TL;DR – Best Selling Video Game Franchises of All Time (By Units Sold)
- Tetris: ~520 million
- Call of Duty: ~500 million
- Pokémon: ~484 million
- Super Mario: ~430 million
- Grand Theft Auto (GTA): ~430 million
(Source: Statista)
Overview
Over the past four decades, video games have grown from quarter-hungry arcade machines into a multibillion-dollar global industry. Today, the best selling video game franchises don’t just sell games; they drive console sales, merchandise empires, blockbuster movies, and massive online communities.
Some game franchises stand out for their innovation, popularity, and sheer number of units they’ve shipped across the globe. We’re talking about brands so massive they’ve outdone Hollywood giants in terms of revenue and cultural influence.
In this article, we’re ranking the top 5 best selling video game franchises ever, based on units sold. Whether you’re into retro games or exploring the latest open-world epic on a reliable gaming laptop, you’ve probably played at least one of these legendary classics.
Let’s jump right in.
1. Tetris
Sales
- #1 among the best selling video game franchises of all time with around 520 million copies sold
- Includes official releases across platforms from Game Boy to mobile
Debut
- Created by Alexey Pajitnov in 1984 in the Soviet Union
- Gained global fame with the Game Boy version in 1989
Top Versions
- Tetris (Game Boy) – revolutionized handheld gaming
- Tetris DS – a modern remix with Nintendo flair
- Tetris Effect – a VR/psychedelic twist on the classic formula
- Tetris 99 – battle royale meets block stacking
Why It’s So Popular
You don’t need a manual to play Tetris – anyone can grasp it in seconds. That simplicity, combined with ever-increasing challenge and availability across every imaginable platform, made Tetris an unstoppable force. It’s the default game on old phones, calculators, even TI-83s. It’s been everywhere.
2. Call of Duty
Sales
- #2 in the list of the best selling video game franchises of all time, with around 500 million copies sold
Debut
- Launched in 2003 by Infinity Ward under Activision
- Initially set in World War II, later evolved into modern and futuristic warfare
Top Games
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare – pioneered a new era of online shooters
- Black Ops series – especially popular with console players
- Warzone – free-to-play battle royale spinoff
- Modern Warfare II (2022) is one of the fastest-selling entries in the series
You might also like our other piece – The Best Gaming Headsets 2025: The Top 5!
Why It’s So Popular
Every November, like clockwork, a new Call of Duty drops – and every year, it dominates sales charts. But what makes it one of the best selling video game franchises of all time? I think it nails fast-paced multiplayer, addictive progression systems, and Hollywood-style single-player campaigns. It’s also deeply embedded in eSports and Twitch culture.
While critics often poke fun at its formulaic nature, there’s no denying the CoD’s annual releases are anticipated events in the gaming world.
3. Pokémon
Sales
- #3 in this rundown of the best selling video franchises of all time, with around 484 million units sold
Debut
- First release in 1996 as Pokémon Red and Green (Japan)
Top Games
- Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow – started the craze
- Gold/Silver, Ruby/Sapphire, Diamond/Pearl – added depth and lore
- Pokémon GO – AR mobile sensation that brought Pokémon into the real world
- Pokémon Sword/Shield, Scarlet/Violet – recent Switch hits
Why It’s So Popular
Pokémon is about collecting, trading, and battling – something that resonates with both kids and adults. Combine that with nostalgia, a massive anime/manga universe, and cute-yet-marketable monsters like Pikachu and Bulbasaur, and you’ve got a multi-generational goldmine.
The video game franchise also adapts quickly to new tech and trends – whether it’s online play, open worlds, or augmented reality (AR) in mobiles.
4. Super Mario
Sales
- #4 among the best selling video game franchises of all time with around 430 million copies sold
- Does not include sub-series like Mario Kart, Mario Party, Luigi’s Mansion, etc.
Debut
- First appeared in Donkey Kong (1981) as “Jumpman”
- Officially became Super Mario in Super Mario Bros. (1985, NES)
Top Games
- Super Mario Bros – one of NES’s best-selling games
- Super Mario 64 – pioneered 3D platforming
- Super Mario Odyssey – critically acclaimed sandbox-style adventure
Why It’s So Popular
Few characters are as iconic as Mario. Nintendo’s mascot is a symbol of both gaming history and innovation. From his humble beginnings dodging barrels to globe-trotting in a sentient hat, Mario consistently reinvents himself while staying true to the fun, colorful platforming formula fans love.
Plus, Mario games tend to be console sellers; a new Super Mario title often coincides with a new Nintendo system launch.
A gamer from the 90s and 2000s? You might like our blog post on “The Decline of Gaming Disks: Embracing the Digital Revolution”.
5. Grand Theft Auto (GTA)
Sales
- #5 in this lineup of the best selling video game franchises of all time, with around 430 million units sold
Debut
- First released in 1997 as a top-down PC game
Top Games
- GTA III – introduced open-world 3D mayhem
- GTA: San Andreas – iconic characters and massive world
- GTA V – one of the highest-selling single titles ever (~190M units)
- GTA Online – continually updated, huge online ecosystem
Why It’s So Popular
Many will agree with me when I say no other video game franchise captures urban chaos and satirical storytelling like GTA. The evolution of GTA series redefined open-world gaming with sprawling cities, cinematic missions and total player freedom. GTA V alone has been a cash cow for over a decade – thanks in large part to GTA Online’s constant content drops and thriving multiplayer community.
With GTA VI finally announced, expect these numbers to explode even further.
Suggested further reading: “The Best Indie Games To Watch Out For In 2025”.
Honorable Mentions
While the top 5 rule the charts for the best selling video game franchises ever, there are some other franchises that deserve a shout-out too.
- Minecraft – Around 300 million units sold. Technically not a franchise, but Mojang’s blocky juggernaut is one of the best-selling single titles ever.
- FIFA – Over 325 million copies. EA’s annual football sim has dominated sports gaming.
Final Thoughts
From pixelated plumbers to high-stakes heists and 1v1 sniper duels, the best selling video game franchises of all time offer more than just entertainment – they’re cultural icons. They’ve evolved alongside technology, such as AI in gaming, adapting to new consoles, new players, and entirely new ways of playing.
Whether you’re Team Mario or waiting to drop back into Los Santos, there’s no denying that these games have earned their place in history – and in our hearts.
Got a favorite from the list? Or think one’s overrated? Let me know on socials – and hit that share button if you’ve enjoyed the trip down memory lane.
FAQs
What is the best selling video game company of all time?
According to authoritative sources such as Telefonica and Udonis, while individual games like Tetris and Minecraft have outsold any single Nintendo title, the cumulative sales of Nintendo’s first-party software far exceed those of any other publisher.
What is the most sold RPG franchise?
When it comes to RPGs, Pokémon is the best selling video game franchise of all time, with over 480 million units sold.
Which game system sells the most?
As of April 2025, the PlayStation 2 remains the best selling video game console ever, with over 160 million units sold worldwide.
Which game earns the most money?
As of 2025, Space Invaders holds the title of the highest grossing video game ever, with estimated earnings of $30 billion, adjusted for inflation. Originally released in 1978, its widespread arcade success and numerous re-releases have contributed to its enduring financial performance.
