If you're connected to the gaming world in any way — whether through your children or as a gaming enthusiast yourself — you're probably already aware of some of the most popular trends in video games right now.

While some long-standing family favourites remain popular, violent video games such as online multiplayer shooters are also popular, which may cause concern for parents. As a result, the Entertainment Software Rating Board assigns an age and content rating to each video game, making it critical for parents to educate themselves about these ratings so they can decide which video games are appropriate for their child. "While video games receive a lot of attention, parents should also consider other places their children may be exposed to violence, such as movies, TV, and the Internet." When it comes to their children and violent video games, parents must ultimately make a decision," says Umang Jain, co-founder of the ed tech gaming company SplashLearn.

To determine the best video games on the market right now, we looked at NPD's list as well as IGN's list of the best-selling games of all time. We've included their ratings so you can make an educated decision if you decide to buy one of these for the gamer in your life.

#1 Call of Duty : Vanguard & Call of Duty: Black Ops: Cold War

Call of Duty: Vanguard and Call of Duty: Black Ops: Cold War are the top two best-sellers for 2021, respectively. Both are fast-paced first-person shooters, but the first takes place in the run-up to World War II and the second in the 1980s Cold War.

Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S are the platforms supported.

#2 Madden NFL 22

John Madden died in 2021, but his video game franchise lives on, and Madden NFL 22 was thankfully released before his death. Critics gave the football simulation mixed reviews, but it was praised for having an improved franchise mode that allows players to lead teams over multiple seasons.

Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Stadia are the platforms supported.

#3 Mlb The Show 21

MLB The Show 21 is a baseball simulator game with features that will appeal to both newcomers and advanced players. The regular cover features San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tats Jr., but a portion of the proceeds from the Jackie Robinson cover go to the Jackie Robinson Foundation, which provides scholarships for higher education.

Platforms include the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and the Xbox Series X/S.

#4 Resident Evil Village

Resident Evil Village continues the productive zombie franchise if you prefer your video games to be less sports-oriented and more horror-survival-oriented. In a game that combines horror, action, and puzzles, players take control of Ethan Winters, a man searching for his kidnapped daughter in a zombie-infested village.

Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Stadia are the platforms supported.

#5 Battlefield 2042

Because this multiplayer-first-person shooter game is set in the future, players can use futuristic weapons and technology. There's also a portal mode, which allows players to create their own environments by combining maps and features from previous Battlefield games.

Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S are the platforms supported.

#6 Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is a family-friendly update to a 2013 Nintendo game in which players are tasked with saving creatures known as Sprixies. The new version includes new features such as a power-up that transforms characters into cats with the ability to climb walls.

Nintendo Switch is the platform.

#7 Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Pokémon Shining Pearl

The Pokémon Company celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021 with a yearlong celebration that included numerous new products and re-launches. As part of the celebration, it remade these two roleplaying games from 2006, making it ideal for both new and old Pokémon fans.

Nintendo Switch is the platform.

#8 Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales

In this comic-inspired game, players swing around New York City as Miles Morales, the Spidey from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (which is getting a sequel this year). Morales unlocks various gadgets and suits to help him along the way as he completes various missions and assignments.

Playstation 4 and Playstation 5 are the platforms.

#9 Far Cry 6

This first-person shooter stars Giancarlo Esposito, best known for his roles as Gus Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. He plays Antón Castillo, a dictator on a fictitious Caribbean island who is grooming his son to take over the throne. Players assume the role of a guerilla fighter attempting to depose him from power.

Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia, and Amazon Luna are the platforms supported.

#10 NBA 2K22

This first-person shooter stars Giancarlo Esposito, best known for his roles as Gus Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. He plays Antón Castillo, a dictator on a fictitious Caribbean island who is grooming his son to take over the throne. Players assume the role of a guerilla fighter attempting to depose him from power.

Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia, and Amazon Luna are the platforms supported.

#11 Fortnite

Fortnite, developed by Epic Games and released in 2017, is still one of the most popular video games. There are several modes to choose from, including Battle Royale, Save the World, and Creative. Because it is an online active shooter game, it may be contentious among parents and should be played under parental supervision.

PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android are the platforms supported.

#12 Minecraft

Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, and any Minecraft-obsessed child will tell you why. Minecraft, which was released in 2011 and purchased by Microsoft in 2014, has sold over 238 million copies to date. Players in the sandbox game can move around and build structures in a pixelated, block-like world.

Platforms include the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Mac OS, Android, and iOS.

#13 Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto V, released by Rockstar Games in 2013, is an open-world action-adventure game. As the title suggests, players in the game's fictional world of San Andreas commit crimes while attempting to elude authorities. Grand Theft Auto V is the second best-selling game of all time, trailing only Minecraft.

PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Microsoft Windows are the platforms.

#14 Roblox

Roblox is a massively popular online multiplayer game in which players create their own virtual worlds. According to Backlinko, it was released in 2006 and now has more than 202 million monthly active users.

PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Amazon devices, Xbox One, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive are the platforms supported.

#15 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart 8 is a kart-racing video game and the eighth instalment in the Mario Kart series. It had sold more than 47 million copies worldwide by the end of 2021, making it one of the top ten best-selling video games of all time.

Nintendo Switch is the platform.

#16 Forza Horizon 5

Prepare to drive quickly! When the Forza Horizon 5 game was released in November 2021, it received over 10 million players in its first week, making it the fastest-selling Xbox game. It also took home the award for Best Sports/Racing Game at The Game Awards 2021.

Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Microsoft Windows

#17 Mario Party Superstars

Fans of the Nintendo 64 may recall this one: Mario Party Superstars features 100 mini-games from previous Mario Party games spread across five boards remade from the N64 version. The mini games make it simple to involve the entire family.

Nintendo Switch is a platform.

#18 Red Dead Redemption II

Red Dead Redemption II has sold over 39 million copies, putting it just outside the top ten best-selling video games of all time, at No. 12. Players take on the role of outlaw Arthur Morgan as he travels through the Wild West.

PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Stadia are the platforms available.

#19 FIFA 22

FIFA 22 is the 29th instalment in the FIFA franchise, which has a long history in the video-game world. This one uses motion-capture data from real-life professional players who wore motion-capture suits.

Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Stadia

#20 Tetris

Tetris has been around for a long time, and there are versions of it available everywhere, from free online games to phone apps to physical, block versions. The mobile version released by EA is still the third best-selling game of all time. And we can see why it's lasted so long: it's so simple, but it really helps players tune out everything else.