In a gaming industry landscape often dominated by flashy new releases and live-service titans, a seven-year-old masterpiece has just proven that timeless quality and deep, narrative-driven experiences have unparalleled staying power. In a recent financial announcement that also delivered news on Grand Theft Auto VI, Take-Two Interactive revealed that Red Dead Redemption 2 has achieved a monumental sales milestone, officially becoming the fourth-best-selling video game of all time.
The news, confirmed in Take-Two Interactive’s Q2 fiscal 2026 earnings call, places Rockstar Games' sprawling Western epic in an elite tier of gaming legends.
From Launch Day Phenomenon to All-Time Great
Since its initial release in October 2018, Red Dead Redemption 2 was hailed as a landmark achievement in interactive storytelling and open-world design. The tale of Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang's last stand captivated critics and players alike, delivering an emotional depth rarely seen in the medium.
But its journey to becoming an all-time sales champion has been a steady, relentless march. Let's look at the numbers:
- By May 2020 (approx. 1.5 years after launch): 31 million units sold.
- By December 2023: An additional 30 million units sold, bringing the total to 61 million.
- By February 2025: Sales climbed to 70 million units.
- As of November 2025: The game has sold an additional 9 million copies, rocketing the lifetime total to a staggering 79 million units sold worldwide.
This incredible surge in sales has propelled the entire Red Dead Redemption series past 106 million lifetime sales, cementing its status as one of Take-Two's flagship franchises alongside the behemoth that is Grand Theft Auto.
Overtaking Icons: A New Sales Hierarchy
With this new sales figure, Red Dead Redemption 2 has officially ridden past some of the most beloved and popular games in history. It has now outsold:
- Mario Kart 8 (and Deluxe) - 78.02 million
- PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) - 75 million
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - 60 million
- The original Super Mario Bros. (1985) - 58 million
This places the game firmly in fourth place on the all-time list, sitting behind only three other industry titans:
- Minecraft - 350 million
- Grand Theft Auto V - 220 million
- Wii Sports - 82.9 million
Defying the Odds in a Crowded Market
What makes Red Dead Redemption 2's achievement so remarkable is its context. In the seven years since its launch, the gaming world has seen the release of massive, genre-defining hits like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Elden Ring, Hogwarts Legacy, and Baldur's Gate 3. Yet, Rockstar's methodical, detail-oriented Western continues to attract new players.
The game's longevity can be attributed to several factors:
- Persistent Critical Acclaim: It remains a benchmark for storytelling and world-building.
- Regular Discounts & Re-releases: The game frequently goes on sale, introducing it to new audiences on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
- A Robust Modding Community: Particularly on PC, mods have extended the game's replayability immensely.
- Enduring Cultural Presence: Memes, video essays, and fan art keep the game in the public consciousness.
While support for the standalone Red Dead Online was officially concluded in July 2022, Rockstar surprised fans in July 2025 by shadow-dropping a new DLC, Strange Tales of the West, which added four new Telegram missions and proved the studio hasn't entirely forgotten the wild west.
What’s Next for the Red Dead Franchise?
With the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI finally on the horizon for a November 2026 release, the natural question for fans is: what about Red Dead Redemption 3?
The future of the franchise has been a topic of intense speculation. Arthur Morgan's iconic voice actor, Roger Clark, shared his thoughts in a 2023 interview, stating, “I’m certain we will see Red Dead Redemption 3 one day. When that will be – I have absolutely no idea.”
He also pointed to the words of Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, who has consistently affirmed that both GTA and Red Dead are "prominent franchises" for Rockstar Games and that the studio "will be returning to them in the future."
Given the typical multi-year development cycles for Rockstar's titles, a sequel is likely many years away. But the incredible and sustained commercial success of Red Dead Redemption 2 makes the case for a return to the frontier stronger than ever. The old west isn't just alive; it's thriving.
Ready to saddle up and see what all the fuss is about? You can find Red Dead Redemption 2 for all major platforms.
Buy Red Dead Redemption 2 on Amazon
Post a Comment