The most obvious takeaway may be that video games remain a franchise business. Like Legend of Zelda, this game deserves extra credit because it was released later in the sales period (March 7). This game, which Ubisoft has called 'the biggest open-world game it has ever made,' continues that pattern. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: WildlandsĬlancy may no longer be with us, but the author's creations continue to draw huge audiences. This title, a fighting game that sets Vikings against samurais against knights, is even more impressive because it's not a sequel, nor is it based on a movie or other intellectual property. Ubisoft actually claimed the top two spots on the charts for 2017 video game sales through April. Perhaps even more impressive, both Switch and Breath of the Wild came out in March, a little more than halfway through the four-month sales period covered here. The game was one of the launch titles for the Switch, and it helped drive demand for that console. The latest title in the Legend of Zelda series not only showed that the long-running title remains relevant, it also helped Nintendo regain a place in the console market. The game has sold 3.4 million copies as of June, and a sequel has been announced, though no release date has been set. Horizon Zero DawnĪn exclusive for Sony's PS4, this role-playing/action game had one of the strongest debuts in company history according to IGN.

Mass Effect has been a well-loved series, and that sent its latest entry to strong sales through the early part of 2017. EA may no longer have the sports world to itself, but it has built franchises in other areas.

These were the best games of 2017