Top 10 Best Selling Console Games
- Published September 17, 2007 - 62 Comments
A console game is a form of interactive multimedia used for entertainment. The game consists of manipulable images (and usually sounds) generated by a game console, and displayed on a television or similar audio-video system. The game itself is usually controlled and manipulated using a handheld device connected to the console called a controller. This is a list of the ten best selling console games.
10. Mario Kart 64 Nintendo 64 – 8.47 Million Copies Sold Wikipedia
Mario Kart 64 is a racing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 video game console. It was released on December 14, 1996 in Japan, February 10, 1997 in North America, and June 24, 1997 in Europe. Mario Kart 64 is the sequel to Super Mario Kart for the SNES. Changes from the original include the move to 3D computer graphics and the inclusion of four player support. Players take control of characters from the Mario universe, who race around a variety of tracks with items that can either harm an opponent or aid the user.
9. Gran Turismo 2 PlayStation 1 – 8.5 Million Copies Sold Wikipedia
Gran Turismo 2 (commonly abbreviated to GT2) is a racing game for the Sony PlayStation. Gran Turismo 2 was developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 1999. The games serves as a sequel to Gran Turismo. The player must maneuver an automobile to compete against artificially intelligent drivers on various race tracks. The game uses two different modes: arcade and simulation. In the arcade mode, the player can freely choose the courses and vehicles they wish to use. However, the simulation mode requires the player to earn driver’s licenses, pay for vehicles, and earn trophies in order to unlock new courses.
8. Final Fantasy VII PlayStation 1 – 9.8 Million Copies Sold Wikipedia
Final Fantasy VII is a console role-playing game developed and published by Square (now Square Enix), and the seventh installment in the Final Fantasy video game series. It was released in 1997. The game’s story centers on a group of adventurers as they battle a powerful mega corporation called “Shinra”, which is draining the life of the planet to use as an energy source. As the story progresses, conflicts escalate and the world’s safety becomes a major concern.
7. Gran Turismo PlayStation 1 – 10.5 Million Copies Sold Wikipedia
Gran Turismo (commonly abbreviated to GT or GT1) is a racing game designed for the Playstation 1. Gran Turismo was developed by Polyphony Digital and first published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 1997. Gran Turismo is fundamentally based on the racing game genre.
6. Grand Theft Auto III PlayStation 2 – 11 Million Copies Sold Wikipedia
Grand Theft Auto III (abbreviated as GTA III or GTA3) is a sandbox-style action-adventure computer and video game developed by DMA Design (now Rockstar North), and published by Rockstar Games. It is the first 3D title in the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series and the third original title overall. It was released in October 2001 for the PlayStation 2 video game console. The game centers on a nameless criminal who was betrayed by his girlfriend in a bank heist, and is required to work his way up the crime ladder of the city before confronting her. Like its predecessors, GTA III implements sandbox-like gameplay, where the player is given the freedom to explore a large city, complete missions, commit criminal acts, or complete side missions.
5. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec PlayStation 2 – 11 Million Copies Sold Wikipedia
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is a racing game, the first in the Gran Turismo series to hit the PlayStation 2. Gran Turismo 2000 was the working name used when demonstrated at E3 2000/2001. Gran Turismo 3 features new elements to the series, such as oil changes. As the distance travelled on the motor oil accumulates, the vehicle engine’s performance degrades gradually, until a notice light is lit on the dashboard during gameplay, signaling that an oil change is needed.
4. Super Mario 64 Nintendo 64 – 11 Million Copies Sold Wikipedia
Super Mario 64 is a top-selling platform game developed by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It debuted in Japan on June 23, 1996, in North America on September 29, 1996. Super Mario 64 begins with a letter from Princess Peach inviting Mario to come to her castle for a cake she has baked for him. When he arrives, Mario finds out that Bowser has invaded the castle and imprisoned the Princess and her servants within it using the power of 105 of the castle’s 120 power stars. Many of the castle’s paintings are portals to other realms, in which Bowser’s minions keep watch over the stars.
3. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas PlayStation 2 – 12 Million Copies Sold Wikipedia
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a sandbox-style action-adventure computer and video game developed by Rockstar North. It is the third 3D game in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise and fifth original game overall. Set in 1992, the game revolves around the main character, Carl “CJ” Johnson returning home to Los Santos after learning of his mother’s murder. CJ finds his family and his old gang, the Grove Street Families, in disarray. Over the course of the game, CJ gradually unravels the plot behind his mother’s murder while reestablishing his gang and exploring his own business ventures.
2. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City PlayStation 2 – 13 Million Copies Sold Wikipedia
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is a sandbox-style action-adventure computer and video game designed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. Vice City draws much of its inspiration from 1980s culture. Set in 1986, the story revolves around Mafia member Tommy Vercetti, who was recently released from prison. After being involved in a drug deal gone wrong, Tommy is forced to seek out those responsible. Throughout the game, Tommy forges out a criminal empire in Vice City, gradually obtaining contacts, running businesses and seizing power from the other criminal organizations present in the city.
1. Super Mario Bros. 3 Nintendo Entertainment System – 18 Million Copies Sold Wikipedia
Super Mario Bros. 3 was the last major Mario video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was released on October 23, 1988 in Japan, February 12, 1990 in North America, and August 29, 1991 in Europe. Super Mario Bros. 3 introduces a number of advances to the Super Mario Bros. series: the addition of a map screen, minigames, and many new power-ups, enemies, and level types. The red-haired appearance for Bowser (which would become standard in every subsequent Mario title) was introduced in this game. It also features the first appearance of Bowser’s children, the Koopalings. Unlike Super Mario Bros. 2 (US version), it remains true to the original Super Mario Bros. gameplay formula, yet it features a great deal more innovation and freshness than Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. It consistently places high on ‘greatest games of all time’ lists.
Sources: Wikipedia
Contributor: Nartjai
























September 17th, 2007 at 3:18 am
What a… diverse… list…
FF7 rocks though.
September 17th, 2007 at 3:44 am
Hobolad: hehe it is indeed
The numbers rule the list however!
September 17th, 2007 at 6:31 am
Grand Turismo! FTW
September 17th, 2007 at 8:01 am
What? no Zelda?
September 17th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Halo’ll probably be up there in a few years…
September 17th, 2007 at 11:28 am
jamie, this list is very, very inaccurate, according to (which i hold to the highest regards)
First, Super Mario Bros it’s sold 40.23 million units
Second Tetris with 33 million (although, Tetris is probably the single most popular game of all time, and for other reasons, it probably shouldn’t be included on the list)
Third Super Mario World with 20 million
Fourth Pokemon with 20 million.
Then the rest of the list looks ok.
Also, Halo 2 has sold 9.2 million so far, and will probably keep selling more copies.
As for fastest selling, that title belongs to Halo 2, and will probably be beaten by Halo 3 next week.
Super Mario World will forever be th most ever sold i don’t think it will ever be beaten.
September 17th, 2007 at 11:35 am
steve: I am not sure what the source for the data was that Nartjai used – we will have to wait for him to comment to find out.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
While I’m not entirely sure of the exact figures, I believe the ones supplied by Steve are much more accurate.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Pokemon includes multiple games of the first generation and so doesn’t count (a lot a people collected all versions). The others were bundled with consoles, so cannot be compared to stand alone titles. The list is accurate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best_selling_computer_and_video_games#Top_20_console_games_of_all_time
September 17th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
I had played this one game called King Arthurs World that was so darn addicting!! It was similar to Lemmings.It was for the super nes.
September 18th, 2007 at 12:54 am
Gran Turismo 3 was the best.
September 18th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
FF7 is the greatest game of all time
September 18th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Grand Theft Auto Vice City- Best game ever!!
Seriously though i could play this all day
Good list!
September 19th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
What no lara Croft? Vehicular simulation reaches its zenith with GT4. Dozer on the Amiga 500 rates highly in my memory.
September 26th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
This is another list of the top selling console games of All-Time here’s da link:
http://www.gunslot.com/blog/top-twenty-five-25-best-selling-video-games-all-time?page=5
November 10th, 2007 at 3:20 am
whaaatttt!!! No Devil May Cry 3!
November 18th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
SUPER SMASH BROTHERS MELEE!
November 26th, 2007 at 11:32 am
FF7 was probably the greatest game i have ever played.
November 27th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
why isn’t ocarina of time here? that topped so many lists in aownddiyion to mine
January 14th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
And where is Zelda Ocarina of Time?!?!
January 21st, 2008 at 4:58 am
I’M just glad not to see any of the Halos up there…and wow! I thought San Andreas sold better then Vice city! Go figure…they’re both great games.
February 10th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Yeah, I expected “Zelda: Ocarina of Time”, and “Super Smash Bros Melee”. Weren’t they ever rated Nintendos top selling games along with Super Mario 64?
February 12th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
FF7 is awesome. anytime i get bored i start it over.
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:47 am
Evan, what does FTW mean?
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:49 am
Corneter: it means “for the win” which is slang for “is the best”
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=FTW
April 10th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
oh man, once you play ff7 you just get hooked! i love that game! hell, i love the whole series! oh, and you forgot devil may cry 3!
June 14th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
HALO! HALO! HALO!
June 22nd, 2008 at 4:10 pm
What?! Why is GTA up there so many times!?!
And no Link?! Or Samus!?
I comdemn this list: NOT TRUE!!!!!
…I’m gonna go play zelda now…
June 22nd, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I forgot 1
… no mortal kombat?!?!
July 16th, 2008 at 3:55 am
no winning eleven or any football game? weird
August 11th, 2008 at 6:32 am
What’s with this “no Devil May Cry 3″ bull? There is no feasible way a game from that series could EVER compete with the original Mario games. That being said, I’m surprised so many Gran Turismo games got up there, what an amazing series!
August 11th, 2008 at 6:32 am
What’s with this “no Devil May Cry 3″ bull? I hope it’s sarcasm… That being said, I’m surprised so many Gran Turismo games got up there, what an amazing series!
August 11th, 2008 at 6:33 am
Damn, double posted…
August 18th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Not on the list and not 1 person has mentioned the metal gear series.. I mean it is incredible. u must argee?
September 30th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
that small paragraph on FF7 is not enough. It IS a cult icon and there are VERY VERY few people who have never at least heard of Cloud or Sephiroth
October 10th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Third Super Mario World with 20 million
Fourth Pokemon with 20 million.
Actually Steve this list is accurate. The original supermario was bundled with the NES, and remember this is console games which is why tetris can’t count. And again Pokemon is not a console game, you play it on the gameboy
October 12th, 2008 at 8:43 am
I never got hooked on any of these games, or any video games at all. I did play tetris a few times, but the whole fascination with games just didn’t grab me.
Tsu-hi, I have never heard of Cloud or Sephiroth, but that is probably due to my complete lack of interest in the whole issue.
October 12th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Woo! Surprised not to see pokemon on here – doesn’t game boy count as a console?
October 12th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
hhmmm i think zelda should be up there. i like how all the games showed are old.
October 12th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I like how all of these games are either Mario, Grand Turismo, or GTA, with one occasional FF.
Real diverse.
October 12th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
lol zaf, yeah i know, there’s lost of variety in this list.
October 12th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
ZAF-
Maybe because their the best. Diversity is not an excuse or reason to sacrifice quality.
October 13th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
@35. Tsu-hi:
I know of the game Final Fantasy but not Cloud or Sephiroth. Actually, as a kid I knew of very few people who enjoyed Final Fantasy – most of my peers were playing Mortal Kombat or Zelda.
October 13th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Is it telling that the only games on this list that I’ve played are the Mario games? Mario Kart ftw!
October 15th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Matt ->
They’re not necessarily the best games… They are just the most popular games.
And, in my opinion, GTA, Mario and Grand Tourismo aren’t the deepest games on earth (not that they’re bad!)… It’s sad that games like Planescape: Torment are overlooked.
October 21st, 2008 at 4:25 am
Super Mario World, Super Mario Kart, Street Fighter series, Final Fantasy 7
October 26th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I have every one of these games except final fantasy :]
October 26th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Oh and I thought for sure Halo would make the list…but I don’t really know how many those have sold compared to the ones on the list.
October 27th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
i agree with steve.
get your facts right you stupid nincompoop
November 21st, 2008 at 9:19 pm
you should really update this list or make another relating to it. im really interested to know where more modern games stack up like halo, Resistance 1 and 2 or Gears of war one and two
November 29th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
i would own all of you in mario kart
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:15 pm
um bestselling? where the hell is halo 3?
February 13th, 2009 at 8:07 am
SUPER MARIO!!!!!!!:D
Gotta love that li’l guy!!:L
March 7th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
I def agree with SMB 3 being #1!! I love that game!!! Still do and would play in a heartbeat!
May 16th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
so many great games missing crash bandicoot 3 resident evil 2 and so on
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:49 pm
I like dat game wit the Guido plumber. I think he’s drives a 87′ IROC Z28 Camaro. A yo, Mario..!
September 6th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Pokemon rocks, not the fat plumber!
November 1st, 2009 at 2:34 am
umm for several years re2 was on top of guineas world records
November 1st, 2009 at 6:05 am
Its funny how you guys are mentioning your favorite games, not the games that actually, you know, SOLD the best.
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:04 am
this list is a bit out of date stupid wii play is the biggest selling game ever
November 13th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Halo 3? I thought that sold shitloads.
Why’s Mario so popular anyways? I always thought that game was a bit lame, a bit kiddy. Meh. Whatever people like, I guess.