In this article, we look at the 15 most profitable Xbox games in the world. If you want to skip our analysis of how we ranked these games and want to dive directly into the best-selling Xbox games, head to the 5 Most Profitable Xbox Games in the World.
Gaming has expanded the realm of entertainment, surpassing the boundaries of Hollywood and the traditional movie industry. With its immersive and awe-inspiring experiences, gaming now captivates around 3.24 billion people worldwide, thus redefining the term "entertainment industry." Throughout the last decade, the gaming industry has steadily outpaced its counterparts in the movie and music businesses in terms of revenue. In 2019, video games remained the most profitable entertainment sector, earning approximately $120 billion, a number that skyrocketed to more than $184 billion this past year. Currently a $200 billion powerhouse, the gaming market is constantly evolving, and technological advancements are opening new possibilities for game developers to create more immersive and engaging experiences through emerging technologies such as cloud gaming and Virtual Reality (VR) gaming.
Calling the global gaming industry lucrative would be an understatement. According to a research report by Mordor Intelligence, the gaming market size is estimated at $245.10 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach approximately $376.08 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 8.94% during the forecast period.
The Big 3
The gaming wars of today are just heating up as the battle over console supremacy is being waged by the Big 3 of the industry: Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Sony Group Corporation (NYSE:SONY), and Nintendo. The Big 3 enjoy a significant edge over other gaming companies due to their ownership and operation of major console gaming platforms. While the Nintendo Switch stands out as one of the highest-selling gaming consoles in history, Sony's PlayStation 5 and Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S, both next-generation consoles, are fiercely competing for consumer acclaim. As of now, the PlayStation 5 has achieved an impressive sales figure of nearly 38 million units, while the Xbox Series X/S follows closely behind with nearly 22 million console sales. Both companies have their own subscription services as well: Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Xbox Game Pass and Sony Group Corporation (NYSE:SONY)'s PS Plus grant users access to a rotating catalog of games from a range of publishers and other premium services.
Since next-gen consoles are pushing the limits of consumer entertainment technology with an array of blockbuster titles, gaming companies are forced to engage in a fierce battleground for players' loyalty through platform exclusivity. Among the highly anticipated 200 upcoming video games spanning from late 2022 to 2024, Sony's PlayStation 5 had planned a staggering 115 releases, while Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S boasted an impressive lineup of 113 titles.
At the same time, the mobile gaming industry has been picking up pace as well. Mobile gaming made up about 61 percent of the total market share of the gaming industry in 2022, with over half of the worldwide population projected to play a mobile game by 2027. The lucrative market caught the attention of tech giants like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), who recognized its potential for growth. In 2019, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) made its foray into the industry by introducing Apple Arcade, a subscription service valued at $500 million. On the Asian front, Chinese digital giant Tencent is also among the top companies by gaming revenue due to its success with mobile and online games.
The Xbox
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)'s entry into the console gaming realm was marked by the launch of the original Xbox. Introduced during the sixth-generation of gaming consoles, it unveiled iconic series like Halo and Fable, which became synonymous with the Xbox brand. Additionally, this console revolutionized online gaming with the introduction of Xbox Live. The initial release took place in late 2001 in the United States, followed by a global launch in early 2002. With a total lifespan until 2006, the original Xbox garnered significant popularity, selling an impressive 24 million units worldwide before its discontinuation.
In 2005 the original Xbox was replaced by Microsoft’s Xbox 360, but, even with a superior console available, many players continued to use the original in order to take advantage of the Xbox Live network. In an intensely competitive market, where the Xbox 360 faced strong pressure from the Nintendo Wii and the Sony PlayStation, Microsoft struggled to make consistent profits from its console. In November 2013 Microsoft released the Xbox One, a technologically advanced system that aimed to fix a long-standing drawback of its predecessor. With a larger and improved ventilated housing, complemented by more efficient cooling mechanisms, the Xbox One successfully addressed the overheating concerns that had plagued its predecessor. The fourth line of Xbox consoles, the Xbox Series X and Series S, the most powerful in Xbox consoles in terms of hardware, were released in November 2020.
Several hundreds of Xbox games have been developed over the last half a century or so. With varying levels of popularity, features, and gameplay, it makes it a challenge to identify the top Xbox games in the industry. However, a metric of success that can be measured is the number of copies of a game that were sold. Let’s look at the top 15 most profitable Xbox games in the world.
15 Most Profitable Xbox Games in the World
Our Methodology
For our list of the most profitable Xbox games in the world, we ranked the best-selling Xbox games according to the number of copies sold. What should be noted is that sales numbers for Xbox franchises can be misleading since players can subscribe to Game Pass and play many of the console's biggest titles without technically buying a copy. In that regard, and for the sake of clarity, we will be focusing on the most profitable Xbox games for the original Xbox console. If you want to learn more about the gaming industry, you can check out our article on the 15 Biggest Video Game Companies in the World.
15 Most Profitable Xbox Games in the World
15. Call of Duty 2: Big Red One
Copies Sold: 1.39 million
Starting off our list of the most profitable Xbox games in the world, Call of Duty 2: Big Red One is a first-person shooter video game developed by Treyarch and High Voltage Software and published by Activision for the GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox. It is a side-story of the original game Call of Duty 2, which was released on PC and the Xbox 360 in the same year. The player takes on the role of a soldier protagonist named Roland Roger in specific missions during World War II from the perspective of the American 1st Infantry Division.
14. Madden NFL 06
Copies Sold: 1.41 million
Madden NFL 06 is an American football video game released in 2005. The 17th installment of the Madden NFL series by Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA), named for noted color commentator John Madden, the introduced the Superstar mode within the franchise, which allowed players to create and take control of an NFL player from his rookie year all the way to retirement. However, this has been criticized by many fans because it may resemble some bias that EA Sports and the Madden series itself is frequently accused of, causing the game to be met with very mixed reviews.
13. Madden NFL 2005
Copies Sold: 1.42 million
Predecessor to the Madden NFL 06, Madden NFL 2005 is the 16th installment of the Madden NFL series published by Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA). Released on August 9, 2004, the game was the first Madden game to feature Xbox Live. Madden NFL 2005 introduced several notable features and improvements to enhance gameplay and realism. The game also introduced the "Owner Mode," enabling players to take on the role of an NFL team owner, managing various aspects of the franchise, such as personnel decisions, finances, and stadium upgrades. One of the most profitable Xbox games in the world, it is often regarded as one of the best entries in the Madden NFL series and is remembered as a milestone release for the franchise.
12. Need for Speed: Underground 2
Copies Sold: 1.44 million
Need for Speed: Underground 2 is a 2004 racing video game developed by EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ:EA). It is the eighth installment in the Need for Speed series and the direct sequel to Need for Speed: Underground. Developed for Microsoft Windows, GameCube, PlayStation 2, and the Xbox, Underground 2 was the first game in the series to feature an open world, where players can drive freely around and explore the city, unlocking areas by winning races.
11. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Copies Sold: 1.46 million
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a 2004 action-adventure game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the fifth main entry in the Grand Theft Auto series, following 2002's Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and the seventh installment overall. The game landed the top spot of best-selling PlayStation 2 game of all time while also securing a spot among the top 15 most profitable Xbox games in the world. The final game in the sixth generation of gaming Grand Theft Auto trilogy, the game garnered an overwhelmingly positive response from both fans and critics, solidifying its status as a cross-platform sensation.
10. Ninja Gaiden
Copies Sold: 1.5 million
Ninja Gaiden, the hack and slash game developed by Team Ninja and set in the Dead or Alive universe, ties Counter-Strike for the 10th place in the list of the most profitable Xbox games in the world. Players assume the role of Dragon Ninja Ryu Hayabusa, immersing themselves in 16 adrenaline-fueled chapters of hack and slash action. The game received widespread acclaim upon its release, paving the way for numerous direct sequels that spanned across multiple platforms including Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo. It still holds the accolade of being one of the hardest games on the original Xbox, a feature that seems to be prevalent in every other Ninja Gaiden game since.
9. Counter-Strike
Copies Sold: 1.5 million
Counter-Strike is a tactical first-person shooter game developed by Valve. Initially developed and released as a Half-Life modification by Minh "Gooseman" Le and Jess Cliffe in 1999, the first Counter–Strike game was ported to the original Xbox as gamers ventured into player vs player combat on Xbox Live. The game chronicled one of the most profitable gaming series in the world, with sequels being released on the PC in the form of Counter-Strike Source and Counter-Strike Global Offensive.
8. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Copies Sold: 1.58 million
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, an exclusive title for the original Xbox, is a role-playing game developed by BioWare and released on July 16, 2003, that puts gamers directly into the old republic of the Star Wars galaxy. With three distinct classes to choose from, players traverse diverse worlds within the old republic, faced with consequential decisions at every turn. These choices determine whether players align themselves with the light or dark side of the force. Garnering immense praise upon its release and becoming one of the most profitable Xbox games in the world with 1.58 million copies sold, the game received a sequel in 2004.
7. Dead or Alive 3
Copies Sold: 2 million
Dead or Alive 3 is a 2001 fighting game developed by Team Ninja and published by Tecmo for the Xbox console as one of its launch titles. It is the third main entry in the Dead or Alive fighting series. It was the first title of the series not to be released in the arcades, and the last game in the series to be rated "T for Teen" until Dead or Alive Dimensions was released. Running on the Xbox's hardware, Dead or Alive 3 showcased significant advancements in both its game engine and visual prowess, surpassing its predecessors with highly detailed and expansive environments. This critically acclaimed title achieved remarkable commercial success, surpassing 2 million copies sold worldwide. It not only became the best-selling installment in the franchise but also secured a place among the top 10 most profitable Xbox games in the world.
6. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Copies Sold: 2.4 million
The first game in the Splinter Cell series was released in November of 2002 by Ubisoft. Endorsed by author Tom Clancy, it follows the activities of NSA black ops agent Sam Fisher as he began his journey that would span seven main series entries. Originally an Xbox exclusive but later released for the PlayStation 2, PC, MAC, and Gamecube, Splinter Cell was positively received, and the series was once considered to be one of Ubisoft's flagship franchises.
