Top 10 PlayStation Games That Sold the Most Units

1-10

Ignacio Weil

Gaming - October 20th 2025, 23:55 GMT+2

Call of Duty Modern Warfare II — 10. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022)

It’s rare when a shooter not only dominates the charts but rewrites them – that’s exactly what this iteration of *Call of Duty* did when it launched in 2022. The PlayStation 4 and 5 audience leaned in hard, helping the game clock massive pre-orders and day-one digital sales that crushed previous records. While precise global unit figures are elusive, the entry was confirmed as the biggest launch in the franchise’s history and had the majority of sales on PlayStation platforms in key markets. A shooter that refuses to quiet down, it kept players grinding, streaming and spending past the launch week in a way that almost feels systemic. When you blend brand power, cross-gen support and global anticipation, you end up with something that moves units by the millions. In short: it became less of a game launch and more of a cultural event. | © Activision

Grand Theft Auto Vice City — 9. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)

Back in the heyday of the PlayStation 2, *Grand Theft Auto: Vice City* flipped the sandbox genre on its head and sold like it had a cheat code built in. With over 17.5 million units sold worldwide by a few years post-launch, it stood tall as one of Rockstar’s most successful early titles. The neon-soaked 1980s aesthetic, the soundtrack that still echoes in meme-culture, and the freedom to roam an expansive city all combined to create a game that sold because it felt explosive. It’s not just the numbers that impress, but the staying power – even years later the title gets re-releases, bundles and renewed interest. It showed that open-world chaos wasn’t just fun, it was *bankable*. Even today, new gamers discovering the title contribute to the legacy of sales. | © Rockstar Games

Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War — 8. Call of Duty: Black Ops – Cold War (2020)

When you scan the PlayStation ecosystem for big-seller shooters, *Black Ops – Cold War* ticks an enormous number of boxes: franchise heritage, multiplatform reach, live-service hooks and an audience primed for war. Released in 2020, it managed to not just launch but sustain demand – digital units in the early months hit millions, and lifetime copies exceeded 30 million as of recent tallies. The title benefited from being one of the first major next-gen shooters for PS5, while still catering heavily to PS4, which widened its addressable market. And because it married campaign, multiplayer and zombies modes, it gave players multiple entry points – which translates into broader sales. In a business where sequels often underperform, this one proved that you can still deliver massive unit numbers if you check all the right boxes. | © Activision

Cropped Call of Duty Black Ops III — 7. Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015)

In an era when shooters were starting to feel safe, *Black Ops III* charged in with bold moves: a futuristic setting, deep customization and a three-pronged game mode structure. Released in 2015, it wound up selling over 26 million units globally over time for the franchise, making it one of the top-selling entries on PlayStation platforms. What made it such a unit mover? Timing and fan loyalty. The Black Ops brand had become trusted, multiplayer communities were thriving on PS4 and hardware cycles were aligning. Plus, it came at a time when digital downloads were growing, which expanded sales potential. So while it didn’t reinvent the wheel, it certainly spun it fast – and gamers bought tickets in droves. | © Activision

Cropped Marvels Spider Man — 6. Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018)

It’s somehow both tender and bankable when you swing through a city as a friendly neighbourhood hero and then realize 13 million+ units sold in under a year. *Marvel’s Spider-Man*, released in 2018 for PS4 (and later PS5), proved that a first-party PlayStation exclusive could shift big numbers without sacrificing spectacle. Insomniac Games delivered a story-rich, superhero sandbox that connected with both fans of comics and general gamers – a rare crossover success. Bundles, holiday sales and PS+ promotions helped keep momentum rolling past launch. The result? A major milestone for Sony’s platform exclusives and proof that quality and volume can go hand in hand. | © Insomniac Games

Call of Duty Modern Warfare — 5. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

When *Modern Warfare* made its grand return, fans didn’t just line up – they practically flooded the servers. The 2019 reboot moved over 30 million copies worldwide, revitalizing the franchise with cinematic storytelling, polished gunplay, and cross-platform multiplayer that kept everyone hooked. On PlayStation, it became one of the top sellers of its generation, proving that even in a crowded market, nostalgia mixed with modern tech still sells like crazy. This was a game that made people reinstall *Call of Duty* after years away – and for many, it’s still the one they keep coming back to. A perfect storm of franchise power, technical finesse, and global marketing muscle. | © Activision

Grand Theft Auto San Andreas — 4. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)

There are games that sell well, and then there’s *San Andreas*, which basically printed money through sheer cultural dominance. Estimated at over 27.5 million copies sold across all platforms, it became the defining title of the PS2 era – and one of Rockstar’s most profitable legacies. Its massive map, endless freedom, and controversial storylines created headlines as much as sales spikes, turning curiosity into millions of purchases. For many, it was their first taste of open-world chaos, and the nostalgia factor still drives re-releases and remasters today. It’s not just a game – it’s an era that refused to fade away. | © Rockstar Games

3. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)

When Rockstar decided to saddle up again, few expected *Red Dead Redemption 2* to gallop this far ahead – but here we are, with more than 64 million copies sold worldwide and counting. The PlayStation versions alone contributed massively to that figure, with players drawn to its vast frontier, deep storytelling, and painstaking realism. It’s one of those rare titles where people buy it, finish it, then buy it again on the next console just to experience it all over. From cinematic missions to quiet sunsets, it proved that emotional storytelling and commercial success aren’t mutually exclusive. Turns out, even cowboys can break sales records. | © Rockstar Games

2. Minecraft (2011)

Trying to describe *Minecraft*’s success in simple terms is like trying to count every block in its world – technically possible, but a little insane. With over 300 million copies sold globally across all platforms, it’s not just a bestseller; it’s a cultural phenomenon. On PlayStation, its digital dominance and family-friendly flexibility made it one of the most played and purchased games ever. Part toy, part creative outlet, part survival sandbox, it turned imagination into a commercial empire. Kids, adults, builders, dreamers – everyone had a reason to buy it, often more than once. It’s gaming’s ultimate success story made of pixels and persistence. | © Mojang Studios / Microsoft Game Studios

1. Grand Theft Auto V (2013)

If there were a Guinness record for “most unstoppable game,” *Grand Theft Auto V* would probably hold it. With over 200 million copies sold worldwide, and PlayStation platforms accounting for a massive share of that, it stands as one of the highest-selling entertainment products in history – not just in gaming. Its online component kept it alive for over a decade, while the single-player campaign became a benchmark for storytelling and technical achievement. Few games manage to span three console generations and still top charts, but GTA V made it look easy. Rockstar didn’t just release a game; they built a global economy around it. | © Rockstar Games

1-10

Three decades, five consoles, and hundreds of unforgettable titles later – PlayStation has given us some of the best-selling games in history. To mark the brand’s 30-year anniversary, Circana has shared the data behind the franchises that didn’t just win hearts, but also absolutely dominated the sales charts. These are the games that turned millions of players into lifelong fans (and probably helped sell a few extra consoles along the way).

From groundbreaking exclusives to cross-platform titans, the lineup tells a story of how gaming trends evolved – and how certain names never really left the spotlight. Whether you’re here for nostalgia or pure curiosity, this list celebrates the titles that proved success isn’t just about hype – it’s about numbers that refuse to stop climbing. And if you’re more interested in the games that made the most money instead of the ones that sold the most copies, you can check out that companion article right after this one.