SimCity 3000
SimCity 3000 is skyscraper and city-building simulator released in 1999. It sold more than five million units if the extended version of the game (SimCity 3000 Unlimited) is included (and if you believe EA’s statistics). This marvel of virtual city planning introduced many changes to its predecessor, which garnered admiration from the press.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an action RPG released in 2011, and it sold more than five million copies. The game centers on the destruction of Alduin the World-Eater, a dragon bent on wrecking the planet. Its story takes place 200 years after the preceding title in the series, Oblivion.
StarCraft
With 11 million copies sold, StarCraft is the first and most popular in its series. Launched in 1998, this multiplayer real-time strategy (RTS) game takes place in a fictional 25th century where three species fight to dominate the galaxy. The game is extremely popular in South Korea, where half of its sales are registered.
Star Wars: The Old Republic
According to some estimates, nearly three million copies of Star Wars: The Old Republic have been sold. This MMORPG cost between 150 and 200 million dollars to develop, which makes it the most expensive video game in history. It won over a million players in three days too, which also made it the fastest-growing MMORPG.
The Sims 2
The Sims 2 is probably the best-selling PC game of all time, with an estimated total of 20 million copies sold. Released in 2004, the life simulator followed the same principle as its predecessor, The Sims. There was some controversy about certain cheat codes that allowed the player to see the naked, but that issue was rapidly fixed.
Theme Park
Released in 1994, Theme Park sold 3.5 million copies according to the publisher. Its popularity stems from its eccentric sense of humor and gameplay similar to that of RollerCoaster Tycoon. In the beginning of the game, the player has to build an amusement park in the United Kingdom, with only one hundred pounds.
Tomb Raider II
With a total of eight million copies sold, and likely three million of those on the PC, this is the most popular Tomb Raider game of the franchise. It upgraded the gameplay and graphics, and the result was a cult title. The story revolves around the Dagger of Xian, which gives its owner supernatural powers.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War
If its expansion packs are included, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War has sold more than four million copies according to its developer, THQ. Released in 2004, this RTS requires the player to capture or protect areas of a map that give access to resources for use in creating buildings and units.
Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? is without a doubt the biggest surprise of our list. It is the oldest title, as it was released way back in 1985, and has sold more than four million copies. This educational/strategy game requires the player to capture enemies who travel all around the Earth. To achieve this, the player has to find clues and play detective.
World Of Warcraft
With more than 10 million subscribers and over 14 million copies sold, World of Warcraft (WoW) is probably the MMORPG that had the most impact on 21st-century video game culture. Released in 2004, the game is loosely-based on Blizzard's earlier RTS franchise, WarCraft. The game takes place in the world of Azeroth where the player must choose to join either the Alliance or the Horde. The iconic game has given rise to international tournaments and even been lampooned on South Park.
And there you have it folks, our picks for the 30 most popular PC games of all time.
