These Are the 10 Top-Selling Third-Party Console Games of the Last Two Decades
If you were to think of two of the biggest franchises of the industry over the past couple of decades, you’d likely think of Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto, right? And for good reason. The NPD Group has just revealed the top 10 best-selling third-party games across all PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms for the past 20 years in the USA, not just the most recent generations, and these two popular franchises find themselves at the top of the list.
Mat Piscatella of the NPD Group published single lists for the PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms, as well as one overall list. The information dates back to 1995 when the company began tracking this data and is based on total dollar sales. It’s worth noting that while the physical tracking of game purchases began in 1995, digital sales only began being tracked in 2012. With the exception of Rock Band and Grand Theft Auto V, Call of Duty takes up the entire list of third-party games. You can check out the top ten lists from all platforms below.
The Top 10 Third-Party Games Across All Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox Platforms
1) Grand Theft Auto V
2) Call of Duty: Black Ops
3) Call of Duty: Black Ops II
4) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
5) Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
6) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
7) Rock Band
8) Call of Duty: Black Ops III
9) Call of Duty: Ghosts
10) Call of Duty: WWII
The Top 10 Third-Party Games Across All Nintendo Platforms
1) Guitar Hero World Tour
2) Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
3) Just Dance 2
4) Just Dance 3
5) Mario and Sonic: Olympic Games
6) LEGO Star Wars: Complete Saga
7) Rock Band
8) Just Dance 4
9) Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
10) Rock Band 2
The Top 10 Third-Party Games Across All PlayStation Platforms
1) GTA V
2) Guitar Hero III Legends of Rock
3) Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
4) Call of Duty: Black Ops
5) Call of Duty: Black Ops II
6) Red Dead Redemption II
7) Call of Duty: WWII
8) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
9) Call of Duty: Black Ops III
10) Call of Duty: Black Ops IIII
The Top 10 Third-Party Games Across All Xbox Platforms
1) GTA V
2) Call of Duty: Black Ops
3) Call of Duty: Black Ops II
4) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
5) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
6) Call of Duty: Ghosts
7) Call of Duty: Black Ops III
8) Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
9) Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
10) Call of Duty: WWII
Were there any surprises on any of the lists? Are you shocked to see that COD has such a cult following? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to keep it locked for all of the latest gaming news!