • Super Mario Maker – 4.02 million copies sold
  • New Super Luigi U – 3.07 million copies sold
  • The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD – 2.37 million copies sold
  • Mario Party 10 – 2.27 million copies sold
  • Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – 2.02 million copies sold
  • Wii Party U – 1.79 million copies sold
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 1.70 million copies sold
  • Yoshi’s Woolly World – 1.57 million copies sold
  • Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker – 1.37 million copies sold
  • Pikmin 3 – 1.28 million copies sold
  • The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD – 1.17 million copies sold
  • Lego City Undercover – 1.15 million copies sold
  • Hyrule Warriors – 1 million copies sold
  • Pokkén Tournament – 1 million copies sold

Many of the top-selling Wii U games were bundled with the console, potentially boosting their sales figures. Some of these popular titles were later ported to other Nintendo platforms, further enhancing their overall sales.

Best Selling PlayStation 4 Games

  • Marvel’s Spider-Man – 20 million copies sold
  • Grand Theft Auto V – 20 million copies sold
  • God of War – 19.5 million copies sold
  • Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – 16 million copies sold
  • Gran Turismo Sport – 12.72 million copies sold
  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – 10.8 million copies sold
  • The Last of Us Part II – 10 million copies sold
  • Horizon Zero Dawn – 10 million copies sold
  • The Last of Us Remastered – 10 million copies sold
  • Ghost of Tsushima – 9.73 million copies sold
  • Star Wars Battlefront – 8.42 million copies sold
  • Bloodborne – 7.46 million copies sold
  • Days Gone – 7.32 million copies sold
  • Ratchet & Clank – 7 million copies sold
  • Infamous Second Son – 6 million copies sold
  • Detroit: Become Human – 5.5 million copies sold
  • Final Fantasy VII Remake – 5 million copies sold
  • Monster Hunter: World – 4.67 million copies sold
  • Cyberpunk 2077 – 3.83 million copies sold
  • FIFA 17 – 3.12 million copies sold

Best Selling Nintendo Switch Games

  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 61.97 million copies sold
  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 45.36 million copies sold
  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – 34.22 million copies sold
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 31.85 million copies sold
  • Super Mario Odyssey – 27.96 million copies sold
  • Pokémon Sword and Shield – 26.27 million copies sold
  • Pokémon Scarlet and Violet – 24.92 million copies sold
  • Super Mario Party – 20.66 million copies sold
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – 20.61 million copies sold
  • New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe – 17.45 million copies sold
  • Ring Fit Adventure – 15.38 million copies sold
  • Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! – 15.07 million copies sold
  • Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl – 15.06 million copies sold
  • Pokémon Legends: Arceus – 14.83 million copies sold
  • Luigi’s Mansion 3 – 14.25 million copies sold
  • Splatoon 2 – 13.60 million copies sold
  • Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury – 13.47 million copies sold
  • Super Mario Bros. Wonder – 13.44 million copies sold
  • Nintendo Switch Sports – 13.11 million copies sold
  • Mario Party Superstars – 12.89 million copies sold
  • Splatoon 3 – 11.96 million copies sold

Although the Nintendo Switch was part of the eighth console generation, it competes directly with the current ninth-gen consoles in terms of sales performance. The impressive sales numbers of the Nintendo Switch have outpaced its competitors, reinforcing its stronghold in the gaming market.

2005–2017: Seventh Generation

The seventh generation of video game consoles commenced in 2005 with the launch of the Xbox 360 and concluded with the introduction of the PlayStation 3 in 2017. This era marked a significant advancement in graphics and processing capabilities, paving the way for more immersive gaming experiences.

Key consoles during this period included the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii, each offering unique features and gaming experiences.

Best Selling Xbox 360 Games

  • Kinect Adventures! – 24 million copies sold
  • Grand Theft Auto V – 22.95 million copies sold
  • Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition – 21 million copies sold
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – 14.72 million copies sold
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops – 14.55 million copies sold
  • Halo 3 – 14.5 million copies sold
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops II – 13.7 million copies sold
  • The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – 13.7 million copies sold
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – 13.49 million copies sold
  • Grand Theft Auto IV – 11.1 million copies sold
  • Call of Duty: Ghosts – 10.16 million copies sold
  • Halo: Reach – 9.87 million copies sold
  • Halo 4 – 9.41 million copies sold
  • Gears of War – 5 million copies sold
  • Gears of War 2 – 5 million copies sold
  • Batman: Arkham City – 4.73 million copies sold
  • Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare – 4.211 million copies sold
  • Fable II – 3.5 million copies sold
  • Batman: Arkham Asylum – 3.48 million copies sold
  • Call of Duty: World at War – 3.35 million copies sold

Kinect Adventures! stands out as a collection of motion-based minigames bundled with the Kinect camera, underscoring the popularity of motion gaming during that period.

Best Selling PlayStation 3 Games

  • Grand Theft Auto V – 29.52 million copies sold
  • Gran Turismo 5 – 11.95 million copies sold
  • The Last of Us – 7 million copies sold
  • Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception – 6.6 million copies sold
  • Uncharted 2: Among Thieves – 6.5 million copies sold
  • Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – 6 million copies sold
  • Batman: Arkham City – 5.48 million copies sold
  • Gran Turismo 5 Prologue – 5.35 million copies sold
  • Gran Turismo 6 – 5.22 million copies sold
  • God of War III – 5.2 million copies sold
  • Final Fantasy XIII – 5 million copies sold
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – 4.8 million copies sold
  • Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune – 4.8 million copies sold
  • Grand Theft Auto IV – 4.33 million copies sold
  • Batman: Arkham Asylum – 4.23 million copies sold
  • MotorStorm – 3.31 million copies sold
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops – 3.269 million copies sold
  • Heavy Rain – 3.03 million copies sold
  • LittleBigPlanet – 3 million copies sold
  • Beyond: Two Souls – 2.8 million copies sold

Best Selling Wii Games

  • Wii Sports – 82.90 million copies sold
  • Mario Kart Wii – 37.38 million copies sold
  • Wii Sports Resort – 33.14 million copies sold
  • New Super Mario Bros. Wii – 30.32 million copies sold
  • Wii Play – 28.02 million copies sold
  • Wii Fit – 22.67 million copies sold
  • Wii Fit Plus – 21.13 million copies sold
  • Super Smash Bros. Brawl – 13.32 million copies sold
  • Super Mario Galaxy – 12.80 million copies sold
  • Just Dance 3 – 9.92 million copies sold
  • Wii Party – 9.35 million copies sold
  • Mario Party 8 – 8.85 million copies sold
  • The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess – 7.50 million copies sold
  • Super Mario Galaxy 2 – 7.41 million copies sold
  • Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games – 7.09 million copies sold
  • Donkey Kong Country Returns – 6.53 million copies sold
  • Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games – 6.53 million copies sold
  • Link’s Crossbow Training – 5.79 million copies sold
  • Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga – 5.51 million copies sold
  • Just Dance 2 – 5 million copies sold

It’s important to note that the top-selling Wii games were often bundled with the console, contributing significantly to their sales figures.

1998–2013: Sixth Generation

The sixth generation of video game consoles, spanning from 1998 to 2013, introduced groundbreaking gaming systems that pushed the boundaries of technology and gameplay. Notable consoles from this era included the Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox.

Best Selling Sega Dreamcast Games

  • Sonic Adventure – 2.5 million copies sold
  • Shenmue – 1.2 million copies sold
  • Resident Evil – Code: Veronica – 1.14 million copies sold
  • Soulcalibur – 1 million copies sold
  • Crazy Taxi – 950,000 copies sold
  • NFL 2K1 – 900,000 copies sold
  • NBA 2K1 – 504,000 copies sold
  • Sonic Adventure 2 – 500,000 copies sold
  • Seaman – 399,342 copies sold
  • NHL 2K – 348,000 copies sold
  • World Series Baseball 2K1 – 347,000 copies sold
  • NBA 2K – 311,000 copies sold
  • Sega Rally 2 – 290,000 copies sold
  • Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 – 286,000 copies sold
  • Sakura Wars 4: Fall in Love, Maidens – 257,386 copies sold

Best Selling PlayStation 2 Games

  • Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – 17.33 million copies sold
  • Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec – 14.89 million copies sold
  • Gran Turismo 4 – 11.76 million copies sold
  • Grand Theft Auto: Vice City – 10.5 million copies sold
  • Final Fantasy X – 8.5 million copies sold
  • Grand Theft Auto III – 8.305 million copies sold
  • Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – 7.03 million copies sold
  • Tekken 5 – 6 million copies sold
  • Final Fantasy XII – 6 million copies sold
  • Kingdom Hearts – 5.9 million copies sold
  • Final Fantasy X-2 – 5.4 million copies sold
  • Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King – 4.88 million copies sold
  • Kingdom Hearts II – 4.757 million copies sold
  • God of War – 4.61 million copies sold
  • Madden NFL 2005 – 4.35 million copies sold
  • God of War II – 4.24 million copies sold
  • Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy – 4.2 million copies sold
  • EyeToy: Play – 4 million copies sold
  • Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – 4 million copies sold
  • Madden NFL 2004 – 3.95 million copies sold

Best Selling Nintendo GameCube Games

  • Super Smash Bros. Melee – 7.41 million copies sold
  • Mario Kart: Double Dash – 6.96 million copies sold
  • Super Mario Sunshine – 5.91 million copies sold
  • The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker – 4.43 million copies sold