The Most Popular Video Games, Backed by Data

With an endless list of games available and new titles popping up every day, it can be hard to pick your next video game. As a result, it’s no surprise that many turn to the most popular titles when choosing their next adventure. These tried-and-true titles are trusted by thousands — or even millions — of players worldwide, offering a broad range of genres and play styles that appeal to different audiences.

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Our stack-ranked lists of the most popular video games are backed by data, including number of copies sold, the current online player count, and search volume. 

Below, discover our list of the most popular video games across the years and different platforms, and which titles are trending in 2026. Knowing what other people are playing is a great way to help you find a game you’ll enjoy.

The Most Popular Games of All Time

Have you found yourself wondering what the most popular game in the world is? If so, you’re not alone.

To determine the most popular games of all time, we researched the number of copies sold, as well as factors like each game’s rating and monthly search volume.

1. Tetris

When you think of arcade games, there’s a good chance your mind drifts to Tetris. Although it was released in 1988 and isn’t the first video game ever, Tetris is a classic among games, with new variations continuing to launch through 2020. Despite the simple gameplay revolving around tetromino stacking, the puzzle-based strategy keeps your mind engaged.

Plus, with newer variants like Tetris Effect: Connected, you can play with friends and enjoy other modern features that breathe new life into an arcade classic.

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2. Minecraft

Beloved by newer and more experienced gamers alike, Minecraft is one of the most popular video games of all time, as well as the best-selling game of all time. It’s available for a wide variety of platforms, from PC to mobile and console, making  its open-world gameplay accessible to more players. Plus, there are hundreds of Minecraft mods available online to change and improve your mining experience. 

In Minecraft, you can either play alone or with friends. Once inside your world, you can choose between Survival Mode, which uses a challenging survival system that pits you against hostile mobs and the elements, requiring you to hunt for resources, or Creative Mode, which removes resource limits and allows unrestricted building. Because of this, it’s also considered one of the best building games to play on PC.

3. Grand Theft Auto 5

Although not the newest installment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise, with a sixth release planned to launch in 2026, Grand Theft Auto V is a highly beloved title with an active fanbase. 

Although there are linear missions you can work through, Grand Theft Auto V offers an open world to explore on foot or by vehicle. But you don’t have to stick with cars and trucks. Instead, you can also explore San Andreas by air — after pulling off a grand heist and hijacking an airplane, that is. 

Because there’s a system of laws in place, you can choose whether to play by the rules or test your wit against the scaling bounty system.  Break enough laws, and you might find yourself facing some of the toughest police units this fictional state has to offer. 

This game does include some violence and graphic scenes, making it better suited for a mature audience.

4. Wii Sports

Although the Wii has been formally discontinued since 2013, Wii Sports still ranks among the most popular video games. This sports simulation collection includes five different sports, from boxing to tennis, which you can play using the Wii’s motion sensor. Overall, this title is a great way to play alone or with friends while also getting some extra movement in your day.

If you no longer have access to a Wii, no worries — in 2022, Nintendo produced Nintendo Switch Sports, another sports simulation collection.

5. Red Dead Redemption 2

If you’re interested in games with guns like PUBG: Battlegrounds but want a different genre, look no further than Red Dead Redemption 2. One of the top PC games, this title places you in the shoes of an outlaw in the Wild West. You can play alone, enjoying the rich storyline this title offers, or play online for PvP or  role-playing modes. 

Although Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most popular games, it’s important to note that it doesn’t offer cross-platform support for multiplayer. This means that if you’re on PC and your friend is on console, you won’t be able to play together.

6. Ark: Survival Evolved

If you like prehistoric animals and server-based survival games like Rust, then this popular title might be a good choice for you. Released in 2017, Ark: Survival Evolved places you on an island surrounded by prehistoric animals, including a wide variety of dinosaurs. Play alone and survive on the island through fighting and taming creatures, or join a server to play with others in an epic mix of PvE and PvP gameplay.

7. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds

If you want the combat without the dinosaurs, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, now known as PUBG: Battlegrounds, is a battle royale video game that places you in a last-man-standing deathmatch with up to 100 players. 

You can play alone, with a friend, or even in a team with up to three other players as you navigate one of eight different maps, fighting for survival. While you begin each match with nothing, you can search your surrounding areas for the equipment and supplies you need to survive the match.

8. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart is a classic Nintendo title, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe brings the fun of kart racing to Switch. Built on Mario Kart 8 and DLCs, this title is filled with different ways to play, from a wide variety of characters to dozens of different race circuits. 

However, racing isn’t the only way to enjoy this title, which contributes to its popularity. If you want to step away from the racetrack, you can also enjoy the many minigames available in Mario Kart 8, including some classics from previous Mario Kart installments, like Balloon Battle.

9. The Oregon Trail

Tetris isn’t the oldest title on our list! First released in 1971, The Oregon Trail has been stealing the hearts of gamers around the world. First available solely on desktop, there are many variants of this title available today that you can enjoy on your browser or other devices. Plus, along with keeping many of the original elements of the first Oregon Trail game, modern versions introduce new scenarios or elements that help keep the game remain relevant.

While The Oregon Trail may have a smaller player count than some of the other games on this list, it’s a single-player game where you don’t need to worry about matchmaking or waiting for queues.

10. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls is a beloved franchise with several entries, but it’s Skyrim that rounds out our list of the most popular video games. This game offers hundreds of hours of gameplay you can spend doing almost anything you want, from tackling the main storyline to journeying between the beautiful cities the region has to offer as you explore this game’s large open world.

Plus, there are several DLCs available for Skyrim, which add new content and extend gameplay even after you finish many of the main quests and storylines. 

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Most Popular Video Games Right Now

Although some classics like Tetris and The Oregon Trail made their way onto our list as some of the most popular video games, that doesn’t mean they’re the most popular games right now.

Some of these games are free to play or don’t provide data on the active players for each platform. As a result, we researched monthly search volume to determine what games are currently the most popular.

Source: Ahrefs

Because this data relies on monthly search volume, our chart may exclude many popular titles. This includes fan-favorite games like Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2, both of which have around a million active players but don’t receive high search volume.

Most Popular Video Games of 2026

The following 2026 titles are ranked in order of the number of copies sold. We also sourced peak organic search volume to determine which games drew the most player interest.

Sources: Statista, Ahrefs

Most Popular Video Games on Xbox

Even though a title is available across several platforms, it may be more popular on one compared to others. As a result, there are many beloved titles that didn’t quite make the cut for most popular game of the year but still deserve some attention.

With data on copies sold sourced from Statista and monthly search volume, here are the most popular video games on Xbox:

Sources: Newzoo, Ahrefs

Most Popular Video Games on Switch

Many popular Switch games are exclusive to this console. As a result, some titles have  smaller player bases than multiplatform games but  maintain dedicated fanbases.

Here are the most popular video games on Switch according to the number of units sold and monthly search volume.

Most Popular Video Games on PlayStation

To find out which video games are most popular on the PlayStation, we consulted NewZoo to find the monthly active player base worldwide and used monthly search volume to guide our rankings.

Sources: NewZoo, Ahrefs

Most Popular Video Games on PC

Steam is one of the top sites for downloading PC games. Tools like Steam Charts allow us to monitor how many players are enjoying a title, including active and peak players.

To determine the most popular video games on PC, we used the peak player count as the primary metric. 

Source: Steam Charts

Most Popular Video Games on Mobile

Last but not least, we used Business of Apps and AppMagic to determine the most popular video games on mobile. We ranked these titles by the number of downloads and ratings.

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Dive Into Our Vast Library of Popular Games

If you’re looking for the next best game to play, exploring the most popular video games can help narrow your options based on what others are playing. From the variety of games on Switch, like Animal Crossing or Minecraft, to the competitive shooter gameplay of Counter-Strike 2 on the PC, there’s no shortage of well-loved titles to explore. 

Most Popular Games FAQ

Determining the most popular game can be tricky, as it varies based on the criteria used, such as copies sold or peak players. Below, discover frequently asked questions about the most popular games.