2021 turned out to be an excellent year for video games across all genres and age groups.
Despite a challenging period for the industry, developers delivered several standout titles that achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim.
Strong gameplay systems, memorable stories, and impressive visuals helped many of these games define the year.
Best-Selling Video Games of 2021
Below is a curated list of the best-selling and most impactful video games of 2021—titles that not only sold exceptionally well but also left a lasting impression on players worldwide.
Resident Evil Village
Resident Evil Village is the eighth main installment in Capcom’s legendary survival horror franchise. Building directly on the foundations of Resident Evil 7, the game delivers a refined first-person horror experience filled with tension, atmosphere, and unforgettable locations.
Resident Evil 8: Village
Release Date: May 07, 2021
Genres: Shooter, Adventure
Players once again follow Ethan Winters as he ventures into a mysterious European village plagued by grotesque
creatures and powerful antagonists. Fast-paced combat, puzzle-solving, and cinematic set pieces combine with a dark fairy-tale tone that keeps the experience intense from start to finish.
Call of Duty: Black Ops – Cold War
It comes as no surprise that another Call of Duty entry became a bestseller. Black Ops – Cold War, the 17th mainline entry in the series, delivered a strong package across all modes.
Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War
Release Date: March 08, 2021
Genres: Shooter
The single-player campaign offers a gripping, choice-driven Cold War narrative, while the multiplayer mode
delivers fast-paced, competitive action. Fan-favorite Zombies mode also returns, allowing players to team up and survive against relentless waves of undead enemies.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a sequel to the beloved action-platformer series developed
by Insomniac Games. Designed specifically for PlayStation 5, it quickly became a showcase for next-generation
hardware capabilities.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Release Date: July 26, 2021
Genres: Shooter, Platform, Adventure
Featuring near-instant dimension-hopping, vibrant worlds, and smooth combat, the game blends humor, heart, and high-energy gameplay. Epic boss fights, creative weapons, and Pixar-level visuals made it one of the most technically impressive releases of 2021.
Monster Hunter: Rise
Monster Hunter: Rise marked another successful entry in Capcom’s long-running action RPG series. Originally released as a Nintendo Switch exclusive, it later expanded to PC and other platforms.
Monster Hunter Rise + Sunbreak
Release Date: March 26, 2021
Genres: Role-playing (RPG)
Players once again step into the role of a monster hunter, tracking and battling massive creatures in dynamic, vertical environments. New mechanics like Wirebugs introduced faster movement and aerial combat, while fresh monsters, weapons, and crafting systems added depth for both newcomers and veterans.
Returnal
Returnal, developed by Housemarque, is a challenging third-person roguelike shooter set on a hostile alien planet.
Returnal
Release Date: February 15, 2021
Genres: Shooter
Players control Selene, an astronaut trapped in a deadly time loop after crashing on the planet Atropos.
Death plays a central role in the experience—each run reshapes the environment, enemy placement, and narrative fragments. Fast gunplay, intense boss encounters, and a mysterious story combine to create a demanding yet deeply rewarding gameplay loop.
It Takes Two
It Takes Two stands out as one of the most unique and celebrated games of 2021.
It Takes Two
Release Date: March 26, 2021
Genres: Platform, Puzzle, Adventure
This cooperative action-platformer places players in the roles of Cody and May, two dolls brought to life during a magical journey.
The game focuses entirely on teamwork, requiring constant cooperation to overcome puzzles, platforming
challenges, and inventive gameplay mechanics that change from level to level. Its emotional storytelling, creativity, and polished design earned it the Game of the Year Award for 2021.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, 2021 was a fantastic year for gamers. The titles listed above represent only a portion of the outstanding experiences released during that time, but each one helped define the year through innovation, quality, and massive popularity.
If you’re searching for proven, high-quality games worth revisiting—or discovering for the first time—the best-selling video games of 2021 are an excellent place to start.