Top 50 video game franchises of all time

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - September 25th 2024, 11:00 GMT+2

Cropped About — About this gallery:

To create this gallery, we decided to focus on established franchises with multiple games over the years. For this reason, you might not find great and beloved games (which time may eventually turn into classics) because they either have only a few games or are too recent to be considered. We are avoiding franchises created from 2010 onwards!

Additionally, we also chose to ignore franchises based on movies, so no *Star Wars* or *Lord of the Rings* games, even if there are dozens. And if you think we missed an important franchise, why not add it in the comments? | © Capcom

Cropped Uncharted — 50. Uncharted (2007)

**First game**: *Uncharted: Drake's Fortune* (2007).

One of PlayStation’s flagship franchises, *Uncharted* is known for its cinematic storytelling, action-adventure gameplay, and its charismatic protagonist, Nathan Drake. | © Naughty Dog

Cropped Command Conquer — 49. Command & Conquer (1995)

**First game**: *Command & Conquer* (1995).

One of the most influential RTS franchises, *Command & Conquer* shaped the genre with its strategic gameplay, and its legacy continues with remasters and spin-offs. | © EA

Cropped Monster Hunter — 48. Monster Hunter (2004)

**First game**: *Monster Hunter* (2004).

This action RPG franchise focuses on players hunting and capturing massive creatures. It has steadily grown in popularity, especially with the global success of *Monster Hunter: World*. | © Capcom

Cropped Tony Hawks Pro Skater — 47. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (1999)

**First game**: *Tony Hawk's Pro Skater* (1999).

The skateboarding game that defined a generation, *Tony Hawk's Pro Skater* returned in 2020 with a successful remaster of the first two games. | © Activision

Cropped Battlefield — 46. Battlefield (2002)

**First game**: *Battlefield 1942* (2002).

*Battlefield* revolutionized multiplayer warfare with large-scale battles and destructible environments, continuing to evolve with entries like *Battlefield 2042* (2021). | © EA

Cropped Wolfenstein — 45. Wolfenstein (1981)

**First game**: *Castle Wolfenstein* (1981).

One of the earliest FPS franchises, *Wolfenstein* helped shape the genre, and its recent reboot series has brought new life to the Nazi-fighting saga.. | © id Software

Cropped Kirby — 44. Kirby (1992)

**First game**: *Kirby's Dream Land* (1992).

This beloved Nintendo platformer has charmed players for over 30 years with its unique gameplay, where Kirby can copy the abilities of his enemies. | © Nintendo

Cropped Borderlands — 43. Borderlands (2009)

**First game**: *Borderlands* (2009).

Known for its unique blend of first-person shooting and RPG mechanics, *Borderlands* has captivated players with its distinctive art style, humor, and co-op gameplay. | © 2K Games

Cropped Gran Turismo — 42. Gran Turismo (1997)

**First game**: *Gran Turismo* (1997).

One of the most iconic racing game franchises, *Gran Turismo* has delivered realistic driving simulations for over two decades. | © Sony Interactive Entertainment

Cropped Hitman — 41. Hitman (2000)

**First game**: *Hitman: Codename 47* (2000).

The *Hitman* series has been a fan favorite for its open-ended, stealth-based assassination missions, with recent titles like *Hitman World of Assassination* keeping the franchise alive and well. | © Limited Run Games

Cropped Quake — 40. Quake (1996)

**First game**: *Quake* (1996).

*Quake* was a pioneer in first-person shooters and online multiplayer gaming, and while its releases have slowed, the franchise remains a cornerstone of competitive FPS history. | © id Software

Cropped Need for Speed — 39. Need for Speed (1994)

**First game**: *The Need for Speed* (1994).

As one of the most popular racing franchises, *Need for Speed* has evolved with each console generation, maintaining a strong fan base for nearly 30 years. | © EA

Cropped Crash Bandicoot — 38. Crash Bandicoot (1996)

**First game**: *Crash Bandicoot* (1996).

Once the mascot for PlayStation, *Crash Bandicoot* has made a major comeback with remakes and new games, delighting both old fans and newcomers. | © Activision

Cropped The Sims — 37. The Sims (2000)

**First game**: *The Sims* (2000).

*The Sims* has been the premier life simulation franchise for over 20 years, allowing players to create and manage virtual lives in ways that have captivated a massive audience. | © Maxis

Cropped Dragon Age — 36. Dragon Age (2009)

**First game**: *Dragon Age: Origins* (2009).

BioWare’s fantasy RPG series offers deep storytelling, tactical combat, and rich lore. With its player-driven choices and memorable characters, *Dragon Age* has become a beloved franchise, with a fourth game in development. | © Bioware

Cropped Yakuza — 35. Yakuza (2005)

**First game**: *Yakuza* (2005).

Known for its deep narrative and quirky side activities, *Yakuza* has become a staple of modern gaming, particularly with its shift to turn-based combat in *Yakuza: Like a Dragon*. | © Sega

Cropped Star Fox — 34. Star Fox (1993)

**First game**: *Star Fox* (1993).

A classic Nintendo space shooter series, *Star Fox* has maintained a loyal fan base with its fast-paced combat and iconic characters like Fox McCloud. | © Nintendo

Cropped Gears of War — 33. Gears of War (2006)

**First game**: *Gears of War* (2006).

*Gears of War* helped popularize the third-person cover shooter and is known for its gritty world and intense multiplayer gameplay, continuing to evolve with new installments. | © Microsoft

Cropped Mass Effect — 32. Mass Effect (2007)

**First game**: *Mass Effect* (2007).

BioWare’s epic space RPG trilogy became a fan favorite for its character-driven storytelling, branching narratives, and expansive universe, with *Mass Effect: Legendary Edition* reviving the franchise. | © Bioware

Cropped Diablo — 31. Diablo (1996)

**First game**: *Diablo* (1996).

Blizzard’s action-RPG series has set the gold standard for dungeon crawlers, and the recent release of *Diablo IV* shows it remains a fan-favorite. | © Blizzard Entertainment

Cropped Animal Crossing — 30. Animal Crossing (2001)

**First game**: *Animal Crossing* (2001).

This cozy life-simulation franchise has been a fan-favorite for over two decades, with *Animal Crossing: New Horizons* taking the world by storm in 2020. | © Nintendo

Cropped Tekken — 29. Tekken (1994)

**First game**: *Tekken* (1994).

A dominant force in the fighting game community, *Tekken* has maintained relevance with its competitive gameplay and evolving storyline. | ©

Cropped Starcraft — 28. StarCraft (1998)

**First game**: *StarCraft* (1998).

Blizzard's RTS masterpiece has had a lasting impact on eSports and competitive gaming, particularly in South Korea, with *StarCraft II* still played professionally today | © Blizzard Entertainment

Cropped Donkey Kong — 27. Donkey Kong (1981)

**First game**: *Donkey Kong* (1981).

One of Nintendo's earliest franchises, *Donkey Kong* introduced Mario to the world and has continued with platformers like *Donkey Kong Country*. | © Nintendo

Cropped Age of Empires — 26. Age of Empires (1997)

**First game**: *Age of Empires* (1997).

One of the most beloved RTS franchises, *Age of Empires* has continued to thrive with recent remasters and the release of *Age of Empires IV* (2021). | © Ensemble Studios

Cropped Half Life — 25. Half-Life (1998)

**First game**: *Half-Life* (1998).

A groundbreaking first-person shooter, *Half-Life* continues to influence the genre, with *Half-Life: Alyx* bringing the franchise back in a big way through VR. | © Valve

Silent Hill MSN — 24. Silent Hill (1999)

**First game**: *Silent Hill* (1999).

A psychological horror series known for its eerie atmosphere, *Silent Hill* left a lasting impact on the survival horror genre. With remakes and possible new entries, it's still relevant today. | © Konami

Cropped Persona — 23. Persona (1996)

**First game**: *Revelations: Persona* (1996).

A spin-off of the *Shin Megami Tensei* series, *Persona* has grown into its own powerhouse franchise, blending high school life simulation with turn-based combat, with *Persona 5* achieving worldwide success. | © Atlus

Cropped Warcraft — 22. Warcraft (1994)

**First game**: *Warcraft: Orcs & Humans* (1994).

Starting as a real-time strategy (RTS) game, *Warcraft* exploded in popularity with *World of Warcraft* (2004), which became one of the most successful MMORPGs in history, with expansions continuing to this day. | © Blizzard Entertainment

Cropped FIFA — 21. FIFA (1993)

**First game**: *FIFA International Soccer* (1993).

The *FIFA* series has been the go-to for soccer fans worldwide for nearly three decades, setting the standard for sports games. | © EA

Cropped KINGDOM HEARTS — 20. Kingdom Hearts (2002)

**First game**: *Kingdom Hearts* (2002).

This unique crossover between Disney and *Final Fantasy* characters has been captivating fans for over two decades, with new titles and expansions continuing the saga. | © Square Enix

Cropped God of War — 19. God of War (2005)

**First game**: *God of War* (2005).

This PlayStation icon is known for its brutal combat and mythology-driven narratives, starring Kratos. The series was reinvented in 2018 with a critically acclaimed focus on Norse mythology and emotional storytelling. | © Sony Interactive Entertainment

Cropped Mortal Kombat — 18. Mortal Kombat (1992)

**First game**: *Mortal Kombat* (1992).

Known for its brutal combat and "Fatalities," *Mortal Kombat* has consistently evolved its formula, with *Mortal Kombat 1* (2023) reinvigorating the series. | © NetherRealm Studios

Cropped Skyrim — 17. The Elder Scrolls (1994)

**First game**: *The Elder Scrolls: Arena* (1994).

*The Elder Scrolls* is famous for its expansive open worlds and deep lore, with *Skyrim* becoming one of the most beloved RPGs of all time. | © Bethesda

Cropped Mega Man — 16. Mega Man (1987)

**First game**: *Mega Man* (1987).

Known for its challenging platforming and action gameplay, *Mega Man* has remained a beloved franchise with numerous spin-offs, like *Mega Man X* and *Mega Man Battle Network*. | © Capcom

Cropped Tomb Raider — 15. Tomb Raider (1996)

**First game**: *Tomb Raider* (1996).

Starring the iconic Lara Croft, this franchise has spanned generations of gamers, with a successful reboot trilogy in recent years. | ©

Cropped Metroid — 14. Metroid (1986)

**First game**: *Metroid* (1986).

*Metroid* is another long-standing Nintendo franchise that has evolved from 2D side-scrolling adventures to 3D first-person shooters, with *Metroid Prime 4* anticipated. | © Nintendo

Cropped Castlevania — 13. Castlevania (1986)

**First game**: *Castlevania* (1986).

Known for its gothic atmosphere and action-platforming, *Castlevania* has had a huge influence on the "Metroidvania" genre. | © Nintendo

Cropped Metal Gear — 12. Metal Gear (1987)

**First game**: *Metal Gear* (1987).

Created by Hideo Kojima, this franchise redefined stealth gameplay and storytelling, with games like *Metal Gear Solid* becoming classics. | © Konami

Cropped The Witcher — 11. The Witcher (2007)

**First game**: *The Witcher* (2007).

CD Projekt Red’s fantasy RPG series, especially *The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt*, became an industry-defining game and one of the most critically acclaimed titles of all time. | © CD Projekt RED

Cropped Assassins Creed — 10. Assassin's Creed (2007)

**First game**: *Assassin's Creed* (2007).

Since its debut, *Assassin's Creed* has consistently offered sprawling historical settings and innovative gameplay, with the series continuing to thrive with modern titles like *Valhalla*. | © Ubisoft

Cropped Resident Evil — 9. Resident Evil (1996)

**First game**: *Resident Evil* (1996).

Capcom's survival horror series has seen a resurgence with remakes and new entries like *Resident Evil Village*, cementing its place over decades. | © Capcom

Cropped Dark Souls 1 — 8. Dark Souls (2009)

**First game**: *Demon's Souls* (2009).

This action RPG series created by FromSoftware gained a massive following for its punishing difficulty, deep lore, and intricate level design. The success of *Demon's Souls* paved the way for the *Dark Souls* trilogy, which became iconic for its methodical combat and atmospheric world. | © FromSoftware

Cropped Halo — 7. Halo (2001)

**First game**: *Halo: Combat Evolved* (2001).

Bungie’s groundbreaking shooter helped define modern first-person shooters on consoles, and *Halo Infinite* continues to be a major force. | © 343 Industries

Cropped Street Fighter — 6. Street Fighter (1987)

**First game**: *Street Fighter* (1987).

As one of the pioneers of the fighting game genre, *Street Fighter* has been a key franchise since the arcade days, with *Street Fighter VI* continuing the legacy. | © Capcom

Cropped Sonic — 5. Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)

**First game**: *Sonic the Hedgehog* (1991).

Sega's mascot has sped through decades, appearing in countless games across many platforms, including successful revivals like *Sonic Mania*. | © Sega

Cropped Final Fantasy — 4. Final Fantasy (1987)

**First game**: *Final Fantasy* (1987).

This legendary JRPG series is still going strong, with *Final Fantasy XVI* marking a high point in the franchise's evolution. | © Square Enix

Cropped Pokemon — 3. Pokémon (1996)

**First game**: *Pokémon Red and Blue* (1996).

With over two decades of games, TV shows, and merchandise, *Pokémon* remains a cultural phenomenon, from handhelds to mobile with *Pokémon GO*. | © Nintendo

Cropped Zelda — 2. The Legend of Zelda (1986)

**First game**: *The Legend of Zelda* (1986).

An iconic action-adventure series, Zelda has captivated players for decades with titles like *Ocarina of Time* and *Breath of the Wild*. | © Nintendo

Cropped Mario — 1. Super Mario (1985)

**First game**: *Super Mario Bros.* (1985).

Spanning over 35 years, the *Mario* franchise has evolved across multiple genres like platformers, sports, kart racing, and RPGs. | © Nintendo

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Video games have come a long way since the early days of arcades and home consoles, with certain franchises standing the test of time, evolving, and captivating generations of players. From iconic platformers to immersive RPGs, these franchises have not only shaped the gaming industry but have also become a part of pop culture.

In this list, we’ve compiled the top 50 video game franchises of all time, focusing on those that have spanned decades and continue to thrive. Whether you're a fan of epic adventures, heart-pounding action, or nostalgic classics, these franchises represent the best the gaming world has to offer. Let’s dive in and celebrate the timeless games that have defined the medium.