Key Takeaways
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- The Call of Duty franchise has dominated the PlayStation market, securing nine spots in the top 20 best-selling games.
- Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto V is the top-performing game on PlayStation, with Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas also ranking high.
- Minecraft and several PlayStation Studios titles, such as Marvels Spider-Man and God of War (2018), have made significant appearances in the top 20 best-selling games.
- When considering dollar revenue, Activisions Call of Duty franchise holds a strong lead, with Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 maintaining their high rankings. Additionally, surprising entries like Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock have generated substantial sales figures.
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Top Sellers on PlayStation Store: Games That Stand the Test of Time
The video game industry is fiercely competitive, with countless titles vying for attention annually. Understanding long-term success requires examining historical performance, particularly for a platform as established as PlayStation.
Mat Piscatella of Circana recently released a list of the top 20 best-selling games on PlayStation in the U.S. This comprehensive analysis covers both physical and digital sales from January 1995 through July 25. Unsurprisingly, Activision’s Call of Duty franchise secures nine positions on this list. Rockstar Games also demonstrates strong performance with Grand Theft Auto V at No. 1, Red Dead Redemption 2 at No. 3, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas at No. 4, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City at No. 7. Minecraft claims the No. 2 spot. Several PlayStation Studios titles also make a notable appearance. Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales rank sixth and twelfth, respectively. Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us follows at thirteenth, with Santa Monica Studio’s God of War (2018) at fifteenth. Bethesda Game Studios’ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is listed at seventeenth place.
Top-Performing PlayStation Games by Dollar Revenue: A Deep Dive into Franchise Dominance and Surprise Hits
Examining sales by dollar revenue reveals a distinct but equally competitive landscape, offering different insights into market performance. In this ranking, Activision’s Call of Duty franchise extends its lead, securing eleven spots overall, including three within the top five and five in the top ten. Rockstar Games maintains a strong presence, with Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 holding steady at numbers one and three. However, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas moves to eighth place, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City lands at twentieth. Minecraft ranks seventh in dollar sales. Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man titles appear at eleventh, eighteenth, and nineteenth. Notably, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, while not a top unit seller, has generated significant revenue. A surprising entry, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, secures tenth place. These robust sales figures, compiled by Mat Piscatella, underscore the strategic importance of franchises like Call of Duty, explaining Microsoft’s substantial investment in acquiring Activision. Similarly, the consistent performance of Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto series fuels anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI, with expectations for a record-breaking launch. For PlayStation Studios, Insomniac Games’ Spider-Man franchise has become a cornerstone, solidifying its value within their portfolio.
In Case You Missed It
If you’re a fan of intricate game design and are curious about how developers strike the perfect balance between challenge and player satisfaction, be sure to check out “Team Cherry Explains: Silksong is Difficult, But Built to Alleviate Frustration” by Sophie Laurent (September 19, 2025). This insightful piece delves into Hollow Knight: Silksong’s design philosophy, highlighting how Team Cherry crafted a game that offers a steep learning curve while ensuring players can approach challenges strategically and at their own pace. Dive deeper into the nuances of this acclaimed title by clicking Team Cherry Explains: Silksong is Difficult, But Built to Alleviate Frustration. For all you Resident Evil fans out there, keep an eye on the upcoming film that promises a fresh take within the franchise’s beloved universe. Sophie Laurent’s latest piece, “New Resident Evil Movie to Feature Original Storyline, Excluding Leon Kennedy, Says Director,” published on September 19th, delves into how director Zach Cregger is crafting an original narrative while maintaining key elements like Umbrella Corporation and the iconic zombie outbreak. With Austin Abrams starring in this standalone adventure set for a September 2026 release, there’s plenty to look forward to! Be sure to read more about it New Resident Evil Movie to Feature Original Storyline, Excluding Leon Kennedy, Says Director. In the midst of a bustling game development landscape, Carlos Mendoza delves into the recent surprise release of Hollow Knight Silksong and its impact on the industry in his latest post from September 18th. As Team Cherry’s highly anticipated title unexpectedly hit shelves on September 4th, it sent ripples through the gaming community, prompting Jonathan Jacques-Belletête, Director of Hell Is Us, to reflect on the challenges of maintaining a steady release schedule amidst such unpredictability. If you’re curious about how sudden releases can reshape marketing strategies and game longevity, make sure to check out “Hollow Knight Silksong’s Surprise Release Hurts Hell Is Us, Game Director Speaks Out” Hollow Knight Silksong’s Surprise Release Hurts Hell Is Us, Game Director Speaks Out.