Regardless of its quality, GTA 6 is going to make a big splash when it lands on November 19. It’s expected to wreak havoc on workplaces that week, with some businesses even planning to shut down operations to allow workers and customers to play it.
The game is already under fire for its pre-order fiasco, as the most expensive version of the game is being accused of locking basic in-game features behind a paywall. Despite all of this, it’s pretty much guaranteed that the game will sell well, even if physical copies don’t come with a disc in the box. It’s all very exciting, but what we’re most excited to see is if GTA 6 has the power to become the best-selling video game of all-time.
The Numbers Game
When you look at the best-selling video games of all time, you’ll quickly see that Rockstar Games has done quite well for itself:
| Rank | Game | Sales (in millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (split) | Tetris | 520 |
| 1 (split) | Minecraft | 400 |
| 2 | Grand Theft Auto V | 230 |
| 3 | Red Dead Redemption 2 | 85 |
| 4 | Wii Sports | 82.9 |
| 5 | Mario Kart 8 / Deluxe | 79.54 |
| 6 | PUBG: Battlegrounds | 75 |
| 7 | Terraria | 70 |
| 8 | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 65 |
Red Dead Redemption 2 is the third best-selling game ever made, followed by Grand Theft Auto V in second place. Both games sold 85 million and 230 million copies, respectively. At the top of the pecking order though, is a unique tie. Minecraft and Tetris both share the spot as the best-selling games ever made, with Minecraft selling 400 million copies, whereas Tetris has sold a staggering 520 million.
The Platform Problem
That’s quite a record to beat, and it’s easy to see why this duo have dominated the charts for so long. You can play them on just about any system imaginable, from your PlayStation 5 Pro to your mobile phone.
GTA VI could, in theory, knock these titles off their shared pedestal, but it’s not going to be easy. Since both consoles launched, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S have sold around 95 million and 35 million units, respectively. That equals just less than 130 million potential console players, which mathematically would be nowhere near the right amount to compete with Minecraft and Tetris.
The Long Game
With any luck though, GTA VI‘s PC port should launch relatively soon after consoles, potentially early in 2027. Millions of PC users are waiting for this port, so that’ll hopefully bolster that figure nicely.
Then, there’ll undoubtedly be a next-gen version when Xbox Project Helix and the PlayStation 6 inevitably launch. If this version of the game is as new as GTA V was when it launched on Xbox One/PlayStation 4, this will sell nicely as well.
It could go down to the wire, but given the sheer amount of hype surrounding GTA VI, it could happen. Pre-orders alone have reportedly exceeded 39 million copies, generating over $3 billion. Analysts have projected lifetime sales as high as 150 million copies — a figure that would make it the third best-selling game of all time, behind Tetris and Minecraft, but still a long way from the 400-520 million mark.
Other analysts have suggested that GTA VI could sell 40 million copies in its first year. That would be a phenomenal launch for any game, but it would still leave GTA VI a long way behind the all-time greats.
The Take-Two Advantage
Take-Two Interactive has already shown it knows how to keep a game selling for over a decade. GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 have continued to move millions of units annually through multiple console generations, re-releases, and deep discounts.
GTA VI will likely follow the same trajectory. With a massive open world, a constantly evolving online mode, and Rockstar’s commitment to post-launch support, the game could continue to sell well into the 2030s — and potentially beyond.
Also, Read
- PlayStation 6 Confirmed As Digital-Only Is Made Worse By GTA 6’s $80 Price Tag
- GTA 6 Teases The 2026 Return Of A Popular San Andreas Feature
- GTA 6 60 FPS Limitations Fuel Desires For Day-One PC Port
The Verdict
Unfortunately, Minecraft and Tetris have an incredible lead due to how many platforms they’ve been sold on. But if any game could go head-to-head with the industry’s best-sellers, it’d have to be the next Grand Theft Auto.
Whether GTA VI can actually dethrone the kings of gaming remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: it will be the biggest entertainment launch of 2026, and its impact on the industry will be felt for years to come.
Grand Theft Auto VI will be released on 19 November 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The PC port is yet to be announced.