Get ready to see what titles everyone is playing behind closed doors as we check out the 25 most popular video games today!
But how can I possibly see behind closed doors, I hear you ask?
Well, I’ve taken to official ranking websites to determine the 25 most popular games being playing around the world right now, as you’re sitting here reading these words.
So, instead of giving you a massive introduction, I’m going to jump straight in so you can spend less time reading and more time playing the games that you’re about to discover!
Dig in!
25. God Of War (2018)
God Of War kickstarts this list of the 25 most popular video games today.
I know, what a title to kick things off, and that means there’s 24 more impressive games to come too!
Technically this game is known as God of War 4, and that really is still Kratos yeah!
Like me, he’s gone for the bald head and beard look. Unlike me, he’s trying to take on the Nordic gods after having his fill with the Greek ones.
Taking to the harsh Nordic landscape, Kratos and his son are out doing family stuff in the snow, killing tonnes of mythical creatures and beings that want to destroy them both.
A nice relaxing holiday, then?
I know Zeus and Hades are all cool and good, but nothing beats the mighty Thor, Odin, and the other Norse Gods.
Speaking of Thor, Kratos has a magical axe that flies back to him on his command. That sounds incredibly familiar, doesn’t it…
Battle monsters and weird creatures that wouldn’t look out of place in The Witcher, make your own armour and use your brain to solve tricky puzzles.
Trust me, once that rage meter fills up and you unleash insane attacks on enemies with the Blade of Chaos, you won’t be questioning why this game is in this list.
Actually, if you are questioning it, then just smash your computer up now and go do some knitting instead.
24. Valorant (2020)
Valorant is a superbly immersive online-multiplayer with Overwatch-esque vibes and some elements of gameplay similar to Counter-Strike. Team up with four other players and go up against 5 other characters.
The first team to rack up 13 wins is the winner, and if the attacking team doesn’t plant ‘The Spike’, a kind of bomb, within 100 seconds, then the defending team wins the round.
Like Overwatch, the characters are all a little larger-than-life and have special abilities that set them apart. Launch bots, teleport, see enemies through walls… the list goes on.
One of the things that makes this game so popular with players is that it’s actually free to download and play. The graphics are pretty tasty too, with tonnes of otherworldly explosions and post-apocalyptic vibes to discover along the way.
The gameplay is so fast-paced that you’re probably going to be grinding your teeth and staying awake all night thinking about your next move. The guns look epic too, and there’s always more content dropping to keep the game fresh for players.
With the mantra of ‘no two agents are alike’, Valorant promotes unique gameplay tailored to the player. Customisation is key, and you’re bound to have some laughs with mates while getting stuck into this game.
23. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (2017)
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds takes the 23rd spot in our most popular video games today.
If you’re after Battle Royale action and feel like you’ve played Fortnite to death, then get a load of PUBG at your earliest convenience!
Like other Battle Royale games, the main premise is to be the last gamer standing. Find weapons, hunt out supplies, and do whatever it takes to survive.
The main thing I like the most about PUBG over games like Valorant is that the 8x8km island looks incredibly realistic. It’s more Call of Duty rather than the Fortnite-esque, slightly cartoony graphics.
To be honest, that makes for more tense gameplay too.
Don’t feel too sad that PUBG is so high up in this list; it’s the best selling video game on PC and Xbox One and sits as the 5th best selling video game of all time.
It’s now free to play too, so why not give it a whirl?
22. Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout (2020)
I love games like Mario Party and multiplayer titles where anything van happen, but jeez, Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout feels like playing a panic attack in real time.
There are so many players in this game, and the action is so tense that I often find myself swearing at what looks like possibly the most friendly video game around today.
If you haven’t played, the aim of the game is to make it to the end of insane courses, jumping over obstacles and avoiding other players as you try to reach the finish line.
The knockout element of the title means that if you don’t score highly enough on each level, then you’ll be knocked out and have to start again with a whole new batch of players.
There are tonnes of different outfits you can either buy or obtain by collecting points in the game too. It definitely makes for some interesting sights as you’re hurtling down slides and bouncing through levels.
I think Fall Guys is so popular because it’s super bright, clean, and an easy concept to tackle. As long as you can move forward, you’ve pretty much nailed the gameplay. It’s everyone else crashing into you that you’ve got to worry about!
21. League Of Legends (2009)
It’s not just Merry and Pippin from Lord of the Rings that love League of Legends; it’s the 21st entry in our most popular video games today article!
LoL combines the gameplay from titles like Valorant with the graphical stylings of early Fire Emblem games in 5v5 deathmatches.
Power up characters by collecting experience points during battles and purchasing epic weapons and items.
And with multiple modes to try out including the brilliantly titled Summoner’s Rift mode, there’s so much to explore and plenty of excuses to waste time… I mean spend hundreds of hours in the game.
Each team has a champion, kind of like the King in Chess or the shield in Lord of the Rings risk. This character has epic moves and special abilities that could help to turn the tide of the battle, so make sure to keep them safe!
Like Fortnite and PUBG, this game will never die. It’s got a loyal base of fans that live and breath everything LoL related, with many hoping they run into Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd while playing!
It’s also one of the world’s largest eSports too, with players taking part in competitive leagues with millions upon millions of viewers tuning in to watch the victors being crowned in the finals on EPSN and YouTube!
20. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (2012)
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is up next in our most popular video games today article.
It’s time for another FPS title, though this time with a pressing decision to make. Do you choose to fight against terrorist forces or join their ranks and spread chaos?
Gameplay takes place over multiple deathmatch rounds, ending when all the members of the opposing team have been defeated.
There are a few different modes to play through which I’ll go into in a second, but playing online with your mates and spending gold to pick up new weapons is what this game is all about.
Still, there is a cool offline mode where you can just play against AI’s while you hone your skills, something you’re going to need to do before tackling random players on the internet.
Arms Race sees players picking up weapons from the enemies they defeat, ticking off kills with all the weapons on a pre-determined list. Then there’s Demolition, which see players confined to a small map where stealth and hiding is particularly hard.
Whatever the way you play, there’s something for everyone in Global Offensive.
It also makes me feel incredibly glad that I’m not in the army and hopefully never will be.
19. Super Mario Odyssey (2017)
Super Mario Odyssey takes the 19th spot in the most popular video games today, and what a game it is!
Just when we thought the Mario formula couldn’t be improved upon, Cappy and the Odyssey came along.
Seeing Mazza running around New Donk City (questionable name, I know) and loads of other places outside of the Mushroom Kingdom feels incredible. Bouncing on yellow taxis, making a goomba tower, controlling a T-Rex; this game is full of surprises.
And, just look how detailed the level is below. So much thought has gone into this game that it makes my brain hurt just thinking about it!
This isn’t the first time that a cap has taken centre stage. Remember Ezlo, the Minish Cap from Link’s GBA adventure?
Well, Mario’s headgear isn’t as rude or demanding as Ezlo, and the main difference is that he allows Mario to take over objects and characters in the game.
Become a tank, a dinosaur, a bullet bill; the list is endless!
Purchasing different themed outfits allows you to mix up Mario’s usual plumber look. And, certain areas can only be accessed if you have a specific costume donned too.
It’s little features like these along with hidden secrets that mean levels must be revisited that make this game an absolute classic.
18. Forza Horizon 5 (2021)
Forza Horizon 5 could well be one of the most good-looking racing games on the planet. The tracks are designed to create maximum, thrills, spills, drifts, and crashes.
And trust me, you will crash.
The cars look so stunning in this game. Seriously, the attention to detail in the monster below is second to none. Combined with the Mexican scenery in the background, you’ve got a real feast for the eyes that you won’t be able to look away from.
It’s safe to say that FH5 brought some major upgrades to the series, including more immersive branching plot lines and a narrative that added even more depth and substance to the franchise.
If you’ve never come across this title before, then it’s an open-world racing game. Yes, an open-world racer; it’s the king of all driving games.
17. The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild (2017)
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild is up next in our most popular video games today. I know, it should have been way further down this list in my opinion, but this isn’t Seb’s most popular video games, so I’ve got to stay impartial.
This does remain the best Zelda game I’ve ever played, however. It’s a strong statement, but I’m sticking with it.
Zelda games sell consoles, and Zelda games keep players coming back to Nintendo consoles time and time again. Breath of the Wild reinvented the Zelda wheel too, making it one of the most immersive games we’ve ever had the privilege of playing.
And it served as the basis for tonnes of copycat games (Fenyx Immortals Rising and Wind Bound, to name a few. Plus Horizon: Forbidden West has so many elements from BotW in it that PS5 players will forever deny to their last breath).
The main essence of what makes a Zelda game so addictive is still in this game, but the game formula has been enhanced tenfold. We’re talking having the entirety of Hyrule as your playground, going anywhere and climbing everything to your heart’s content.
Cook food instead of getting hearts, break weapons and bows, pick up items and gems from chests, catch wild horses.
It’s one of the best open world Nintendo Switch games of all time, and the Guardians have replaced Phantom Ganon as my favourite Zelda enemy.
16. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (2019)
I always get excited when a Star Wars title drops, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was no exception.
The storyline in this game is superb. It follows Revenge of the Sith and the Jedi purge that followed after Order 66 was initiated.
Gamers play as a Padawan that hasn’t completed their training, working to find their skills and uncover epic powers as they master using a lightsaber and rebuilding the Jedi order.
Talk about having your work cut out, eh?
The cinematic scenes in this game left me speechless. Well, scratch that – they still do!
And, while running in post scene all sabers blazing might seem like a good idea, players need to have their wits about them if they hope to solve the mysteries spread throughout the game.
With epic characters, recognisable robots, famous faces, iconic weapons and items, and tonnes of other Star-Wars goodness for gamers to discover, this really is the game that keeps on giving.
Will you help to rebuild the Jedi or work towards eradicating it completely. The choice is up to you!
15. Overwatch (2016)
Overwatch slides into 15th place in our 25 most popular video games today, bringing TimeSplitters-style action to to Next Gen consoles.
This game is fast, frenzied, and a little bizarre to say the least. It’s an FPS that has undoubtedly influenced some of the other shooting titles in this list such as PUBG and the title at Number 6 (no scrolling ahead!).
Stylised shooters are my bag, and both the characters and weapons in this game have been made by a team with one heck of an imagination.
Choose from a variety of weird and wonderful futuristic city levels, pick a character with unique characteristics and gaming styles, and rack up as many kills as possible.
It’s completely up to you whether you run in all guns blazing, sniper from on high, or pull out a blade for hack-n-slash action.
Seriously, there can be times where I die about 1,000 times in the space of 5 minutes and others where I’m racking up more points than Gryffindor when Harry’s on a ‘do-gooder’ spree.
Like Rocket League, this is one of the titles that most PS4 players should have in their arsenal. With Goldeneye officially coming to Switch in the coming months, Overwatch will fill the gap perfectly in the meantime.
14. Roblox (2014)
Roblox takes the 14th spot in this list of the most popular video games today!
How many of you know what a MMOG is?
Well, for those of you that don’t know, it’s a massively multiplayer online game. This one is aimed at kids and teenagers, giving players the option to make their own world in their own image.
Spend tickets and Robux by competing in actives, giving gamers the chance to upgrade their items and both buy or sell items with other players.
I’d forgive you for thinking this was a Lego game at first glance. While they’re very similar, they’re not linked in the slightest.
Officially, at any rate.
The games that players take part in are incredibly varied too. There’s puzzle games, driving games, shooting games, and lots of other different genres to try out.
And one of the best things is that the game is in constant development and always being changed and updated. Control your subscription for your child if they’re too young to be spending their own money, and join in the action in family-friendly gaming!
13. Tom Clancey’s Rainbow Six Siege (2015)
Tom Clancey’s Rainbow Six Siege remains one of the most demanding FPS games I’ve ever played in my life. It makes it tougher to play because you can go anywhere and scale pretty much everything.
Breach a wall, breach a ceiling, sneak up on your opponents while they’re looking the other way. Anything goes in Siege; pull off strategic moves as part of the counter terrorist unit killing bad buys and making it look so freakin’ stylish.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I love destroying stuff in games. There’s a heavy destruction element in this game, with emphasis on just laying waste to everything in sight using bombs and shooting the sh… I mean, shooting the heck out of stuff.
Put up walls to protect certain areas and watch through tears as the opposite teams pull them down. Place traps to ensnare your opponents and hide in the midst of lusciously designed maps to sneak out and destroy enemies.
Can you tell I enjoy getting stuck into this game?
12. Apex Legends (2019)
Apex Legends slides into 11th place in our most popular video games today article.
I’m not going to dwell too much on Apex Legends because it’s incredibly similar to Valorant and Overwatch. Team up with other fighters in tactical play with gamers that look like they’ve been transported from the future.
It’s post-apocalyptic FPS gameplay in a finely crafted world that takes zero prisoners.
Another free-to-play game, Apex Legends is available on all major consoles including the Nintendo Switch, perfect for a bit of handheld play on the bus or train.
Use the environment around you to overcome your opponents, finding choice points on the map to hunker down and pick off other players one by one.
All the legends available to play with have unique abilities just like the other similar games in the genre, and the roster of characters is forever growing, keeping things interesting for dedicated players.
11. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020)
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales swings into 11th place in this list of the most popular video games today.
Whether playing on the PS4 or on the PS5 if you’ve managed to grab yourself one, Miles Morales brings epic Spider Man action into your living room.
We loved the 2018 Spider Man release (spoiler alert – so did you guys, way more than this game, apparently!), and Miles Morales added new features into the mix.
In may ways, this game feels like an interactive Marvel movie rather than a game. It’s an immersive title for fans for the MCU, but I preferred freedom in the previous title more.
The graphics in this game are absolutely breathtaking. Admittedly they look even better on the PS5, but my PS4 Pro still pulls off extraordinary visuals.
Face off against a new army of villains, take on games, and receive tips from Peter Parker himself about become the best Spidey you can be.
Miles also has a massive open world to explore, pulling off never-before-seen abilities that will make Spidey fans jump for joy. If you’ve just got a PS5 and need games to show off its magnificence, then grab a copy and let us know what you think!
10. Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020)
Animal Crossing: New Horizons took the world by storm in 2020. And, with so many of us stuck inside during the Covid-19 Pandemic, it served as the perfect means of escape in a world where everything was locked down.
I think Tom Nook planned the pandemic so he could make more coin, that sneaky little Tanuki!
This is one of the most relaxing games of all time to play; it’s slow paced, and there’s zero pressure for you to do anything.
Kick back on a tropical island with anthropomorphic talking animals in a life-sim game with incredible twists and turns.
Ok, so I might have been a little blasé when it comes to saying how laid back it is. Players do have to craft items and put in some hard work to grow and build their life on the island.
And then there are the seasons to consider too; it’s not just all fun and games. Certain crops only grow in specific seasons and some items or scenarios only happen at night too.
Again, when we had all the time in the world during the Coronavirus troubles, staying up till 4am to water some flowers didn’t seem like an odd thing to do at all!
Play docked or handheld in the park. It’s safe to say that Animal Crossing is the ultimate travel title that you can take with you everywhere thanks to the Switch’s hybrid nature, and it looks superb on the New OLED Switch too!
9. Call of Duty: Black Ops IIII (2018)
Call of Duty: Black Ops IIII explodes into 9th place in our most popular video games today list.
You guys sure do like a lot of online shooting games, don’t you! Why isn’t anyone playing Banjo-Kazooie or Street Fighter anymore?
Anyone who loves the best Zombie games for PS3 will be excited to know that this game has the biggest zombie level to date in it too.
Scrap ‘level’; there are three undead campaigns to rip apart… quite literally!
For CoD fans, the multiplayer mayhem in this game will feel both familiar and yet fresh too. I know that’s a massive contradiction, but while the gameplay is similar, the environments, weapons, and general experience has been overhauled.
Long story short; it’s had an injection of awesomeness and is ready to blow your mind.
If it’s realistic covert warfare you’re after, albeit with a touch of zombie-slaying action, then look no further!
8. Rocket League (2018)
Rocket League, or is it used to be called ‘Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars’ is the 8th most popular video game today.
On paper, this idea shouldn’t have gained as much traction as it has.
Knocking a ball into two nets with cars instead of humans; it’s simple, and there’s no change in the gameplay to spice things up a bit.
But boy is it impossible to stop playing once you start. There’s something about this game that drags you in and deletes hours from your life as you zoom through arenas pulling off tricks and beating your mates.
Rocket League has gone from strength to strength over the years and remains one of the most popular multiplayer titles on any platform or console.
When a game starts hosting world-wide tournaments with mega bucks prize money, then you know it’s a hit.
Players unlock crates with sweet DLC items soup up vehicles. Flip in the air to volley balls into the net and zoom past your opponent in style to score that wine.
Here’s a tip; practice like mad before you play against strangers online. They will eat you alive, so be prepared.
7. Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
Do we really need to introduce Grand Theft Auto V, the second-best selling game ever and one that has been all PlayStation and Xbox consoles since the 360/PS3 days.
We’ve been playing this game for almost 10 years now; how crazy is that! But, unlike Skyrim which has also been out for a heck of a long time without a sequel, GTA V made it into this official compendium.
That’s the only accolade that really counts, after all!
Rockstar Games know how to make epic titles filled with controversy, violence, and smut. Basically, all the good stuff.
Player hit the streets of San Andreas to do anything, go anywhere, and commit any amount of unspeakable atrocities.
Nothing is off limits and players can either tackle the levels on foot or in a variety of different vehicles.
For one of the most violent games of all time, it still managed to make $1 billion in the first 3 days after its initial release. We really are a bunch of sick puppies, aren’t we!
While the gameplay has remained the same, the graphics have progressively got much better over the years with the release of more powerful consoles.
Do we mind that there isn’t a new GTA title when we can play GTA V on the Series X or PS5? Absolutely not. I can replay this game for the next 10 years and still not get bored!
6. Fortnite (2017)
Fortnite could well be one of the most recognisable games of our generation. If you haven’t played it or at least heard of it, then you must have been living inside a Tauntaun on Hoth.
This game has taken the world by storm, and a storm holds a lot of sway in this title too. Fight opponents on a map that is slowly getting smaller and smaller as the game goes on.
You can build forts to hide in, but the storm will get you in the end if you’re not the last-person standing before the timer runs out.
There are so many different Fortnite expansions and DLC and themes that it would take an age to go through them all. All you need to know list that this title is continually expanding and being improved upon.
To be fair, when the original was such a great hit, it doesn’t take much to make it even better!
Use insanely powerful weapons as you loot and shoot your way to the top, levelling up your players as you go.
Sometimes the most simple titles are the best, which is why Fortnite is still such a big hitter 5 years on.
5. Spider Man (2018)
The fifth title in our most popular video games of today is the classic 2018 Spider Man game. Four years on and we’re still playing this tour de force on the PS4.
Let’s face it; swinging through massive open cities as Peter Parker will always be one of the best feelings of all time. And for Spidey fans, this is as close a they’re going to get to the traditional, authentic Spider Man vibe.
This isn’t young Peter Parker starting out on his adventures either. This is Parker at his peak, his craft honed and ass-kicking abilities turned up to 11.
Like Miles Morales, this game is fast and exciting from the get-go. The main difference is that it feels way more like something that you can sink your teeth into gameplay wise rather than multiple cinematic clips.
Kick back enemies with some choice Marvel beat-down moves, all in an original title with stunning graphics and attention to detail that will make MCU fans drool onto their controllers.
You shouldn’t need any persuasion to buy this game, but hopefully seeing it in the most popular video games today will convince you it’s worth parting with your hard-earned cash!
4. Red Dead Redemption II (2018)
Do you know how long we had to wait before Red Dead Redemption II came out?
Eight years! Eight long years to wait for the sequel to one of the best Xbox 360 games of all time. Rockstar made us wait alright, but man… it was totally worth it!
I’ve written so many times that ‘Red Dead Redemption perfectly captured that raw feeling of the wild American frontier like no other game in existence’.
Well, copy that sentence and stick a ‘2’ after Redemption, because the sequel blows the original out of the water!
Take a trip back to 1899. The Wild West has gone, but the remnants of the ruffians that helped to form it remain.
Players take Arthur Morgan on the road alongside the gang that basically dragged him up. Cheat, fight, kill, steal, and do everything possible to survive as you evade the law and either try to better yourself or fall further into depravity.
John Marston, the character from the first RDR game returns along with a whole host of new faces too. Don’t worry, it still feels familiar while being a whole new game at the same time.
And the graphics… just look at them, for crying out loud. I’ll never forget my mates dad telling me that there was a whole team that worked on the horse’s testicles… a niche piece of knowledge I have tried to forget on many occasions.
3. Among Us (2018)
The bronze medal goes to the next title in our list of the most popular video games today – Among Us.
Now, I know what you’re thinking; that cover art looks a little simple. And you’d be right.
This game isn’t ever going to win the prize for being the most detailed title, but it should win the prize of being one of the most well-thought-out video games in existence.
The premise sees gamers getting their spaceship ready for launch, but you can’t trust any of the other people in your crew.
One of more of the crew members is out to get you, and their job is to carry out some ‘Alice in Borderland’-style massacre action on everyone they find.
This game is epic when playing with friends. Not only do you have to get your ship ready and fight for your life, but you have to deduce who the killer or killers are and try to eliminate them to complete your primary objective.
It’s like Sherlock Holmes in space!
If you’re playing as a bad guy, then you can frame other people as you try to stay one step ahead of the game. It’s all incredibly sneaky and a captivating title to get lost in.
2. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is officially the second most popular video game out today. It’s not hard to see why; it’s undoubtedly the best multiplayer game of all time for players of any age to jump in and have a bash at.
Ok, so Rocket League and Fortnite are fantastic, but do they have as much history as Nintendo’s iconic brawler?
No… no they don’t.
With 77 characters to choose from as well as more in the pipeline and DLC content to download, it remains the biggest fighting title ever made aswell. There are even characters appearing from outside of the world of Nintendo too.
That’s how big this game is!
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a methodical player or a button-mashing menace, there are tonnes of ways to play Smash Bros.
And seeing that ‘New Challenger Approaching’ sign is one of the greatest thrills of all time. You’ll see it a lot with the amount of characters available too.
My mates might beat me all the time, and I might refuse to use the better players and stick with Captain Falcon for nostalgia’s sake, but it’s still one of the greatest games and the most exciting Switch games of all time too!
1. Minecraft (2011)
The results are in, the players have voted, and Minecraft is officially still the most popular video game of all time.
Come on, is there any surprise here? It’s the best selling game of all time with over 200 million copies sold worldwide.
It’s why Steve features in Super Smash Bros Ultimate too.
Minecraft is an institution; it’s up there with all the best Mario games and the best Zelda games for defining pivotal moments in a gamer’s life.
Plus, I regularly spend hours on YouTube just looking at the crazy worlds and buildings that people have created on this game. The Breath of the Wild blocky replica’s are just insane!
The thing that makes Minecraft so popular is that the only limit to the game is your imagination. you can build as big as you can dream and there really are endless possibilities to it.
Players can either work through the survival mode using finite resources that they have to be careful using, or they can just go wild in creative mode and build big with zero consequences.
If you’ve had that blocky-mania feeling after catching the Tetris Effect, then expect to be seeing everything in little pixels and considering how you can build using a pickaxe everywhere you go from now on.
