Full Breakdown
Red Dead Redemption 2 Climbs to Third Place Among Best-Selling Video Games
5/22/2026, 6:11:51 AM
Red Dead Redemption 2 Secures Third-Best-Selling Position
Released in 2018, Rockstar Games’ open-world title Red Dead Redemption 2 has reached 85 million copies sold worldwide as of March 2026. That total moves the game ahead of Nintendo’s Wii Sports, establishing it as the third-best-selling video game ever released.
Sales Trajectory Since Launch
The title’s sales have remained robust, with the most recent twelve-month window surpassing any prior annual period since launch. While its cumulative sales represent just over one-third of Grand Theft Auto 5’s 230 million copies, the steady growth underscores enduring consumer demand more than five years after release.
Numbers at a Glance
- Total copies sold (Red Dead Redemption 2): 85 million (up to March 2026)
- Total copies sold (Grand Theft Auto 5): 230 million
- Ranking: Third-best-selling game, overtaking Wii Sports
Criticism & Opposition
Fans have repeatedly urged Rockstar to deliver a 60 fps patch for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions, which remain locked at 30 fps. In addition to performance concerns, Red Dead Online has been criticized for trailing its counterpart GTA Online in both content updates and revenue generation, prompting fans to question Rockstar’s allocation of resources between its multiplayer offerings. Hollywood actor Jack Black publicly expressed enthusiasm for a role in a potential Red Dead Redemption 3, underscoring the franchise’s cultural resonance despite the lack of official plans.
Rockstar’s Official Position
Rockstar has not issued a formal statement confirming a performance-upgrade roadmap. Public commentary from company leadership has centered on the forthcoming Grand Theft Auto 6, indicating that resources are currently allocated to that project rather than to a Red Dead Redemption 2 patch.
Voices from the Community
- “Red Dead Redemption 3 will probably happen.” — Dan Houser, Rockstar Games co-founder and former lead writer
- “I’m certain fans will see Red Dead Redemption 3 one day, but I have no idea when that will be.” — Roger Clark, actor who portrayed Arthur Morgan
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The sales figure of 85 million is presented without a platform-by-platform breakdown, leaving regional performance unclear. No official confirmation exists regarding a Red Dead Redemption 3 development timeline, and Rockstar’s silence on a 60 fps update creates uncertainty about future technical support.
Future Outlook
Comments from Dan Houser and Roger Clark suggest a sequel remains plausible, though no concrete development plan has been disclosed. Rockstar’s immediate focus appears to be the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6, after which the company may revisit the Wild West franchise or address the long-standing performance request. Until an official announcement, the timing of any patch or sequel remains speculative.
