Capcom's horror blockbuster "Resident Evil Requiem" has dominated early 2026 sales on PlayStation 5, topping charts in the United States and performing strongly across major markets as the most sold PS5 game worldwide through the first three months of the year.

With the PS5 console continuing its strong performance into 2026, new releases and evergreen favorites have driven robust software sales. Data from Circana (formerly NPD), PlayStation Store download reports, and industry analysts show a mix of fresh horror entries, annual sports simulators and long-running franchises leading the pack. While exact global unit figures remain closely guarded by Sony and publishers, U.S. dollar and unit sales combined with international trends provide a clear picture of the top performers.

Here are the 10 most sold PS5 games worldwide in 2026 so far, based on available retail, digital and PlayStation Store performance through March 2026:

Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem
  1. Resident Evil Requiem (Capcom, February 2026) — The latest mainline entry in the long-running survival horror series has been the breakout hit of the year. It topped February's U.S. charts according to Circana and maintained strong momentum into March, with launch-week dollar sales reportedly 60% higher than "Resident Evil Village." Strong word-of-mouth, improved unit sales and global appeal have made it the clear No. 1 PS5 title of early 2026. Critics praised its tense atmosphere and gameplay innovations, helping it resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers.
  2. NBA 2K26 (2K Sports) — The annual basketball simulation continues its tradition of strong early-year performance. Regular content updates, MyCareer improvements and competitive online modes have kept engagement high, securing it the No. 2 spot in U.S. year-to-date sales and solid international results, particularly in Europe and Asia.
  3. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (Activision) — Despite launching before 2026, the latest Black Ops entry has remained a consistent top performer. Its multiplayer modes, seasonal content and cross-platform play have sustained sales momentum, placing it among the top three in both January and year-to-date U.S. charts with strong global digital downloads.
  4. Madden NFL 26 (EA Sports) — Football fans have kept the latest Madden title in the upper ranks. Improved gameplay features and Ultimate Team content have driven steady purchases, contributing to its position in the top five for early 2026 U.S. sales.
  5. EA Sports FC 26 (EA Sports) — The soccer simulation has performed exceptionally well internationally, especially in Europe and Latin America. It frequently appeared in PlayStation Store regional top downloads and benefited from major tournaments and seasonal updates.
  6. Grand Theft Auto V (Rockstar Games) — Even more than a decade after its original release, GTA V continues to sell strongly on PS5 thanks to ongoing online updates and new players discovering the expansive open world. It regularly ranks in monthly top 10 lists across regions.
  7. Minecraft (Multiple Publishers) — The evergreen sandbox phenomenon maintains broad appeal across age groups. Consistent updates and cross-play features have kept it a steady seller on PS5 throughout the early months of 2026.
  8. ARC Raiders (Embark Studios) — This extraction shooter made a strong debut and has held solid sales through March. Its free-to-play elements combined with premium progression have driven downloads and in-game spending.
  9. Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined (Square Enix) — The remade classic RPG performed well upon its February release, landing in the top 10-15 on U.S. charts and appealing strongly to Japanese and Asian markets where the franchise has deep roots.
  10. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (Insomniac Games / Sony) — The 2023 blockbuster continues to benefit from holiday sales momentum and new players entering the PS5 ecosystem. Its cinematic story, web-swinging gameplay and frequent discounts have sustained long-tail sales into 2026.

These rankings blend U.S. Circana data (retail and digital dollar/unit sales) with PlayStation Store download trends from major regions. Sports titles and annual franchises dominate early-year charts because they launch or update in the fall and maintain engagement through the first quarter. Horror games like "Resident Evil Requiem" have proven particularly resilient, capitalizing on high review scores and genre popularity on consoles.

Industry analysts note that PS5 software sales remain healthy in 2026, supported by the console's large installed base and Sony's first-party ecosystem. Evergreen games such as "Grand Theft Auto V," "Minecraft" and "Marvel's Spider-Man 2" demonstrate the long-term value of strong single-player experiences and live-service elements. New releases in the first quarter have focused on quality over quantity, with horror and RPG remakes performing notably well.

PlayStation Store monthly download reports for January and February 2026 showed heavy representation from sports titles ("NBA 2K26," "Madden NFL 26," "EA Sports FC 26") alongside action-adventure favorites and newer shooters like "ARC Raiders." Regional differences are evident: North America favors sports and shooters, while Europe shows stronger performance for soccer simulations and narrative-driven games.

Sony has not released official global unit sales figures for individual PS5 titles in 2026, but analysts estimate that top performers like "Resident Evil Requiem" have moved several million copies across platforms within the first six weeks. The strong start for new horror entries suggests continued consumer appetite for premium single-player experiences amid a market increasingly filled with live-service offerings.

Challenges for the industry include competition from PC Game Pass and other subscription services, as well as the growing influence of Nintendo Switch 2. However, PS5 exclusives and optimized multi-platform titles continue to drive hardware and software sales. Sony's focus on backward compatibility and enhanced versions of older games has also helped sustain sales of catalog titles.

Looking ahead, analysts expect "Grand Theft Auto VI" (anticipated later in 2026) to shatter records when it arrives, potentially reshaping the sales landscape for the remainder of the year. In the meantime, the early 2026 chart leaders reflect a balanced mix of new blockbuster releases and reliable annual franchises that keep players returning to their PS5 consoles.

For gamers seeking recommendations, the top sellers offer something for nearly every preference — intense horror, competitive sports, open-world exploration or fast-paced multiplayer action. Many titles include robust single-player campaigns alongside online modes, providing excellent value in an era of rising game prices.

As the year progresses, new releases and seasonal updates are expected to shake up the rankings. Publishers will watch closely how "Resident Evil Requiem" performs in the long term compared with previous entries in the series, which have enjoyed strong post-launch sales through word-of-mouth and discounts.

The PS5's position as a leading platform for high-fidelity gaming remains secure in 2026, with software sales reflecting both innovation in new titles and the enduring popularity of established franchises. Whether players prefer the terror of "Resident Evil Requiem" or the competition of annual sports simulators, the early chart leaders have set a high bar for the rest of the year.