10 Highest-Grossing Video Games of All Time [2026]

Since the time of arcades, people have been drawn in by video games. However, when judging a title’s popularity and success over time, initial revenue is only one factor. After all, free-to-play (F2P) games cost nothing to download and make money through optional in-game purchases, but that hasn’t stopped them from achieving enormous amounts of success.

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Here are the highest-grossing video games of all time, from arcade classics that stole the hearts of millions around the world to modern battle royales that blew up the moment they launched.

How We Ranked the Highest-Grossing Games

Ranking games by money earned is trickier than it sounds. This order follows widely reported lifetime revenue estimates, adjusted for inflation, and counts everything a game earned: arcade plays, copies, subscriptions, and in-game purchases. Publishers rarely share revenue for a single game, so these estimates vary between sources.

Each entry’s facts table lists an estimated lifetime revenue figure and a critic rating checked in October 2026, plus our take as gamers.

Highest-Grossing Video Games at a Glance

1. Space Invaders

To the surprise of no veteran gamer, Space Invaders finds its place at the top of this list. This alien-blasting shoot-em-up succeeded by being the first title to bring arcade games to the masses. Space Invaders was the first video game many people had ever seen, offering technology that seemed like magic come to life. Though dated by today’s standards, the legacy of Space Invaders speaks for itself.

Today, finding an original Space Invaders arcade machine is like striking gold. Thankfully, you can enjoy the top-grossing video game of all time (once you adjust for inflation) through one of its many modern versions. These pair the easy-to-learn gameplay players have loved for decades with new features like co-op that keep it fresh and fun. If you want more classics like it, check out our retro classics worth replaying.

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2. Pac-Man

Hot on the heels of Space Invaders’ success, Pac-Man arrived and introduced a less action-oriented but equally fascinating take on arcade gameplay. As the eponymous Pac-Man, you eat pellets and fruit while dodging ghosts around a maze to satiate an insatiable appetite.

Like Space Invaders, Pac-Man has come a long way since its arcade days. However, it has stayed popular through many modern releases that add new challenges and multiplayer. While much of this can be attributed to Pac-Man’s iconic graphics and soundtrack, it’s also safe to say Pac-Man remains a fan favorite because of how easy it is to pick up and learn, making retro gaming accessible to gamers of all skill levels.

3. Dungeon Fighter Online

Developed in South Korea, Dungeon Fighter Online is a title many in the West aren’t familiar with. This multiplayer side-scrolling beat ’em up has players take on hordes of monsters as a special class as they level up and collect gear to expand their skills. Interestingly, Nexon shut down the game’s first North American version in 2013 because it didn’t attract enough players, even as it thrived in Asia. Neople later relaunched it globally.

This title blends the MMORPG formula (big online worlds shared with other live players) with an ARPG, pairing the action and hack-and-slash combat people love with social features that create a world that is fun to navigate and immersive. Plus, consistent updates have kept it relevant throughout the years, adding new content and modernizing features as needed so players can still enjoy it over two decades later. Today, the global version is free to play on PC from its official site, and you’ll also find it on Steam and the Epic Games Store, which makes it one of the easier free games on Steam to try.

4. Street Fighter II

The game that proved to be an essential influence on the fighting game genre, Street Fighter 2, is an arcade classic that is still played all over the world. Head-to-head gameplay and the accidental creation of the combo system made SF2 a worldwide hit, and its cast gave every player a favorite fighter. The title is still one of the kings of fighting games, and while much of that is thanks to its initial innovation, the series’ consistent new installments and rereleases play a significant role in its relevancy. To play it in 2026, look for Capcom’s Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection or Capcom Arcade Stadium, which both include it.

5. Fortnite

The original Fortnite was very different from what we see today. At first, it focused on building a base and fighting off waves of enemies, as still available in the “Save the World” game mode, but shortly after release, Epic Games added a battle royale mode, and the rest is, as they say, history. Fortnite quickly became the biggest name in the business. Drop in with 99 others, collect guns, build structures, and dive into an evolving story in one of the most popular games today, for both casual players as well as those mastering its rank system.

Microtransactions (small in-game purchases) are the backbone of this game, with optional purchases giving you new custom skins, including some only available thanks to partnerships with top pop culture icons. Fortnite also popularized the battle pass, which is now seen in countless other games. The game’s mix of free entry and constant updates is why it’s still one of the best PC games today.

6. Honor of Kings

Honor of Kings is the first MOBA title on this list, again, much to the surprise of Western players. This Chinese mobile game follows the typical MOBA formula, as players pick a character and a lane, then try to defeat the opposing team’s base.

It distinguishes itself with an extensive roster of enjoyable characters with social features that let you enjoy the classic mechanics of this genre with friends. Plus, its quick-match style is great for those who often avoid MOBAs because they take too much time. If you like squad play on your phone, it sits comfortably among the best multiplayer mobile games.

7. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS

Based on an earlier mod for ARMA 2 and 3, PUBG: Battlegrounds, formerly PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, was the first mainstream battle royale game to draw the public’s attention. Players drop from a plane with 99 competitors, fighting off anyone in their way as blue electricity gradually shrinks the battlefield.

Though Fortnite quickly overtook it in popularity, PUBG still holds a place in many players’ hearts as the best battle royale game ever released. Many players point to the game’s more realistic gameplay design as a reason for its popularity, and it stands out among dozens of other titles in the same genre. Better yet, it’s now free to play on PC and consoles.

8. Lineage

Lineage was one of the early hits in the MMORPG market, borrowing heavily from Ultima Online and Diablo II, and became a huge hit in South Korea and America, filling a gap in what was then an underserved market.

The story of Lineage was based on a series of fantasy comic books, though new content helped the game develop a world and lore of its own. While the game received mixed ratings throughout its lifespan, it found an audience in America who were disheartened to hear of the eventual ending of online servers in 2011. Lineage later received a mobile port under the name Lineage M, maintaining the game’s legacy as one of the most successful games ever. NCSoft still runs it in Korea and Taiwan more than 25 years after launch.

9. League of Legends

League of Legends was one of the first big MOBAs to gain the world’s attention, right after the success of the Defense of the Ancients mods for Warcraft 3. Just as famously, League of Legends helped prove that free-to-play titles could compete with AAA releases.

Like other MOBAs, you pick and upgrade your character, then push down your lane to destroy the enemy’s base. Few would have predicted a free-to-play game would become one of the highest-grossing games of all time. Though several games like League of Legends are available today, this title cemented its place as an icon within its genre.

10. CrossFire

The only FPS on this list, Crossfire, takes a tactical approach with its own twist on classic Counter-Strike combat. It also shows the early potential of the free-to-play model, finding enormous success in Asian markets. It’s still live today and remains especially popular in Asia.

Crossfire pits two teams against each other as mercenary groups, earning ranks and unlocking new weapons and skins. Crossfire is one of the most profitable games ever released, yet many players might likely never have heard of it. It has also made the jump to the screen, inspiring a Chinese streaming series and an episode of Prime Video’s animated anthology Secret Level, which puts it in good company with other video games adapted for TV. A film adaptation has been announced, too. There’s even a big-budget Crossfire single-player shooter in development.

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How Video Game Money-Making Has Changed Over Time

The games on this list cover almost 50 years of gaming, and the way they earned their money changed just as much as the games themselves.

Arcade Coins

Space Invaders and Pac-Man made their fortunes one play at a time. Every round cost a coin, so a cabinet kept earning for as long as players lined up to chase a high score, and no one had to buy a copy of the game.

Boxed Copies

Street Fighter II started in arcades in 1991, then followed players home. Its Super Nintendo version arrived in 1992 and became the best-selling third-party game on that console. Selling a boxed copy meant one payment up front, so Capcom kept the money coming with upgraded editions like Super Street Fighter II and, later, collections.

Monthly Subscriptions

Online worlds turned that single payment into a monthly one. Lineage started its paid service in South Korea in September 1998 with a flat monthly fee, and it spread through PC bangs, the internet cafes where players paid by the hour. Players kept paying for as long as they kept logging in, and NCSoft still runs the game in Korea and Taiwan today.

Free-to-Play and Microtransactions

Free-to-play flipped the order: play first, pay later if you want to. Dungeon Fighter Online and Crossfire found huge audiences in Asia with free downloads and optional item sales. League of Legends brought the model to Western PC players in 2009. You can unlock its champions by playing or buy them with Riot Points, and its skins only change how a champion looks. Honor of Kings took the same approach to phones, where it earns from hero skins and other in-game purchases.

Battle Passes and Live Service

Fortnite added the next big idea. Its first battle pass arrived with Season 2 in December 2017: buy the pass, then play through the season to unlock its rewards. Fresh seasons and constant updates give players a reason to come back, which is the core of live service games. The shift went far enough that PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, which launched as a paid game, went free-to-play on January 12, 2022. You’ll find the same model behind most of our best F2P games right now.

Discover Even More Popular Titles

Learning about the top-grossing titles gives you a look at the history of gaming, from arcade cabinets to the popular games millions play today. And, when looking at the games that have earned the most revenue, no single genre or style dominates the rankings. With so much diversity and variety in gaming today, there’s sure to be one that anybody can enjoy among the top-grossing titles.

And, if by chance there isn’t, there are countless other games you can play today. Whether you’re a fan of slice-of-life simulators or looking for something more action-packed, your next virtual adventure is just a download away.

Top-Grossing Video Games FAQ

Here are quick answers about gaming’s biggest earners, from top-rated and most played titles to how free-to-play games make their money.