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Best-selling role-playing games

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This is a list of best selling role-playing games, also known as RPG. The following sales figures are derived from official figures from developers and publishers, along with figures derived from analyst firms such as Famitsu, Media Create, NPD and Steam trackers. See the individual franchise articles for more details on the sales figures.

The best-selling RPG franchise of all time is Pokémon, with more than 480 million units sold worldwide, followed by Final Fantasy with over 200 million units sold. Individually, the best-selling RPG of all time is Pokémon Red/Green/Blue/Yellow with more than 70 million units sold worldwide.

Best-sellers[]

Best-selling franchises[]

This list only includes franchises that sold at least 5 million units.

No. Franchise Debut Owner Sales Ref
1 Pokémon 1996 Japan Pokémon Company 489,000,000 [1]
2 Final Fantasy 1987 Japan Square Enix 203,000,000 [2]
3 Monster Hunter 2004 Japan Capcom 122,000,000 [3]
4 Soulsborne 2009 Japan From Software 99,358,000 [4]
5 Dragon Quest 1986 Japan Square Enix 94,000,000 [5]
6 Borderlands 2009 United States Take-Two Interactive 94,000,000 [6]
7 The Witcher 2007 Poland CD Projekt Red 75,000,000 [7]
8 The Elder Scrolls 1994 United States Microsoft 58,623,000 [8]
9 Fallout 1997 United States Microsoft 50,023,000 [9]
10 Diablo 1997 United States Blizzard 50,000,000 [10][11]
11 Megami Tensei / Persona 1987 Japan Sega 46,200,000 [12]
12 Mario RPG 1996 Japan Nintendo 41,620,000 [13]
13 Assassin's Creed (RPGs) 2017 France Ubisoft 40,000,000 [14]
14 Horizon 2017 Japan Sony 38,000,000 [15]
15 Kingdom Hearts 2002 Japan Square Enix 36,000,000 [16]
16 Dragon Ball (RPGs) 1986 Japan Bandai Namco 31,705,218 [17]
17 Like a Dragon / Yakuza [n 1] 2005 Japan Sega 31,610,000 [18]
18 Tales 1995 Japan Bandai Namco 30,250,000 [19]
19 Dungeons & Dragons 1981 United States Hasbro 28,106,000
20 Mass Effect 2007 United States Electronic Arts 25,000,000 [20]
21 Mystery Dungeon 1993 Japan Square Enix 24,650,000
22 Fire Emblem 1990 Japan Nintendo 20,460,956 [21]
23 Super Robot Taisen / Super Robot Wars 1991 Japan Sega 19,100,000 [22]
24 Dragon Age 2009 United States Electronic Arts 17,200,000 [23]
25 Deus Ex 2000 Sweden Embracer Group 16,400,000 [24]
26 Momotarō Densetsu 1987 Japan Konami 15,000,000 [25]
27 World of Warcraft 2004 United States Blizzard 14,500,000 [26]
28 Guild Wars 2005 South Korea NCSoft 13,500,000 [27]
29 Yo-kai Watch 2013 Japan Level-5 13,000,000 [28]
30 Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2018 Sweden Embracer Group 13,000,000 [29]
31 Mana 1991 Japan Square Enix 12,300,000 [30]
32 Drakengard / Nier 2003 Japan Square Enix 12,045,267 [31]
33 Fable 2004 United States Microsoft 12,000,000 [32][33]
34 Xeno 1998 Japan Monolith Soft 11,753,785 [34]
35 Dragon's Dogma 2012 Japan Capcom 11,000,000 [35]
36 Phantasy Star 1987 Japan Sega 10,000,000 [36]
37 SaGa 1989 Japan Square Enix 10,000,000 [37]
38 Dragon Slayer / The Legend of Heroes 1984 Japan Nihon Falcom 9,745,835 [n 2][39][40]
39 Atelier 1997 Japan Koei Tecmo 8,300,000 [41]
40 Inazuma Eleven 2008 Japan Level-5 8,000,000 [42]
41 Nioh 2017 Japan Koei Tecmo 8,000,000 [43]
42 Digimon 1998 Japan Bandai Namco 6,950,000 [44]
43 Chrono 1995 Japan Square Enix 6,900,000 [45]
44 God Eater 2010 Japan Bandai Namco 6,870,000 [45]
45 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2003 United States Disney 6,729,040 [46]
46 Star Ocean 1996 Japan Square Enix 6,200,000 [45]
47 Sakura Wars 1996 Japan Sega 5,800,000 [47]
48 Sword Art Online 2013 Japan Bandai Namco 5,600,000 [48]
49 Disgaea 2003 Japan Nippon Ichi 5,050,000 [49]
50 Torchlight 2009 Sweden Embracer Group 5,000,000 [50]
Octopath Traveler 2018 Japan Square Enix 5,000,000 [51]
The Outer Worlds 2019 United States Microsoft 5,000,000 [52]

Best-selling games[]

This follow list includes games that sold at least 5 million units.

No. Title Year Publisher Sales Ref
1 Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Yellow / Let's Go 1996 Japan Nintendo 74,260,000 [53]
2 The Witcher 3 / Hearts of Stone / Blood and Wine 2015 Poland CD Projekt Red 50,000,000 [54]
3 Monster Hunter World / Iceborne 2018 Japan Capcom 44,200,000 [55]
4 Pokémon Gold / Silver / Crystal 1999 Japan Nintendo 42,210,000 [53]
5 Pokémon Ruby / Sapphire / Emerald 2002 Japan Nintendo 36,600,000 [53]
6 Elden Ring / Shadow of the Erdtree 2022 Japan Bandai Namco 36,000,000 [56]
7 Hogwarts Legacy 2023 United States Warner Bros. 34,000,000 [57]
8 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2011 United States Bethesda 30,000,000 [58]
9 Diablo III / Reaper of Souls 2014 United States Blizzard 30,000,000 [59]
10 Black Myth: Wukong 2024 China Game Science 28,000,000 [60]
11 Monster Hunter Rise / Sunbreak 2021 Japan Capcom 27,700,000 [55]
12 Pokémon Scarlet / Violet 2022 Japan Nintendo 26,790,000 [61]
13 Pokémon Sword / Shield 2019 Japan Nintendo 26,720,000 [61]
14 Final Fantasy VII / Remake / Rebirth 1997 Japan Squaresoft 26,061,183 [62]
15 Pokémon Sun / Moon / Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon 2016 Japan Nintendo 25,410,000 [53]
16 Pokémon Diamond / Pearl / Platinum 2006 Japan Nintendo 25,270,000 [53]
17 Final Fantasy XIV 2010 Japan Square Enix 24,000,000 [63][64]
18 Horizon: Zero Dawn 2017 Japan Sony 21,695,000 [65]
19 Dark Souls III 2016 Japan Bandai Namco 20,000,000 [4]
20 Cyberpunk 2077 2020 Poland CD Projekt Red 20,000,000 [66]
21 Borderlands 2 2012 United States Take-Two Interactive 20,000,000
22 Pokémon X / Y 2013 Japan Nintendo 16,490,000
23 Dark Souls 2011 Japan Bandai Namco 16,000,000 [4]
24 Pokémon Black / White 2010 Japan Nintendo 15,640,000
25 Ring Fit Adventure 2019 Japan Nintendo 15,380,000
26 The Elder Scrolls Online 2014 United States Bethesda 15,000,000 [67]
27 Assassin's Creed Valhalla 2020 France Ubisoft 15,000,000 [68]
28 Pokémon Legends: Arceus 2022 Japan Nintendo 14,830,000 [69]
29 World of Warcraft 2004 United States Blizzard 14,500,000 [26]
30 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice 2019 Japan From Software 14,000,000 [4]
31 Lineage II 2003 South Korea NCSoft 14,000,000 [70]
32 Bloodborne 2015 Japan Sony 14,000,000 [4]
33 Fallout 4 2015 United States Bethesda 13,510,000 [71]
34 Dark Souls II 2014 Japan Bandai Namco 13,000,000 [4]
35 Fallout 3 2008 United States Bethesda 12,400,000 [72]
36 Final Fantasy VIII 1999 Japan Squaresoft 11,199,111 [62]
37 Fallout: New Vegas 2010 United States Bethesda 11,000,000 [73]
38 Monster Hunter Wilds 2025 Japan Capcom 10,500,000 [74]
39 Persona 5 / Royal 2016 Japan Sega 10,460,000 [75]
40 Final Fantasy XV 2016 Japan Square Enix 10,270,000 [62]
41 Monster Hunter 3 2009 Japan Capcom 10,081,422 [55]
42 Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 2016 Japan Bandai Namco 10,000,000 [76]
43 Assassin's Creed Origins 2017 France Ubisoft 10,000,000 [77]
44 Assassin's Creed Odyssey 2018 France Ubisoft 10,000,000
45 Baldur's Gate 3 2023 Belgium Larian Studios 10,000,000 [78]
46 Final Fantasy XIII 2009 Japan Square Enix 9,605,000 [62]
47 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion 2006 United States Bethesda 9,500,000 [72]
48 Monster Hunter X / Generations 2015 Japan Capcom 9,400,000 [55]
49 Phantasy Star Online 2 2012 Japan Sega 9,000,000 [79]
50 Final Fantasy X 2001 Japan Squaresoft 8,639,690 [62]
51 Dragon Quest XI 2017 Japan Square Enix 8,500,000 [80]
52 Horizon: Forbidden West 2022 Japan Sony 8,400,000 [81]
53 Final Fantasy XII 2006 Japan Square Enix 8,390,451 [62]
54 Monster Hunter 4 2013 Japan Capcom 8,300,000 [55]
55 Final Fantasy IX 2000 Japan Squaresoft 8,127,462 [62]
56 Dragon Quest V 1992 Japan Enix 8,047,086 [82]
57 Kingdom Hearts 2002 Japan Squaresoft 8,000,000 [83][84]
58 Nier: Automata 2017 Japan Square Enix 8,000,000 [85]
59 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot 2020 Japan Bandai Namco 8,000,000 [86]
60 Dragon Quest III 1988 Japan Enix 7,510,822 [82]
61 Yo-kai Watch 2 2014 Japan Level-5 7,300,000 [45]
62 Dragon Quest IX 2009 Japan Square Enix 7,218,223 [82]
63 Dragon Quest IV 1990 Japan Enix 7,209,044 [82]
64 Dragon Quest VIII 2004 Japan Square Enix 7,031,947 [82]
65 Monster Hunter 2 2006 Japan Capcom 6,892,005 [55]
66 Dragon Quest VII 2000 Japan Enix 6,866,998 [82]
67 Kingdom Hearts III 2019 Japan Square Enix 6,700,000 [87]
68 Dragon Quest II 1987 Japan Enix 6,129,352 [82]
69 Final Fantasy XIII-2 2011 Japan Square Enix 6,077,000 [62]
70 Final Fantasy X/X-2 2005 Japan Square Enix 6,043,628 [62]
71 Kingdom Hearts II 2005 Japan Square Enix 6,000,000 [88][89]
72 Mass Effect 2 2010 Canada BioWare 6,000,000 [90]
73 Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2015 Japan Bandai Namco 5,680,000 [17]
74 Dragon Quest VI 1995 Japan Enix 5,667,473 [91]
75 Final Fantasy III 1990 Japan Squaresoft 5,583,608 [62]
76 Dragon Quest 1986 Japan Enix 5,461,426 [91]
77 Final Fantasy VI 1994 Japan Squaresoft 5,435,649 [62]
78 Final Fantasy X-2 2003 Japan Square Enix 5,416,355 [62]
79 Demon's Souls 2009 Japan Sony 5,400,000 [4]
80 Super NES Classic Edition 2017 Japan Nintendo 5,280,000 [92]
81 Diablo II 2000 United States Blizzard 5,200,000 [93]
82 Chrono Trigger 1995 Japan Squaresoft 5,132,871 [94]
83 Final Fantasy IV: The After Years 2008 Japan Square Enix 5,034,000 [62]
84 Assassin's Creed Shadows 2025 France Ubisoft 5,000,000 [95]
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 2025 United Kingdom Kepler Interactive 5,000,000 [96]

Annual best-sellers[]

1970s[]

Year Top-seller Platform(s) Publisher Market Sales Gross (est.) Ref
1979 Temple of Apshai Computers Automated Simulations USA 5,000 $200,000 [97]

1980s[]

Year Top-seller Publisher Platform(s) Market Sales Gross (est.) Ref
1980 Odyssey: Apventure Synergistic Apple II USA 8,000 $200,000 [98]
1981 Temple of Apshai Automated Apple II USA 8,000 $200,000 [99]
1982 Wizardry Sir-Tech Apple II Worldwide 87,000 $2,400,000 [100]
1983 Temple of Apshai Automated Computers USA 100,000 $4,000,000 [101]
1984 Wizardry Sir-Tech Computers USA 100,000 $5,000,000 [102]
1985 Hydlide T&E Soft Computers Japan 800,000 $20,000,000 [103]
1986 Multi-platform Japan 1,000,000 $34,000,000 [104]
1987 Dragon Quest II Enix Famicom Japan 2,365,879 $198,000,000 [105]
1988 Dragon Quest III Enix Famicom Japan 3,745,155 $297,000,000 [106]
1989 Zelda II Nintendo NES USA 600,000 $20,000,000 [107]
1980s Dragon Quest III Famicom Japan 3,800,000 $304,000,000 [108]

1990s[]

Year Top-seller Platform Market Sales Gross (est.) Ref
1990 Dragon Quest IV Famicom Japan 2,721,876 $180,000,000 [109][110]
1991 Final Fantasy IV SNES Worldwide 1,460,000 $160,000,000 [n 3]
1992 Dragon Quest V SFC Asia 3,000,000 $380,000,000 [115][116]
1993 Secret of Mana SNES Worldwide 1,332,000 $120,000,000 [117][118][119]
1994 Final Fantasy VI SNES Worldwide 2,825,952 $330,000,000 [113][120][114]
1995 Dragon Quest VI SFC Japan 2,482,640 $320,000,000 [121][116]
1996 Super Mario RPG SNES Worldwide 1,995,898 $150,000,000 [n 4]
1997 Final Fantasy VII PS1 Worldwide 6,000,000 $480,000,000 [n 5]
1998 Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Pikachu Game Boy Worldwide 7,288,391 $290,000,000 [n 6]
1999 Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Yellow Game Boy Worldwide 10,998,666 $420,000,000 [135][136][134]
1990s Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Yellow Game Boy Worldwide 22,000,000 $928,000,000 [136][134]

2000s[]

Year Top-seller Platform(s) Market Sales Ref
2000 Pokémon Gold / Silver / Crystal Game Boy Color Worldwide 7,448,900 [137][138]
2001 Worldwide 11,400,000 [n 7]
2002 Pokémon Ruby / Sapphire GBA Japan 3,197,762 [140][143]
2003 Worldwide 6,120,000 [144]
2004 Pokémon FireRed / LeafGreen GBA Worldwide 5,800,000 [145]
2005 World of Warcraft Computers Worldwide 4,000,000 [146]
2006 Pokémon Diamond / Pearl Nintendo DS Japan 4,355,495 [147]
2007 Worldwide 9,867,185 [148][149]
2008 Fallout 3 Multi-platform Worldwide 4,700,000 [150][151]
2009 Dragon Quest IX Nintendo DS Japan 4,100,968 [152]
2000s Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Yellow Multi-platform Worldwide 35,690,000 [136][153]

2010s[]

Year Top-seller Platform(s) Sales Ref
2010 Pokémon Black / White Nintendo DS 4,914,813 [154]
2011 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Multi-platform 10,000,000 [155]
2012 Diablo III Computers 12,000,000 [156]
2013 Pokémon X / Y Nintendo 3DS 11,610,000 [157]
2014 Pokémon Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire Nintendo 3DS 9,350,000 [158]
2015 Fallout 4 Multi-platform 12,000,000 [159]
2016 Pokémon Sun / Moon Nintendo 3DS 14,690,000 [160]
2017 Pokémon Sun / Moon / Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon Nintendo 3DS 8,530,000 [n 8]
2018 Monster Hunter World Multi-platform 13,300,000 [163]
2019 Pokémon Sword / Shield Nintendo Switch 16,060,000 [164]
2010s The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Multi-platform 30,000,000 [165]

2020s[]

Year Top-seller Platform(s) Sales Ref
2020 Cyberpunk 2077 Multi-platform 13,000,000 [166]
2021 Pokémon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl Nintendo Switch 13,970,000 [167]
2022 Pokémon Scarlet / Violet Nintendo Switch 20,610,000 [168]
2023 Hogwarts Legacy Multi-platform 22,000,000 [169]
2024 Black Myth: Wukong PC / PS5 25,000,000 [170]
2025 Monster Hunter Wilds PC / PS5 / XBS 10,500,000 [74]
2020s Elden Ring / Shadow of the Erdtree Multi-platform 36,000,000 [56]

Sales milestones[]

Worldwide[]

Year Title Platform(s) Sales milestone Market Ref
1980 Temple of Apshai Computers 10,000 USA [171]
1981 Akalabeth: World of Doom Apple II 10,000 USA [172][173]
Temple of Apshai Computers 20,000 USA [171]
1982 Ultima Apple II 20,000 USA [174]
Wizardry Apple II 24,000
Temple of Apshai Computers 40,000 USA [175]
1984 The Black Onyx NEC PC-8801 150,000 Japan [176]
Wizardry Computers 200,000 Worldwide [177]
Hydlide NEC PC 200,000 Japan [178]
1985 Xanadu: Dragon Slayer II Computers 400,000 Japan [175]
Hydlide Computers 400,000 Japan [178]
1986 Temple of Apshai Computers 400,000 Worldwide [179]
Dragon Quest Famicom 1,000,000 Japan [180]
1987 Zelda 2: Link no Bōken FDS 1,050,297 Japan [181]
Dragon Quest Famicom 1,500,000 Japan [182]
Hydlide Multi-platform 2,000,000 Japan [183][178]
Dragon Quest II Famicom 2,400,000 Japan [184][185]
1988 Dragon Quest III Famicom 3,800,000 Japan [184][186]
1992 Dragon Quest III NES 3,895,000 Worldwide [187]
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link NES 4,380,000 Worldwide [188]
1997 Pocket Monsters: Red / Green / Blue Game Boy 5,659,853 Japan [189]
Final Fantasy VII PlayStation 6,000,000 Worldwide [128]
1998 Final Fantasy VII Multi-platform 11,000,000 Worldwide [190]
Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Pikachu Game Boy 15,000,000 Worldwide [132]
1999 Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Yellow Game Boy 22,000,000 Worldwide [136]
2003 Game Boy 45,690,000 Worldwide [153]
2008 Multi-platform 57,690,000

Markets[]

Japan[]

Year Title Platform(s) Sales milestone Ref
1984 The Black Onyx NEC PC-8801 150,000 [176]
Hydlide NEC PC 200,000 [178]
1985 Xanadu: Dragon Slayer II Computers 400,000 [175]
Hydlide Computers 400,000 [178]
1986 Dragon Quest Famicom 1,000,000 [180]
1987 Zelda 2: Link no Bōken FDS 1,050,297 [181]
Dragon Quest Famicom 1,500,000 [182]
Hydlide Multi-platform 2,000,000 [183][178]
Dragon Quest II Famicom 2,400,000 [184][185]
1988 Dragon Quest III Famicom 3,800,000 [184][186]
1997 Final Fantasy VII PlayStation 4,000,000 [191]
Pocket Monsters: Red / Green / Blue Game Boy 5,659,853 [189]
1998 Pocket Monsters: Red / Green / Blue / Pikachu Game Boy 11,000,000 [132]
1999 12,000,000 [132]
2003 Pocket Monsters: Red / Green / Blue / Pikachu Game Boy 13,390,000 [192]
2008 Multi-platform 18,790,000

West[]

Year Title Platform(s) Sales milestone Market Ref
1980 Temple of Apshai Computers 10,000 USA [171]
1981 Akalabeth: World of Doom Apple II 10,000 USA [172][173]
Temple of Apshai Computers 20,000 USA [171]
1982 Ultima Apple II 20,000 USA [174]
Wizardry Apple II 24,000
Temple of Apshai Computers 40,000 USA [175]
1984 Wizardry Computers 200,000 West [177]
1986 Temple of Apshai Computers 400,000 West [179]
1988 Zelda II: The Adventure of Link NES 500,000 West [188][39]
1989 Dragon Warrior (Dragon Quest) NES 500,000 USA [187]
1990 Final Fantasy NES 700,000 USA [113]
Dragon Warrior (Dragon Quest) NES 1,500,000 USA [116]
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link NES 2,770,000 West [188][39]
1997 Final Fantasy VII PlayStation 3,000,000 West [128][193]
1998 Pokémon Red / Blue Game Boy 4,000,000 USA [132]
Final Fantasy VII Multi-platform 5,000,000 West [190]
1999 Pokémon Red / Blue / Yellow Game Boy 10,000,000 West [136]
2003 Pokémon Red / Blue / Yellow Game Boy 32,300,000 West [153][192]
2008 Multi-platform 38,900,000

China[]

Year Title Platform(s) Sales milestone Ref
1995 The Legend of Sword and Fairy PC 100,000 [194]
1996 450,000
1997 1,000,000
1998 2,000,000
2018 Monster Hunter World Steam 5,000,000 [195]
2019 6,000,000
2024 Black Myth: Wukong Multi-platform 15,000,000 [170]
2025 20,000,000

Platforms[]

Computers[]

Year Title Platform(s) Sales milestone Market Ref
1980 Temple of Apshai Computers 10,000 USA [171]
1981 Akalabeth: World of Doom Apple II 10,000 USA [172][173]
Temple of Apshai Computers 20,000 USA [171]
1982 Ultima Apple II 20,000 USA [174]
Wizardry Apple II 24,000
Temple of Apshai Computers 40,000 USA [175]
1984 The Black Onyx NEC PC-8801 150,000 Japan [176]
Wizardry Computers 200,000 Worldwide [177]
Hydlide NEC PC 200,000 Japan [178]
1985 Xanadu: Dragon Slayer II Computers 400,000 Japan [175]
Hydlide Computers 400,000 Japan [178]
1986 Temple of Apshai Computers 400,000 Worldwide [179]
1987 Hydlide Computers 1,000,000 Japan [183][178]
1997 The Legend of Sword and Fairy PC 1,000,000 China [194]
Diablo PC 1,000,000 Worldwide [196]
1998 Final Fantasy VII PC 1,000,000 West [197]
Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds Computers 1,000,000 Worldwide [198][199]
Diablo PC 1,800,000 Worldwide [200]
The Legend of Sword and Fairy PC 2,000,000 China [194]
2000 Diablo II Computers 2,750,000 Worldwide [201]
2001 4,000,000 [202]
2003 Lineage Computers 4,000,000 Worldwide [203]
2005 Lineage Computers 4,300,000 Worldwide [70]
World of Warcraft Computers 5,000,000 Worldwide [146]
2006 World of Warcraft Computers 6,000,000 Worldwide [146]
2007 World of Warcraft Computers 9,000,000 Worldwide [146]
Lineage II Computers 14,000,000 Worldwide [70]
2013 Diablo III Computers 14,500,000 Worldwide [204]
2014 20,000,000 [205]
2023 Elden Ring Steam 20,000,000 Worldwide [206]
2024 Black Myth: Wukong Steam 20,000,000 Worldwide [207]

Consoles[]

Year Title Platform(s) Sales milestone Market Ref
1986 Dragon Quest Famicom 1,000,000 Japan [180]
1987 Hydlide Famicom 1,000,000 Japan [183][178]
Zelda 2: Link no Bōken FDS 1,050,297 Japan [181]
Dragon Quest Famicom 1,500,000 Japan [182]
Dragon Quest II Famicom 2,400,000 Japan [184][185]
1988 Dragon Quest III Famicom 3,800,000 Japan [184][186]
1992 Dragon Quest III NES 3,895,000 Worldwide [187]
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link NES 4,380,000 Worldwide [188]
1997 Final Fantasy VII PlayStation 6,000,000 Worldwide [128]
1998 10,000,000 [190]
1999 10,873,400 [114]
2009 Consoles 10,973,400 Worldwide [114]
2013 Final Fantasy VII Consoles 13,633,000 Worldwide [114]
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Consoles 17,000,000 Worldwide [208]
2017 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Consoles 20,000,000 Worldwide [209]
2020 Pokémon Sword / Shield Nintendo Switch 20,350,000 Worldwide [210]
2021 23,900,000 [211]
2022 25,680,000 [212]
2024 26,660,000 [213]
2025 Pokémon Scarlet / Violet Nintendo Switch 26,790,000 Worldwide [61]

Handheld[]

Year Title Platform(s) Sales milestone Market Ref
1990 Makai Tōshi SaGa (Final Fantasy Legend) Game Boy 1,000,000 Japan [214]
1995 Final Fantasy Legend Game Boy 1,370,000 Worldwide [215]
1996 Pocket Monsters: Red / Green / Blue Game Boy 1,663,861 Japan [216]
1997 5,659,853 [189]
1998 Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Pikachu Game Boy 15,000,000 Worldwide [132]
1999 Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Yellow Game Boy 22,000,000 Worldwide [136]
2003 Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Yellow Game Boy 45,690,000 Worldwide [153]
2008 GB / GBA 57,690,000

Subgenres[]

Action RPG[]

Year Title Platform(s) Sales milestone Market Ref
1984 Hydlide NEC PC 200,000 Japan [178]
1985 Xanadu: Dragon Slayer II Computers 400,000 Japan [175]
Hydlide Computers 200,000 Japan [178]
1987 Zelda 2: Link no Bōken FDS 1,000,000 Japan [185][39]
Hydlide Multi-platform 2,000,000 Japan [183][178]
1988 Zelda II: The Adventure of Link NES 2,000,000 Worldwide [188]
1992 4,380,000
2005 Multi-platform 4,971,000
2008 Monster Hunter 2 Multi-platform 5,820,723 Worldwide [217][218]
2010 Monster Hunter 2 Multi-platform 6,020,723 Worldwide [219][218]
Monster Hunter 3 Multi-platform 6,500,000
2011 Monster Hunter 2 Multi-platform 6,720,723 Worldwide [218]
Monster Hunter 3 Multi-platform 9,400,000
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Multi-platform 10,000,000 Worldwide [155]
2012 Diablo III Computers 12,000,000 Worldwide [156]
2013 Diablo III Computers 14,500,000 Worldwide [204]
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Multi-platform 20,270,000 Worldwide [208]
2015 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Multi-platform 22,700,000 Worldwide [72]
2016 30,000,000 [165]
2022 Monster Hunter World / Iceborne Multi-platform 32,700,000 Worldwide [220]
The Witcher 3 / Hearts of Stone / Blood and Wine Multi-platform 40,000,000 Worldwide [7]
2023 Monster Hunter World / Iceborne Multi-platform 41,133,000 Worldwide [218]
The Witcher 3 / Hearts of Stone / Blood and Wine Multi-platform 50,000,000 Worldwide [54]

Japanese RPG[]

Year Title Platform(s) Sales milestone Market Ref
1984 The Black Onyx NEC PC-8801 150,000 Japan [176]
Hydlide NEC PC 200,000 Japan [178]
1985 Xanadu: Dragon Slayer II Computers 400,000 Japan [175]
Hydlide Computers 200,000 Japan [178]
1986 Dragon Quest Famicom 1,000,000 Japan [180]
1987 Zelda 2: Link no Bōken FDS 1,000,000 Japan [185][39]
Momotarō Densetsu Famicom 1,000,000 Japan [221]
Dragon Quest Famicom 1,500,000 Japan [182]
Hydlide Multi-platform 2,000,000 Japan [183][178]
Dragon Quest II Famicom 2,400,000 Japan [184][185]
1988 Dragon Quest III Famicom 3,800,000 Japan [184][186]
1992 Dragon Quest III NES 3,895,000 Worldwide [187]
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link NES 4,380,000 Worldwide [188]
1997 Pocket Monsters: Red/Green/Blue Game Boy 5,659,853 Japan [189]
Final Fantasy VII PlayStation 6,000,000 Worldwide [128]
1998 Final Fantasy VII Multi-platform 11,000,000 Worldwide [190]
Pokémon Red/Green/Blue/Pikachu Game Boy 15,000,000 Worldwide [132]
1999 Pokémon Red/Green/Blue/Yellow Game Boy 22,000,000 Worldwide [136]
2003 45,690,000 [153]
2008 Multi-platform 57,690,000
2016 59,190,000

Western RPG[]

Year Title Platform(s) Sales milestone Market Ref
1980 Temple of Apshai Computers 10,000 USA [171]
1981 Akalabeth: World of Doom Apple II 10,000 USA [172][173]
Temple of Apshai Computers 20,000 USA [171]
1982 Ultima Apple II 20,000 USA [174]
Wizardry Apple II 24,000
Temple of Apshai Computers 40,000 USA [175]
1984 Wizardry Computers 200,000 Worldwide [177]
1986 Temple of Apshai Computers 400,000 Worldwide [179]
1989 The Bard's Tale Computers 407,000 Worldwide [222]
Wizardry Computers 500,000 USA [223]
1997 Diablo PC 1,000,000 Worldwide [196]
1998 Multi-platform 2,000,000 [224]
2000 Diablo Multi-platform 2,300,000 Worldwide [201]
Diablo II Computers 2,750,000
2001 Diablo II Computers 4,000,000 Worldwide [202]
2005 The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Multi-platform 4,000,000 Worldwide [225]
2005 World of Warcraft Computers 5,000,000 Worldwide [146]
2006 6,000,000
2007 9,000,000
2008 11,500,000
2010 World of Warcraft Computers 12,000,000 Worldwide [226]
2012 Diablo III Computers 12,000,000 Worldwide [156]
2013 Diablo III Computers 14,500,000 Worldwide [204]
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Multi-platform 20,270,000 Worldwide [208]
2015 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Multi-platform 22,700,000 Worldwide [72]
2016 30,000,000 [165]
2022 The Witcher 3 / Hearts of Stone / Blood and Wine Multi-platform 40,000,000 Worldwide [7]
2023 50,000,000 [54]

Most famous franchises[]

The following tables list the percentage of a country's population who recognize the most famous RPG franchises.

Japan[]

Rank Franchise Fame Ref
1 Pokémon 86% [227]
2 Dragon Ball 83%
3 One Piece 70.8% [228]
4 Dragon Quest 66.6%
5 Final Fantasy 62.4%
6 Gundam 59.8%
7 Yo-kai Watch 58.3%
8 Monster Hunter 55.6%
9 Yu-Gi-Oh! 51.8%
10 Fate 27.9%

United States[]

Rank Franchise Fame Ref
1 Pokémon 90% [229]
2 World of Warcraft 73% [230]
3 Final Fantasy 71%
4 Dragon Ball Z games 71%
5 Diablo 62%
6 Fallout 59%
8 The Witcher 59%
7 Kingdom Hearts 51%
9 Borderlands 51%
10 Dragon Age 51%

United Kingdom[]

Rank Franchise Fame Ref
1 Pokémon 75% [231]
2 World of Warcraft 65%
3 Final Fantasy 53%
4 The Witcher 53%
5 Fallout 50%
6 Dragon Ball Z games 49%
7 Cyberpunk 2077 39%
8 Borderlands 38%
9 Diablo 38%
10 Monster Hunter 31%
Kingdom Hearts 31%

Notes[]

  1. ↑ Recent mainline Like a Dragon games are turn-based RPGs. Earlier mainline Yakuza games were action-adventures with RPG elements, so could be considered either action RPGs or action-adventures.
  2. ↑ Dragon Slayer franchise:
    • Xanadu series (Japan) – 561,793
      • Xanadu: Dragon Slayer II – 400,000[38]
      • {30/09/2015} Tokyo Xanadu [PSV] – 137,522 (123,778 retail + 13,744 digital)
      • {08/09/2016} Tokyo Xanadu eX+ [PS4] – 24,271 (20,462 retail + 3,809 digital)
    • Sorcerian series (Japan) – 17,477 (Dreamcast)
      • {27/04/2000} Sorcerian: Shichisei Mahou no Shito [DC] – 17,477
    • The Legend of Heroes series – 9,166,565[39][40]
  3. ↑ Final Fantasy IV
    • 1991 sales
    • Prices[114]
      • Japan - ¥9720 ($119)
      • United States - $80
  4. ↑ Super Mario RPG
  5. ↑ Final Fantasy VII
    • 1997 sales - 6,000,000[128]
      • Japan - 3,447,500[129]
      • United States - 1,500,000[130]
      • Europe - 1,052,500
    • Prices[114]
      • Japan - ¥7800 ($90)
      • United States - $49.99
      • Europe - £44.99 ($90)
  6. ↑ Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Pikachu
    • 1998 sales
      • Red / Green / Blue (Japan) - 1,739,391[131]
      • Red / Blue (United States) - 4,000,000[132]
      • Pikachu (Japan) - 1,549,000[133]
    • Prices[134]
      • Japan - ¥4095 ($46)
      • United States - $34.99
  7. ↑ Pokémon Gold / Silver / Crystal sales in 2001:
    • Japan - 826,125 units
      • Crystal Version sold 749,863.[139] Gold and Silver versions sold 76,262.[140]
    • United States - 3,127,659 units[141]
    • Europe - €221 million[142] (7.4 million units)
  8. ↑ Pokémon Sun / Moon / Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon sales in 2017:
    • Pokémon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon – 7.17 million[161]
    • Pokémon Sun / Moon – 1.36 million[160][162]

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