Market research companyThe NPD Group has revealedthe official list of the best selling games of the last decade. The list is unlikely to surprise you as it’s chock full of familiar big-name titles.
The data includes games from all platforms including PlayStation, Xbox, PC and Nintendo too. It’s based on US sales but is likely to represent worldwide popularity too.
As you might expect, the list of the top 20 best selling games from 2010 to 2019 is heavily dominated byCall of Duty. So much so in fact that it led our resident games expert and senior editor Rik Henderson to comment that it has “more COD than the sea around Norway”:
1. Grand Theft Auto V
Topping off the list isGTA V- which was revealed a short while ago to be the “best-selling entertainment product in history” across any medium and evenbroke records years before. It’s also still incredibly popular now in 2020.Steam data showsthat it’s in the top 10 most played games on a regular (daily) basis.
2. Call of Duty: Black Ops
The originalCall of Duty: Black Opsreleased way back in 2010 and yet is second on the list of top selling games of the last decade. Showing just how popular the COD franchise is. At the time of reviewing it, we thought Black Ops was a must-by on the basis of the multiplayer alone. Even if it wasn’t the best FPS game to be released that year.
3. Call of Duty: Black Ops II
With the original Black Ops game coming in at number two, it’s no surprise to see the second outing in that series appearing in the third spot. Releasing two years after the first,Black Ops IIbought more of what we (and the people) love to the franchise, including more zombies.
4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Despite being released a year earlier than Black Ops II and being “best Call of Duty game yet” with a design that would even make Michael Bay jealous,Modern Warfare 3only managed to come fourth in this list.
Still, it was another gaming classic from Infinity Ward and a welcome update to the tried and tested franchise.
5. Call of Duty: Black Ops III
At this point in the list, it starts to look like Treyarch has been more successful with COD than the original studio. In 2015,Call of Duty: Black Ops IIIdropped to the happiness of the fans.
We thought it was another nice addition to the franchise with a story that tried a bit too hard at times but still managed to shine. Of course, zombies were still more than welcome and kept things entertaining.
6. Call of Duty: Ghosts
Call of Duty: Ghostswas perhaps one of the most bonkers games in the franchise - especially with the outing into space. Yet it managed to still remain popular and keep fans coming back for more.
The campaign had a big blockbuster feel to it and was certainly engaging, the rest of the game just gave us even more to keep things interesting.
The more recentRed Dead Redemption 2is on the list too, which makes a nice refreshing change from all the Call of Duty hogging the majority of the top 10. Another game that was released a few years back, it’s still doing well thanks to the addition ofthe PC version.
8. Call of Duty: WWII
In 2017, Call of Duty went back to its roots and saw players battling it out in the heart of Europe. A breath-taking experience with a gripping story, topped off with a hardcore, fast-paced multiplayer too.
9. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4was a bit of an oddity being the first game in the franchise to release without a traditional single-player campaign. It did, however, have the classic multiplayer setup that people loved.
10. Minecraft
Minecraft has seen plenty of iterations over the years, so it’s no real surprise to see it on the list of the top-selling games. It’s loved by gamers worldwide and has been used tocreate all sorts of wonderful digital works of art. It’s also a solid favourite with us and appears onour list of the best Xbox games to own.
