Best Selling PS4 Games of 2018
10. Madden NFL 19
The numbers are in, and Sony has revealed the PlayStation 4’s most downloaded titles of the year. From new entries in established franchises to fresh-faced IPs that blew the community away, these are the top 10 best selling PS4 Games of 2018.
Note that these entries reflect the top downloaded games of the year list released by Sony. Exact figures for overall yearly sales aren’t currently available, so financial milestones for each game have been included for frame of reference.
The latest entry in the Madden franchise had people turning out in droves to play it, and for good reason.
Boasting refined online play and regular daily challenges to take on, as well as a continuation of the story-based Long-Shot mode, the game has no shortage of content for players to dig into.
The title saw strong sales right out of the gate, taking the number one slot for the top downloaded PS4 games from the PlayStation Store in August and continuing to make a showing in the months since.
The exact sales numbers of the title on PlayStation 4 are still unclear, but estimates for its first week of sales at retail alone showed 62 percent of the title’s 788,006 units sold went to the PS4.
By contrast, the title moved an estimated 664,000 units digitally across all platforms, and considering the title’s success on the PlayStation Store for that month, it’s more than possible it enjoyed similar sale’s statistics from August onward.
Best Selling PS4 Games of 2018
9. Far Cry 5
Even if critics weren’t thrilled with the game’s story or repetitive design, Far Cry 5 proved popular among buyers throughout the year.
Premiering on the PlayStation Store best-sellers chart after its launch in March, the title held fast throughout the year and continued to draw in new players with its sprawling open world and zany cast of characters to fight with or against.
As such, it’s no surprise that the game proved a best seller overall. It saw the second biggest launch of all time for publisher/developer Ubisoft with $310 million made in its first week alone.
While the exact figures for the game’s sales on PS4 aren’t yet available, an early estimate of its sales saw 60 percent of all retail copies purchased in the UK go to the PS4, falling in line with the company’s overall earnings and figures report covering the period.
It also helps that prior to the holidays, Ubisoft revealed Far Cry: New Dawn, a direct sequel to Far Cry 5, was in the works, no doubt drawing people in for some late-in-the-year sales to bring its total tally up.
Best Selling PS4 Games of 2018
8. Monster Hunter World
Considering the repeated sales records the title broke over the course of the year, it’s no surprise Monster Hunter World made it as high as it did among the PS4’s best selling titles.
Launching in January, the title saw exceptional sales right out the gate and topped the PlayStation Store’s digital sales chart. It held the slot until Far Cry 5’s launch in March, after which it maintained a position in the top 10 throughout the year.
The game saw over 7.5 million units sold in its first three months alone, with figures for its sales in Japan showing 1,890,273 units sold were from the PS4 version alone; and of those units sold, 652,614 were digital units.
The last major milestone the game passed sales wise was a whopping 10 million units sold, driving a year of record profits for publisher Capcom.
The title has also continued to see strong support from developer Capcom, with regular updates, DLC and cross-over events with other series to keep the gameplay fresh and enticing to new players.
Best Selling PS4 Games of 2018
7. FIFA 19
One of the world’s best-selling sports franchises saw yet another hit with FIFA 19, a late-year release that drew in many buyers in only a few short months.
First appearing on the PlayStation Store’s top downloads list after its launch in late September, the game continued to see strong sales throughout the rest of the year.
It’s worth noting that while the game saw lower retail numbers compared to past entries, the majority of the estimated 4,309,405 units sold in its first week were on the PS4 with some estimates putting the console’s total customer stake as high as 78 percent.
It looks to continue providing incentives for new players as well, with announcements regarding the title already lined up for the new year.
Best Selling PS4 Games of 2018
6. NBA 2K19
Yet another sports title that proved too good to resist for gamers in 2018, NBA 2K19 saw plenty of financial success on Sony’s current gen console.
Launching in mid-September, the game reached the second slot on the PlayStation Store’s best selling PS4 games of the month list. It held fast to remain a best seller in subsequent months, typically landing in the 7th-10th range.
Though the game saw less sizeable launch week sales numbers than other top selling sports titles of the year, it managed to maintain steady sales and likewise saw a continued flow of players choosing the PS4 over other platforms.
At retail alone, 775,485 units of the 1,226,470 total units sold went to the PS4, and while the exact digital sales numbers are still unavailable, its continued appearances on the PlayStation Store’s top downloads chart point to similar success.
Best Selling PS4 Games of 2018
5. Grand Theft Auto V
A constant on the PS4’s best seller list since launch, with lifetime sales surpassing 100 million units across all available platforms, it’s no surprise that Grand Theft Auto V proved a must-buy title for PS4 owners in 2018.
Shooting to the top of the PlayStation Store’s most downloaded titles in June and July, Rockstar’s ode to open world chaos held fast on the best seller’s list throughout the year and made an appearance near the center almost every month.
A big draw for new players was no doubt the continued support for the game’s online component. Players saw plenty of new content as well as timed events and items from Rockstar over the course of the year, making a purchase that much more enticing.
The fact that anticipation for Red Dead Redemption 2 was at an all time high more than likely inspired a few purchases as well, all factoring into another stellar year of sales for the long-lasting title.
Best Selling PS4 Games of 2018
4. God of War
Between its top notch graphics, refined combat system and next level story telling, the latest entry in the God of War franchise proved too good to resist for PS4 owners in 2018.
Starting off strong by nabbing the number one most downloaded title slot in its launch month, God of War held fast until June before being dethroned.
In that time though, it managed to become the PS4’s fastest selling exclusive of all time with over 3.1 million units sold in three days. It held onto the honor until Spider-Man released later in the year and managed even more absurd sales rates.
The game continued to be a best seller throughout the year, remaining on the PlayStation Store’s most downloaded titles list and generating continued interest thanks to its game of the year nominations and wins.
Best Selling PS4 Games of 2018
3. Spider-Man
The latest video game iteration of everyone’s favorite web-slinging hero proved a massive hit, not least of which for the PlayStation 4’s software sales.
A hit right out of the gate, Insomniac’s Spider-Man smashed through sales records to take the top slot of the PlayStation Store’s top downloads in September and remained in the rankings for the remainder of the year.
In addition to this feat, it also managed to become not only the fastest selling PS4 exclusive of all time with 3.3 million units sold in 3 days, but the fastest selling super hero game in U.S. history as well.
Like God of War, its contention for game of the year across several outlets has kept it relevant among potential customers.
The continued DLC support for the game in recent months has also been a big boost, with the most recent giving players something to look forward to in the coming months.
Best Selling PS4 Games of 2018
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
The latest entry in Rockstar’s series of Western epics, Red Dead Redemption 2 drew in gamers far and wide, and their wallets with them.
Seeing exceptional sales numbers from its launch onward, the game was especially popular on Sony’s current console with the biggest pre-order, first day sales and first three days sales figures on PlayStation Network of all time.
Far from a one-and-done phenom though, it held this momentum to remain on the PlayStation Store’s list of top downloaded titles through the year’s final quarter, even claiming the top slot in November.
Thanks to the game’s high critical acclaim and continually expanding online mode, it shows no signs of slowing down either. Time will tell just how long the game remains a best seller and how much money it will accrue before its time is through.
Best Selling PS4 Games of 2018
1. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
It wouldn’t be a list of best selling games without a Call of Duty title, and this year Black Ops 4. took the crown as the most downloaded title on PS4.
Boasting an insane opening weekend haul of over $500 million across all platforms, the game broke the record for most day one sales on the PlayStation Store and held it until Red Dead Redemption 2’s release later that same month.
It held strong in digital sales throughout October, becoming the most downloaded title of the month from the PlayStation Store and remaining in the rankings through the rest of the year.
Though the exact number of units sold on PlayStation 4 remains unknown, the series’ continued popularity among gamers all over the world bodes well for an impressive final total.
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