20 Most Popular Games of All Time

There are a number of ways to objectively measure the popularity of a game.

Do gross sales alone determine the most popular video games ever made?

We think not.

When it comes to popular video games, we look at more than just stats. We also consider:

Name recognition. When you ask someone who doesn’t game to name three video games, what do they say?

Fond memories. When you ask your friends who do play video games what their favorite game moments are, which ones do they share?

We’ve found that games that have name recognition, are loved by gamers, and have the sales and total user numbers to back them up, are the really, really popular games.

Those are the games we chose for this list.

Most Popular Video Games of All Time

Pacman

One of the first biggest hits to come out of the gaming industry, Pacman is one of the most recognizable mascots in all of gaming and easily gets the title of most popular video game of all time Pacman gets the 20 spot because it’s an ancient arcade game that everyone played at least once at the local roller rink before it closed down for good like 15 years ago.

As far as games go, it’s always seemed to be on the frustrating and simplistic side. Yes, it’s “a classic” but, just like with old movies, a classic doesn’t mean it’s any good! Still, it holds a place in the list as one of the most popular games ever.

What Makes It Great

Progressive Difficulty Curve: While the game starts easy, it becomes progressively harder, keeping players engaged

Thrill of the Chase: The game mimics the childhood game of tag, adding a thrill to the gameplay.
Peaceful Nature: Unlike violent games, Pac-Man offers a peaceful experience, attracting a wider audience.

Interesting Facts

• It took over a year to create Pac-Man: It took a total of 1 year and 5 months to complete the game, which was a long time for a video game to be created in those days.
• The original target audience for Pac-Man was girls: The creator designed the game with women in mind. He had no idea that it would end up appealing to both boys and girls.
• The inspiration for the game was food: The creator of Pac-Man was inspired to create a character that looks like Pac-Man when he removed a slice from a pizza. It gave him the idea of a round character with a pizza slice-style mout.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

Gameplay is as simple as they come. You do not have to waste any time learning the mechanisms or instructions of how to play the game because it is all pretty straightforward.

Tetris

Bet you didn’t see THIS one coming! Just kidding, it probably popped into your head when you imagined the contenders for most popular game of all time.

Tetris is a timeless classic and a game that has aged better than any other game ever created, earning itself a reputation among popular video games.

When it comes to the old heads that don’t play video games, you ask them for three game titles, at least 50% of them will say Tetris.

What Makes It Great

Psychological Thrill: Tetris offers a unique psychological thrill. The game inspires critical thinking and has even been found to make the brain more efficient, consuming less glucose during play.

Timelessness: Tetris has a timeless design that doesn’t require graphical upgrades to feel modern. It has influenced the puzzle genre in video gaming and continues to be relevant, with new adaptations and a strong following.

Interesting Facts

• The game originally spread through piracy: Pajitnov, a Soviet government programmer, feared punishment for publishing Tetris. It ended up in Hungary, leading to unauthorized versions. He gave Soviet Union rights for 10 years. Without piracy, Tetris might have stayed obscure in Soviet computers.
• Blinding Us with Science: Tetris appeared in more than 30 different scientific studies. the world’s most famous puzzle game has been used to help study its effects on PTSD, people with lazy eye disorder and even dieting!

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

Tetris can be considered accessible for beginners but offers enough complexity to challenge experienced players. It’s a game that scales in difficulty based on your skill level, making it appealing to a wide range of players.

Wii Sports

Wii sports is an undeniably great time. If Pacman could be more like Wii sports, maybe the roller rink wouldn’t have shut down, and maybe Pacman would have a better spot on the list. But no, only Wii sports can be like Wii sports.

This game definitely holds a place on the most famous video games to come out during the 00s as one of the flagship titles of the Wii console.

Overall, it’s fun for all ages, and has sold a ton of copies. The only issue is that it was bundled with all the Wii sales except for maybe in Japan.

So maybe Wii sports is only popular because it’s friend The Wii is popular. We’ll never know.

What Makes It Great

Cultural Impact: Wii Sports has significantly influenced gaming culture, inspiring sequels and gaining renewed popularity among younger generations through memes and social media.

Wii Sports has received critical acclaim and industry awards for its innovative motion controls, intuitive gameplay, and intergenerational appeal.

Interesting Facts

• Sales and Legacy: Wii Sports is Nintendo’s best-selling game of all time, with 82.9 million copies sold. Its success has influenced Nintendo’s modern offerings and has even led to the upcoming release of Nintendo Switch Sports.
• Sparked Imitators: The game’s success led to an oversaturated market of imitators, including attempts by Sony and Microsoft to produce their own lines of accessible hardware and mini-game collections. However, none could capture the magic of Nintendo’s original.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

Wii Sports is known for its accessibility and inclusivity, appealing to all age groups with its easy-to-use motion controls

Sonic the HedgeHog

One of the most recognizable characters in all of gaming, The Sonic series has multiple games that can land on our most popular video games list, so we’ll select the franchise as a whole.

Some of the entries on this list make more sense as the whole franchise rather than an individual game.

Sonic, for example, probably rose to popularity on the Sega Genesis and the Game Gear. Not so much on the Dreamcast (RIP sega systems). People recognize him, though. Maybe he just has one of those faces.

What Makes It Great

Unique Experience: game blends the best elements of past Sonic games to create a one-of-a-kind experience.

Unique Speed: One of the standout features of Sonic the Hedgehog was its speed. Tom Kalinske mentioned that the character moved “very, very quickly across the screen,” something he had never seen in a video game before.

Interesting Facts

• There have been over 70 million Sonic the Hedgehog games sold globally.
• Sega was bent on creating a character that would rival the appeal of Nintendo’s Mario. Early drafts of the brand’s hero envisioned him as a rabbit that could grasp things and fight with prehensile ears.
• A number of pop culture icons were gathered as resources for the character’s creation. Ohshima borrowed Felix the Cat’s head and Mickey Mouse’s body for Sonic’s basic likeness. Michael Jackson’s boots from the Bad album sleeve inspired Sonic’s patented footwear.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

Sonic games can be challenging to learn to play, especially for those who are not used to fast-paced platformers. However, the level of difficulty can vary depending on the specific game in the franchise.

The Sims

Lol. You would be surprised to know that The Sims is, in fact, one of the most popular PC games. This is the one game that, no matter how many times you get it to go into the swimming pool and take the ladder away, will not die.

We won’t lie, we pumped plenty of hours into constructing our own homes, putting dirty dishes on the floor, rose budding, and setting the kitchen on fire.

It can be a fun game. And its serious appeal outside of your typical gamer base lands this life simulation game a spot on the list of the most popular video games of all time.

What Makes It Great

Endless Possibilities: The game offers a sandbox experience with no real end goal, allowing players to explore various scenarios, careers, and life events

Different Types of Gameplay: The Sims caters to various types of players, from those who like to micromanage every aspect of their Sims’ lives to those who enjoy creating chaos. This versatility makes it appealing to a wide audience.

Interesting Facts

• Since The Sims first launched in the year 2000, the series has skyrocketed in popularity and currently sits at number eight on the list of highest-selling videogame franchises of all time with just over 200,000,000 copies sold.
• The Sims Originally Had Several Different Names: Will Wright – the Game Designer of The Sims – had originally had plans to name The Sims, Dollhouse as he believed the game was essentially a high-tech animated doll house that featured AI.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

Game is generally not considered hard to learn, but its complexity can offer challenges for those who seek them. The game is designed to be accessible to newcomers while still providing depth for experienced players.

Diablo III

This game sold a surprising amount of copies. We had no idea it was as popular as it was. Awesome characters, sweet loot, Blizzard… It’s easy to see why this one was a hit and one of the most played games right now.

What Makes It Great

The game’s dungeons and monsters are randomly generated, providing a fresh experience each time you play. This unpredictability keeps players on their toes and adds to the sense of adventure.

Addictive Loot System: One of the most compelling aspects of Diablo III is its loot system. The game keeps players hooked with the thrill of collecting gold and treasure. The moment of identifying a new item is likened to waiting for lottery numbers, creating a sense of excitement.

Interesting Facts

The advocating devil: Upon entering level 16 in the original Diablo, you hear a ominous, unintelligible demonic message. A harbinger of certain doom? Perhaps, but if you play the sound file backwards, it takes on a drastically different meaning. It’s actually someone saying “Eat your vegetables and brush after every meal”.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

Game is designed to be approachable for players, regardless of their previous experience with the franchise. The skill systems are flexible, allowing for natural experimentation and adaptation to different combat scenarios

Super Mario Bros.

You think Diablo III moved some copies, it has nothing on the Super Mario Bros! A timeless classic, everyone knows who they are.

Now the argument could be made that people only know of the Mario Bros because of that smash-hit, live-action film that came out in 1993. If anyone makes that argument they’re dead wrong. Terrible movie, watch it sometime!

What Makes It Great

Timeless Game Design: The game’s design principles have stood the test of time and are still relevant today. It set a high bar for the level of fun and enjoyment required for a commercial video game.

Aesthetic and Immersion: The game’s various environments, from mushroom tops to night scenes, add to the sense of exploration and wonder, making it more engaging and fun to play.

Interesting Facts

• The main theme from Super Mario Bros is likely to be one of the most recognized pieces of music in the modern age. In fact, on the official Billboard Ringtone Charts, it hung around for a whopping 125 weeks!
• Super Mario Bros, the flagship platform game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, is thought to have sold 40 million copies worldwide. It’s still regarded by many as the archetypal platform game, having inspired countless millions of programmers and gamers since.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

Game can be challenging, especially for those who are not familiar with its mechanics or did not grow up playing it. Studies and tests have also indicated that the game is complex and can be difficult even for modern gamers.

Super Smash Brothers

When it “Wah”s it “Wah-HOooooo”s. Super Mario 64, anyone? No? Ok, that’s fine. Here we are again with a franchise. A lot of people love the original on the N64.

Others like them the newer they get. Either way, people know this franchise, people ask for it when you bust out any Nintendo console. SSB is populaaaaaaar, and rightfully earned a spot on many lists of popular games right now.

What Makes It Great

Four-Player Battles – One of the defining features of Smash Bros is the ability to have more than two fighters on the battlefield. This was a departure from the two-player battles in games like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat. The Nintendo 64 console was the perfect platform for this.

Character Variety: The game features a mash-up of characters from different Nintendo franchises, offering something for every Nintendo fan.

Interesting Facts

• The game initially didn’t even feature Nintendo characters and was called Dragon King: The Fighting Game. Masahiro Sakurai, the man behind the Kirby series, wanted to create a four-player fighting game
• The game is filled with Easter eggs and references to various Nintendo franchises.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

Easy to Learn, Hard to Master: Unlike traditional fighting games that rely on health bars and timers, Smash Bros uses a different system where you lose lives by falling off the stage. This makes it accessible for newcomers while still offering depth for seasoned players.

Pokemon

There’s no party like a Nintendo party, as Japan goes for the hattrick. Yes, Pokemon! What a franchise! One of the most famous video games ever and the biggest-selling franchise in the world.

If we had to pick the generation, we would say Red and Blue (and Yellow if you want to be all-inclusive). The new games are great, but you can’t top the fever behind the first-generation release.

What Makes It Great

Nostalgia Factor: The games tap into the nostalgia of those who played them when they were originally released, making them emotionally engaging.

Timeless Mechanics: The article notes that the gameplay mechanics have aged surprisingly well, making them just as engrossing as they were two decades ago.

Interesting Fact

The first generation of Pokémon games was initially going to feature 190 Pokémon, but 39 were cut to save space, leading to the infamous Missingno glitch.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

Pokémon Red and Blue are generally not considered hard to learn or play. The games are seen as relatively easy, especially for those who are familiar with Pokémon mechanics.

The Legend of Zelda

Oooooooooooh!!!! No, we didn’t!!!! Four in a row! Four in a row! The Legend of Zelda is a landmark in storytelling and RPGs in general. This franchise is gaming royalty and earns a spot on as one of the most popular game of all time. It is our humble opinion that there was no better game to play on a snow day.

Ocarina of Time is just…so good. So many feelings. Anyway if you ask around, Zelda always turns up in answers. Popular.

What Makes It Great

Good vs. Evil: The series often focuses on the battle between good and evil, where the main hero, Link, must defeat the evil Ganondorf. This theme is relatable and reflective of various narratives like man vs God, man vs nature, and man vs himself.

The Triforce: This is a symbol made up of three smaller triangles representing wisdom, power, and courage. These are also the characteristics of the series’ main characters: Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf.

Interesting Facts

• The fastest completion of the game was in 31 minutes, 37 secs by Rodrigo Lopes on June 12, 2006.
• Nintendo has announced its latest game in the Zelda series has sold more than 10 million copies in just three days.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

Game is considered to be adaptable to different types of players. The game can be both easy and hard, depending on how you approach it. It has an open-world format that allows you to choose your challenges

Metal Gear Solid

When it comes to popular games, Hideo Kojima’s magnum opus will surely be on multiple lists. This is a franchise that kind of doesn’t need to be on this list, but also kind of does. It bridged the console gap for a long time. Even if you never played it, you knew about it, you heard about it. Plus, Snake is in SSB.

What Makes It Great

Innovative Features: From the Psycho Mantis boss fight that breaks the fourth wall to the use of Codec for dialogue, the game was groundbreaking in many ways.

The Gameplay: The game is known for its tactical espionage action, requiring players to think strategically rather than going in guns blazing.

The Plot: Created by Hideo Kojima, the game features a complex and engaging storyline that blends elements of pop culture and cinema.

Interesting Facts

• Debuted at E3 ’97, playable at Tokyo Game Show ’98, MGS had a massive ad campaign: an estimated 12 million demos were distributed in 1998, as well as television and magazine adverts and in-store samples all contributed to a whopping total of 8 million US dollar spend in promotional costs!
• MGS was originally meant to be Metal Gear Three, but the game’s producer and developer Hideo Kojima thought that the Metal Gear series was not well enough known and therefore changed it.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

The game may seem hard to learn to play for newcomers. While there may be some initial challenges in understanding the controls and gameplay mechanics, most players find it manageable and enjoyable.

Halo

Halo is one of the most popular games ever to come out of the XBOX. What a ruckus this big ol’ franchise caused!

It’s an empty MJOLNIR suit of its former self, but when it first came out on the original Xbox, boy did it come out swinging! It’s a huge franchise, it has live-action spin-offs (a little bit better than Super Mario Bros movie), and it was a big deal for shooters when it came out.

Not to mention it’s now one of the top cross platform games – what a journey it’s been! Popular.

What Makes It Great

Story and Atmosphere: The game’s story is compelling, and the pacing is excellent. The music and sound effects contribute to creating an epic atmosphere that complements the storyline.

Immersive Vehicles: The game introduces revolutionary vehicle mechanics, seamlessly transitioning from first-person to third-person perspectives. The vehicles are not just for show; they are integral to the gameplay and offer a unique experience.

Interesting Facts

• Halo wasn’t originally a shooting game. Conceived as a real-time strategy game in the same vein as Command & Conquer and Warcraft, gamers would still control Spartan units, but not as a first-person shooter.
• There are 11 million Halo books out there. Halo is a video-game franchise. But it makes for good reading, too; more than 11 million copies of Halo books, comics and strategy guides have been sold worldwide
• According to Bungie (the game’s original developer), from Sept. 2004 to 2010, a ridiculous 20 billion games of Halo were played online. That’s the equivalent of more than two billion hours of play time, or 235,000 years.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

The basic gameplay is straightforward, making it accessible for newcomers. The campaign mode is also easy to get into and serves as a good introduction to the game’s mechanics.

However, the multiplayer aspect has a higher learning curve and offers a variety of game modes that can be challenging to master.

Final Fantasy

Another one of those franchises where so much more people recognize the name than have actually played it.

You could go ask five random people these two questions “have you heard of Final Fantasy? Have you ever played it?” and I bet 3 out of 5 will have heard of it, and 2 or less will have played it.

Sometimes life is weird like that. But still: one of the most popular games right now.

What Makes It Great

Missable Party Members: The game allows for a variety of outcomes based on player choices, including the possibility of missing out on certain party members. This adds a layer of complexity and replayability to the game.

A Terrifying Villain – Kefka, the game’s villain, is considered by some to be the best in the genre. He is ruthless, committing to his plans without hesitation and willing to sacrifice anyone to achieve his goals.

Interesting Fact

Final Fantasy as a franchise has sold over 144 million units across 54 entries in the series, grossing over $11.7 billion. That’s more units than other RPG series combined.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

Game is generally not considered hard to play if you understand the game mechanics and employ the right strategies. The community seems to agree that while these games test different skills like knowledge and strategy, they are accessible to players who take the time to understand them.

Call of Duty

It’s our duty to mention this one as one of the most played and most popular video games of this generation. You don’t crank games out on a release schedule like CoD’s, always getting those big sales numbers, with that giant online community unless you’re #popular. The Call of Duty franchise is a great addition to the FPS compendium.

What Makes It Great

Immersive Experience: The game is praised for its ability to immerse players in a World War II setting. The sound design is particularly noted for its realism, making players feel like they are actually on a battlefield.

Intelligent AI and Teamwork: The game features smart AI that enhances the gameplay. Your AI teammates provide suppressing fire, take cover, and make the game feel like a real war scenario.

Interesting Facts

Call of Duty franchise surpasses $30 billion in lifetime revenue, with its sales topping 425 million units.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

This game is considered to have a steep mastery curve, making it challenging but not impossible for new players.

Angry Birds

Will you forgive us if we just don’t say anything about this game that somehow crept into the number six spot? You will?! Oh great, thank you.

What Makes It Great

Managed Response Time: The game cleverly uses response time, such as the slow flight of the birds, to allow players time for error correction and strategy formulation.

Playground alike: game serve as a playground for the mind, offering a variety of challenges without strict rules, much like a physical playground for children.

Interesting Fact

The game remains being extremely popular. The annual revenue for Rovio (developer of the game) in 2022 was €317.7 million, mainly driven by Angry Birds 2 and Angry Birds Friends.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

The game’s simple interaction model allows players to quickly develop a mental model of how the game works, making it easy to learn.

Skyrim

What a game. A game and a half, really. Cementing itself in the popular video games club way back when Morrowind came out, and really it just keeps getting cooler and cooler. We do need more loot, though. Since Morrowind there just haven’t been enough armor and weapon sets…Know what we’re saying?

If you ask people about RPGs or dragons, there’s a great chance that they’ll know you’re talking about Skyrim. That kind of video game genre-defining execution makes you reaaaaaal popular and gets you called out as one of the best video games of all time.

What Makes It Great

Ample Player Freedom: The game offers players almost boundless freedom to explore the map and make choices. You can follow the main quest, side quests, or simply live your own fantasy in the game world.

Flexible Character Creation: The game allows for a high degree of customization in character creation, skills, and character build, offering a unique experience for each player.

Immersive Open World: The game offers a vast, beautiful world that can be freely explored.

Interesting Facts

• To dodge the common pitfall of repetitive NPC chatter, Skyrim’s creators employed a diverse cast of over 70 voice actors. They recorded a staggering 60,000 lines, offering a variety of takes on the infamous “I took an arrow to the knee” line.
• Contrary to the impression of a massive warrior chorus, Skyrim’s powerful theme actually features just 30 vocalists. Their voices were layered three times to create the illusion of an epic army gearing up for battle.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

Skyrim is generally considered to be an accessible game that is not hard to learn, even for beginners or casual gamers. It offers various difficulty settings to suit different types of players and provides a balance between freedom and guidance.

Grand Theft Auto

One of the most popular video games to come out of the past 10 years, a smash hit! GTA V has sold huge amounts of copies and has made giant amounts of money. GTA is the infamous franchise. Parents and anti-videogame-violence advocates everywhere shake in fear or rage at the GTA name. The campaign stories are interesting, the driving is fun, and all the extracurriculars are fun too.

We used to play water rescue in GTA 4. Someone takes a boat out into the water and jumps off, the other person has to fly in with a helicopter and get close enough to the water so that the guy in the water can grab on and get into the chopper. Mostly the helicopter just got too close and sank, though. Still, what a blast!

What Makes It Great

Freedom and Open World: The GTA series pioneered the “”Crime Sandbox”” genre, offering players a vast, open world to explore. This freedom is a hallmark of the series, allowing players to engage in a variety of activities beyond the main storyline.

Cultural Impact and Controversy: The series has often been at the center of controversy, especially concerning its violent content. However, this has also made it one of the most talked-about and influential franchises in gaming history.

Interesting Facts

GTA V was made with 270 million dollars, and since its release, the game has sold 160 million copies, making it the second-best-selling game of all time.

The script of GTA V was about 3,500 pages long and included 1,60,000 dialogue lines, almost double the previous instalment of the series, GTA IV.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

The game may not be easy to pick up initially, it becomes more manageable and enjoyable as you get used to its mechanics.

WoW

Wow, who would have thought that World of Warcraft would make the list? This is another genre-defining game. When you have 22 minutes of cable television devoted to you via South Park, you know you’ve made it. Unfathomable amounts of total in-game hours, millions of subscribers, and never enough loot.

This MMORPG has really made a name for itself, earning a spot in the greatest video games of all time club – that name is Popular.

What Makes It Great

Frequent Updates: The game is constantly updated with new content, keeping players engaged.

Large Community: It remains the largest MMORPG, attracting a diverse range of players globally

Realism: Despite being a fantasy game, WoW offers a complex, real-life economy and social interactions.

Interesting Facts

• The Game Has The Largest Wiki of All Franchises: WoW has nearly 100.000 pages! When you visit it, you will be able to find a wide range of guides, facts, hidden Easter eggs, tutorials, and locations in the game.
• Physical copies were sold since the game was released, the answer is – 14 million.This number does not include digital purchases.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

The game’s difficulty and time commitment largely depend on what you aim to achieve. For casual exploration and questing, the game is quite user-friendly. If you’re looking to engage in more complex activities like raiding, a greater time commitment and understanding of game mechanics will be required.

CounterStrike

Counter-Terrorists win….the 2nd place price in the popularity contest! We had to put a real old school, original gangster game up here near the peak of video game popularity and is recognized as one of the best PC games of all time.

In its age and its continued popularity, it’s earned this spot more than games like DotA or LoL have. We heard the Xbox version was getting remastered for Xbox One (just kidding, don’t believe us, we aren’t telling the truth).

What Makes It Great

Minimalistic Core Gameplay: The game has maintained its core, minimalistic gunplay since its inception, proving that it doesn’t need constant changes to stay relevant.

Teamwork-Centric: Counter-Strike places a heavy emphasis on teamwork, strategy, and skill, rather than individual prowess.

Interesting Fact

It Was Initially A Mod For Half-Life: It’s bizarre to look back and find that Counter-Strike did not start as a stand-alone game. Counter-Strike was initially a mod developed for a popular game Half-Life.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

It’s a game that appears simple at first glance but has a lot of depth and complexity. It has a steep learning curve for beginners.

Minecraft

Companies are building office buildings inside Minecraft on private servers! And they actually use the building to meet with clients and discuss business! That doesn’t happen inside of you if you’re an unpopular game.

Minecraft exploded onto the scene and has continued to snowball ever since. Also, if you’re looking for a good laugh, check out some great Minecraft memes.

It’s everywhere. Adults are playing it, tiny baby kids are playing it, and we’ll get in there and carve out the occasional secret hobbit hole.

It’s so charming and fun, and it’s comfortable in any social setting or social circle. Yeah, Minecraft is the king of the school this time around – rightfully named the best game ever!

What Makes It Great

Mods: The game has a vast array of mods that players can use to customize their experience, from changing the game’s look to adding new functionalities.

Personal sandbox: Minecraft is a sandbox game that allows players to be as creative as they want.

Interesting Facts

• Minecraft was founded by a single person: Markus Persson. Initially, it was intended to be an isometric 3D building game with role-playing elements;
• The first version of Minecraft was built in just six days, but it took two years to complete the game.
• Markus Persson sold Minecraft to Microsoft for a staggering $2.5 billion.

Skill Ceiling/Difficulty

Minecraft is incredibly intuitive. The basic controls are straightforward This makes it easy to start playing almost immediately, and because the game has a fairly low skill floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most popular video games right now?

While a lot of the games above still have vibrant and passionate player bases, there are a bunch of games that are garnering crazy good reviews and sales. The most popular games right now are:

Fortnite – Epic Games, multiplatform, 2017

Anyone who is keeping their ear to the ground when it comes to video games knows for a fact that Fortnite is one of the most popular games of all time. It is a cross-platform game, which means players across different systems and consoles can all play the same match.

That’s insane! That is the stuff that we only dreamed of back in the day. With its incredibly addictive Battle Royale form of gameplay and over-the-top gameplay, Fortnite has never been more popular and currently holds the title as one of the top video games of this generation.

Grand Theft Auto V – Rockstar Games, 2013

Even years after its release, the fifth entry into the celebrated and edgy Grand Theft Auto series is still racking up sales. Over time, Rockstar has tailored the online mode of the game, allowing for more customization, better multiplayer modes, and the great heist mode.

In it, you and other players take on different roles in one of the game’s heists. It’s like acting out the seminal crime drama, Heat. The online mode is raking in some serious cash for Rockstar, and it shows no signs of stopping.

Red Dead Redemption 2 – Rockstar Games, 2018

With the recent release to PC, Red Dead Redemption has beckoned players back into the wild west once more. Playing as outlaw Arthur Morgan, your loyalties within your gang of ne’er do wells and rogues will be tested when your partner in crime, Dutch van der Linde leads the gang astray.

This living breathing world has held people captive since well before the game’s initial release. With great customization, a heart-wrenching story, and one of the best protagonists, Red Dead Redemption 2 is still king of the heap.

Which is the most played game in the world?

While you may think initially that Fortnite will take the crown, you’ll be surprised to find out, (as I was), that the title of the most downloaded game of all time is called Crossfire. It was made by Chinese developer Tencent in 2007.

Although you may have never heard of it, CrossFire has over 660 million registered accounts, easily making it the most played game in the world, an honorific it received in 2018. Not to mention its impressive earnings of over 10 billion dollars.

What is the most popular video game in the World?

Out of 2020 games, Apex legends by Electronic Arts is currently holding down the title of the most popular game in the world. Like Fortnite, it is a free-to-play battle royale game. It shares a lot in common with elements of Fortnite and PUBG in that players are dropped on an island and must battle it out for supremacy.

Don’t expect these entries to stay consistent for long; we’re seeing even better games come out that will battle for a passionate player base. Even better news? The benefits of video games are becoming increasingly recognizable, so we’ll slowly see the stigma surrounding gaming start to dwindle even further over the years. Stay tuned for more updates!

Did you know that you could create your own game? Learn C++ or take on an easier approach with roblox scripting. Learn more about video game designer education.

Sources

https://www.howtogeek.com/672938/40-years-later-pac-man-is-still-capturing-our-hearts/
https://www.10-facts-about.com/wii-sports/id/1422
https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-57566746
https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/a32022455/the-sims-20-year-game-review/
https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/5-diablo-facts-and-secrets
https://www.ign.com/articles/why-final-fantasy-is-the-biggest-rpg-series-of-all-time
https://www.wired.com/2012/04/why-do-i-love-angry-birds-analysis/
https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/is-minecraft-worth-playing-in-2022/

Written by Dustin Tyler [Updated September 9, 2023]

Initially focused on web development, Dustin was introduced to game design by a friend after college and was immediately attracted to the combination of technical skill and creativity required to make an awesome game.

He’s utilized his web dev skills and desire to help others by creating a resource where expert game designers can share what they’ve learned with the next generation of aspiring game makers.