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[electricmastro]

https://vgsales.fandom.com/wiki/2020s just finished compiling the best-selling games of the 2020s (released between 2020-2025) that have been reported to have sold at least 15 million copies.

There may still be some games that meet that criteria that haven't been accounted for, but in regards to what has been found so far:

1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 48,190,000
2. Hogwarts Legacy – 40,000,000
3. Cyberpunk 2077 – 35,000,000
4. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – 30,000,000
5. Call of Duty: Vanguard – 30,000,000
6. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – 30,000,000
7. Elden Ring – 30,000,000
8. Black Myth: Wukong – 28,000,000
9. Pokémon Scarlet / Violet – 27,150,000
10. Palworld – 25,000,000
11. Phasmophobia – 25,000,000
12. It Takes Two – 23,000,000
13. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – 22,000,000
14. Helldivers 2 – 18,000,000
15. Monster Hunter Rise – 17,500,000
16. Nintendo Switch Sports – 16,270,000
17. Super Mario Bros. Wonder – 16,030,000
18. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl – 15,060,000
19. Assassin's Creed Valhalla – 15,000,000
20. God of War Ragnarök – 15,000,000
21. Baldur's Gate 3 – 15,000,000
22. Pokémon Legends: Arceus – 15,000,000

 

[Sand Dan Glokta]

Seeing Vanguard here is breaking my brain. The rest make sense, even though a couple don't belong.

 

[electricmastro]

Seeing Vanguard here is breaking my brain. The rest make sense, even though a couple don't belong.

After it was reported that Vanguard sold 30 million despite not meeting Activision's expectations, yes: https://www.eurogamer.net/call-of-duty-vanguard-reportedly-sold-over-30m-copies

So there's that. Modern Warfare II (2022) also apparently sold over 15 million. Can't find exact total figures for that one though.

 

[calico]

JKR undefeated.

I played 5/20.

 

[Shambalakan]

I think Spider-Man 2 could have a spot there, if we get the latest sales data. It sold 11 million copies in its first six months until April 2024, and it was still appearing on some of the best selling game lists in the US after that, even in 2025.
For some reason, Sony doesn't publish sales numbers for its games after a few months, even for some of its most popular ones. Gran Turismo 7 is another example. It sold really well and still sometimes shows up on some charts after 3.5 years, but we have very little official information about its total sales. GTPlanet even estimates 14 million but without official numbers, we can't be sure.
Or God of War Ragnarok. That 15 million happened in November 2023, a year after release of the game. Now after 2 years, that number is higher without a doubt but we don't have any details about it.

 

[Hookshot]

Nintendo offering their new January update to Animal crossing will boost it's sales this Christmas. A five year old game that already sold that many getting a Switch 2 and extra Christmas bump

 

[Fake]

No wonder Bandai are still milking Elden Ring franchise.

 

[SmurfMustard]

The true gem here is "It Takes Two". 20 million is mighty impressive for an unknown IP and that type of game. Speaks volumes about the quality.

 

[electricmastro]

The true gem here is "It Takes Two". 20 million is mighty impressive for an unknown IP and that type of game. Speaks volumes about the quality.

It's def a game that's apt for streaming, competition, and has a great social element to it as well. Goes to show how enough refined innovation can go a long way for a game.

 

[Robb]

1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020) - 48,190,000

 

[Soodanim]

I didn't realise Hogwarts did that well. Between that and Cyberpunk some people must be livid.

I've played one and own another, and I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

 

[electricmastro]

I didn't realise Hogwarts did that well. Between that and Cyberpunk some people must be livid.

I've played one and own another, and I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

Star Wars, Harry Potter, Spider-Man, Dragon Ball, and Batman are prob the most popular licenses in games right now. I've only seen Harry Potter cross 15 million in recent times though.

 

[poppabk]

Phasmophobia? Don't think I even knew that existed.

 

[electricmastro]

I can def understand why Palworld sold so much. Many people like Call of Duty, Pokemon, and Minecraft, so to have a game that reminds people of all three of those is sure to attract some interest.

 

[forsakkenSoul]

How reliable are these numbers? And Hogwarts Legacy selling 34 million copies is impressive, I thought it had sold about half of that.

 

[Woopah]

How reliable are these numbers? And Hogwarts Legacy selling 34 million copies is impressive, I thought it had sold about half of that.

Ones like Hogwarts come directly from the publisher, so that number is reliable. The Vanguard number isn't from Activision so not sure how reliable it is.

 

[electricmastro]

Games I'm uncertain as to whether or not they've surpassed 15 million in sales:

NBA 2K

Madden NFL

The Last of Us Part II

Ghost of Tsushima

Resident Evil Village

Star Wars

FIFA

Horizon Forbidden West

Spider-Man

Diablo IV

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

 

[electricmastro]

How reliable are these numbers? And Hogwarts Legacy selling 34 million copies is impressive, I thought it had sold about half of that.

It sold so much, it reportedly became the first non-Call of Duty/Rockstar game to top US charts in years.

 

[Cert.in.Death]

I managed 6 out of 20.

 

[SpokkX]

Sonys first party relevance is fading fast since ps4 gen

Only one game really. Hulst dropped the ball

 

[Baemono]

Sonys first party relevance is fading fast since ps4 gen

Only one game really. Hulst dropped the ball

More like the lack of data.

 

[SpokkX]

More like the lack of data.

Oh? So Sony should top this list?

 

[Ellis]

Sonys first party relevance is fading fast since ps4 gen

Only one game really. Hulst dropped the ball

Quality wise, absolutely, but they still sell very well, and that's all Sony will care about.

 

[electricmastro]

Sonys first party relevance is fading fast since ps4 gen

Only one game really. Hulst dropped the ball

It took almost 2 years for God of War Ragnarök to appear on PC. I imagine that was pretty profitable for Sony, but yes, I do wonder how long these timed exclusives will stick around.

 

[electricmastro]

Updated list:

1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 48,190,000
2. Hogwarts Legacy – 40,000,000
3. Cyberpunk 2077 – 35,000,000
4. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – 30,000,000
5. Call of Duty: Vanguard – 30,000,000
6. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – 30,000,000
7. Elden Ring – 30,000,000
8. Black Myth: Wukong – 28,000,000
9. Pokémon Scarlet / Violet – 27,150,000
10. Palworld – 25,000,000
11. Phasmophobia – 25,000,000
12. It Takes Two – 23,000,000
13. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – 22,000,000
14. Helldivers 2 – 18,000,000
15. Monster Hunter Rise – 17,500,000
16. Nintendo Switch Sports – 16,270,000
17. Super Mario Bros. Wonder – 16,030,000
18. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl – 15,060,000
19. Assassin's Creed Valhalla – 15,000,000
20. God of War Ragnarök – 15,000,000
21. Baldur's Gate 3 – 15,000,000
22. Pokémon Legends: Arceus – 15,000,000

 

[Inanilmaz]

Animal Crossing was the reason i bought a Switch1

 

[adamsapple]

Updated list:


Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – 30,000,000

 

[scydrex]

Updated list:

1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 48,190,000
2. Hogwarts Legacy – 40,000,000
3. Cyberpunk 2077 – 35,000,000
4. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – 30,000,000
5. Call of Duty: Vanguard – 30,000,000
6. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – 30,000,000
7. Elden Ring – 30,000,000
8. Black Myth: Wukong – 28,000,000
9. Pokémon Scarlet / Violet – 27,150,000
10. Palworld – 25,000,000
11. Phasmophobia – 25,000,000
12. It Takes Two – 23,000,000
13. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – 22,000,000
14. Helldivers 2 – 18,000,000
15. Monster Hunter Rise – 17,500,000
16. Nintendo Switch Sports – 16,270,000
17. Super Mario Bros. Wonder – 16,030,000
18. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl – 15,060,000
19. Assassin's Creed Valhalla – 15,000,000
20. God of War Ragnarök – 15,000,000
21. Baldur's Gate 3 – 15,000,000
22. Pokémon Legends: Arceus – 15,000,000

Helldivers 2 in 14? But diffusionx said it's a flop in one thread this year and it failed.

 

[onQ123]

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy sold 30 million?

 

[Signalis]

I only played 2 games on that list.

Elden Ring
Legend of Zelda

 

[ValiantInstance]

This list is massively distorted by the pandemic. Animal Crossing, Vanguard and Valhalla come to mind. If anything it makes Hogwarts Legacy look even more impressive.

 

[pulicat]

Updated list:

1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 48,190,000
2. Hogwarts Legacy – 40,000,000
3. Cyberpunk 2077 – 35,000,000
4. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – 30,000,000
5. Call of Duty: Vanguard – 30,000,000
6. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – 30,000,000
7. Elden Ring – 30,000,000
8. Black Myth: Wukong – 28,000,000
9. Pokémon Scarlet / Violet – 27,150,000
10. Palworld – 25,000,000
11. Phasmophobia – 25,000,000
12. It Takes Two – 23,000,000
13. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – 22,000,000
14. Helldivers 2 – 18,000,000
15. Monster Hunter Rise – 17,500,000
16. Nintendo Switch Sports – 16,270,000
17. Super Mario Bros. Wonder – 16,030,000
18. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl – 15,060,000
19. Assassin's Creed Valhalla – 15,000,000
20. God of War Ragnarök – 15,000,000
21. Baldur's Gate 3 – 15,000,000
22. Pokémon Legends: Arceus – 15,000,000

Baldur's Gate 3 has sold over 20 million copies to date

Tencent investment in the studio doesn't give the Chinese giant any control, but has given the developer confidence

www.gamesindustry.biz

 

[CitizenKratos]

Not an accurate list.

I think GTA V would be in the ballpark of 90 million units sold in that date range.

 

[Robb]

I think GTA V would be in the ballpark of 90 million units sold in that date range.

But that released in 2013 so it's not like it's relevant to the topic. Minecraft would be here as well in that case, and probably a lot of other titles.

 

[Mownoc]

The 30m CoD vanguard figure comes from an Activision social media strategists linkedin page and I still don't buy it.

The 30m BO:CW figure comes from a court filing at the end of 2024 so is much more credible. https://www.gamefile.news/p/call-of-duty-budgets-development-costs-black-ops-modern-warfare

Cold War was the best selling game in the USA in 2020 and the second best selling game in 2021.

Vanguard was the best selling game in the USA in 2021 and then didn't even make the top 10 in 2022.

Vanguard sold MUCH worse than Cold War, ain't no way it sold the same.

 

[vodka-bull]

Animal Crossing released at the perfect time. If Nintendo would've released it any other, (non covid everyone's gotta stay at home anyway) year they wouldn't have made nearly those numbers.

 

[pulicat]

Animal Crossing sold that much despite being an exclusive game is a testament of the game quality but woke gaming journalists decided it wasn't a goty of 2020.

 

[MidGenRefresh]

30mil for GTA "remasters" feels like robbery.

 

[Radical_3d]

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – 30,000,000

It's insane how much I hate people.

 

[bitbydeath]

Spider-Man 2 has sold 16M on consoles.
And an additional 700K on PC. (According to analysts)

Our most requested estimates (and info on Alinea Analytics' margin of error)

Alinea Analytics estimates for Bloodborne, Spider-Man 2, and Expedition 33. And how our numbers stacked up against official publisher announcements for Cyberpunk, Red Dead, ARC Raiders, and others.

alineaanalytics.substack.com

 

[RCX]

Hogwarts killed and WB still cant get a sequel off the ground.

Do they hate making money or something?

 

[Polaris]

With those titles and those sales numbers, gamers definitely have the industry they deserve.

 

[Abysse]

A lot of crap, to be honest.

 

[Amicus]

You're kidding me right ? COD Vanguard sold over 30 million units ?

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet over 27 million?

The GTA "remake" trilogy sold over 30 million ?

This right here is why the industry will never reach the same heights that it did in the 90s and the 2000s. Modern coonsumers will literally buy any piece of trash just because of the shiny/recognizable brand name on the cover . It's sad but it is what it is .

 

[Ogbert]

The 30m CoD vanguard figure comes from an Activision social media strategists linkedin page and I still don't buy it.

The 30m BO:CW figure comes from a court filing at the end of 2024 so is much more credible. https://www.gamefile.news/p/call-of-duty-budgets-development-costs-black-ops-modern-warfare

Cold War was the best selling game in the USA in 2020 and the second best selling game in 2021.

Vanguard was the best selling game in the USA in 2021 and then didn't even make the top 10 in 2022.

Vanguard sold MUCH worse than Cold War, ain't no way it sold the same.

People live WW2 games.

The setting alone will boost the sales.

 

[ReBurn]

You're kidding me right ? COD Vanguard sold over 30 million units ?

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet over 27 million?

The GTA "remake" trilogy sold over 30 million ?

This right here is why the industry will never reach the same heights that it did in the 90s and the 2000s. Modern coonsumers will literally buy any piece of trash just because of the shiny/recognizable brand name on the cover . It's sad but it is what it is .

People like what they like I guess.