Best-Selling Paid Games of All Time Revealed
IGN's list of top-selling paid video games is led by Tetris with 520 million copies. The report also explains the origin of August 29's Gamer Day.
IGN has released a list of the ten best-selling paid video games of all time, with the classic puzzle game Tetris leading at 520 million copies sold. The report also details the origin of Gamer Day, which is celebrated globally on August 29.
According to the source, Gamer Day originated in 2008 from a joint initiative by Spanish magazines Hobby Consolas, PlayMania, and PC Mania. The publications sought to establish a calendar date to celebrate gaming culture. The proposal was quickly adopted by users and grew into a global event. In the United States, however, National Video Games Day is commemorated on September 12.
The All-Time Sales Ranking
The following table lists the ten best-selling paid games, as reported by IGN. The figures exclude strictly free-to-play titles.
| Rank | Game | Sales (Millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Animal Crossing: New Horizons | 50.29 |
| 9 | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | 65 |
| 8 | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 65 |
| 7 | PUBG: Battlegrounds | 75 |
| 6 | Mario Kart 8 + Deluxe | 79.54 |
| 5 | Wii Sports | 82.9 |
| 4 | Red Dead Redemption II | 85 |
| 3 | Grand Theft Auto V | +230 |
| 2 | Minecraft | +300 |
| 1 | Tetris | 520 |
Notable Entries and Context
Animal Crossing: New Horizons, released in early 2020 for Nintendo Switch, saw its sales surpass 50 million copies. IGN's report links its success to the global confinement periods.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt are tied with 65 million sales each. Skyrim's figure is attributed to its multiple adaptations across modern platforms since its 2011 launch. The Witcher 3's sales reportedly benefited from television adaptations and continuous updates.
PUBG: Battlegrounds sold 75 million copies before transitioning to a free-to-play model. IGN credits it as a pioneer that transformed the online shooter genre.
Mario Kart 8 and its Deluxe version for Switch have a combined 79.54 million sales. The report calls it the definitive family multiplayer racing game.
Wii Sports, bundled with the Wii console, sold 82.9 million copies and introduced motion controls to a massive audience.
Red Dead Redemption II, Rockstar Games' 2018 western epic, has sold 85 million units. Its detailed world and narrative continue to impress players.
The Top Three Giants
Grand Theft Auto V has sold over 230 million copies across three console generations since 2013. IGN states its ongoing multiplayer component supports its longevity.
Minecraft has surpassed 300 million copies sold. The Mojang title is available on virtually every device and is described as one of the most influential creative experiences ever conceived.
Tetris remains the unbeaten king with 520 million sales. This figure accounts for its countless versions over decades, including its massive release on the original Game Boy. The puzzle game was created by Alexey Pajitnov.
