Minecraft Is the Best-Selling Video Game of All Time
Minecraft has sold over 400 million copies, the total Xbox gave in May 2026. It passed 300 million in October 2023. This figure accounts for all platforms combined, including Java Edition, Bedrock Edition on consoles, mobile, and Windows 10/11. The milestone places Minecraft firmly as the best-selling video game in history, surpassing every other title by a wide margin.
For context, the next closest competitor is Grand Theft Auto V, at about 230 million copies. Tetris (in various versions across decades of releases) is sometimes cited at similar numbers, but no single version approaches Minecraft's unified sales figure.
Sales Growth Timeline
Minecraft's sales trajectory has been remarkably consistent. The game first launched as a paid alpha in 2009 and reached its official release on November 18, 2011. It hit 100 million copies sold in June 2016, a figure Mojang confirmed on their official blog. By October 2018 the total had reached 154 million, and in May 2020 Mojang announced 200 million. The jump from 200 million to 300 million took about three and a half years, to October 2023, and the next 100 million took less than three.
Microsoft acquired Mojang Studios in September 2014 for $2.5 billion. At the time of acquisition, Minecraft had sold approximately 54 million copies. The purchase price has been justified many times over, with the game generating billions in subsequent revenue from game sales, marketplace transactions, merchandise, and licensing deals.
Platform Distribution
While Microsoft does not publish an exact platform-by-platform breakdown of sales, industry analysts and third-party trackers provide estimates. Mobile (iOS and Android) accounts for the largest share of total copies sold, estimated at roughly 40-45% of all sales. Console editions (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) collectively represent approximately 30-35%. The PC versions (Java Edition and Windows 10/11 Bedrock) make up the remaining 20-25%.
The mobile version's dominance in raw unit sales is partly due to its lower price point (typically $6.99 USD versus $29.99 for console and $26.95 for Java Edition) and the massive smartphone install base in markets like China, India, Brazil, and Southeast Asia. NetEase operates the China edition of Minecraft, which has registered over 600 million players since launch, though this figure represents free-to-play registrations rather than paid purchases and is counted separately from Microsoft's global sales figure.
What Counts as a "Copy Sold"?
Microsoft's reported figure includes all paid purchases across every platform and edition. It does not include free trial downloads, the China edition (operated by NetEase under a separate agreement), or Minecraft Education Edition licenses distributed through schools. Game Pass subscribers who access Minecraft through their subscription are also not counted in the copies-sold figure unless they separately purchased the game.
FAQ
Is Minecraft really the best-selling game ever?
Yes. With over 400 million copies sold, Minecraft holds the record for the best-selling video game of all time across all platforms.
How many copies does Minecraft sell per year?
Going from 200 million in May 2020 to 300 million in October 2023 works out to roughly 29 million copies a year, and reaching 400 million by May 2026 means close to 40 million a year since then.
Does the China edition count toward total sales?
No. The China edition, operated by NetEase, is a free-to-play version with over 600 million registered users. These registrations are tracked separately from Microsoft's paid sales figures.
Where can I verify these numbers?
Microsoft reports Minecraft metrics in their quarterly earnings calls and investor presentations. The 300 million milestone was reported in October 2023 and the 400 million total in May 2026. Historical milestones were announced on the official Minecraft blog and Mojang social media channels.