Introduction
Video games have come a long way since the days of Pong and Pac-Man. 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?
In this article, we’ll count down the top 10 most played games of all time, based on total player counts, critical acclaim, and cultural impact. 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!
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10. Grand Theft Auto V
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Released: 2013
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Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
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Genre: Action-adventure
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Copies Sold: 165 million
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Monthly Active Players: 2.9 million (as of April 2023)
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)
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Released: 2017
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Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Android, iOS
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Genre: Battle royale
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Copies Sold: 75 million (PC and console)
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Monthly Active Players: 696,704 (Steam only, as of April 2023)
PUBG kicked off the battle royale craze that has dominated multiplayer gaming in recent years. Its tense, tactical gameplay and huge, diverse maps have made it one of the most played games on Steam and mobile.
8. Wii Sports
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Released: 2006
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Platform: Nintendo Wii
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Genre: Sports
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Copies Sold: 82.9 million
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Monthly Active Players: N/A
A pack-in game for the Nintendo Wii, Wii Sports introduced millions of casual gamers to motion controls with its intuitive tennis, bowling, boxing, golf and baseball minigames. It remains the best-selling single-platform exclusive of all time.
7. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
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Released: 2017
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Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Wii U
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Genre: Action-adventure
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Copies Sold: 29 million
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Monthly Active Players: N/A
Nintendo’s reinvention of the Zelda formula dropped players into a vast, open-ended version of Hyrule where discovery and experimentation were rewarded. Breath of the Wild’s engrossing gameplay loop made it an instant classic and one of the most-played games right now on Switch.
6. Call of Duty: Warzone
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Released: 2020
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Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
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Genre: Battle royale
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Copies Sold: Free-to-play
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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
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Released: 2006
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Platforms: PC, Mobile, Xbox One
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Genre: MMO / Game creation platform
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Copies Sold: Free-to-play
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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.
4. Fortnite
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Released: 2017
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Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS
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Genre: Battle royale
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Copies Sold: Free-to-play
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Monthly Active Players: 80.4 million (as of August 2022)
Epic’s colourful, constructive take on the battle royale genre has become a global phenomenon, attracting everyone from casual players to top esports competitors with its unique building mechanics, tie-in events, and endless customisation options.
3. Minecraft
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Released: 2011
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Platforms: PC, Mobile, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, Raspberry Pi
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Genre: Sandbox
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Copies Sold: 238 million
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Monthly Active Players: 140 million
Mojang’s block-based building game has captured the imagination of players of all ages with its unlimited creative potential. From humble beginnings as a hobby project, Minecraft has grown into the most-played games of all time and a cultural touchstone.
2. Tetris
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Released: 1984
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Platforms: Everything
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Genre: Puzzle
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Copies Sold: 520 million
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Monthly Active Players: N/A
Alexey Pajitnov’s simple but endlessly addictive puzzle game has been a fixture of the gaming world for nearly 40 years. With its timeless gameplay and universal appeal, Tetris is arguably the most influential and important video game ever made.
1. Crossfire
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Released: 2007
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Platforms: PC, Mobile
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Genre: First-person shooter
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Copies Sold: Free-to-play
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Monthly Active Players: 1 billion (as of February 2022)
You may not have heard of it, but this South Korean Counter-Strike clone is undisputedly one the most played games in the world, especially in Asia. Its satisfying gunplay and thriving esports scene have attracted a massive global player base over the last 15+ years.
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