Top 5 video games that have conquered the world in sales

The world of gaming is marked by titles that have managed to go beyond entertainment boundaries to establish themselves as global best-sellers. These video games have experienced worldwide conquest thanks to record sales, impressive commercial success, and a lasting influence on the gaming industry. In this overview, we find phenomena that have reached tens, even hundreds of millions of players across various platforms. Our analysis focuses on:

• the biggest commercial successes in terms of sales,
• the characteristics that made them successful,
• the impact they have had on players and the industry,
• the specificities of each game in a competitive market,
• the outlook based on these best-sellers.

This decoding of the top 5 video games that have conquered the world invites you to discover why these titles continue to dominate and influence gaming today.

Minecraft: The global phenomenon with over 300 million copies sold

Minecraft stands as the best-selling video game in the world with an incredible player base estimated at over 300 million copies sold. Behind this impressive figure, officially launched in 2011 by Mojang and acquired by Microsoft in 2014, the game stands out for its innovative concept combining freedom and creativity. On Roblox, Fortnite, or many other titles mentioned on Gamers Land, few can rival its longevity and the loyalty of its community.

This success is based on a simple mechanic: a pixelated block universe where the player can build, explore, and modify at will. This complete freedom attracts both children and adults, casual fans and experts alike. Present on all modern platforms, from PC to consoles, mobiles, and even virtual reality, Minecraft has become a platform for expression as much playful as educational. For example, schools worldwide use it to introduce mathematics, geometry, and even programming logic.

The richness of its ecosystem is enhanced by a very active community, creating mods, custom servers, and regular updates. Word of mouth and collaborative online events help sustain this perpetually renewed popular phenomenon. This game is the perfect prototype of a commercial success that has transcended its simple video game status to become a true cultural and social experience.

Grand Theft Auto V: An immersive story driven by an open world and +190 million sales

Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) is another giant of global sales with nearly 190 million units sold. Released in 2013 by Rockstar Games, this title redefined the open-world game genre with powerful storytelling and limitless gameplay. Its success is not only commercial: it is also a cultural reference in gaming, offering a striking social satire combined with total freedom for players.

The fictional city of Los Santos is the setting of a unique story through three protagonists whose destinies intertwine, offering an emotionally rich and cinematic gaming experience. This complex storyline is paired with a living, realistic universe saturated with activities: racing, missions, exploration, or simply discovering the many facets of the city.

The sales success of GTA V is greatly extended thanks to GTA Online, the multiplayer dimension constantly enriched with varied content – events, scenarios, updates – which holds a loyal player base for over a decade. Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of GTA VI, which promises to continue the lineage of big-budget games with major narrative ambitions in this thriving market.

Tetris: The universal simplicity that transcended generations with over 100 million sales

Tetris is undoubtedly the paradigm of a successful minimalist concept. Created in 1984 by Russian Alexey Pajitnov, this puzzle game based on assembling and clearing geometric shapes (tetriminos) has become a timeless classic, with more than 100 million paid copies sold and a popularity still very much alive today.

The gameplay is accessible in less than a minute but difficult to master, appealing to all generations, transcending cultural contexts and platforms – from Game Boy to PC or mobiles to virtual reality. This ability to create an intense concentration state, often referred to as the player’s “flow,” explains why Tetris remains a key reference for intelligent and addictive entertainment.

Its impact on the gaming industry is also visible through many adaptations and modern variations, even inspiring competitive gaming formats that maintain its appeal. Tetris illustrates how a strong and simple concept can conquer the world without ever losing its relevance or charm.

Wii Sports: The accessibility revolution that made video games family-friendly with 82 million copies sold

Wii Sports disrupted gaming norms starting in 2006, thanks to its release bundled with the Nintendo Wii console. With more than 82 million copies distributed, this game was based on a major innovation: motion controls that are fast and intuitive, accessible to the broadest audience. Bowling, tennis, boxing, and other mini-games became family party experiences.

This game expanded the player base, integrating audiences not usually accustomed to video games. The simplicity of the controls mainly demonstrated that success in the gaming industry also depends on conviviality and the democratization of gaming. On this subject, those who follow news can discover other popular titles on the Nintendo eShop in 2025, in a logic of increased accessibility for all player profiles.

Wii Sports is a textbook case of how a simple yet well-designed product can conquer a market previously dominated by more complex experiences. This success paved the way for the popularization of casual or multigenerational wired games.

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds: The rise of battle royale with over 75 million copies sold

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) laid the foundation for the battle royale phenomenon even before Fortnite dominated the scene. Launched in 2017, PUBG relies on a simple yet intense mechanic: 100 players parachuted onto an island, where only the last survivor wins. This formula attracted a massive community with over 75 million paid copies sold, which is remarkable in a world where the free-to-play model tends to prevail.

Thanks to its success, PUBG exploded the number of competitive players and sparked a whole series of innovations in competitive gaming, which you can explore further via competitive gaming trends in 2025. Its influence has also pushed other franchises to improve their multiplayer offerings with regular updates and community events.

This battle royale remains a staple of the top 5 video games that have conquered the world. It illustrates a new era where sharing, competition, and sustainability are essential to building enduring global success.

Game	Worldwide Sales	Release Year	Main Platforms	Gameplay Type
Minecraft	+300 million	2011	PC, consoles, mobiles, VR	Sandbox, free creativity
Grand Theft Auto V	+190 million	2013	PC, consoles	Open world, immersive narrative
Tetris	+100 million	1984	Multi-platform historic	Puzzle game, simple gameplay
Wii Sports	+82 million	2006	Nintendo Wii	Accessible sports games
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds	+75 million	2017	PC, consoles, mobiles	Battle royale, multiplayer survival

The top 5 best-selling video games attest that diversity in gameplay, accessibility across multiple platforms, and the ability to create strong community experiences are determining factors for achieving worldwide commercial success. To stay updated on releases and exclusives, you can also check the news regarding Steam winter sales 2025 or the free-to-play scene on Fortnite and its new skins.