Canada’s July Best-Selling Games: A Fresh Look at the Top 10
New data from ESAC and Circana shows Canada’s July scene was led by a familiar blue mascot. Donkey Kong Bananza claimed the number one spot, moving more copies than any other title that month.
The country’s top ten list is a mix of friendly party games, yearly sports sims, and big open-world adventures. Here is the full ranking, with the main publisher listed for each title.
- Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo)
- EA Sports College Football 26 (EA Orlando/EA)
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 (Iron Galaxy/Activision)
- EA Sports MVP Bundle (EA Orlando/EA)
- Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games/Xbox)
- Grounded 2 (Obsidian Entertainment/Eidos Montreal/Xbox)
- Red Dead Redemption II (Rockstar Games/Take-Two Interactive)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (Treyarch/Raven Software/Activision)
- Minecraft (Mojang/Xbox)
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (Kojima Productions/PlayStation)
A closer look shows a few entries carry Canadian fingerprints in their makeup. Grounded 2 was developed across teams in the U.S. and Canada, with Obsidian handling lead work while Eidos Montreal from Quebec contributed significantly. Meanwhile, Beenox, part of the Xbox family, aided development on Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
It’s worth noting that Circana and ESAC have yet to share a U.S. counterpart for July. The U.S. list would add an extra layer of context, but we’ll publish it as soon as the data lands. For now, Canadian readers get a clear snapshot of the month’s buys at home.
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What the mix says about Canadian gaming tastes
The lineup isn’t all new faces. Fans of classic action-adventure, open worlds, and fast sports sims still show strong interest. The presence of Red Dead Redemption II and Minecraft alongside newer releases hints at a broad audience. It’s a blend of nostalgia, friendship-friendly games, and big budget titles.
Forza Horizon 5’s continued rise underlines how racing fans keep choosing a stylish open world. The game’s bright tracks and frequent events keep it relevant, year after year, on many shelves. A title like Minecraft remains a steady seller, a sign that creativity and sandbox play still draw families and solo builders alike.
First-party Nintendo remains solid in Canada. Donkey Kong Bananza at the top spot confirms Nintendo’s familiarity with local shoppers. The publisher’s line-up tends to do well on family shelves and in shared living rooms.
The Call of Duty entry keeps a steady pulse on the shooter crowd. Activision’s yearly cadence and the big-name studios behind Black Ops 6 help keep it in the conversation. The collaboration with Beenox shows the value of cross-team support in keeping a major franchise fresh for players across the country.
One month, many stories
The July mix also shows how evergreen titles live side by side with new releases. Sports games, in particular, continue to pull in buyers looking for the latest rosters and modes. This pattern isn’t about one flashy moment; it’s about a steady flow of options that fans can enjoy for weeks.
In the same breath, Grounded 2 marks how Canadian studios contribute to global hits. The blend of Obsidian’s storytelling with Eidos Montreal’s puzzle and design work creates a product that appeals to a broad audience. The cross-border effort highlights the value of mixed teams in the modern games industry.
Meanwhile, indie-friendly blocks sit next to big blockbusters. This contrast helps explain why a game like Death Stranding 2: On the Beach can sit near timeless titles like Minecraft in monthly charts. It’s a sign of how players mix passion projects with a need for big, cinematic experiences.
Getting involved with the Great Canadian Game-Off
ESAC and the event known as the Great Canadian Game-Off are still running until Labour Day. Players can cast their vote for their overall favourite Canadian-made game and enter for a chance at gaming gift cards. It’s a friendly push to celebrate homegrown talent while enjoying a solid lineup of games across the year.
The event is a good reminder that the country’s game scene isn’t just about a single month. It shows a longer arc of titles and studios that help shape Canada’s place in the world of games.
Image credit: Nintendo
As players weigh which titles stood out in July, the data shows a healthy mix of blockbusters and smaller hits. The Canadian market seems to relish familiar franchises as much as fresh experiences. This balance will likely shape what studios decide to bring to shelves next.
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