Top Game Franchises: A Look at the Most Popular and Enduring Series
The video game industry is a vast and ever-changing landscape, with new titles and franchises emerging all the time. However, there are a few franchises that have stood the test of time, becoming household names and beloved by gamers of all ages. These are the top game franchises, and they continue to dominate the industry today.
1. Super Mario Bros.
The Super Mario Bros. franchise is the best-selling video game franchise of all time, with over 500 million copies sold worldwide. The series began in 1985 with the release of the original Super Mario Bros. game for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The game was a critical and commercial success, and it spawned a number of sequels and spin-offs. The most recent installment in the series, Super Mario Odyssey, was released in 2017 and was met with widespread critical acclaim.
2. Tetris
Tetris is a puzzle game that was originally developed in the Soviet Union in 1984. The game was a huge success in the Soviet Union, and it was eventually ported to other platforms, including the NES and the Game Boy. Tetris has sold over 170 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time.
3. Grand Theft Auto
The Grand Theft Auto franchise is a series of action-adventure games that was created by Rockstar Games. The series began in 1997 with the release of the original Grand Theft Auto game for the MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it spawned a number of sequels and spin-offs. The most recent installment in the series, Grand Theft Auto V, was released in 2013 and has sold over 150 million copies worldwide.
4. Call of Duty
The Call of Duty franchise is a series of first-person shooter games that was created by Infinity Ward. The series began in 2003 with the release of the original Call of Duty game for the PC, Xbox, and PlayStation 2. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it spawned a number of sequels and spin-offs. The most recent installment in the series, Call of Duty: Vanguard, was released in 2021.
5. Minecraft
Minecraft is a sandbox video game that was created by Mojang Studios. The game was released in 2011, and it has since become one of the best-selling video games of all time. Minecraft allows players to build and explore a procedurally generated world, and it has been praised for its creativity and open-ended gameplay.
6. The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda franchise is a series of action-adventure games that was created by Nintendo. The series began in 1986 with the release of the original The Legend of Zelda game for the NES. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it spawned a number of sequels and spin-offs. The most recent installment in the series, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, was released in 2017 and was met with widespread critical acclaim.
7. Pokémon
The Pokémon franchise is a series of role-playing games that was created by Game Freak. The series began in 1996 with the release of the original Pokémon Red and Green games for the Game Boy. The games were a critical and commercial success, and they spawned a number of sequels and spin-offs. The most recent installment in the series, Pokémon Sword and Shield, was released in 2019.
8. Fortnite
Fortnite is a free-to-play online video game that was developed by Epic Games. The game was released in 2017, and it has since become one of the most popular video games in the world. Fortnite allows players to compete in a battle royale format, where they must be the last player or team standing.
9. Apex Legends
Apex Legends is a free-to-play online video game that was developed by Respawn Entertainment. The game was released in 2019, and it has since become one of the most popular battle royale games in the world. Apex Legends allows players to compete in a squad-based format, where they must work together to be the last squad standing.
10. Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact is a free-to-play online video game that was developed by miHoYo. The game was released in 2020, and it has since become one of the most popular video games in the world. Genshin Impact allows players to explore a vast open world and battle enemies using a variety of elemental powers.
These are just a few of the top game franchises in the world. These franchises have stood the test of time, and they continue to be enjoyed by gamers of all ages. Whether you’re a fan of action-adventure, role-playing, or puzzle games, there’s sure to be a top game franchise that you’ll love.
