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20 to 1: Best Selling Video Games

June 01, 2007 in News comments 45

We take a look and list of the 20 best selling games since the inception of video games. A number of surprising entrants make the cut, while long-time favorites don't always seem to sell quite as much as we may have expected.

London newspaper The Independent recently compiled a list of the 20 best selling video game franchises since the inception of time itself. Using worldwide sales, the list is a testament to how big video games are in the world today. ‘Mario’ comes in at number 1, with 193 million. One surprise is the ‘James Bond’ franchise, honestly, how did anything but Goldeneye sell well?
CDorno via blog.gamerwithin.com »
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  • 0
    Kutless Jun 2, 07
    Wow Mario was in 1st with 193 mil.
    • 0
      Ameer Jun 2, 07
      And you were suprised? o.0
      • 0
        volacide Jun 2, 07
        What surprised me at first was Resident Evil being on this list, but then I remembered about Resident Evil 4 and how much of a success that was/is. When I think Resident Evil I think Resident Evil 1, Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, and Resident Evil: Code Veronica.
        I love Resident Evil 4, but compared to the other RE games it's just not the same.
    • 0
      monster_hunter666 Jun 3, 07
      i think that mario has done wuite well coming in first place and to think he hasnt even aged yet
  • 0
    King X2 Jun 2, 07
    I wasn't surprised Mario games have high ranking. First, they're fun for everybody and all age groups, second, they are easy to understand and they generally attract a large audience and third, they just rock.
    • 0
      Redemption Jun 2, 07
      Great points King X2, but I think you forgot to mention its also one of the longest running franchises in the history of gaming . I think its wide appeal is quite amazing and proves that not all video gamers are attracted to violence (Bopping Bowser on the head isn't really hardcore violence).
      • 0
        Final Blade Jun 2, 07
        Even thought mario is the longest running franchises doesnt make them the best. Hell mario is kinda boring and way to easy. I beaten everyone of them with ease. It definitely didnt deserve the top.
        • 0
          volacide Jun 2, 07
          In case you didn't see the thread title, it said "best selling" not "best games."
          What do you mean it didn't deserve the top? Are you mad? This is based off of sales figures, people voted with their wallet.
  • 0
    Gotenks Jun 2, 07
    I'm pretty sure IGN had this article up back in December. So it wasn't a shock for me with Mario. Mario's been out for 14 years, classic games always sold very well and people buy Mario games today because it's Mario.
  • 0
    Kave En Jun 2, 07
    Mario has been around for a while. I am kinda surprised Bond made it on. But Mario is cool though.
  • 0
    bbb7002004 Jun 2, 07
    Also, Mario has at least six or seven spin off franchises to boost the number of games featuring Mario.
  • 0
    Seung Jun 2, 07
    I was surprised to see that Grand Theft auto wasn't actually in the top five but some of the other ones didn't really surprise me at all like Mario for instance.
  • 0
    magicman6095 Jun 2, 07
    mario isnt too surprising since it s been played by everyone
  • 0
    Infinite Jun 2, 07
    I also was surprised at the fact that Grand Theft Auto didn't make it into the top five best selling videogames. However, I figured Mario and Pokemon would be ranked the highest. I'm glad to see that Mortal Kombat got on the list.
  • 0
    BANDITO ATTACK Jun 2, 07
    MArio is, indeed, a whore. Wario is infinitely cooler.
  • 0
    Redalert501 Jun 2, 07
    Wow, this list was very interesting, but not at all surprising. I figured Mario would be at the top (or at least in the top 3) but it's good to see it in print.
  • 0
    Ninmecu Jun 2, 07
    haha, little suprised by the mario thing, but my 2 favorites made it up there, Imho I thought Zelda was more loved then Mario..but then again, Mario has too many games.
  • 0
    luigi jean Jun 2, 07
    I didn't think Madden was going to beat GTA. I don't find Madden...what's the word....international. I think GTA is known worldwide. I thought FIFA was going to be on that list.
    • 0
      Infinite Jun 3, 07
      I too was surprised that Madden beat Grand Theft Auto since Madden NFL is only sold in the United States and Australia.
  • 0
    chubbie huicho Jun 2, 07
    Wow GTA wasn't in the top 5 games I thought it would be but it's no surprise that Mario won it
  • 0
    StarJet Jun 2, 07
    *groan* why not need for speed? that must be the most sold game in our country though.
  • 0
    Jax06 Jun 2, 07
    "When the hell is Ash going to get some balls and evolve Pikachu?"

    XD Now I AM a Pokémon fan but I laughed at that one.

    Not a very surprising list though.
    • 0
      Final Blade Jun 2, 07
      The reason he hasnt if you actually watch the TV shows is cause its to prove any pokemon evolved or not can be powerful. And pikachu is the best, his power keeps pwning team rocket. Why in the world has team rocket keep following ash thats is the most annoying thing ever. Its like Dorton and vulkin following orphan and his friends in the anime orphan.
  • 0
    Weldar Jun 2, 07
    Just think, if Gannondorf could remove one platform, Link would be trapped. Then Hyrule would be *bleep*ed.

    Science lesson - Nobody can run as fast as Sonic does. He must be on crack.

    I laughed so much at those
  • 0
    zhaoyun770 Jun 2, 07
    Nice list there.. I thought Final Fantasy would have been even higher though, what with 12+ attempts at it..
    • 0
      Final Blade Jun 2, 07
      Its cause 12 really wasnt that good. And i agree it was boring all the way through.
  • 0
    Gotenks Jun 2, 07
    Just want to point out that the list a few months old. So it's not taking into account recent game releases. Like the Diamond/Pearl games would of added alot more sales to Pokemon.
  • 0
    Reason Jun 2, 07
    Glad to see Dragon Quest on the list, it's a shame the series isn't very big at all in EU/US compared to what it is in Japan.
  • 0
    Tainted Jun 2, 07
    I'm surprised that James Bond made the list. The only good game based on James Bond was the 64 game Goldeneye 007. I didn't even know the other games did well at all.

    The rest of the list seems pretty fair. I figured Final Fantasy would have been pretty high, and Pokemon and mario were shoe ins.
  • 0
    Kutless Jun 2, 07
    Im glad to see bond up there.
  • 0
    Jeterocks Jun 2, 07
    sounds like a pretty fair list...of course Mario was going to be at the top, not only is it one of the longest video game out, but it is still pushing out new titles to this day
  • 0
    Deis Jun 2, 07
    I think most gamers cut their teeth on Mario. I've still got one of the original game boy cartridgess for it; must be about fifteen years old now.
  • 0
    Cloakblade5 Jun 2, 07
    I love that list, it is perfect.
  • 0
    tornjinx Jun 2, 07
    Wow, i thought LoZ would be at least in the top three, but it is way lower then i thought. But then agian, i figured mario as number one.
  • 0
    Storm* Jun 2, 07
    I can't believe that The Sims is in the top 5. I mean, I did buy a lot of their games, but last I heard the franchise hasn't been doing so well. Ah well, glad to see Mario and FF in the top three.
  • 0
    neto_360 Jun 2, 07
    I am not surprised at the top three. Mario and Pokemon are obviously very popular and so is Final Fantasy. I would have thought that FF would ahve made more money, but still. It is and always will do great in sales.
  • 0
    weskraudaon Jun 2, 07
    I am not surprised with the top 5.James Bond.Not knowing that it selled well.those games were some of the best strategy/action/adventure gamers ever.
  • 0
    draxx23bb Jun 2, 07
    The Sims in the top 5 !!!
  • 0
    weskraudaon Jun 2, 07
    Do you know how many games came out for that franchise.
  • 0
    Aegir Jun 2, 07
    Some of those really surprised me. How the hell did Tomb Raider make the list? =( I think I played one of those games ever. Actually, I think I've only heard of one of those games ever. Silly Lara.
  • 0
    Torterra Jun 3, 07
    Pokemon is better than Mario, but Mario has been around longer. They both deserve to be at the top however. They both make great games!
  • 0
    tidus04 Jun 3, 07
    Mario has been one of the best games since I been alive but nothing compared to Sonic =D
  • 0
    Shiney_Sneasel Jun 3, 07
    id give mario a 10 and pokemon a 10 they both rock
  • 0
    Sungod Okami Jun 4, 07
    Wait... The entire Halo franchise never even got 20 million sales? What? You gotta be shittin' me.

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