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Mandalore76 on 10 January 2018
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I was looking at software sales by console recently and something struck me that I had never given much thought before.  Currently, the #1 selling game on PS4 is Grand Theft Auto V.  It's no secret that GTAV is a multi-platform game selling phenomenon.  But, what really caught my attention is the fact that GTAV was also the #1 selling game on Sony's previous gen console the PS3.  The reason that most caught my attention is because I don't ever remember a time where a console's best selling game was the same game as on their previous system.  Normally, a console's best selling game is also considered it's "Killer App".  The must have title that the highest percentage of a system's install base purchases, because it's considered the best game the console has to offer.  Does the PS3 and PS4 really share the same "Killer App"?  Regardless of what context it is framed in, I thought it interesting.

Sony Consoles:

Pos Game Console Publisher VGChartz Score Critic Score User Score Sales Release Date Last Update
1 Grand Theft Auto V Rockstar Games N/A N/A N/A 16.28m 18th Nov 14 03rd Jan 18
1 Grand Theft Auto V Rockstar Games N/A 9.4 N/A 20.64m 17th Sep 13 N/A
1 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Rockstar Games N/A 9.5 N/A 20.81m 26th Oct 04 N/A
1 Gran Turismo Sony Computer Entertainment N/A 9.5 N/A 10.95m 30th Apr 98 N/A

Notes:  The PS3 & PS4 versions of GTAV were not released simultaneously.  The PS3 version released September 13, 2013, while the PS4 version released November 18, 2014.  The PS4 launched on September 15, 2013 (NA release).  Since we are into the 5th year of the PS4's lifespan, I believe that GTAV has cemented it's position in the top spot of PS4's software at this point (unless GTAVI releases in the near future!).

Microsoft Consoles:

Pos Game Console Publisher VGChartz Score Critic Score User Score Sales Release Date Last Update
1 Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Activision N/A N/A N/A 7.24m 06th Nov 15 N/A
1 Kinect Adventures!
Read the review		 Microsoft 6.2 6.7 N/A 22.08m 04th Nov 10 N/A
1 Halo 2 Microsoft N/A 9.6 N/A 8.49m 09th Nov 04 N/A

Notes:  GTAV is the 2nd highest selling game on Xbox One currently.  It's close behind, but it's also been on shelves a year longer than COD Black Ops 3.  While it is also the 2nd highest selling game on Xbox 360, it is short of the top spot by a wide margin (6 million).  

Nintendo Consoles:

Pos Game Console Publisher VGChartz Score Critic Score User Score Sales Release Date Last Update
1 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Nintendo N/A 9.9 N/A 4.54m 03rd Mar 17 29th Nov 17
1 Mario Kart 8 Nintendo N/A 8.9 N/A 7.63m 30th May 14 21st Dec 17
1 Wii Sports Nintendo N/A 7.7 N/A 82.64m 19th Nov 06 N/A
1 Super Smash Bros. Melee Nintendo N/A 9.2 N/A 7.07m 02nd Dec 01 N/A
1 Super Mario 64 Nintendo N/A 9.7 N/A 11.89m 26th Sep 96 N/A
1 Super Mario World Nintendo N/A 8.5 N/A 20.61m 13th Aug 91 17th Dec 17
1 Super Mario Bros. Nintendo N/A N/A N/A 40.24m 18th Oct 85 N/A

Notes:   "The Legend of Zelda:  Breath of the Wild" is currently in the top spot for Nintendo Switch.  While it was also released on Wii U, that was a simultaneous release.  Also, the Switch is only 9 months old, and Super Mario Odyssey is already rocketing up the charts.  Even if "Wii Sports" is discounted as a "pack-in game", it is still considered the Wii's "Killer App".  Regardless though, "Mario Kart Wii" sold over 35 million copies on its own.

***By the way, sorry about how sloppy the charts carried over.  It looked much better in preview mode.  It only came out haphazard looking once I posted.  The old format of the charts seemed to copy/paste much neater.***

Last edited by Mandalore76 - on 10 January 2018