Top 10 PlayStation Games That Made the Most Money

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - October 20th 2025, 22:00 GMT+2

Cropped Guitar Hero III Legends of Rock — 10. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (2007)

Before rhythm games were a relic of the past, *Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock* had the entire planet shredding plastic guitars and pretending to be rock gods. It wasn’t just a hit – it was a billion-dollar phenomenon that turned living rooms into mini-concert stages. The mix of legendary tracks, competitive multiplayer, and addictive note streaks struck a chord that few games ever matched. It was pure, unfiltered fun, with no loot boxes or gimmicks – just skill, music, and the occasional broken controller. Even today, it stands as a time capsule of when gaming met rock and created chaos in the best way possible. | © Activision

Cropped Grand Theft Auto San Andreas — 9. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)

It’s hard to overstate how *Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas* changed both gaming and pop culture forever. It wasn’t just another sequel – it was an empire, complete with three cities, a full-blown storyline, and an open world so massive it felt endless. Players didn’t just buy it once; they kept buying it across generations, keeping the money rolling long after its debut. From the soundtrack to the side missions, everything about it screamed “blockbuster.” And even now, CJ’s adventures in Los Santos are burned into gaming history – and Rockstar’s bank account. | © Rockstar Games

Call of Duty Black Ops III — 8. Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015)

Some games shoot to impress; this one shot to dominate. *Call of Duty: Black Ops III* was the moment Activision perfected its blockbuster formula – high-octane multiplayer, cinematic campaign, and zombie mode that refused to die. It didn’t just make money from sales; it minted it through season passes, DLCs, and customization galore. Players kept coming back for the chaos, and the publisher kept feeding the machine. The game was less a release and more a living, breathing event that thrived long after its launch week. If success had a reload button, this would be it. | © Activision

7. Minecraft (2011)

Who knew digital cubes could print real money? *Minecraft* started as an indie curiosity and quietly became one of the most profitable entertainment products ever created. Its genius lies in giving players endless freedom – build castles, craft rollercoasters, or just dig for diamonds while avoiding existential dread. That creativity turned into a global brand spanning consoles, classrooms, and merchandise aisles. Every update adds another layer to its longevity, keeping new players hooked and veterans nostalgic. It’s not just a game anymore – it’s a platform, a phenomenon, and a cultural cornerstone. | © Mojang Studios

Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War — 6. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)

When *Black Ops – Cold War* arrived, it wasn’t aiming to reinvent the wheel – it was aiming to sell it in five collector’s editions and a battle pass. Tied neatly into the ever-expanding *Warzone* ecosystem, it capitalized on cross-platform hype and aggressive live-service design. The result? A financial juggernaut that stormed charts across every region. Its fast-paced multiplayer and slick Cold War aesthetic gave players exactly what they wanted – chaos, competition, and cosmetics. It’s the kind of game built to dominate both the battlefield and the balance sheet. | © Activision

Call of Duty Black Ops 6 — 5. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024)

When a franchise says “we’ve done everything before,” *Call of Duty: Black Ops 6* comes back and says “hold my controller” – setting new internal records for player engagement and making the kind of money that makes accountants smile. With Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard in the background and Game Pass synergy in full swing, this isn’t just a shooter but a strategic money-machine. The fact that the entire CoD franchise crossed the 500 million copies sold milestone around its launch shows just how much financial gravity this game has. While exact lifetime revenue for this specific entry is less public, it’s clear the budget, hype and monetisation strategy were all built for the long haul. Serves as proof that even mature franchises can still leap forward in cash terms. | © Activision

Call of Duty Modern Warfare II — 4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022)

Just when you thought the genre had peaked, *Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2* blasted past the $800 million revenue mark in just three days and crossed the $1 billion barrier within its first ten days – franchise records all over the place. Its success was built on pedigree (the Modern Warfare brand), massive global marketing, and a full-throttle launch strategy that left very little room for doubt. For PlayStation and other platforms, it represented a benchmark of premium shooter revenue that few could touch. When a game becomes a money-making icon, it’s less about “did you win?” and more about “did you pre-order the deluxe edition?” The lesson? Big brand + big budget + big hype = big dollars. | © Activision

3. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)

If you thought Wild West revenge sagas were niche, *Red Dead Redemption 2* proved otherwise – the game reportedly generated over $3 billion in revenue and sold tens of millions of units worldwide, making it one of the most financially successful non-shooter titles of its generation. Developed by Rockstar Games and published under Take-Two Interactive, it combined epic narrative, open-world depth and long-term monetisation (thanks Red Dead Online) into a roadmap for sustained revenue. The fact that people were still buying, streaming and discussing this game years after launch tells you that hype turned into heritage – and heritage sells. This is the kind of game that made the business ask, “If this works, can we do more of this?” Spoiler: yes. | © Rockstar Games

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2019 — 2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

In the crowded world of yearly shooters, *Call of Duty: Modern Warfare* stood out by earning over $600 million in its first three days and crossing $1 billion in revenue within a couple of months – remarkable numbers for a console-era franchise. It rewrote CoD’s launch playbook: no season pass at launch, cross-play, huge digital mix, and a monetisation model ready for the modern era. For PlayStation platforms, this meant a “premium” shooter that truly performed financially beyond just launch week. The game’s ability to leverage both full-price copies and live-service revenue proved that the hybrid model works – and that the investment pays off. | © Activision

GTA V — 1. Grand Theft Auto V (2013)

It’s almost unfair to call it just a game: *Grand The ft Auto V* is a cultural and financial juggernaut. With estimated revenue nearing $8 billion and lifetime sales of over 200 million units worldwide, it’s one of the highest-earning entertainment products of all time (not just games). Developed by Rockstar Games, published by Take-Two Interactive, and iterated over generations (PS3, PS4, PS5), it transformed the open-world sandbox into a money-spinning platform, partially thanks to GTA Online’s enduring monetisation. For PlayStation owners, it meant a title where buying the disc in 2013 might still feel relevant in 2025 – and that ongoing relevance equals ongoing revenue. If you’re looking for the king of “made the most money,” this is your throne. | © Rockstar Games

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As PlayStation celebrates its 30-year anniversary, Circana (formerly NPD Group) has unveiled some fascinating data on which games have truly filled Sony’s vaults over the decades. These aren’t just the most beloved titles – they’re the ones that turned digital adventures into serious dollar signs. From gritty action blockbusters to open-world epics, this list proves that profitability and playability can go hand in hand when a franchise strikes gold.

And while some names are exactly what you’d expect, a few curveballs might surprise even lifelong fans. Money, after all, tells its own kind of story – one made of sequels, DLCs, and millions of loyal players. Oh, and if you’re more curious about which PlayStation games sold the most copies rather than made the most cash, don’t worry – we’ve got a separate list for that too.