Top 5 Best-Selling Games in Canada
Up north where maple syrup flows, the Canadian gaming scene has a few titles that really shine bright in the sales department. So, let’s check out the top 5 best-sellers in Canada’s game world, zooming in on the top two.
Helldivers 2 Shoots to the Top
Come June 2024, Helldivers 2 blasted its way to the number one spot on the sales charts in Canada, raking in the big bucks. Made by Arrowhead Game Studios and given the thumbs up by Sony Interactive Entertainment, this game draws players with its intense gameplay and teamwork-heavy missions. Its position at the top shows that Canadian gamers love getting their team on in these immersive virtual worlds.
Stellar Blade Comes in Hot at Second
Sliding into the runner-up position is Stellar Blade, a one-of-a-kind action-adventure game exclusive to the PS5 since April 2024 (Statista). Created by Shift Up and also stamped by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Stellar Blade pulls players in with its killer storyline and eye-popping graphics that clearly have left a mark on Canadian minds.
| Rank | Game Title | Release Date | Platform | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helldivers 2 | June 2024 | PS5, PC | Cooperative Third-Person Shooter |
| 2 | Stellar Blade | April 2024 | PS5 | Action-Adventure |
Curious about what’s trending on the gaming scene elsewhere? Take a peek at our articles on best-selling games in Spain and popular video games in Germany.
Keep an eye out for more updates about gaming in Canada and don’t miss out on our in-depth reviews of the highest-selling PC games in Canada.
Gaming Market in Canada
Canada among Top 10 Gaming Markets
Did you know? Canada’s stomping with the big dogs in the gaming universe! By 2022, our home and native land made it to the A-list of top 10 countries making bank from gaming, according to Newzoo. What’s fueling this gaming craze? A killer combo of forward-thinking game studios, tech junkies galore, and a serious love for gaming.
| Country | Gaming Revenue (2022) ($ Billion) |
|---|---|
| United States | 50.10 |
| China | 48.60 |
| Japan | 19.40 |
| South Korea | 9.32 |
| Germany | 9.10 |
| United Kingdom | 8.02 |
| Canada | 7.12 |
| France | 4.34 |
| Italy | 3.97 |
| Spain | 3.16 |
Feast your eyes on the numbers up there; Canada ain’t playin’ around—those figures aren’t just stats but proof of our gamers and creators leaving their mark. Curious about how some of these players stack up in other countries? Check out our scoop on the wild ride of popular video games in Germany.
Historical Success: Trivial Pursuit
Canada’s no one-trick pony when it comes to games. Anyone remember Trivial Pursuit? It’s a blast from the past! Canadians Chris Haney and Scott Abbott cranked out this board game blockbuster back in ’84, selling 20 million copies in no time. Fast forward to 1988—it gets snapped up by Parker Brothers for a sweet $80 million. By 2010, this beauty sold a whopping 100 million games worldwide and got translated into a bunch of languages! (Canada’s History).
| Year | Copies Sold (Million) |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 20 |
| 1988 | 50 |
| 2010 | 100 |
The magic of Trivial Pursuit shows that we Canadians are aces at coming up with games that the whole world can’t get enough of. Looking for more success stories in gaming across the globe? Dive into our piece on best-selling games in Spain.
Canada’s gaming scene is rockin’ with killer games and a future that looks just as creative and exciting. If you’re itching to know what’s hot in the gaming world right now, peek at our feature on the highest-selling PC games in Canada.
May 2024 Best-Sellers
May 2024 rolled in with some interesting hits in the Canadian gaming scene. Two thrilling games have grabbed the spotlight and are sittin’ proud on the best-seller list.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Reigns Supreme
Taking center stage, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door snagged numero uno for May 2024. This beefed-up version of the 20-year-old GameCube gem is winning the hearts of folks all over again. Remember, Nintendo only counts physical sales, so who knows how high the numbers really go when you add in the digital buy-ins.
| Rank | Game Title | Release Date | Sales Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door | May 2024 | Physical |
Ghost of Tsushima Shines Bright
Coming in hot, Ghost of Tsushima made its mark across Canada. With its jaw-dropping graphics and captivating gameplay, it’s become a fan favorite for May 2024 (MobileSyrup).
| Rank | Game Title | Release Date | Sales Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Ghost of Tsushima | May 2024 | Physical & Digital |
In Canada, the top picks for May 2024 look pretty similar to those in the U.S., with slight twists of their own featuring MLB: The Show 24 and Minecraft (MobileSyrup). For more cool insights from abroad, take a look at video game hits in Germany and Spanish game favorites.
Canadian Game Development Studios
Canadian game studios have left their mark on the global scene, known for rolling out fantastic games that have fans everywhere talking. It’s a hotbed of innovation with titles that have drawn gamers from all corners.
Notable Contributions to Gaming
These Canadian powerhouses have spun out games that are anything but ordinary. Check out these standouts:
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Luigi’s Mansion 3: Over at Next Level Games in Vancouver, they crafted this gem featuring Luigi’s spectral pup, Polterpup, and his squishy pal, Gooigi. The game’s success put them right on the gaming map (NOW Toronto).
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Mass Effect Series: Edmonton’s own BioWare birthed this series, offering space drama, moral puzzles, and seamless gameplay. These games are legend, forever etched in PC gaming lore (NOW Toronto).
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Gears Tactics: The Coalition from Vancouver took the Gears of War universe for a spin, crafting a strategy-loaded adventure. They kept the adrenaline pumping and guns revving, keeping true to its roots.
| Game Title | Developer | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Luigi’s Mansion 3 | Next Level Games | Fresh characters, standout gameplay |
| Mass Effect Series | BioWare | Cosmic tales, tough choices, gripping play |
| Gears Tactics | The Coalition | Strategic moves, high-octane action, superb visuals |
Canadian Games Making Global Impact
Canadian brainchildren have also wowed players worldwide, attaining serious accolades:
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Siren Head: Cooked up by Toronto’s Trevor Henderson, Siren Head’s creeped its way into fame via Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube. While fan-made renditions abound, the buzz hints at official creations on the horizon (NOW Toronto).
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Luigi’s Mansion 3: Putting Next Level Games on the map, this game shot up in sales, especially in North America. It charmed people with its quirky characters and gameplay (NOW Toronto).
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Mass Effect Series: Mass Effect didn’t just succeed; it catapulted BioWare to the forefront of the industry. With its intense story lines and immersive gameplaying, it’s gathered a fiercely loyal fan crew worldwide.
These tales of success show how Canadian studios have been a driving force on the gaming scene, weaving experiences that stay with players around the planet.
Feel free to dig into more about games loved across the globe. Hit up our explorations of popular video games in Germany and the scoop on best-selling games in the UK.
Rise of Indie Games
Indie games—the little engines that could—have been shaking up the video game industry, especially in Canada. These independently crafted wonders have carved out a big spot, gaining fans and racking up impressive sales numbers.
Indie Game Phenomenon
Back in the day, around 2005, indie games started making waves in the gaming world. Thanks to the magic of digital downloads, platforms like Steam started listing indie games right alongside the big shots. This was a game-changer for indie developers who could now sell and hype-up their creations directly to the gamers.
Then came the console big boys like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo who saw the light and joined the indie party by 2005. They started featuring indie games on their platforms, right next to those blockbuster titles, giving them a much-needed spotlight. Services such as Xbox Live Arcade made it even easier for indie gems to shine, and soon everyone was jumping on the indie bandwagon.
Success Stories and Popular Titles
Some indie games have gone from zero to hero, both in Canada and beyond, stamping their mark on the indie scene. Here’s a list of some notable classics:
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Minecraft: Kicked off as an indie darling in 2011, it’s the reigning champ of top-selling video games. Microsoft swooped in and made it part of the Xbox family in 2014, and it never stopped winning hearts.
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Undertale (2015): Grabbed a bunch of awards and loyal fans with its offbeat storytelling and cool gameplay.
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Among Us (2018): Turned into a must-play during the pandemic. With half a billion folks jumping in during 2020 and 2021, this multiplayer whodunit became a fixture in gaming circles.
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Cuphead: Known for its eye-popping 1930s cartoon style and tough-as-nails gameplay, this one’s been a runaway hit.
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Super Meat Boy: With its tight controls and demanding levels, it’s earned a spot in many gamers’ hearts.
| Game Title | Release Year | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Minecraft | 2011 | Sandbox gameplay |
| Undertale | 2015 | Unique storytelling |
| Among Us | 2018 | Multiplayer social deduction |
| Cuphead | 2017 | 1930s cartoon art style |
| Super Meat Boy | 2010 | Challenging platformer |
These games really show what indie titles are capable of, proving that independent creativity can lead to massive hits. Newcomers like Lethal Company, launched in 2023, continue to make waves locally and worldwide.
Indie games have rocked the foundations of the gaming universe, proving that small and inventive teams can create hall-of-fame level entertainment. Curious about game trends? Check out our takes on best-selling games in Canada and popular video games in Germany.
Impact of Console Manufacturers
Gaming titans like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo have really stirred up the gaming scene, particularly by bringing indie games into the spotlight. This has played a huge role in shaping which games top the charts in Canada.
Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo and Indie Games
By the time we hit 2005, during the seventh console wave, big names like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo were rolling out indie games right alongside their blockbuster titles (Wikipedia). Letting indie games share the stage was a game-changer. Suddenly, these unique creations were in front of way more eyes.
| Console | Year Indie Games Took Off | What Happened |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox | 2005 | Let indie developers showcase their work with the big players |
| PlayStation | 2006 | Gave a leg up to indie game creation |
| Nintendo | 2006 | Introduced indie wonders to mainstream gamers |
These platforms gave indie developers the opportunity to share, tweak, and hype their games straight to players (Wikipedia). It was like opening the floodgates. Suddenly, the most creative and offbeat games could find their fans.
Programs Boosting Indie Game Visibility
All three big shots in the console game have launched programs that help indie creators get their games on the storefronts (Wikipedia). These initiatives are why indie games have become so prominent in today’s gaming universe.
- Xbox Indie Games: Through Xbox Live Arcade and ID@Xbox, indie games get a spotlight.
- PlayStation Indies: Sony fuels indie devs’ fire with PlayStation Indies along with their funding initiatives.
- Nintendo’s Nindies: Nintendo opens doors with Nindies, putting indie gems on the Nintendo eShop.
These programs have made it possible for indie games to thrive, adding layers of diversity and flavor to Canada’s gaming market. If you’re curious about what’s hot in gaming across the globe, take a peek at our guides on must-play games in Germany and top-sellers in Spain.
By welcoming indie games with open arms and backing them through these initiatives, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo are stirring a lively and growing gaming scene that fans in Canada—and everywhere else—enjoy. For more insider info about gaming up north, peruse our piece on Canada’s top PC game picks.