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PlayStation's Top 20 Best-Sellers: Seven Franchises Dominate All-Time

Last Updated: October 20, 2025

A collage of PlayStation game covers featuring titles from Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, God of War, Marvel's Spider-Man, Gran Turismo, Madden NFL, and Guitar Hero.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the PlayStation's US launch, leading data analytics firm Circana has unveiled a definitive list of the top 20 best-selling games on PlayStation platforms of all time. The report, covering sales from January 1995 to July 2025, provides a stunning snapshot of three decades of gaming history, revealing that an exclusive club of just seven powerful franchises occupies every single spot on the list.

This remarkable concentration of sales highlights the unparalleled power of established brands and the enduring loyalty of the PlayStation fanbase. While countless titles have been released over the years, this data proves that a handful of titans have defined the platform's commercial success.

Here is the complete list of the top 20 all-time best-selling games on PlayStation platforms in the United States, according to Circana:

  1. Grand Theft Auto V
  2. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
  3. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
  4. Grand Theft Auto III
  5. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
  6. Call of Duty: Black Ops
  7. Call of Duty: Black Ops II
  8. Marvel's Spider-Man
  9. God of War (2018)
  10. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
  11. God of War Ragnarök
  12. Madden NFL 07
  13. Madden NFL 06
  14. Madden NFL 08
  15. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
  16. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
  17. Gran Turismo 2
  18. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
  19. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
  20. Gran Turismo

Analysis: A Tale of Seven Titans

Instead of a diverse mix of one-off hits, the list is a testament to consistent quality and brand management. Let's break down the franchises that have conquered the PlayStation sales charts.

Grand Theft Auto: The Undisputed King

Rockstar Games' complete and utter dominance of the top four positions is staggering. The cultural phenomenon of the PlayStation 2 era is on full display with GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas lining up behind the unstoppable juggernaut that is Grand Theft Auto V. The continued success of GTA V across three console generations cements its legacy as not just a PlayStation icon, but one of the most successful entertainment products of all time.

Call of Duty: The FPS Behemoth

With five entries on the list, Activision's premier shooter franchise demonstrates unparalleled consistency. Spanning multiple sub-series and console generations—from 2009's Modern Warfare 2 and the classic Black Ops titles to the modern reboots—Call of Duty has remained a cornerstone of the multiplayer gaming scene. Its reliable presence underscores the enduring appeal of the first-person shooter genre and the franchise’s ability to retain a massive, dedicated player base year after year.

Sony's First-Party Powerhouses: God of War, Spider-Man, and Gran Turismo

Sony's own studios make a powerful statement, proving the immense value of platform-exclusive IP. The cinematic storytelling of God of War (2018) and its sequel, Ragnarök, resonated deeply with players, earning both critical acclaim and massive commercial success. Similarly, Insomniac's Marvel's Spider-Man and its spin-off, Miles Morales, captured the hearts of fans, showcasing the power of a beloved license handled with expert care.

Finally, the legendary Gran Turismo series, a PlayStation staple since the very beginning, holds three spots. Its presence with the original, Gran Turismo 2, and Gran Turismo 3 highlights its foundational role in establishing the PlayStation as the home for realistic racing simulators.

The Annual Sports Dynasty: Madden NFL

The inclusion of three consecutive Madden NFL titles from the mid-2000s showcases the immense power of the annual sports genre. During the peak of the PlayStation 2's popularity, EA's football simulation was an essential yearly purchase for millions, a tradition that secured its place in sales history.

A Cultural Time Capsule: Guitar Hero

Perhaps the most fascinating entry is Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock at number 10. Its position on an all-time list is a powerful reminder of the period when the rhythm game genre, with its plastic instrument peripherals, exploded into a mainstream cultural phenomenon. It stands as a unique monument to a different era of gaming, one that dominated living rooms before fading from the spotlight.

Lessons from the List

Circana's data offers more than just a nostalgic look back; it provides a clear lesson on what drives long-term success in the console market. Brand loyalty, consistent quality, and the ability to create entire universes that players want to return to are the keys to the kingdom. While new IP will always be the lifeblood of the industry, this list proves that building a legacy franchise is what carves a name into the annals of gaming history. For any new game hoping to one day crack this list, the bar has been set incredibly high by these seven undisputed titans of PlayStation.