The Best Selling Video Game Of Every Year Since 1977

Video game dynasties haven risen and fallen since consoles made their way into the homes of millions of Americans in the late '70s. The industry was almost snuffed out completely thanks to the video game crash of 1983 but in the last 35 years of home consoles we've seen the industry become one of the most profitable and innovative forms of media to ever exist. We count down the No. 1 selling titles of every year, across all consoles, since the Atari 2600 made its debut in 1977. We're not very good at math, so we didn't account for inflation.

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Console: Atari 2600
Units Sold: 2.53 Million

Simple, classic, and timeless, it was largely responsible for the 2600's popularity as a home console.

Console: Atari 2600
Units Sold: 1.1 Million

Easily one of the most recognizable Atari titles of the first generation of home consoles, this one was heavily influenced by Pong.

Console: Atari 2600
Units Sold: 1 Million

Considered the first action-adventure game ever, it also contained the first Easter Egg ever programmed into a game. The creator, Warren Robinett, hid his credits in one of the walls of the dungeon.

Console: Atari 2600
Units Sold: 2.76 Million

This 1980 port of the arcade classic was made even more famous when Edward Furlong was seen playing it in the 1991 classic Terminator 2.

Console: Atari 2600
Units Sold: 4.5 Million

One of the world's first platformers, Pitfall! was a breakthrough in game and level design.

Console: Atari 2600
Units Sold: 7.81 Million

Pac-Man is one of the few video game characters to ever get an entire album named after them. Pac-Man Fever was an early '80s one-hit wonder.

Console: Atari 2600
Units Sold: 1.59 Million

Not many people realize that the iconic plumber made his first appearance on a home console with the Atari 2600. This marks what will become an enduring empire that continues to this day.

Console: NES
Units Sold: 28.3 Million

With the arrival of the NES in the states, Atari's days were all but numbered. Duck Hunt was a massive success thanks largely in part to the iconic light blaster.

Console: NES
Units Sold: 40.24 Million

Originally titled Jump Man, Mario got his now famous name from Nintendo of America's pushy Italian landlord, Mario Segale.

Console: NES
Units Sold: 6.51 Million

Another Nintendo cash cow is born. Link went on to be reimagined and rebooted more times than Batman.

Console: NES
Units Sold: 4.38 Million

The sequel that introduced Link to side-scrolling adventures was a departure from the original, and it was also featured the introduction of Dark Link.

Console: NES
Units Sold: 17.28 Million

Frog suits, raccoon suits, magic whistles, and other power-ups all made their debut. This title would shape the franchise for years to come.

Console: Game Boy
Units Sold: 30.6 Million

This Russian puzzle game was bundled with the first generation Game Boy. Parents could be seen playing the title as much as their kids.

Console: SNES
Units Sold: 20.61 Million

The first appearance of Yoshi and the launch title of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, it was largely responsible for the popularity of the console.

Console: Sega Genesis
Units Sold: 15 Million

The only time Sega will manage to crack this list. Sonic has endured as a character, but alas, Sega as a console maker is no more.

Console: Game Boy
Units Sold: 11.6 Million

Yeah, we don't remember this one either. But when you move this many units on a handheld system, you did your job.

Console: SNES
Units Sold: 10.55 Million

Essentially a greatest hits record. The title bundled Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros. 3, and Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels with improved 16-bit graphics and sound. Marks the first time we start rehashing elements of the series.

Console: SNES
Units Sold: 8.5 Million

Man, this game was amazing. One of the first home console titles to use pre-rendered 3D graphics, this game was jaw-dropping when it dropped.

Console: SNES
Units Sold: 4 Million

What if we turn Mario into a baby and dinosaurs have to protect him? Sounds great, kids love dinosaurs. The re-hashing continues unchecked.

Console: Game Boy
Units Sold: 31.37 Million

Oy, get used to seeing this franchise. It reached kids' brains around the world and took hold like the Ebola virus.

Console: Sony PlayStation
Units Sold: 11.15 Million

The only PS1 title to wrestle the best selling game title away from Nintendo. The customizable racer was undeniably a win for Sony.

Console: Game Boy
Units Sold: 14.64 Million

More pocket monsters, more units moved. Now an undeniable pop-culture mainstay.

Console: Game Boy Color
Units Sold: 23.10 Million

It's brilliant from a marketting standpoint. Change the name, add some imaginary monsters, cash check, kick it in Bali.

Console: Game Boy Color
Units Sold: 12 Million

The end of an era. With the introduction of the PS2 pocket monsters fall by the wayside.

Console: Sony PlayStation 2
Units Sold: 14.5 Million

No introduction needed. Rockstar Games shapes an entire generation with its first 3D sandbox title.

Console: Sony PlayStation 2
Units Sold: 17.5 Million

Neon lights and cocaine vibes. Ray Liotta and Flock of Seagulls helped cement this now classic title.

Console: PS2, Xbox, PC
Units Sold: 5.7 Million

World War II was the first setting for the Activision behemoth that dominates 'til this day.

Console: PS2
Units Sold: 12 Million

No stranger to controversy, Rockstar drops another gem. The "hot coffee" mod makes the evening news.

Console: Nintendo DS
Units Sold: 9.2 Million

Kids love dogs. Kids love video games. Nintendo's approach is genius in its simplicity.

Console: PS2
Units Sold: 1.8 Million

For all its popularity, this is the first and last time that the Madden franchise can go head to head with the first person shooter money machine.

Console: Nintendo Wii
Units Sold: 6.62 Million

Someone should go back and tell them to scrap the Wii-U.

Console: Nintendo Wii
Units Sold: 5.28 Million

Balance boards are introduced, Nintendo's profits now make them the most lucrative gaming company on the planet.

Console: Nintendo Wii
Units Sold: 8.9 Million

We repeat: Someone should go back and tell them to scrap the Wii-U.

Console: Xbox 360, PS3
Units Sold: 6.3 Million

Activision closes their steely grip around the throats of an entire generation of FPS fans.

Console: Xbox 360, PS3
Units Sold: 7.1 Million

Six and a half million units in 24 hours, $400 million in sales, and cited as the largest entertainment launch of all time, the COD franchise can not be stopped.

Console: Xbox 360, PS3
Units Sold: 10 Million

Until Black Ops 2 is released. Half a billion dollars in sales in the first 24 hours. Goes on to sell over 10 million copies in it's first 6 months. That's better than any theatrical release. Ever. Suck it Avatar.