Decade-Defining Games: Top-Selling Hits of the Past 20 Years
The Evolution of Video Games: What’s Changed and What’s Staying the Same
Over the past 20 years, the video game industry has undergone significant changes. Online multiplayer live-service games have become increasingly popular, while 2D platformers are now less common. Console games based on movies are no longer a staple, and we’re seeing more remasters than ever before.
What’s Remaining Constant, though?
Despite the many changes, some things have remained consistent. According to newly released data from Circana, the top 20 best-selling games in the US have been dominated by a few franchises. Football, or rather Madden, has continued to sell remarkably well over the past two decades. The same can be said for the Call of Duty series, which has remained incredibly popular over the past 15 years. Other franchises like Pokémon and Spider-Man games have also remained consistently in the top 20.
What Do These Numbers Mean?
It’s not just a few titles that have remained popular, but entire franchises. When looking at the data, you’ll notice an asterisk (*) or caret (^) next to some of the titles. This indicates that digital sales for those games are not included on all platforms. If you’re looking for more information, Circana has a wealth of data, including the top 20 best-selling games for each year, available on their website.
The Top 10 Best-Selling Games from 2000 to 2023
Here’s a look at the top 10 best-selling games in the US from 2000 to 2023:
- Madden NFL 2005
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
- Wii Sports
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III
- Pokémon Red and Blue
- Spider-Man
- Madden NFL 2014
These numbers paint a picture of a gaming industry that, despite changes over the years, still has many constants. Franchises like Madden, Call of Duty, Pokémon, and Spider-Man continue to draw in millions of players every year.
