Best Selling Video Games (So Far)

As the video game industry gets set to show off the games that will dominate the charts in the back half of 2010 and early 2011, what better time to see what has been driving sales for the first half of the year? After a disappointing 2009, software sales are down 11 percent so far this year, according to the most recent numbers from the NPD Group, which tracks game sales. That’s a shortfall of over $500 million. The numbers should begin to rebound in the coming months – but so far, 2010 hasn’t Photo: Activision

As the video game industry gets set to show off the games that will dominate the charts in the back half of 2010 and early 2011, what better time to see what has been driving sales for the first half of the year?



After a disappointing 2009, software sales are down 8 percent so far this year, according to the most recent numbers from the NPD Group, which tracks game sales. That’s a shortfall of over $500 million. The numbers should begin to rebound in the coming months – but so far, 2010 hasn’t been too encouraging.



A look at the top 10 follows, based upon US sales. But with a strong title catalog gearing up for the end of the year, expect a much different list by the end of the year.



By Chris Morris, Special to CNBC.com

Posted 10 June 2010

10. Pokemon HeartGold Version

Publisher: NintendoReleased: March 2010Fourteen years after its launch, the Pokemon franchise is as strong as ever. This version, released simultaneously with the SoulSilver version, comes bundled with a pedometer that ‘holds’ a Pokemon from the game that gets stronger as you carry it with you. Photo: Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo

Released: March 2010



Fourteen years after its launch, the Pokemon franchise is as strong as ever. This version, released simultaneously with the SoulSilver version, comes bundled with a pedometer that ‘holds’ a Pokemon from the game that gets stronger as you carry it with you.

9. Mass Effect 2

Publisher: Electronic ArtsReleased: January 2010The second part of this action role-playing trilogy is among the most favorably reviewed titles on the Xbox 360. Built by developer Bioware, who has a reputation for finely crafted games, the game has sold over 1.6 million copies. Photo: Electronic Arts

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Released: January 2010



The second part of this action role-playing trilogy is among the most favorably reviewed titles on the Xbox 360. Built by developer Bioware, who has a reputation for finely crafted games, the game has sold over 1.6 million copies.

8. Wii Sports Resort

Publisher: NintendoReleased: July 2009“Wii Sports,” which was bundled with the Wii, is now the best selling games of all time, so it makes sense that a sequel would do well. To ensure this title’s success, Nintendo bundled it with an add-on for the Wii controller that results in more precise control. And as of early May, the company included a copy of the game with every new Wii sold. Photo: Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo

Released: July 2009



“Wii Sports,” which was bundled with the Wii, is now the best selling games of all time, so it makes sense that a sequel would do well. To ensure this title’s success, Nintendo bundled it with an add-on for the Wii controller that results in more precise control. And as of early May, the company included a copy of the game with every new Wii sold.

7. Pokemon SoulSilver Version

Publisher: NintendoReleased: March 2010Like the HeartGold version, this Pokemon game is one of the highest rated titles of all time for the Nintendo DS. Worldwide, the pair have sold 8.4 million copies. The only difference between the games, incidentally, is the Pokemon included. Photo: Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo

Released: March 2010



Like the HeartGold version, this Pokemon game is one of the highest rated titles of all time for the Nintendo DS. Worldwide, the pair have sold 8.4 million copies. The only difference between the games, incidentally, is the Pokemon included.

6) God Of War III

Publisher: SonyReleased: March 2010Brutal and bloody, the latest entry in this PlayStation exclusive franchise tells the ongoing tale of Kratos, a Spartan warrior who takes on the Greek gods. This concluding chapter of the game’s first trilogy is arguably the title that best demonstrates the graphical prowess of the PS3. Photo: Sony

Publisher: Sony

Released: March 2010



Brutal and bloody, the latest entry in this PlayStation exclusive franchise tells the ongoing tale of Kratos, a Spartan warrior who takes on the Greek gods. This concluding chapter of the game’s first trilogy is arguably the title that best demonstrates the graphical prowess of the PS3.

5. Wii Fit Plus

Publisher: NintendoReleased: October 2009An enhanced version of 2008’s “Wii Fit,” this fitness video game offers 21 additional activities and games as well as a calorie burning counter. Like its predecessor, it ships with the Wii Fit balance board. It also was recently endorsed by the American Heart Association as a way to helping people take initial steps towards making exercise a part of their daily routine. Photo: Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo

Released: October 2009



An enhanced version of 2008’s “Wii Fit,” this fitness video game offers 21 additional activities and games as well as a calorie burning counter. Like its predecessor, it ships with the Wii Fit balance board. It also was recently endorsed by the American Heart Association as a way to helping people take initial steps towards making exercise a part of their daily routine.

4. Final Fantasy XIII

Publisher: Square EnixReleased: March 2010Long in development, the latest installment in this long-running role-playing series has proven to be its best selling, with over 5.5 million copies selling worldwide. The vast majority of those were sold in Japan, where 1 million copies were grabbed by consumers on its first day. Photo: Square Enix

Publisher: Square Enix

Released: March 2010



Long in development, the latest installment in this long-running role-playing series has proven to be its best selling, with over 5.5 million copies selling worldwide. The vast majority of those were sold in Japan, where 1 million copies were grabbed by consumers on its first day.

3. Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Publisher: Electronic ArtsReleased: March 2010Even EA was a little surprised by the success of this first-person shooter. By mid-May, the game had sold over 4 million copies worldwide and was directly responsible for EA’s higher than expected earnings in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010. Photo: Electronic Arts

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Released: March 2010



Even EA was a little surprised by the success of this first-person shooter. By mid-May, the game had sold over 4 million copies worldwide and was directly responsible for EA’s higher than expected earnings in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.

2. Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Publisher: ActivisionReleased: November 2009Given that it was last year’s best selling game, it’s not too surprising to see “Modern Warfare 2” high on this year’s list. The game has sold over 14 million copies worldwide and is now the third-best selling game of all time in the U.S. Photo: Activision

Publisher: Activision

Released: November 2009



Given that it was last year’s best selling game, it’s not too surprising to see “Modern Warfare 2” high on this year’s list. The game has sold over 14 million copies worldwide and is now the third-best selling game of all time in the U.S.

1. New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Publisher: NintendoReleased: November 2009Some classics never get old. This update of the classic Mario Bros. title for the industry’s best selling console was the first to let players play together. It has sold 14.7 million copies worldwide and is the Wii’s second-best selling Mario title (behind “Mario Kart”). Photo: Nintendo