The Top-Selling Video Games of 2022 (So Far)

Key Points

• Widely anticipated by fans, Elden Ring, has certainly lived up to the hype. Viewers were delighted with the world created by George R.R. Martin and Hidetaka Miyazaki and suitably impressed with its scope of adventure. By the second quarter of the year, the game had sold 14 million copies, a number which has most certainly risen at present.
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe still has it takes to trump newer releases as evidenced by its primacy over Madden NFL 2022 — a sign it’s still going strong even 8 years after its release. Will Nintendo yield to the demands of an avid fanbase for a sequel? Only time will tell.
• Call of Duty: Vanguard’s presence on this list is somewhat controversial. That said, figures never lie. It’s ability to continue to sell strongly nine months after its release is nothing short of impressive.

Video game lovers know all the fun that can be had by playing one of the top-selling video games of 2022.

By engaging with something that millions of others have played, you’re allowing yourself to be a part of the conversation. You’re also taking part in a pop culture staple of the moment. You’ll be able to say you played it (and you’ll be able to engage with the next entry in the franchise, too).

From the latest in a long-running series of games to something totally new and exciting, these 2022 bestsellers represent a wide range of different tastes and styles. Sports games, first-person shooters, racing, fantasy… practically every genre, every console, and every age range is represented here. Let’s dive into the top-selling video games of 2022 (so far) below.

10. emMadden NFL 2022/em

Madden NFL 22 - Xbox One

$12.94

• Madden NFL 22 is where gameday happens.
• All-new features in Franchise include staff management, an enhanced seasons engine, and weekly strategy.
• Share avatar progress and player class between Face of The Franchise and The Yard.
• For the first time ever in Ultimate Team, adjust Superstar X-Factors at halftime

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12/01/2023 10:41 am GMT

The latest installment in a decades-long franchise, ememMadden NFL 2022/em/em just barely makes the cut as one of the top-selling video games of 2022 (so far). The game features a cover with NFL quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), and Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) on the front—the game series’s first dual cover since 2009. emMadden NFL 2022/em is the 33rd game in this long-running series, which means that its inclusion on the bestsellers of the year is practically a guarantee.

Reviews of new Madden games are almost always mixed, and the 2022 edition is no exception. Players and critics alike have taken issue with the game’s wonky mechanics, its very few new additions between the previous edition and this one, and its relatively underwhelming gameplay as a whole. Still, as long as there are new Madden games made, you can be certain it’s going to sell well.

Get yours on Amazon here for Xbox One.

9. emMario Kart 8/em

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo Switch)

$50.81

• With Nintendo Switch, fans can enjoy the definitive version of Mario Kart 8 anywhere, anytime
• The Mario Kart you know and love, with many new features; Enjoy Mario Kart alone or with friends, anytime, anywhere, with anyone; Supports 2 players in Handheld mode, 4 players on one TV and 12-player...
• 5 exclusive new characters join the tournament, including Inkling Boy and Inkling Girl; 4 exclusive new multiplayer Battle Modes including Balloon Battle and Bob-omb Blast; 48 Tracks; 40+ Racers; It's...
• Compatible with the Nintendo Switch only
• EU version

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12/01/2023 10:56 am GMT

It’s a true testament to the lasting appeal of the Mario Kart franchise that this eighth installment is still selling so well after all these years. It’s been eight years—close to a decade!—since emMario Kart 8/em was released for the Wii U, and people are still buying it like it just came out last week.

It even comes out ahead of Madden NFL 2022, a game released just last summer. It makes sense, though: it’s fun, family-friendly, a true staple of the console, and it’s super easy to get the hang of.

Not to mention, Mario Kart 8 continues to make updates to the game by adding bundles of new tracks regularly. This release strategy is expected to continue into 2023, making emMario Kart 8/em‘s place on the 2022 bestsellers unlikely to move much going forward.

While fans are clamoring for a new edition of the incredibly successful game, Nintendo is probably taking their sweet time knowing this eighth installment is still doing just fine.

Get it on Amazon for Nintendo Switch here.

8. emKirby and the Forgotten Land/em

Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch

$59.89

• Delightfully unforgettable 3D platformer
• Explore Kirby's mysterious world of abandoned structures from long-gone civilizations
• Attack and explore with new abilities such as Drill and Ranger
• Inhale and transform real-world objects using the new Mouthful Mode
• Play as Bandana Waddle Dee in multiplayer mode

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12/02/2023 06:35 pm GMT

Thirteen mainline entries to the Kirby franchise thus far, and Kirby fans still continue to show up for the latest installments. That’s exactly what emKirby and the Forgotten Land/em is: the newest Kirby game (and one of the most highly rated entries in the series to date).

The first of the mainline entries to be done in full 3D animation, emthe Forgotten Land/em is a serious hit among both Kirby fanatics and newbies to the franchise.

Selling 2.1 million units in its first two weeks and continuing to sell many millions in the months that have followed, the success of emKirby and the Forgotten Land/em practically guarantees future Kirby installments will continue to come down the pipeline in the years to come. It makes sense: Kirby‘s an appealing lead and Kirby games are pretty simple for even the most inexperienced gamers to get the hang of.

Find it for the Switch on Amazon here.

7. emGran Turismo 7/em

Gran Turismo 7 25th Anniversary Edition - PS5 Disc & PS4 Entitlement

$105.54

• With the return of classic cars, iconic tracks, and fan-favourite modes like GT Simulation* and Sport Mode* – Gran Turismo 7 is the complete Real Driving Simulator, 25 years in the making.
• Find your line. Whether you’re a racer, collector, tuner, designer, photographer or arcade fan – immerse yourself in the facets of automotive culture that matter most to you.
• Connect and compete. Join an international community of drivers to share race strategies, tuning tips, livery designs and photos, before taking to the track to go head-to-head.
• PS4 version and additional content delivered as voucher codes. Account for PlayStation Network and Internet Connection Required for Code redemption.

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12/01/2023 07:11 am GMT

Given the fact that it’s been nearly ten years since the release of Gran Turismo 6 in 2013, it only makes sense that this highly anticipated mainline installment in the long-running Gran Turismo series would sell so remarkably well. (Its great graphics and appealing gameplay help, too). With this seventh installment, emGran Turismo/em set a new franchise record for first-month sales.

While some users took issue with the number of microtransactions in the game, this is an issue more indicative of the entire video game industry as a whole than specifically a problem with emGran Turismo 7/em.

Critics give a better picture of the excellence of this latest Gran Turismo entry. They praised the cutting-edge visuals, its wide range of tasks to complete, and its overall unique approach to a tried-and-true genre.

Find it on Amazon here.

6. emCall of Duty: Vanguard/em

Call Of Duty: Vanguard (Xbox Series X) (Xbox Series X)

$26.47

• Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X version of game

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12/02/2023 07:46 pm GMT

Nine months since its release and emCall of Duty: Vanguard/em is still selling better than games that came out far more recently. That’s the Call of Duty franchise in a nutshell for you, though: No matter how many gripes fans and critics might have with the latest version of the ever-popular series, they’re still going to show up for the new one every time.

Even in spite of continuing to show up on the 2022 bestsellers list, emCall of Duty: Vanguard/em was seen as a relative disappointment. That goes for both sales and gameplay alike. From historical inaccuracies to a lack of innovative new features and all-around poorer numbers compared to previous editions, emVanguard/em shows that the Call of Duty franchise needs to bring something better to the table next time if they want to continue to be successful.

Find it on Amazon for Xbox Series X here and for PS5 here.

5. emMLB: The Show 22/em

Microsoft MLB The Show 22 for Xbox Series X

$13.55

• Imported: North America

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12/01/2023 11:47 am GMT

Like Madden, a new installment in the emMLB: The Show/em franchise is practically a guarantee with each new year. This year is no exception, with the release of emMLB: The Show 22/em placing the game here at the number five spot so far.

As number seventeen in this decades-old franchise, both gamers and critics were happy to see The Show expand and improve upon classic modes this time around.

Some of The Show‘s great sales figures might be due to the fact that, for the first time in the franchise’s history, the game is available on the Nintendo Switch. This opens up the franchise to a whole new type of gamer and a whole new generation of players, allowing for future installments of the game to sell even better with the addition of these new fans.

Find it on Amazon for Xbox Series X here and for PS4 here.

4. Horizon II: Forbidden West

Five years after Horizon Zero Dawn‘s release, PlayStation gamers finally got the game they’ve long been waiting for: Horizon II: Forbidden West.

Released in Q1 of 2022, the PlayStation exclusive immediately shot to the top of the charts and has managed to stay there for much of the year. With a larger map and overall improvements to the first game, this 2022 bestseller certainly earned its spot.

Being a PlayStation exclusive, it’s impressive that Horizon II‘s sales are so much higher than many games available on the full range of platforms. It really speaks to the kind of fans attached to this newer franchise: the first game was beloved, and this follow-up seems to be just as great. Plus, with its inclusion in the PlayStation 5’s line of games, it surely brought in a whole new batch of fans-in-the-making.

3. emPokémon Legends: Arceus/em

Pokémon Legends: Arceus - Nintendo Switch

$54.90

• Action meets RPG in this new take on the Pokémon series
• Study Pokémon behaviors, sneak up on them, and toss a well-aimed Poké Ball to catch them
• Unleash moves in the speedy agile style or the powerful strong style in battles
• Travel to the Hisui region—the Sinnoh of old—and build the region’s first Pokédex
• Learn about the Mythical Pokémon Arceus, the key to this mysterious tale

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12/01/2023 02:36 pm GMT

As a prequel to one of the most popular Pokémon games of all time—Pokémon Diamond and Pearl—it’s not a total shock to see just how successful emPokémon Legends: Arceus/em has been in 2022 thus far.

Part of this current eighth generation of the Pokémon franchise, Arceus takes players back in time to the early days of the colonization of Japan and tasks them with—you guessed it—catching all the Pokémon in the region.

With over 12 million copies sold so far (and those numbers are likely to continue to grow as Black Friday and the holiday season get closer), emArceus/em is a worthy entry here in this number three spot on the top-selling video games of 2022. Pokémon will likely always be popular, and emArceus/em validates that fact.

Get it on Amazon here.

2. emLEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga/em

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga - Standard Edition - Xbox Series X & Xbox One

$14.50

• The galaxy is yours with Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga; Play all nine saga films and experience fun filled adventure in a galaxy far, far away
• Play through all 9 films in a new, fun filled adventure
• The Skywalker saga

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12/01/2023 09:46 am GMT

Bringing together all nine main entries in the Star Wars franchise and giving them the complete LEGO treatment, emLEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga/em taps into that LEGO mania that used to dominate the video game world back in the 2000s and early 2010s. From LEGO Harry Potter to LEGO Indiana Jones, LEGO Lord of the Rings, and LEGO Incredibles, the LEGO video game franchise has always seen great numbers. This new installment continues that trend.

Highly anticipated due to its size, its scope, and its many delays, emLEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga/em sold so well for many possible reasons. There was hype, to be sure, but there were also a number of nostalgic gamers who grew up on earlier installments of this game and wished to dive back in and feed their inner child.

Plus, there’s a whole new generation of kids and adults who felt like now was the perfect time to jump into the world of LEGO Star Wars. No matter the reason, though, these sales figures mean more LEGO games are likely in the future.

Find it on Amazon for Xbox Series X and Xbox One here, for Nintendo Switch here, and PS4 here.

1. emElden Ring/em

Best RPG

Elden Ring – PlayStation 5

$39.97

• Set in a mysterious, perilous world
• Traverse a stunning world on foot or horseback
• Create your character, and define their play style
• Experiment with a range of weapons, skills
• Decide how to explore or combat enemies

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12/01/2023 12:36 pm GMT

Last but not least is emElden Ring/em. Is there any surprise here?

This game dominated much of the conversation in 2022. It only makes sense to see it at the very top of the list. Made with the help of fantasy legend, George R.R. Martin, emElden Ring/em is a bona fide smash hit made in the same spirit as another popular game, Dark Souls.

As of the end of Q2 2022, emElden Ring/em had sold close to 14 million copies. As we near the close of Q3, those numbers are probably much higher. It’s currently number one on the list of the top-selling video games of 2022 (so far, of course). It wouldn’t be surprising to see it remain there at the year’s end.

Get yours on Amazon for PS5 here, for PS4 here, and for Xbox One here.

Where to Buy the Top Selling Video Games of 2022

Thankfully, because these games are so popular, you aren’t going to have a hard time getting your hands on a copy of any one of them. These 2022 bestsellers are likely to be found at several different places both in-store and online, giving you a whole range of sellers to choose from. But, which of these is best? Let’s outline a few of them.

2022 Bestsellers from Online Retailers

First and foremost, when it comes to video games, online retailers are never going to let you down.

Not only do all the big names carry these video games—Amazon, Best Buy, New Egg, Target, Walmart, and the rest—they often run great deals on them, too. From percent discounts to buy-one-get-one sales and everything in between, online retailers are a great place to get a new copy of one of the 2022 bestsellers. Consoles and PCs connected to the Internet will also have the games for sale in their online stores.

Purchasing from Online Resellers

If you’re okay with playing a used game, then online resellers can also prove to be a great place to find the bestsellers of 2022.

Due to the popularity of these games, there are always quite a few people trying to get rid of the copy they don’t need anymore. From Mercari to eBay to Facebook Marketplace, these online resellers give you the ability to buy a gently used version of the latest and greatest games at a cheaper price.

Top-Selling Video Games in Stores

The third place you can find 2022 bestsellers is in-store. Truth be told, this could be a big box store or a reseller. Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and the like will give you the occasional discount on the full price, while GameStop and other resellers will give you a slightly cheaper price on a used version. Either way, venturing in-store and leaving the online retailers behind might end up rewarding you with a better deal.

What to Know Before Buying a 2022 Bestseller

Before you buy one of the bestsellers of 2022, you should know a thing or two first.

To begin with, these games are so popular for one of several reasons: they’re accessible, fun, and are usually pretty simple to get the hang of. Whatever it may be, know that the popularity of these games has a direct correlation with how generally entertaining they are. If you’re someone who likes a little challenge or prefers something a little more niche, you might not find that on this list.

Another important thing to know before buying one of the 2022 bestsellers is that you might be entering into a game series you don’t know much about. This won’t be an issue with the latest Call of Duty, Madden, or MLB: The Show, of course, but for others that come as part of a franchise, you might need to do a little research on the events of the series thus far so that you don’t get lost. Apart from simply googling a game guide, try looking on YouTube for an explainer video or asking a friend who has played previous entries in the series.

Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that some of the top-selling video games of 2022 are exclusive to certain consoles. What’s more, some of those consoles are of the latest generation. Before you buy, you need to make sure you have the proper console, the proper setup, and the proper controllers to play. Look on the back of the case, down at the bottom of the cover, and you should see a rundown of what you need.

Game on!

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