Since the days of Pac-Man and Pong, video games have come a long way. Today, the global gaming industry is bigger than movies and music combined, with billions of players around the world. But which games have stood the test of time and captured the hearts (and thumbs) of most gamers?
Based on total player counts, critical acclaim, and cultural impact, we will list the top ten most played games ever in this article. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or just curious about the medium, this list is sure to bring back fond memories and maybe even inspire you to pick up a new title. Let’s dive in! 10. Grand Theft Auto V
Released in 2013 Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Action-adventure
Copies Sold: 165 million
As of April 2023, there were 2.9 million monthly active players. Rockstar’s open-world crime epic has been a mainstay of the most-played games charts for nearly a decade, thanks to its sprawling single-player campaign, immersive world-building, and endlessly entertaining GTA Online mode.
9. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)
2017 marked its release. Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Android, iOS
Genre: Battle royale
75 million copies were sold (on PC and console). Monthly Active Players: 696,704 (Steam only, as of April 2023)
The battle royale craze that has dominated multiplayer gaming in recent years was started by PUBG. Its tense, tactical gameplay and huge, diverse maps have made it one of the most played games on Steam and mobile.
8. Wii Sports
Released: 2006
Game console: Nintendo Wii Sports is a genre. Copies Sold: 82.9 million
Monthly Active Players: N/A
With its simple tennis, bowling, boxing, golf, and baseball minigames, Wii Sports, a pack-in game for the Nintendo Wii, introduced millions of casual gamers to motion controls. It is still the single-platform exclusive with the highest number of sales. 7. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
2017 marked its release. Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Wii U
Genre: Action-adventure
Copies Sold: 29 million
Players who play regularly: none Players were taken into a vast, open-ended Hyrule in Nintendo’s reimagining of the Zelda formula, where experimentation and discovery were rewarded. One of the most played Switch games right now is Breath of the Wild thanks to its gripping gameplay loop. 6. Call of Duty: Warzone
Released: 2020
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Battle royale
Available for free play Monthly Active Players: 80 million (as of December 2022)
Activision’s free-to-play battle royale spinoff of the long-running Call of Duty series has been a massive hit, attracting tens of millions of players with its fast-paced, addictive gameplay and regular content updates.
5. Roblox
Released: 2006
Platforms: PC, Mobile, Xbox One
Genre: MMO / Game creation platform
Copies Sold: Free-to-play
Monthly Active Players: 202 million (as of April 2022)
Roblox isn’t a single game so much as a platform that lets users create and share their own games and virtual worlds. Its social features and easy-to-use tools have made it hugely popular with kids and one of the most played games of all time.
