Red Dead Redemption 2 Becomes Third Best-Selling Game of All Time, Overtaking Wii Sports

Overview

Red Dead Redemption 2 has overtaken Wii Sports to become the third best-selling video game of all time. Rockstar Games' critically acclaimed open-world western, originally released in October 2018, has maintained impressive sales momentum across console and PC platforms over nearly eight years.

The Milestone

The milestone puts RDR2 behind only a handful of titles in all-time sales figures. Wii Sports, which benefited from being bundled with the Nintendo Wii console, had long held a position in the top tier of best-selling games worldwide — making RDR2's surpassing of it a significant achievement for a premium, narrative-driven title sold at full price.

What Drove Long-Term Sales

Red Dead Redemption 2's longevity in sales can be attributed to a combination of factors: a staggered PC release in November 2019 that opened a new market, repeated inclusion in subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, regular deep discounts, and strong word-of-mouth for its expansive world and narrative depth. The game's online component, Red Dead Online, also contributed additional engagement over the years.

Take-Two and GTA 6 Context

The news comes as Take-Two CEO recently reaffirmed that GTA 6 remains on track for its summer 2026 release window. The milestone reinforces Rockstar's standing as a developer capable of producing titles with both critical prestige and enduring commercial appeal.