The top 10 best-selling video games showcase a blend of innovation, storytelling, and gameplay that resonates with gamers across the globe.
In 2023, the gaming industry continues to captivate audiences worldwide with a diverse array of immersive experiences.
From high-stakes adventures to competitive multiplayer titles, these games have dominated sales charts, defining the gaming landscape.
As technology advances, these top performers not only push the boundaries of entertainment but also foster a global gaming community.
Explore the virtual realms and interactive narratives that have made these titles the undeniable champions of the gaming industry in 2023.
8. Dead Island 2 – 2 Million+
Dead Island 2 epitomised a game in development hell. Dead Island 2 was first announced at Sony’s E3 2014 media event and will be released in Q2 2015.
However, around the time the game was set to be launched, it was stated that the game had been relocated to a different developer after Yager was ousted as the game’s developer. Dead Island 2’s developers will later switch from Sumo Digital to Dambuster Studios.
The game was showcased at Gamescom 2022, when a release date of 3 February 2023 was revealed.
The game was postponed till 28 April 2023 in November 2022 to allow for additional development time. The release date was pushed up a week to April 21, 2023, in February 2023.
The game garnered “generally favourable” reviews upon release and sold an amazing 1 million units in the first three days. It was stated in May 2023 that the game had sold over 2 million units, with the most recent total being 2.2 million.
7. Street Fighter 6 – 2 Million+
Street Fighter 6 is the seventh main entry in the Street Fighter franchise, and it was published on June 2, 2023 for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S. The game was first revealed on February 21, 2022, with the return of Ryu and Luke hinted.
According to review aggregator Metacritic, “universal acclaim” was bestowed upon the game.
Street Fighter 6 sold over one million sales in the first five days of release, and Capcom announced that the game would sell two million units by July 2023.
While the game is still a long way from Capcom’s president’s goal of 10 million sales, selling two million units in such a short period of time is no easy task.
6. Final Fantasy XVI – 3 Million+
Final Fantasy XVI is the sixteenth main installment in the Final Fantasy series, and it was published for the PlayStation 5 and PC on June 22, 2023. The game’s conceptual development began in 2015, and it will be publicly unveiled in September 2020.
According to review aggregator Metacritic, the game garnered “generally favourable reviews” and sold over 3 million sales in its first week. Square Enix has yet to release sales figures for Final Fantasy XVI following its initial release week.
5. Resident Evil 4 Remake – 5 Million+
Capcom’s announcement of Resident Evil 4 Remake in June 2022 came as a great surprise. The game was announced for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S on March 24, 2023.
It sold four million units in the first two weeks after launch and five million units by July 2023. It was one of the fastest-selling Resident Evil titles in history, according to sales figures.
Indeed, Resident Evil 4 Remake was such a success that it will be released for iPhone and iPad later this year.
4. Starfield – 10 Million+
Starfield’s player counts aren’t comparable to Xbox Game Pass sales, but we thought the game was worth highlighting for its incredible feat.
According to data, Starfield surpassed 2 million players (paying customers) in early access, earning it a spot on our list.
The game was so popular on Xbox Game Pass that Xbox CEO Phil Spencer reported that it had 1 million concurrent players during its initial release.
Bethesda Game Studios’ first new IP in over twenty-five years is Starfield. The game was officially revealed at E3 2018 and will be available on the Xbox Series X|S and PC on September 6, 2023.
3. Diablo IV – 12 Million+
When Diablo IV was launched on June 5, 2023 for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, and PC, it became an instant hit.
The game was first revealed at Blizzcon 2019 and received a new teaser and a performance of “Lilith” by singer Halsey at The Game Awards 2022.
According to review aggregator Metacritic, Diablo IV garnered “generally favourable” reviews for the Windows and PlayStation 5 versions, and “universal acclaim” for the Xbox Series X edition.
Blizzard Entertainment announced on June 6, 2023, that Diablo IV has become the company’s fastest-selling game. The game made nearly $666 million in its first five days of release and was expected to sell 12 million units by August 2023.
2. Hogwarts Legacy – 15 Million+
Despite the Hogwarts Legacy debate and controversy, the game was one of 2023’s best-selling titles.
Despite only being available on current-generation consoles at the time, the game garnered over $1 billion in retail sales. The game was so successful that it was the highest-grossing game in Q1 2023.
Hogwarts Legacy garnered “generally favourable” ratings from review aggregator Metacritic, but was a huge hit with the broader gaming community.
Indeed, current rumours say that Hogwarts Legacy was such a hit that a sequel is already in the works.
1. Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom – 18.5 Million+
The widely anticipated sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) is presently the best-selling game of 2023. The game was originally scheduled to be released in 2022, however it was pushed back to May 2023.
The game sold over 10 million copies in its first three days of release and over 18.51 million copies by June 2023, making it one of the best-selling Nintendo Switch titles.
Tears of the Kingdom got “universal acclaim,” according to review aggregate Metacritic.
