Given that some of today’s video games are selling like hot cakes, it would be reasonable to assume that their franchises are among the best-selling video game franchises of all time. Well, you might be surprised! Here are the video game series that top the list:
5. Grand Theft Auto (65 million units sold).
Interestingly, this video game series did not have a great sales success until Grant Theft Auto III (2001). Since then, the creators of the franchise have continued to produce new installments that feature new and exciting designs. And yes, it’s fair to say that criticism related to the publicity of the new installments has also helped drive the franchise’s sales. But regardless of whether you’re an opponent or a defender of the series, the franchise has clearly become one of the most successful in video game history.
4. Final Fantasy (75 million units sold).
The creation of the series is as fascinating as its success. In 1987, the Japanese game development studio Square was on its last leg. He decided to throw away everything but the kitchen sink in a new RPG: Final Fantasy. What makes the franchise so fascinating is that the stories of the games are mostly disjunctive, but constantly include new and exciting game experiences for its players. More than two decades after the first Final Fantasy game hit stores, the franchise continues its incredible run.
3. The Sims (90 million units sold).
The fascinating aspect of the franchise is that it is based on our (traditionally monotonous) daily routine. While the concept attracted a ton of critics, the game’s success proved them wrong. In fact, the first installment of The Sims (2000) has won several awards, and has become the number 1 selling PC game in the history of the world. Who knew eating and sleeping could be so much fun?
2. Pokémon (164 million units sold).
While successful cartoon characters often appear in video games, the opposite is sometimes the case. The Pokémon franchise was born in 1996, when Nintendo simultaneously released two Pokémon Game Boy titles. Since then, the characters have appeared on trading cards, a series of cartoons, several feature films and, of course, several video games.
1. Mario (195 million units sold).
After making his debut in “Donkey Kong”, Mario began his successful video game career with the 1983 game “Mario Bros”. Surprisingly, every video game console Nintendo has released has included a Mario game. While some games in the series weren’t blockbusters, others have become legendary in the video game world. The variety of games Mario appears in includes:
- Donkey Kong Jr.
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros. 2
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Dr. Mario
- The world of Super Mario
- Super mario kart
- paper mario
Have you ever wondered where the name of the franchise originated from? It is named after the owner of the Nintendo of America office: Mario Segale.
While producing a one-hit wonder is impressive in today’s highly competitive video game market, creating a successful franchise is an even greater feat. While these franchises are currently the best, will they ever be dethroned?