Celebrating 30 Years of PlayStation with Blockbuster Sales Data
On September 9, 1995, Sony launched the original PlayStation in North America, nine months after its debut in Japan. Over three decades, the PlayStation brand has grown into a cornerstone of the gaming industry, with the PlayStation 2 becoming the best-selling console of all time and its various platforms offering gamers countless hours in iconic titles. To mark this significant milestone, analytics firm Circana has released fascinating new statistics on the most successful PlayStation games in US history, revealing both expected titans and a few surprising entries.
The All-Time PlayStation Blockbusters
The undisputed champion across both copies sold and revenue generated is Grand Theft Auto V, whose enduring popularity continues to deliver impressive figures year after year. Minecraft secures the second spot for copies sold, with Red Dead Redemption II rounding out the top three. The top ten also features other beloved titles such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, both Marvel’s Spider-Man games, The Last of Us, 2018’s God of War, and the ever-present The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Unsurprisingly, the Call of Duty series dominates the charts. Games from the franchise appear nine times in the top 20 by copies sold and an astonishing eleven times in the top 20 by revenue. Notable entries include the rebooted Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and even newer releases like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Interestingly, the lists for copies sold and revenue generated show some key differences. For example, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock didn't make the top sales list but soared into the top ten for revenue, thanks to its higher price point and the music game craze of its era. Similarly, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, while not on the copies sold list, holds a strong position among the highest-earning projects.
Top 20 Best-Selling PlayStation Games by Copies Sold (All Platforms, US)
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Minecraft
- Red Dead Redemption II
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
- Marvel’s Spider-Man
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
- Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- The Last of Us
- God of War (2018)
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Call of Duty: Black Ops
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II
- Call of Duty: WWII
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Top 20 Best-Selling PlayStation Games by Revenue (All Platforms, US)
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
- Red Dead Redemption II
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
- Minecraft
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
- Marvel’s Spider-Man
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II
- Call of Duty: Black Ops
- Call of Duty: WWII
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
A Look Back: The Original PlayStation's Top Performers
Circana also compiled data for the most successful games on the original PlayStation in the US. The first PlayStation is now over 30 years old, and it hosted a multitude of legendary games. It was the console that launched Sony into the console market after its split with Nintendo, and it has maintained a strong presence ever since.
Because the PS1 era predated the rise of Call of Duty, Battlefield, and battle royale games, the market was far more diverse. The leaders included racing games, sports simulations, platformers, and role-playing games. For many, this was a golden age when developers actively experimented with 3D graphics. For some, the risk paid off spectacularly, as seen with Gran Turismo or Final Fantasy VII, while others, like Bubsy 3D, never quite found widespread acclaim. Games for the first PlayStation continued to be released in North America until 2004, giving players almost a decade to build their collection of hits.
Top 20 Best-Selling PS1 Games by Copies Sold (US)
- Gran Turismo 2
- Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
- Gran Turismo
- Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped
- Jampack Series: PlayStation
- Frogger (1997)
- Spyro The Dragon
- Crash Bandicoot
- Tekken 3
- Driver
- Final Fantasy VII
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
- Metal Gear Solid
- Namco Museum: Vol. 3
- CTR: Crash Team Racing
- WWE Warzone
- Driver 2
- Final Fantasy VIII
- Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage
Top 20 Best-Selling PS1 Games by Revenue (US)
- Gran Turismo
- Final Fantasy VII
- Gran Turismo 2
- Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped
- Tekken 3
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
- Metal Gear Solid
- Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
- Driver
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
- Resident Evil 2
- Spyro The Dragon
- Final Fantasy VIII
- Crash Bandicoot
- Frogger (1997)
- Tomb Raider 2
- WWE Warzone
- Driver 2
- Resident Evil
- CTR: Crash Team Racing
What These Lists Tell Us
These comprehensive lists from Circana offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of player preferences and the enduring power of certain franchises over PlayStation’s three-decade history. While modern lists show a clear dominance of massive open-world titles and perennial shooters, the PS1 era highlights a vibrant diversity of genres. It's clear that whether it's the cinematic narratives of today or the innovative 3D worlds of yesterday, PlayStation has consistently delivered experiences that resonate deeply with players worldwide. These sales figures underscore the console's incredible legacy and its continued impact on the gaming landscape.
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