September 10th 2025.
As the all-American birthday of the original PlayStation approaches, we take a look at the top-selling games on the console in the US. While some of the expected titles like Crash Bandicoot and Gran Turismo make the list, there are also some surprising inclusions.
Sony celebrated the 30th anniversary of the PlayStation last year, based on its original launch in Japan on December 30, 1994. However, it took almost a year for the console to arrive in most other countries. In North America, the PlayStation hit store shelves on September 9, 1995, followed by its launch in Europe on September 29.
In honor of the 30th anniversary of the console's US launch, analyst Mat Piscatella from chart-tracker Circana released sales figures for the top-selling titles on the original PlayStation. While the list features some expected games, there are also some unexpected entries that may surprise you.
At the top of the list in terms of unit sales is 1999's Gran Turismo 2, followed by Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, the original Gran Turismo, and Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped. In fifth place is the Jampack Series: PlayStation, a compilation of demos released on one disc in the US.
But one of the most peculiar games on the list is 1997's Frogger, which takes the sixth spot. This version of Frogger was developed by Sony and featured 3D graphics, making it a remake and expansion of Konami's original arcade game.
It's unclear if the game's success was tied to a console bundle, but reports show that Frogger sold four million units worldwide by May 2000, with the majority being in North America. It's also unclear why the game was so popular in the US, especially considering it received poor reviews at the time. However, an episode of Seinfeld featuring Frogger may have contributed to its success, prompting publisher Hasbro Interactive to increase production for US retailers in 1998.
Another oddity on the list is Namco Museum Vol. 3 at number 15, which included six classic games such as Ms. Pac-Man, Dig Dug, and Galaxian. And while it's uncertain if it was part of a bundle, it's surprising that Americans were purchasing a compilation of old arcade games, especially since it outsold every Tomb Raider game.
If you're interested in more PlayStation figures, Circana also released the top 20 all-time best-selling games across every PlayStation console in the US. Unsurprisingly, titles like GTA 5, Minecraft, and Red Dead Redemption 2 top the list.
And let's not forget about the Dreamcast, which also celebrates its 16th anniversary since launching in the US. According to Circana's Retail Tracking Service, the top-selling game on the console was Sonic Adventure, followed by NFL 2K, Crazy Taxi, and NFL 2K1.
Interestingly, six out of the top 10 games on the list are sports titles, with only Soulcalibur and Shenmue breaking the mould at number 7 and 9, respectively. It's worth noting that the European top 20 list would look different due to different tastes in sports and the absence of EA games on the Dreamcast.
As we wish the Dreamcast a happy birthday, it's important to recognize its success in the US market. And while we may never know the exact reasons behind the popularity of certain games, it's clear that the PlayStation and Dreamcast hold a special place in the hearts of many gamers.
So here's to the all-American birthdays of the PlayStation and Dreamcast, and to many more years of exciting and innovative gaming. Don't forget to sign up for the GameCentral newsletter for exclusive gaming analysis and stay updated with the latest reviews and news. And if you have any thoughts or comments, feel free to email us, leave a comment below, or follow us on Twitter.
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