It's definitely hard to put together a list of the best video games ever made. Most of them, if not all, are incredible in their own ways based on the medium, sales, graphics, and other factors.
Video games have turned into a multi-billion industry that fosters interaction and connectivity and unites friends and families worldwide. However, only a few have succeeded in gaining hundreds of millions of dollars in sales.
While sales aren't the only yardstick to determine the best, it's a decent metric of how popular and influential some video games have been through the years. In this list are the five best selling video games of all time. See if you can the titles before reading ahead.
Tetris
Having sold 500 million copies, Tetris is considered the best selling video game of all time. Since its first release in 1984 on the Electronika 60, it has been distributed to 50 different platforms.
Alexey Pajitnov, the game's creator, stated that "Tetris is a very simple game, but it appeals to many players because it's both visually and intellectually challenging," speaking to its longevity. He thinks that's what makes the game addictive and popular up until now.
It's playable on personal computers, smartphones, and mobile devices, and accessible on most game consoles like Nintendo. Most online editions of Tetris are free. The latest offline mode for Nintendo Switch is Tetris 99 Big Block ($10).
Minecraft
Minecraft has sold 200 million copies and been ported to various platforms with 126 million monthly active users as of 2020. Since 2009, people of all ages have been easily addicted after playing this game.
Aside from never-ending tasks, one of the key factors contributing to Minecraft's success is its flexibility of use. Players can play, like any other game, in survival mode. Even then, many also choose to play in creative mode where most creativity of the players is expressed, hence the name.
You can purchase Minecraft Java Edition from Minecraft.net for $26.95 or local currency equivalent. Other editions can be obtained from the Xbox Live Marketplace website, App Store, Google Play, Amazon, Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store online, and Nintendo eShop.
Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5)
One of the most financially successful entertainment products of all time, Grand Theft Auto V, made about $6 billion in worldwide revenue. It shipped over 130 million copies around the globe.
Like Minecraft, it has been a venue, rather than a game. The game drew immensely positive reviews for its wide, beautiful open-world environment, engaging storyline, anarchic humor, and numerous sub-quests, side missions, and secrets that provided life and longevity to the world.
You can get it for $30.00 across different digital and physical platforms. It is available on PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.
Playerunknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG)
The PC and console versions of Playerunknown's Battlegrounds have sold over 60 million copies. While PUBG Mobile has crossed 600 million downloads.
According to players, the game's simplicity keeps them engaged. Brendan Greene, the game designer, stated that what has made Battlegrounds such a success is it is, in some ways, made for streaming because of the Hunger Games-like setup.
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is available now on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and mobile devices. It costs $29.99 on Steam or Xbox Live. The Android and iOS mobile versions are free to play.
Pokemon
Pokemon has grossed $90 billion in lifetime revenue. As of November 24, 2017, more than 300 million Pokémon games have been sold worldwide on handheld and home consoles, across 76 titles.
It is well-received and has a vast audience until now because it understands something about humans. Pokemon isn't just a game that features cute animals fighting one another. Its esoteric rule set allows gamers and fans to learn and specialize in complex databases of knowledge.
There are currently 122 Pokemon games known, and the games can be grouped into eight generations. Most of its versions are available on Nintendo, Wii, iOS, and Android devices. Some editions are free, while you can look at the prices of other versions here.
Conclusion
In many cases, these video games are free to play and downloadable or can be connected online. You may try them all to experience what the gamers and fans have been experiencing since their releases.
Whether you like it or not, video games' popularity will continue to dominate the world as they provide entertainment and a platform for players to virtually experience the world.
