7 Best Video Game Franchises Of All Time

GameRevolution:

Some gamers find themselves loyal to a particular platform. Others to specific publishers, genres, or development studios. I, however, pledge allegiance to only one gaming specificity: franchises. I hate to use that word, as it only reinforces their money-generating purpose, but let's face it, the gaming industry is a business just like any other, and profitable IPs turn into franchises because they make money.

Fortunately, there's a whole lot of good that comes from series that prove to be cash cows. Developers get the chance to improve upon the franchise's formula, further flesh out its universe, and try out new concepts all thanks to additional funding. Now I won't deny that some series have taken a turn for the worst, but I'm feeling optimistic today, so let's take a look at some of the greatest franchises gaming has to offer.

[dbjj12088]

Super agree with this list. I mean, I don't think anyone will ever beat #1 in sales or recognition.

[knifefight]

It would be tough. It has so much of a head start in terms of age, recognition, reputation, etc.

[alexcosborn]

Agreed. Mario simply can't be beat. :D

[TekoIie]

Absolutely agree.

Its rare for such a list like this see's the list of day :)

[Donnieboi]

Why does this need 4 pages to show 7 games?

[ftwrthtx]

Mario was the first game I ever completed in an arcade. Had to save that princess!

[dafegamer]

gran turismo should be on the list

[Number-Nine]

this is actually a solid list. although i have mgs as my favorite franchise of all time, i believe mario and zelda are the 2 most iconic franchises ever.

[RTheRebel]

Get rid of Halo and put Half Life other than that good list.

[alexcosborn]

If Valve had released Half-Life 3 by now, it may have made the list...

[gunnerforlife]

it would have been better if he had made it 8* greatest Franchises of all time with Gran Turismo in there! i mean 5 games and each has sold nearly 10 million each?? if that doesnt deserve to be on the list i dont know what does! none of the Final Fantasy or metal gear games have sold above 10 million, GT is the Pinnacle of Racing sims! minus that little hitch, id say the list is spot on!

[andrewer]

If that's your criteria, guitar hero should be there lol

[gunnerforlife]

but is Guitar hero at the same level of quality as GT? tell me one game that Defines Playstation Better then GT?

[andrewer]

But why there should be something to define Playstation? Don't get me wrong, I loved PS1 and PS2...just the newer ones are bad. But if it was to have a reacing game, it could be Need for Speed (the first ones) or Mario Kart.

[gunnerforlife]

none of the Need for speeds deserve a mention as something that defines PS each console has a game that springs to mind when u think of PS xbox or nintendo, and sony has that in GT just my opinnion though haha and mario kart is really Mario in itself

[TXIDarkAvenger]

This list is pretty spot on, one of the few lists I completely agree on. All of them are so iconic in the gaming universe. Definitely don't miss out on any of these video game franchises.

Well this list won't apply to everyone of course. Everyone has their favourite game series that are pretty popular.

[alexcosborn]

Glad you agree!

[Garrison]

Number 1 should be Mario of course, Zelda being there is nice as well. I don't have a clue wtf Halo is doing up there, must of been a Halo fan I guess.

[trenso1]

one of the next lists ive seen every game is valued high with gamers and im sure most gamers have play each or most of the games from the specific franchise on that list at least once i know i have

[SegaGamer]

Mario, no thanks, never could understand the love for those games to be honest. Sonic is still my fav franchise, people moan about the newer games but i think they are awesome. think people just need to move on from the old Sonic days.

[xabmol]

lol, just, lol

[xabmol]

Three, two, and one are all I can agree upon.

Good thing "Best" is subjective.

[andrewer]

I would go for 4-2-1 actually. One thing I really don't understand is why Halo is there lol. I would put something like Mario Kart (no racing title in the list :/ )

[xabmol]

Prolly go with GT over Mario Kart.

And no MGS for you?? Eh...

But I do agree about the Halo thing. Like, seriously? Why is that on there? lol

Again though; it's a good thing most people know that "BEST" is just an opinion. (Which I almost always disagree with! xD)

[Max-Zorin]

Mario is the Mickey Mouse of the gaming industry.

[Gemmol]

I agree with the list, but Pokemon should have been above metal gear solid and maybe above Zelda, but the reason I say maybe above Zelda because Pokemon sales are only behind Mario sales out of all Nintendo franchise

[fsfsxii]

WTF does halo have to do with that list?? best franchises mean that this particular franchise did something to gaming, so tell me, what has Halo done to gaming?

[TXIDarkAvenger]

Well for one, Online Console Multiplayer. It didn't invent it, but it sure as hell popularized the Xbox Live service. Halo definitely deserves a spot on the list regardless if you like or not because it has influenced and changed the gaming industry.