The Top Ten Franchises in Video Game History
Posted by James Hawkins at 9:15 AM Feb 25, 2010
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| The Best of the Best |
Highly-acclaimed and massively popular video game franchises are the cornerstone of the gaming industry. Each year numerous sequels, prequels and spin-offs take the market by storm -- a seemingly endless flow of new entries to series that come in all shapes and sizes, spanning genres and platforms. It is in these games that we, as gamers, are met with something new and something familiar at once, which leads to some of the most moving and involving experiences we encounter throughout the medium. So, with that, I give you the official Joystick Division list of the best and most influential video game franchises in history. Please enjoy!
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| Fear. My. Mustache. |
10. Metal Gear Solid (1987)
Copies Sold: 26.5 Million
When Konami came out with Metal Gear for the NES in 1988, it created a whole new genre -- stealth. You took on the role of Solid Snake, a Special Forces badass who has been tasked with taking out a giant, two-legged machine called Metal Gear. It could essentially shoot nukes off from anywhere in the world, which made it one bad bot. The game was complete with innovative gameplay, great production, and an engaging story. Now, some two decades and over half a dozen games later, Metal Gear Solid remains one of the most lauded franchises of all time. Known for highly-developed, thought-provoking plot lines and memorable characters, the impact of the series on the industry is undeniable. Expect this series to please its giant cult following (as well as newcomers) for many more years.
Notable Media: Eight games including Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, The Twin Snakes, and Metal Gear Solid 4: Sons of the Patriots, comic books, documentaries, toys, and a film (rumored).
9. Madden NFL (1989)
Copies Sold: 75 Million
EA Sports could probably subsist solely off of the profits this franchise brings in every year. I'm not sure, but I'd be willing to bet some of my hard-earned ducats on it. Since the first release in 1989, Madden NFL has spawned thirty-some 'sequels,' most of which are updated yearly and released a short time before the beginning of the correlating NFL season. Thanks to a licensing agreement with the NFL, these games are now the ONLY ones to bear the players' and coaches' names, the official mascots, and the stadiums -- and this will continue as long as the big money is being made. Talk about eliminating the competition. Luckily for fans, the developers at EA have been producing a quality product year in and year out. The gameplay keeps improving (despite a few stumbles along the way) and incorporating new mechanics. The graphics are getting pretty damn good, too. As long as there is football, and as long as consumers keep paying full price for an updated version of the last year's game, there will be Madden NFL.
Notable Media: Tons of games -- Madden '95 (though I hate them, I gotta admit those Cowboys were GOOD), Madden '97 (Franchise Mode), Madden '09. Also, indirectly, the Turducken.
8. Pokemon (1996)
Copies Sold: 193 Million
With Pokemon, Nintendo put a unique, high-quality RPG in the hands of literally millions of kids. It was a fairly simple concept -- capture and train these little animals to fight against each other so that you can become the best trainer in the land. Then, after the kids (and adults, frankly) were hooked, folks from all different walks of media came out with new ways to make money: a popular TV show, a couple of straight-to-video movies, and trading cards, to name a few. Not to mention even more "color" games released in pairs by Nintendo every few years. Thus was the explosion of Pokemon. Video gaming may never see another phenomenon like it. And hey, maybe that's a good thing. But for now, Pokemon will continue to play a huge part in the video game moneymarket, and in the integration of video gaming into the mainstream culture.
Notable Media: Everything. Trading cards, numerous games, comics, costumes, TV shows, you name it.
7. Resident Evil (1996)
Copies Sold: 40 Million
It would be unfair to say that Resident Evil invented a genre when it first dropped in 1996. That would be taking credit away from those few games that decided to try out survival-horror first. What it did do, though, was create a wildly imaginative and horrifying title that was just begging to be franchised. Look at the recipe: an evil corporation, a fleshed-out back story, zombies, outbreaks, and beautiful people with guns. Add a great production into the mix, and there you have it. And though it had been marred by dated gameplay for much of its run, the developers at Capcom have been able to forge a new, innovative style for the last two games. As influential as it is successful, Resident Evil has continued to evolve with the changing game environment, producing fun, scary, high-quality games for millions to enjoy.
Notable Media: Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 5, lots of spin-offs, the popular movie series, novelizations.
6. Halo (2001)
Copies Sold: 30 Million
Love it or hate it, you have to admit the Halo series has done just about as much for the FPS genre as a franchise can do. With fantastic gameplay, awesome graphics and Master Chief, Bungie has managed to create a series that had solidified its name next to the very greatest in video gaming history. In a relatively short time, too. It seems that as each game is released, the boundaries for production in the medium as a whole are pushed farther and the bar is raised. And on top of that, the games have pioneered online multiplayer gaming, both competitively and cooperatively. Imagine what Xbox Live would be like today if Halo 2 and Halo 3 hadn't come out. It would be very different world. That, in and of itself, is a monstrous achievement.
Notable Media: Numerous novels, five games (soon to be six), a movie (rumored), some giant statues.
Notable Media: Eight games including Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, The Twin Snakes, and Metal Gear Solid 4: Sons of the Patriots, comic books, documentaries, toys, and a film (rumored).
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| ARE YA READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!? |
9. Madden NFL (1989)
Copies Sold: 75 Million
EA Sports could probably subsist solely off of the profits this franchise brings in every year. I'm not sure, but I'd be willing to bet some of my hard-earned ducats on it. Since the first release in 1989, Madden NFL has spawned thirty-some 'sequels,' most of which are updated yearly and released a short time before the beginning of the correlating NFL season. Thanks to a licensing agreement with the NFL, these games are now the ONLY ones to bear the players' and coaches' names, the official mascots, and the stadiums -- and this will continue as long as the big money is being made. Talk about eliminating the competition. Luckily for fans, the developers at EA have been producing a quality product year in and year out. The gameplay keeps improving (despite a few stumbles along the way) and incorporating new mechanics. The graphics are getting pretty damn good, too. As long as there is football, and as long as consumers keep paying full price for an updated version of the last year's game, there will be Madden NFL.
Notable Media: Tons of games -- Madden '95 (though I hate them, I gotta admit those Cowboys were GOOD), Madden '97 (Franchise Mode), Madden '09. Also, indirectly, the Turducken.
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| Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "Pocket Monster." |
8. Pokemon (1996)
Copies Sold: 193 Million
With Pokemon, Nintendo put a unique, high-quality RPG in the hands of literally millions of kids. It was a fairly simple concept -- capture and train these little animals to fight against each other so that you can become the best trainer in the land. Then, after the kids (and adults, frankly) were hooked, folks from all different walks of media came out with new ways to make money: a popular TV show, a couple of straight-to-video movies, and trading cards, to name a few. Not to mention even more "color" games released in pairs by Nintendo every few years. Thus was the explosion of Pokemon. Video gaming may never see another phenomenon like it. And hey, maybe that's a good thing. But for now, Pokemon will continue to play a huge part in the video game moneymarket, and in the integration of video gaming into the mainstream culture.
Notable Media: Everything. Trading cards, numerous games, comics, costumes, TV shows, you name it.
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| Does it weird you out that we have the same bangs? |
7. Resident Evil (1996)
Copies Sold: 40 Million
It would be unfair to say that Resident Evil invented a genre when it first dropped in 1996. That would be taking credit away from those few games that decided to try out survival-horror first. What it did do, though, was create a wildly imaginative and horrifying title that was just begging to be franchised. Look at the recipe: an evil corporation, a fleshed-out back story, zombies, outbreaks, and beautiful people with guns. Add a great production into the mix, and there you have it. And though it had been marred by dated gameplay for much of its run, the developers at Capcom have been able to forge a new, innovative style for the last two games. As influential as it is successful, Resident Evil has continued to evolve with the changing game environment, producing fun, scary, high-quality games for millions to enjoy.
Notable Media: Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 5, lots of spin-offs, the popular movie series, novelizations.
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| Lockin' and Loadin' |
6. Halo (2001)
Copies Sold: 30 Million
Love it or hate it, you have to admit the Halo series has done just about as much for the FPS genre as a franchise can do. With fantastic gameplay, awesome graphics and Master Chief, Bungie has managed to create a series that had solidified its name next to the very greatest in video gaming history. In a relatively short time, too. It seems that as each game is released, the boundaries for production in the medium as a whole are pushed farther and the bar is raised. And on top of that, the games have pioneered online multiplayer gaming, both competitively and cooperatively. Imagine what Xbox Live would be like today if Halo 2 and Halo 3 hadn't come out. It would be very different world. That, in and of itself, is a monstrous achievement.
Notable Media: Numerous novels, five games (soon to be six), a movie (rumored), some giant statues.
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Comments
Good list and decent honorable mentions, but I'd have included Metroid.
Posted 02/25/2010 at 10:23:21 AMNo Gran Tourismo or Burnout?
Posted 02/25/2010 at 10:58:42 AMThe contents of this list was totally unexpected and surprising!
Posted 02/25/2010 at 11:47:57 AMNice list, might have missed a couple, but good work. Here is my latest post on my site that you guys might also be interested in: A Look Through 14 Beautiful Video Game HUD Designs http://feedgrids.com/originals/post/a_look_through_14_beautiful_video_game_hud_designs
Posted 02/25/2010 at 12:03:11 PMI agree with almost all the frachises this post has, but i can't believe halo had surpassed Metal Gear Solid. For me, the top 10 would be:
Posted 02/25/2010 at 12:41:51 PM1)Mario
2)Zelda
3)Metal Gear Solid
4)Final Fantasy
5)Grand thefth auto
6)Halo
7)Resident Evil
8)Call of duty
9)Sonic
10)Madden
10)Pokemon
so lame...except for FF....
Posted 02/25/2010 at 01:30:12 PMWhere is Gran Turismo? Should be in TOP5, despite personal tastes.
Posted 02/25/2010 at 01:40:29 PMFOR ONCE MY DEAR BLOGGER I...agree with you. Only one honorable mention to add, if you will, Silent Hill. Even if the game has gone "down hill" sorry, but still a fine franchise.
Posted 02/25/2010 at 02:49:23 PMI agree with everything on the list, not necessarily the order, but that's just personal preference. They all broke new ground gameplay-wise
Posted 02/25/2010 at 02:52:02 PMno sonic?
Posted 02/25/2010 at 02:59:08 PMno street fighter?
FAIL, go home you noob
No Street Fighter, No Sonic, No Gran Tourismo, No Sims, No Super Robot Wars, No Dragons Quest,
Posted 02/25/2010 at 03:12:00 PMu god damn dumbass, GRAN TOURISIMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 02/25/2010 at 03:42:57 PMIt's Turismo, pofokg.
Dumbass.
Posted 02/25/2010 at 04:20:40 PMRegardless what I think of it, World of Warcraft should be on the list.
Posted 02/25/2010 at 04:39:00 PMMega Man? Dragon Quest?
Posted 02/25/2010 at 04:50:48 PMWorld of Warcraft obliterates the impact of anything and everything on this list.
Videogames arent just limited to those lame kiddy-game controlers you console fanbois are forced to use.
Posted 02/25/2010 at 04:52:20 PMThis list is...alright. I think some games are higher up based on their recent success not their success overall
Posted 02/25/2010 at 04:54:45 PMNice compilation you have there... This company hopes of being on this list one day with their thought-controlled technology and technology/medical breakthroughs they are working on http://jedimindinc.com/
Thanks for this post!
Posted 02/25/2010 at 04:57:19 PM1)Grand Theft Auto
Posted 02/25/2010 at 05:00:00 PM2)Final Fantasy
3)Pokemon
4)Silent Hill (only through The Room)
5)Madden NFL
HALF-LIFE!
Posted 02/25/2010 at 05:00:13 PMThe fact that Warcraft isn't #1 makes this list a failure
Posted 02/25/2010 at 05:08:04 PMList is alright, but can't believe you left out street fighter franchise.
Posted 02/25/2010 at 05:09:02 PMList is alright, but can't believe you left out street fighter franchise.
Posted 02/25/2010 at 05:09:02 PMmadden should be ripped down! lol they bought the rites off so no one can fight with them.. i loved nfl fever so much more madden is just dumb!
Posted 02/25/2010 at 05:12:34 PMMetroid should at least be considered. Super Metroid is probably one of the greatest games ever made, and the "Prime" sub-series is not to shabby.
Posted 02/25/2010 at 05:30:30 PMInner Demons>Zombies. Resident Evil's no longer even survival horror. It's just a third person shooter that has jump scares. Not even good ones. I don't think Resident Evil should be one of the top ten franchises in video game history. Maybe a honorable mention on a horror game list, but a top ten franchises list? Bitch, please. Get your priorities straight.
Posted 02/25/2010 at 05:36:52 PMHADOU KEN HADOUKEN SHORYUKEN
Posted 02/25/2010 at 05:48:26 PMMan, all the haters come out. I would say a lot of you missed the point, in terms of sales and popularity these are pretty much the best franchises. I mean, Gran Tourismo might be awesome but is there a novel about it? A movie? Did it influence other games? Is GT really better then a few of the other racing games out there? Just an example, and while WOW may be HUGE, is not really one of the best franchises ever, I mean the RTS's are pretty great, but it only has 4 games with WOW included, not what I call a franchise in the sense of the rest of these.
Posted 02/25/2010 at 07:25:27 PMFUCK GRAN TURISMO
WHAT ABOUT GRAN TORINO?! WHERE YOU PLAY AS A RACIST OLD DUDE, PRESS B TO CURSE AT MINORITIES
Sonic? Ugh why don't you go suck a spiny hedgehog dick. I wish Sonic had never been spawned from whatever sick furry mind he emerged from. "Dragons Quest?" What in the ass-raping pits of deepest hell is Dragons Quest? Is it a Quest for multiple Dragons? Are you one of several Dragons on a singular Quest? Dragons Quest? Did you make this title up?
Oh, what's that Wikipedia? "Although the series is a phenomenon in Japan, as of 2002[update], the games have not garnered as much attention in North America.[1] Although the first four games to come to America generally received good reviews, and as of February 2008 they were among the most sought after titles for the NES, especially Dragon Warrior III and IV,[12] it was not until Dragon Warrior VII was released that Dragon Quest became critically acclaimed.[1] One of the main aspects of the series that critics point out, either positively or negatively, is that the series "never strays from its classic roots."[80] Unlike other modern, complex RPGs, Dragon Quest retains the simple gameplay from the first game, which many critics find refreshing and nostalgic.[80][86][87]"
So in other words you can suck my dick.
Posted 02/25/2010 at 07:36:41 PMwhere is metroid?
Posted 02/26/2010 at 12:25:23 AMI think you'll find that the FIFA series is a much bigger global franchise than Madden and makes EA a lot more money.
Posted 02/26/2010 at 09:18:31 AMActually Fifa has sold about 10 million fewer copies than Madden.
But, a good point, it is definitely up there
Posted 02/26/2010 at 12:29:18 PMNo warcraft and half-life is an embarrassment to the author and shows a lack of overall knowledge of the gaming world.
Posted 02/27/2010 at 11:51:44 AMYeah, dude, because I don't know about those.
Posted 02/27/2010 at 12:24:36 PMThis is a terrible list. Pokemon should be #1, it's the most successful videogame franchise in the history of this planet. Crap like Halo, Call Of Duty and Madden shouldn't even be on here, especially when you left out games like Gran Turismo, Sonic The Hedgehog and Pro Evolution Soccer. Also, Crash Bandicoot should have made this list. A much better top 10 would be:
1 - Pokemon.
2 - Final Fantasy.
3 - Sonic The Hedgehog.
4 - Gran Turismo.
5 - Grand Theft Auto.
6 - Crash Bandicoot.
7 - Smackdown VS Raw.
8 - Metal Gear Solid.
9 - God Of War.
10 - Pro Evolution Soccer.
Oh and to all the undersexed nerds wanting World Of Warcraft on here......the only people who play PC MMO's like WOW are women and gays. Get a life.
Posted 02/27/2010 at 12:52:21 PMHey are you mad?
Posted 02/27/2010 at 02:29:41 PMDavid Macphail you have to be crazy...
Posted 02/27/2010 at 08:17:27 PMthe point is total sales... not what we think...
Well... David Macphail is an idiot.
Posted 02/28/2010 at 06:34:20 PMDread is like the 'dumbshit commenter' police. Word to him.
Posted 02/28/2010 at 07:26:23 PMPokemon should have been higher. But I would have also put Warcraft at least as an honorable mention.
n00b mistake, broski.
Posted 03/01/2010 at 01:11:39 AMCall them like I see them, James.
Posted 03/01/2010 at 06:09:26 PMlol metal gear solid sold well more than 26 million.. and should be first.
Posted 03/02/2010 at 06:50:53 AMAnonymous said: lol metal gear solid sold well more than 26 million.. and should be first.
What's wrong with you people? Anyone who says that a franchise other than Mario's belongs on top of the list has no idea what they're talking about.
Posted 03/02/2010 at 09:27:30 AMI would have Switched Zelda and Mario.
Posted 08/05/2010 at 04:52:56 PM