The best-selling recent games

18 days ago, by Enzo

The video game industry, which had been going strong for decades, was shaken up by the 2020 pandemic and successive lockdowns. Despite this, many notable titles were released and became best sellers, and we're going to take a look at them today. Some of the figures mentioned below are estimates based on corroborating sources, as there has been no official confirmation. The aim here is not to provide a precise financial assessment, but simply to highlight the recent games that have dominated in recent years. Let's take a look at the top 10!

While some highly anticipated big-name titles have been released in recent years, the number one spot in this ranking may come as a surprise to many, as it is occupied by Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This cozy title, available exclusively on Nintendo Switch, has sold over 48 million copies. It should be noted that its release coincided with the first lockdown in Europe, which contributed to its commercial success.

The second place on this podium may also come as a surprise, as it goes to a game that divided fans somewhat when it was released. Released in 2023, we are talking about Hogwarts Legacy, the famous RPG set in the world of Harry Potter, which has sold 34 million copies to date.

This title offers a very different experience and takes third place on the podium. Elden Ring is the first open-world Souls-style game and has sold around 30 million copies to date. Playable in co-op mode, it quickly became a benchmark in its genre and also introduced many players to the world of Souls-like games.

The next three games have also sold around 30 million copies, so it's difficult to rank them. We're talking about Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Call of Duty: Vanguard, and Cyberpunk 2077. Although the latter had a very difficult start due to numerous bugs and optimization issues, it managed to bounce back with a whole host of fixes, improvements, and new features. Today, it is considered an excellent game and a truly interesting experience.

Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet come in at number 7. Although they are not recognized as the best games in the series, sales figures are solid, with 27 million copies sold. Black Myth: Wukong likely ranks eighth in this list, although sales figures have never been officially confirmed. It got off to a flying start with no fewer than 2.4 million players simultaneously on the Steam platform. This record makes it the most played single-player game of all time on the platform at peak audience. To date, sales figures of 28 million have been reported.

Finally, the last two places in our ranking are occupied by two very different titles, but both excellent in their genre. We are talking about It Takes Two, voted Game of the Year at the 2021 Game Awards, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The first is a cooperative adventure game produced by Hazelight Studios, also behind Split Fiction, released this year. Players take on the role of a miniaturized couple trying to save their marriage through a series of incredible trials that take place in their own home.

Of course, Palworld deserves an honorable mention. Although no concrete sales figures have been released to date, it is one of the games that has attracted a huge number of players in record time. In just a few days, no fewer than 5 million players were roaming the lush plains of the game. To date, around 32 million players have tried it out. It should be noted that the title's availability on Game Pass has contributed to these figures.

Ultimately, the best-selling games since 2020 reflect both the evolution of gaming trends and the industry's ability to reinvent itself despite recent challenges. There is a wide variety of genres in this ranking, and sometimes a few surprises that we didn't expect. What is your favorite game of the last few years?