Highest Selling Video Games of All Time (2020 Edition)

The gaming industry is a multi-billion pound cash cow that continues to gain interest as hardware expands and triple-A titles bunch up by the motherload. With the turn of a new horizon with Microsoft launching the long-awaited Xbox Series X, and Sony branching out their rival console, PlayStation 5; the war is heating up for yet another battle for which next-gen console will take home the trophy (or achievement in Microsoft's case).

In the meantime, it's worth taking a peek back at some of the games that made a serious financial dent in consumers pockets these past thirty years. As a 2020 update, it might just shock you at what games sold the most on each platform. Some might be expected due to popular demand, but some, however, might make you question the statistics altogether. Either way, here are the highest-selling video games of all time, based on the platform.

XBOX

Halo 2 - November 9th 2004 - 8.46 million+ sales

There's no surprise that the Microsoft baby, Halo, managed to bring home the gold medal with this loved franchise. That's because Halo once stood at the very pinnacle of action gaming, and even brought millions of gamers to the online market with its link play and split-screen co-op modes. Even today, Halo 2 stands in the hall of greats when it comes to original Xbox gaming.

XBOX 360

Kinect Adventures - November 4th 2010 - 24 million+ sales

It's sort of a surprising fact, eh? Considering that the Xbox 360 produced around 2085 games, it's quite amazing that Microsoft Kinect Adventures managed to steal the show with a whopping 24 million sales. But, this mainly goes down to the fact that Kinect Adventures was an add-on with any new Kinect purchase. Even still, we can't fault Microsoft for producing a revolutionary bit of hardware that brought not only fun — but a leap in gaming technology, too.

XBOX ONE

Grand Theft Auto V - November 18th 2014 - 8.72 million+ sales

There's not exactly a great surprise with this one, to be fair. We sort of expected Rockstar to bag at least one hefty award, and it only makes sense that Grand Theft Auto V managed to steal the show for most sales since launch. Even after seven years since its original release, the online world is still keeping the community alive. Plus, Rockstar is still very much producing regular add-ons to their greatest achievement even today.

PLAYSTATION

Gran Turismo - December 23rd 1997 - 10.85 million+ sales

The legendary racing classic, Gran Turismo, managed to swoop in and snatch the gold from second-place contender, Final Fantasy VII. With an impressive ten million-plus sales on PlayStation, Sony managed to continue the series and blow up the franchise with another seven main titles, as well as several smaller titles on handheld consoles.

PLAYSTATION 2

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - October 26th 2004 - 17.33 million+ sales

Rockstar managed to steal the hearts of millions after the release of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. With its linear narrative, addictive sequences and action gameplay, San Andreas managed to provide gamers with endless hours of fast-paced entertainment that still very much holds up in today's competition. And, even after sixteen years — fans are still begging for a remaster. Now that's when you know you've released gold.

PLAYSTATION 3

Grand Theft Auto V - September 17th 2013 - 20.32 million+ sales

Yes, it's true. Rockstar also managed to steal the limelight with the PlayStation 3 sales of their masterpiece, Grand Theft Auto V. And, by now, I'm not sure why we don't just hand everything to Rockstar for their continued efforts of producing instant classics. Well done, R*.

PLAYSTATION 4

Grand Theft Auto V - November 18th 2014 - 20 million+ sales

I, uh, I don't know what more I can say. Grand Theft Auto V just sort of dominated the last-gen video game sales. And, if you're one of the few that hasn't played it yet, well, I suggest you just pick it up to see what everyone is fussing about. Clearly, it's the best title money can buy.

NINTENDO 64

Super Mario 64 - June 23rd 1996 - 11.91 million+ sales

Nintendo's favourite friend, Mario, managed to prove to be a total gamechanger in the mid to late nineties. With its fresh and fluorescent take on 3D platform gaming, Super Mario 64 was surprisingly quick to draw a lot of positive feedback from not only Nintendo fans, but from gamers and critics all across the board. Plus, thanks to the massive success of the 1996 hit, Nintendo went on to release several bundles of Mario games; each becoming as popular as the original.

NINTENDO WII

Wii Sports - November 19th 2006 - 82.90 million+ sales

There was once a beautiful time where every living room was graced with a Nintendo Wii console and Wii Sports bundle. With a tennis racket, golf club, and even a steering wheel add-on; the Nintendo Wii quickly became every family's new favourite toy. And, for all the while, friends and relatives would come to visit — just for a shot at that bowling title and a place in the Wii leaderboard screen. Ah, those were the days.

NINTENDO WII U

Mario Kart 8 - May 29th 2014 - 8.45 million+ sales

Mario strikes hard with the much-loved Kart series. In its eighth major instalment to the family favourite franchise, Mario Kart 8 continues to bring thousands of racing hours to competitive friends from all around the world. And yes, even with the likes of Rainbow Road; people still vote for Mario Kart 8 as their favourite Wii U title.

NINTENDO SWITCH

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - April 28th 2017 - 29 million+ sales

Mario Kart 8 not only brings home the gold for the Wii U, but also stands at the podium for the Nintendo Switch, too. With its extended version of the winning predecessor, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe delivers everything fans love and crave, and packs in additional content that keeps all kart lovers drifting back for more.

PC

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds - December 20th 2017 - 42 million+ sales

The enormous battle royale game that drew massive amounts of online gamers to the scene was, of course, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds. Plus, as an additional statistic; PUBG Mobile managed to accumulate a whopping 734 million downloads, which has grossed over $3.5 billion in sales to date. Now, combine all sales from all platforms and we're talking about a billion players. That's one-seventh of the human population, people. Just take the gold already, PUBG.

ADDITIONAL STATS

NINTENDO DS

New Super Mario Bros. - May 15th 2006 - 30.8 million+ sales

PSP

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories - October 24th 2005 - 8 million+ sales

Well, that's it for this 2020 edition of the highest-selling video games of all time. Perhaps we'll revisit these platforms in a few years to see if any rival developers have swerved past the competition or not. After all, Grand Theft Auto and Mario can't hold the throne forever. Or, you know, maybe they can. I suppose we'll see in a few years. Until then, keep on gaming, guys.

See you for an update next year!