Quick answer: No single game can be proven the “best ever”, but Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) has a strong claim on sales and longevity. Rockstar Games released it in September 2013, and by August 2026 its publisher Take-Two Interactive reported more than 230 million copies sold-in worldwide, making it the second-best-selling video game after Minecraft (and Tetris, if all its versions are counted together). Critics also rank it among the greatest games of its era, although it has faced criticism over its violence and its portrayal of women.
GTA 5 at a glance
- Developer and publisher: developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games, part of Take-Two Interactive.
- First release: 17 September 2013 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
- Later versions: PlayStation 4 and Xbox One (18 November 2014), Windows PC (14 April 2015), and PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S (15 March 2022).
- Setting: the fictional state of San Andreas, built around the city of Los Santos (based on Los Angeles).
- Online mode: Grand Theft Auto Online, launched on 1 October 2013.
- Age rating: rated for adults in most regions (for example 18+ under PEGI in Europe) because of its violence, language and adult themes.
How well has GTA 5 sold?
This article was first written in 2018, about five years after launch, when GTA 5 was still selling strongly. At that time reported sales stood at about 90 million copies, and many expected it to reach 100 million by the end of the year. It did: by July 2018 the game had sold close to 100 million copies, and by July 2021 it had shipped more than 150 million.
The latest official figures are much higher:
- Launch records: GTA 5 earned more than US$800 million in its first day and passed US$1 billion in three days, which made it the fastest-selling entertainment product in history at the time. Guinness World Records recognised seven sales records in October 2013.
- Lifetime sales: Take-Two reported more than 225 million copies sold-in by February 2026, and more than 230 million in its August 2026 results. “Sold-in” means copies shipped or sold to retailers and digital stores, not just copies bought by players.
- Revenue: industry reports estimate its lifetime revenue at more than US$10 billion, which places it among the most profitable entertainment products ever made.
The only games generally reported to have sold more are Minecraft, which passed 300 million copies in October 2023 according to Forbes, and Tetris, whose total depends on counting every version released since 1988 as one game. An earlier version of this article gave figures of 170 million for Tetris and 144 million for Minecraft; those were 2018 numbers and are now well out of date.
The old article also said GTA 5 sold 15 million units in 2017 and was the second most popular game of 2016 after a Resident Evil title. We could not confirm either claim from Take-Two’s reports, so they have been removed.
Why GTA 5 kept selling for so long
GTA Online kept the game fresh
Shortly after launch, Rockstar added Grand Theft Auto Online, a shared world where players team up or compete in missions, races, heists and businesses around Los Santos. The launch in October 2013 had connection problems and crashes, which Rockstar patched over the following weeks. Since then Rockstar has kept adding free content updates, so players can join for a few minutes or play for hours, and there is usually something new to do.
Free updates, paid extras
The online updates are free, but players can buy in-game currency (Shark Cards) with real money. This mix of full-game sales and in-game purchases is a large part of why the game’s revenue kept growing years after release. Price drops and bundles have also kept the game easy to buy; some readers look for game offers and coupons before buying, but the official PlayStation, Xbox and PC stores are the safest place to check the current price.
A new version for every console generation
Few games have been sold on three console generations. Rockstar released an improved version for PS4, Xbox One and PC in 2014-15, with a longer draw distance, better textures and a new first-person view, and an “Expanded and Enhanced” version for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2022. When players upgraded their consoles, many bought GTA 5 again. Single-player expansions were planned at one point but were later dropped so the team could focus on GTA Online and Red Dead Redemption 2.
A world people treat as a hangout
For many players GTA 5 is less a game they finish and more a place they return to with friends. In February 2017 The Guardian looked at why people were still buying Grand Theft Auto V years after release, pointing to its online world and to players of very different ages. The open world of Los Santos, the satire of American life, and the side activities (golf, tennis, races, property businesses) give people reasons to stay after the story is done.
Players of all ages, but an adult game
GTA 5 attracts players from teenagers to people in their forties and fifties, many of whom prefer to keep playing a familiar game that keeps updating rather than look for new ones. Parents should note that the game is rated for adults: it contains strong violence, crime, drug use and sexual content, and the online mode includes chat with strangers.
So, is GTA 5 the best game ever made?
On sales, staying power and influence, GTA 5 is one of the strongest candidates:
- It is the second-best-selling video game of all time.
- Critics praised its three-protagonist story, its open world and its presentation, and it won many Game of the Year awards in 2013.
- In 2025 Rolling Stone ranked it the third-best video game, and Edge magazine had earlier rated it among the greatest games of all time.
- According to Circana, it was among the three most-played games on PlayStation in the US in both 2024 and 2025.
Against that, “best” is a matter of taste. Many critics and players would name games such as Minecraft, Tetris, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Rockstar’s own Red Dead Redemption 2. GTA 5 has also been criticised for its graphic violence, including a torture scene, and for how it depicts women, and its multiplayer received mixed reviews at launch. The fairest answer is that GTA 5 is one of the most successful and influential games ever made, rather than the undisputed best.
Its long run is also coming to a turning point. Rockstar’s next game, Grand Theft Auto VI, was scheduled for release on 19 November 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, as Take-Two confirmed in its August 2026 results. Release dates can change, so check Rockstar’s official site for the latest. For other popular titles, see our guide to the best video games available on Amazon or browse more video game articles.
Frequently asked questions
How many copies has GTA 5 sold?
Take-Two Interactive reported in August 2026 that GTA 5 had sold-in more than 230 million copies worldwide across all platforms.
When was GTA 5 released?
GTA 5 first came out on 17 September 2013 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It later came to PS4 and Xbox One (2014), PC (2015), and PS5 and Xbox Series X/S (2022).
Is GTA Online free?
GTA Online comes with GTA 5, and its content updates are free. Players can also buy in-game currency with real money, which is optional. You need the relevant console online subscription (such as PlayStation Plus) to play online on consoles.
Is GTA 5 suitable for children?
No. GTA 5 is rated for adults (PEGI 18 in Europe, M for Mature in North America) because of strong violence, crime and adult content. Parents can check the rating on the box or store page before buying.
When is GTA 6 coming out?
As of Take-Two’s August 2026 results, Grand Theft Auto VI was scheduled for 19 November 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. It had already been delayed twice, so check Rockstar’s announcements for any change.
Figures checked in October 2026 against Take-Two Interactive’s reported results (February and August 2026), the game’s release and sales records, and Guinness World Records, Rolling Stone and Circana reporting.
